I just purchased a '79 in very nice condition. I'll be attaching pics soon. It is so nice I'm having reservations molesting an almost all original car. I don't think I'm going to be doing anything that can't be undone and will be keeping all the original parts, so I think I'm going to go ahead and do it. I've been out of the RX-7 and car game for 15 years now. I had an '85 GS with an S5 turbo engine/transmission. I swapped in GSL-SE front and rear suspension. I was running a bar of boost on a large Borg Warner turbo which was all running on a Microtech. I sold the car when I was in college and now that I am looking to get back into it. I'm not looking to be as aggressive with HP numbers but would like 300 whp. Not looking to launch or drag, just looking for a nice dash here and there and for the fun of the build. There were a lot more cars and parts available back then and I'm worried I won't be able to easily get what I need.
Concerns-

1) Not that the GSL-SE rear was meant to handle 400whp but it's certainly better than the SA's I'm sure. Also would prefer discs all around and the 4x114.3 pattern. If I can't get my hands on a SE suspension I'm wondering what the '79 can handle... with small street tires I don't know if this will even be a problem anyway as I would just spin with the SE rear.

2) What are the condition of the JDM T2, 13B-REW, 13B-RE engines these days? I see they are still available through import sites and ebay. I don't even know how this is still possible... where are they coming from?

3) I remember everything being straight forward with the swap on an '85 with SE suspension. Only thing I remember is having a custom driveshaft made and using the SE 13B front cover for motor mount. Anything else I should be aware of with an SA?

Thanks

 

1) i don't think the 79 rear is any weaker, the brakes are worse, but as far as strength goes, its basically the same thing.
2) bottom of a dead nuclear reactor in a typhoon... view them as a good way to get all the stuff on top of the engine, and if you're lucky you get a good core. high dollar option is to buy an REW for the intake/turbos/ etc, and then just buy a new engine from Mazda, they have them now.
3) i'm sure there is something, but basically its the same.

 

Ha I figured there was only garbage left. I can literally call mazda parts and just order an FD block? Pretty cool they are still making them but sounds like I'll be spending 10k instead of the $1800 I did over a decade ago.

 

price went up, but it is 100% new built in Japan, street price is probably a little over $4k. it is the high dollar option, but at least you get something for the $$

 

I think IRP has them for $4600 or something like that. Not bad for a brand new block. Of course it's a bare block so you need everything else. Maybe find a blown engine cheap locally and buy the new one from Mazda and combine everything?

 

Yes I saw IRP offered them! I tried calling the local Mazda parts department and I short circuited them...they had no clue what I was talking about and said no longer made. It seems you need to be a business/person with connections to the Mazda of Japan, but I am just speculating. Yes I'm looking for an inexpensive engine as we speak. Hopefully one with a solid transmission. Is there a preferred vendor for JDM engines? Perhaps one that has engines only subjected to the typhoon and not the nuclear reactor? I apologize if this is not the correct section for this but I promise this will turn into a build thread at some point.

 

So the car is now en route from CA. I also posted some pictures in the new member section.

 

Right now I'm looking at getting a GSL entire rear. I would like to redrill the axles and front existing hubs to another bolt pattern. I have been reading old threads... some say there isn't enough meat on the entire hub but only where the existing holes are. Some say they have redrilled with no issues.

Which is it?

 

i dont think its worth the effort....4x110 not too mant options but ive heard of companies will drill the bolt pattern for u.

 

That's why I was asking about getting them redrilled... for either a 100 or 114.3 pattern. If I go through the trouble to do the drilling I'd like to at least have disc brakes from the GSL rear.

 

Well I need to start with something. What is the most you would pay for something like this? Any notable differences with series 7 engines FD engines?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-97-MAZD...59.m2763.l2648

 

i was referring to rims not axles

 

the 99+ engines had a better oil metering system, but other than that there were no changes to the actual engine. and any new engine you buy is the new spec. the big improvements were the ECU and the vacuum rack and if you got the 280ps version the turbos

if you get that, and the ECU has all the plugs, you should wire it up an run it, it runs really really nice.

