Ok, I'm gonna put a t2 motor into a first gen. I will be using a microtech efi. I was originally looking for a gsl-se for the swap but they seem to be getting harder and harder to find (I'm currently looking). I would really like to find one with the gray interior. My question is this........what are the benefits to using the gsl-se.

Since I am gonna put a t2 motor into it, the motor won't benefit me.

I do like the better brakes, bolt pattern and lsd but these can be sourced from the junkyard and added on later right? Are the axles different? Is there any other differences in the suspension? I believe the 84-85 had something in the rear lowered a little to help with the oversteer....is this true for both the SE and non SE?

Is there any differences to the gas tank, fuel lines ect in the gslse since it's fuel injected (baffles)? Can I used the non gslse gas tank just the same?

Oh yeah, one last thing, this car needs to pass smog. I am planning on leaning out the microtech and hooking the air pump directly into the cats. It won't have an egr (JSPEC). I know a place that seems to be a little friendly with the visual inspection as long as it's clean. I was thinking when they run my vin it will tell them if it's fuel injected or not and maybe they would be "happier" if the car is supposed to be fuel injected to begin with.

thanks for taking the time to read this

 

First the GSL-SE gas tank is not the same as non-SE car, cause the -SE tank has a 3/8" fuel supply fitting and the other have a 5/16". Do a seach on this forum, somebody did a side by side photo shoot.

Secondly the suspension is year specific, so 1984-85 suspension is the same, but SE have different axle shafts (minor),different bolt pattern and larger brakes. Moving the mounting point on the lower trailing arm actually hurt the car when lowering it over stock height.

As far a California smog laws states, when it applies to car less that 30 years old, you smog the year of the engine, not the year of the car. Which means if you stick a 1988 TII engine in your 1985 Rx-7 you need to pass 1988 emmissions levels. That does not mean you can put in a 1974 Rx-4 engine in your car, at which point you would still have to meet the smog of the year of the car. You do a different model engine/year swap you will have to take it to a California SMOG referee to get buy off and a little sticker for the door.

Hey I didn't right the law, I have just read it a million times.

John

 

there is a bunce of gsl-se on ebay right now pretty cheap too i have a gsl-se and i love it and i also plan on a t2 swap in the future good luck

 

The fuel lines for the -SE are also different. They are all steel lines with fittings made for fuel injection. If you got a non -SE, you would have to install your own fuel injection lines since the carb lines are both smaller and can't handle the pressure of the pump. About 5 psi for carb as compared to 40 psi for fuel injection.

 

Thanks for the info guys! Sounds like if I can find a nice SE locally that would be the way to go for the differences in the fuel systems.

I do know of the requirements to "legally" pass the smog check. I am banking on the smog dude not knowing what year motor it is or just plain not caring (as long as it passes the sniffer). I have a couple friends with turbo AE86's passing smog because they run clean even though they are turboed. BTW, I guess the rolling 30 yr law is a reality now. Someone with a 75 repu on this forum posted that he just registered it and it's exempt!

 

I believe the SE fuel tank also has a baffle inside.

 

The hubs are better on the 84-85 cars, regardless if it's an SE or not. I just upgraded my GSL to SE specs and believe me, I'd buy an SE to start with next time. It's a royal PITA. The brakes are much better as you know, and the wheel studs are hands down better than those bolts the GSL had. Also, the GSL-SE had a 4.10 rear end vs the GSL 3.90 if I'm not mistaken. Start with the SE, don't upgrade later. You'll understand once you try it.

 

Thanks 85 gsl, now if I could only find a GSL-SE with gray interior! Found a few but they were sold when I called.

 

The only reason why I could see not wanting a GSL-SE, is if your really picky about weight reduction since the GSL-SE weighs more than any other model. Its fully loaded, what did ya expect?

 

Just emailed you another link to a CLEAN Gsl-Se....its just in Illinois. Good luck on your T2 swap. I'm planning on doing a Renesis swap. Already got the motor lined up. For the microtech. Talk to Dave Gibson from FC3S.org.... he's gonna be selling them soon.

 

That's simple. If you can, hell yes!