mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

this thread is a new thread spawning from my original thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-general-discussion-207/finally-got-my-l6-project-796342/

to bring new readers up to speed,essentially, i swapped an SE engine and trans into an 85 GS. i chose this particular car because of the color, which is ocean blue metallic, color code L6. this is m favorite FB color. i wanted the a challenging project and this car was perfect for it as i quite favor the GSL-SE's engine over the carb'd 12A. so, i wont go into too many details as the previous thread explains the swap. i will continue to update the restoration of the L6 car in this thread as the old thread is getting large. today, i pieced together an exhaust out of oem exhaust parts that i had and fooled with the oil cooler and lines until it mostly stopped leaking (one or two drops on the spalsh pan after a drive). i believe the source to be the long line. at any rate i was able to snap some pics and videos on a short drive. something in the rear end is making some noise. doesnt sound like your typical bearing issue though.. i still need to replace all of the car's the bushings with poly bushings and replace the shocks, struts, springs, tie rod ends, ball joints..etc.. so a better determination will be made once i can afford to do that. at any rate, here are some pics and videos of the car today:

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

will you be changing to se suspension, brakes and wheels?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

not sure yet...i may only swap in a GSL rear end because ultimatly i want 83 LE wheels on the car. i have the oem IMSA spoiler that i may be installing when i paint the car. it will be painted to match.

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

i really like the le wheels. i'm ultimately getting the vert bbs wheels.
do like the car though. sounds like it has more power than mine

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i was really suprised at the power of this engine. did you watch the second video? it squeals the tires in 1st when you put the hammer down and it chirps the tires shifting into 3rd...this is one lively engine. previous engine owner said the engine was pulled from a wrecked SE with 55K miles.

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

yes i saw you squeel in 1st. maybe the 13s don't give as much traction? i can chirp into 3rd but not as much as yours.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i may attribute the chirping into 3rd because of the new clutch. tires are actually really nice. almost brand new goodyears.

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure my clutch is on its last year. and the ujoints are most likely going bad as well.
Hope to run into you some day, super big fan of this car, a simple dd.

ps i really love the interior. i'm planning on keeping only the door panels and dash. the door panels will be redone and the dash will be dyed/painted from maroon to black.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Very nice man, cool to see it as a whole car again, runs good too! I'm curious, what do you plan to do with the hole left in the dash where the choke **** went? I'm still trying to figure out what to put there on my 13b swap as well....

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

the hole i plan on filling with an original grey plug from an SE.. just have to find one

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

Looking very clean Dave. A good clutch will definitely chirp 3rd, even in a stock 12A car. BUT you guys also have to remember that it still has an open diff and not an LSD so it's much easier to spin/chirp one tire than it is two.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Yea thats very true....

BikerSC

Dave, that is really nice. I am glad to see that thing going. You sure did it right. You did a much better job than I would have been able to do.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

just ordered all new poly bushings today for the car. also picked up a set of new RB front springs!

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Looks very clean Dave.

Did not check your other thread but did you detail how you laid in the new harnesses in case members do the swap?

NCross

iTrader: (18)

What did you put in place of the choke ****? Is it just a hole now? I woulda left it to mess with people...

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

he said he's gonna put an se plug in there, when he can find one.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Doc, i really didnt specify. but i believe i said, if not i'm saying now, that the SE harness falls right into place. its pre bent identical to the GS harness. as long as the clips are in tact that secure the harness to the body behind the dash then its smooth sailing. if not..well you'll have to get creative to secure the harnes to the body so that it will stay in place when reinstalling the dash rather than just flopping around.


NCross, as thunkrd said, the SE originally had a plug in the spot on the dash where the choke cable went through. they are color coordinated with the dash. so i guess i'll have to post a want to buy ad.

Rotarx7

iTrader: (3)

very very nice! looks like fun. sometimes i wish i still had my fuel injection on my SE

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i really like the fuel injection. i actually chose this engine because of it.. i take it you went the carb route..

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

i like fuel injection when it works

eprx799

iTrader: (8)

I am glad to see the engine works that well for you.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

that car turned out really nice! its good right now except for those belts and aftermarket hose clamps, they are really bugging me, everything else is tip top

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

not a fan of the belts huh? i didnt get the oem hose clamps because i wanted to make sure the thing ran before i spent a ton of money on small restoration parts.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

got a good start on parts to replace worn suspension components. picked up a set of front RB springs, poly bushings for the tension rods, sway bars, and sway bar end links. going to pick up the RB rear springs, tokico blue struts and shocks, new tie rod ends, inner and outer, and both lower ball joints.