Mazda USA, and all the dealers can get an engine, but they need to not be retarded, part number is N3G1-02-200

 

Moser used to sell axles in a couple of different bolt patterns, that being said there are more 4x110 wheels now than there used to be, Rota Rb's are pretty good

 

Just Received my JDM 13B-REW engine/tranny. I've got my work cut out for me. It was definitely exposed to the elements. Hopefully there isn't any seaweed inside. I'm going to go with the 12a front cover for mounting. Not sure if this transmission is the best idea. I've got to come up with a solution for shifter location.

 

i think you may be able to remove the cover in front of the shifter, and put the shifter there instead. another option is the Rx8 6 speed, shifter is already in the right place.

engine is a 94, both IC pipes are black instead of silver, yet it still has the 2 piece thermostat cover. the intake pipes are the 93-94 style.

it looks to have had a v mount or some other kind of intercooler, that is what those pipes are in the radiator hoses. chances of it being rebuilt are better than average

i'd be happy to get that engine. you should still inspect it carefully, but i'd be optimistic

 

I'd go with an RX-8 trans option like j9fd3s has suggested. Direct fit for shiftier location.

 

How direct of a fit are we talking? I can fit through with minimal modification or within a cm direct? I'll have to do some research on the RX8 swap on here. It would be pretty cool to have 6 speed in a SA now that the average highway speed is 80. What makes the SA tailshaft not compatible? Anything that could be machined?

I'm looking at the FD transmission. It doesn't look like fun relocating the shifter but I haven't abandoned the idea yet. I don't know how far it is going to be off as I couldn't find anyone using an FD tranny on here, although I probably didn't search hard enough. The idea of sticking it in the next compartment isn't a bad idea depending on where it ends up exactly. I do have a CNC mill which would definitely help with that. The one concern I have with that are the springed stabalizers (no idea what they are called, and I'm guessing they keep the shifter stable in neutral?). Even with a CNC mill that would be more of a challenge than it's worth if they are necessary. Arrow going to one of the stabilizers.

 

the Rx8 trans bolts right up to the engine, and its push type, instead of pull type clutch, so it needs a different pressure plate, but that is it. the Rx8 6th gear is shorter than the FD, you get an extra gear in between.

the SA trans is completely different than the FD, i think you'd end up machining the whole thing away and starting over...

you could actually put an non turbo flywheel on the FD engine and use the SA trans, it won't last forever, but it would be quicker to get running

 

Thanks for the info. The SA transmission is tempting to get started but I'm in no rush. I was reading all about the disc, pressure plate, and flywheel. Looks like you also need a modified clutch slave. All looks pretty straightforward. I'm trying to find a diagram like the one I attached for the RX8/FD/SA. I've read wildly different measurements on different forums. People need to work on their measuring tape skills.

So the good news is the RX8 tranny can be had for as low as $350 shipped. The bad news is that the 04-08 seems to be very weak from what I'm reading. The 09-11 seems to be the answer but is triple the price.

 

some of that is hype, the 04-08 can handle a lot of torque, but the synchros are weak/don't last very long, in a race car. in a street car they just don't have problems.

the Rx8 in general has a bad rap, and the reputation is way worse than real life

 

 

I did the rew swap in my gslse and am running the fd trans, I got a custom shaft made and also cut a little of the metal around the shifter hole...

worked for me

 

I just started checking out your build thread... you really got after it! Nice car!!! I'll have something to keep me occupied for a while. The SA is just too far off. If I had an FB I would probably just do that. I think the decision has been made... I'm going to get an RX8 trans. They seem to be a dime a dozen so no problem if I blow one. Thanks everyone.

 

The challenge is the difference between the shiftier location between the 1979 and 1985.

I'll be using a RX-8 trans in my REPU.