Well, I have been running about 10lbs of boost on a 122000 mile engine for about a year now. Put about 5000 mile on her before she went terminal. Seems the rear rotor has no compression. Was driving her home from the gym wasnt even beating on her. Next thing I now really sluggish and lotsa smoke. just put in new plugs and my awesome new shift ****. But anyways got her home after she stalled about a block away from the house. Had two really nice (off duty) cops tow me home figured I would let the clutch out and see if she would come to life. She did but only for a short time. Had to keep the gas almost floored to keep her running, She was running sluggish as hell and I could tell she just didnt have in in here to keep going. came to a stop sign and game over.
Just came in from messing with her. Figured my ignition might not be up to the best of health so I Installed a MSD 6a to see if that would bring her back. She did the same thing couple back fires but no life to her. pulled the plugs little wet but the part that hurt was when I manually turned the engine by hand. I usually get nice phhsshh sounds when I do that with the plugs out. Not today little white puff of smoke and on phsshh sound from the front plug. Spun the engine the other way to see if fuel would come out and none did. But the engine locked up going backwards. Never did that to me before. It locked up hard too like a bolt or something hit the brakes. Spins freely one way but not the other. So I came to the conclusion its time to take this project 85 GSL apart and make a project turbo 85 gsl to 83 gsl body swap. I got the 83 gsl free of a forum member just in time to save the spirit of the 85. I figure I will take everything off the 85 minus the engine and put it in the 83. Since all the performance parts are on the 85 and the god awful red interior from the 83 has to go. So that has to be swapped over too.

Ok after all of that what parts are better on the 83 that on the 85?

 

The oil cooler.

 

Nope same oil cooler, 81/82 have the front mount. Dash looks different though....rear is better on the 85 bigger axles and bearings.

 

i could of swore it was the 84-85 that had the beehive oil cooler only

 

Nope,all 12A cars 83-85 had it along with the thin,tall radiator.
Not much is better between the 83-84/85's.The aforementioned rear axles/bearings and the bigger front wheel bearings are about the only mechanical improvements.The change in interior design isnt really better,just different.....it may be more modern looking,but thats all opinion.

Too bad about your engine,sounds like a chunk-O-apexseal got wedged into the path of the rotor.Dont force it anymore or you could end up junking a potentially re-usable part,if you decide to rebuild.

 

Will you be SP the new engine?if your taking it apart i susgest that you should unless you're worried about mpg? unless you feeel like talking it apart twice? but ya sorry about your engine, happend to me a couple of weeks ago and I'll be getting a SP builded on monday.

 

any differance between the trannies? As to which one is better/stronger. I have a motor apart already that is in the process of being rebuilt/SP but its slow in getting that project completed. Now the priority is stipping the 83 down to its essentials and swpping parts over to it. That and I got news that my parts from Japan should be on the way soon. SO thats a bonus on reworking the larger intercooler and turbo in to the engine bay.

 

Some of the autocross guys like the 83 tranny due to some minor differences in the gear ratios. Other than that, pick the one that is in the best overall condition.