Project Cardinal 1985 GSL build
03-05-13, 12:34 PM
#1
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Project Cardinal 1985 GSL build
Hey guys, my name is Erik. I am an auto tech, currently in school to better myself. That goes to say I know a little about what I'm doing. I am not a huge fan of carburaters and distributers but I guess I'll learn what I need to a long the way. I have good knowledge of rotary engines and have done some research.
The car I bought Feb 26, I am the third owner. It is a 1985 12a GSL. The body was professionaly restored and repainted by the previous owner. I saw pictures of the process and it wasnt bad to begin with. It is in amazing condition now, EVERYTHING thing works. You cant guess it has 170k miles except by looking at the odometer. The reason the previous owner sold it was because of a coolant seal that blew after the thermostat stuck closed and the engine overheated, he didnt have the time to do it and wanted to move on with other projects.
The Plan: With the deal I recieved a spare 12a, gsl-se rear end, wheels and tote of misc parts. I am rebuilding and street porting the spare 12a and most likely getting the Holly street port carb/intake and header from Racing Beat. The 12a in car the will be rebuilt and put up for sale along with some misc parts. Next step will be HVAC delete and disk brake swap.
The Goal: 350hp turbo 13b swap
I will keep this tread updated with pictures and notes of my adventure as we go.
It's a little dirty after sitting for a year and my daily driver at the bottom
^And my daily driver ^
The car I bought Feb 26, I am the third owner. It is a 1985 12a GSL. The body was professionaly restored and repainted by the previous owner. I saw pictures of the process and it wasnt bad to begin with. It is in amazing condition now, EVERYTHING thing works. You cant guess it has 170k miles except by looking at the odometer. The reason the previous owner sold it was because of a coolant seal that blew after the thermostat stuck closed and the engine overheated, he didnt have the time to do it and wanted to move on with other projects.
The Plan: With the deal I recieved a spare 12a, gsl-se rear end, wheels and tote of misc parts. I am rebuilding and street porting the spare 12a and most likely getting the Holly street port carb/intake and header from Racing Beat. The 12a in car the will be rebuilt and put up for sale along with some misc parts. Next step will be HVAC delete and disk brake swap.
The Goal: 350hp turbo 13b swap
I will keep this tread updated with pictures and notes of my adventure as we go.
It's a little dirty after sitting for a year and my daily driver at the bottom
^And my daily driver ^
03-07-13, 09:37 AM
#2
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
The motor in the car is ready to be pulled. I am ordering an engine stand adaptor, carb rebuild kit, and porting templates this weekend. Just waiting for my tax return to order the engine rebuild kit.
I am no longer going with the RB Holly carb SP combo. Just going to rebuild and modify the Nikki, I have two them so why not. Intake manifold will be ported and polished and still a RB header.
For my first rotary engine rebuild I am going with Atkins 'Master' rebuild kit, streetport templates from Racing Beat. Once the stand adpater comes in I will dissasemble the two engines and take the better parts to build one engine.
I am no longer going with the RB Holly carb SP combo. Just going to rebuild and modify the Nikki, I have two them so why not. Intake manifold will be ported and polished and still a RB header.
For my first rotary engine rebuild I am going with Atkins 'Master' rebuild kit, streetport templates from Racing Beat. Once the stand adpater comes in I will dissasemble the two engines and take the better parts to build one engine.
03-08-13, 02:33 PM
#4
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
No rear wiper, drums in the back and disc up front. The previous owner said it has a LSD rear end? If not I have a disc-LSD rear to put in. Im guessing the bolt pattern is 4x100 and the spare wheels and rear are 4x114.3 I haven't really looked at them yet.
03-08-13, 09:12 PM
#5
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i'd be happy to have that, manual mirrors make it an S model (along with some other stuff), S model is the lightest
1st gens are 4x110 bolt pattern except the gsl-se, which is 4x114.3
1st gens are 4x110 bolt pattern except the gsl-se, which is 4x114.3
03-09-13, 07:23 AM
#7
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Yea looks like an S model, Nice shape too, have you checked your inner rear wheel wells and lower rear floor pan to make sure any rot was taken care of correctly? It is not that hard to swap a LSD in the drum setup, took me about 2 hours (rusty drive shaft). My S/GS hnow has rear drums and a limited slip. Looks like you got a deal, although any 12a housings are like gold just make sure they are within spec first.
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03-09-13, 12:12 PM
#9
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info guys! I have checked the floor pan and rear wheel wells, its clean. I was going to pull the motor today. But I hit a deer with my 3 two nights ago and my parents left me stranded at the house so I cant go get a couple things I need to pull it.
03-10-13, 10:49 AM
#11
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Might be totaled. entire front body needs replaced, there is engine damage, and the airbag popped. I will be hearing from the shop it's at tomorrow. If it is totaled I'm getting a speed6
03-14-13, 12:40 PM
#13
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Im getting confused trying to workout carb a set-up to pair well with a streetport. I want to get the most I can out of the streetport without getting a whole new intake/carb combo. I cant nail down exactly what I need to do to modify the stock nikki. Bigger jets and 
only thing I know is that im getting the Atkins carb rebuild kit and I want to remove all the emissions BS
Im too young and learned in the ways of fuel injection. Carburetors confuse the **** out me; challenge accepted
only thing I know is that im getting the Atkins carb rebuild kit and I want to remove all the emissions BSIm too young and learned in the ways of fuel injection. Carburetors confuse the **** out me; challenge accepted
03-15-13, 10:31 AM
#14
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I used a write up on here to do mine, confused the hell out of me initially but once the emissions go away it's pretty simple.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...ki-mods-62678/
That's one of the write ups that helped me, look up sterling on these forums he knows whats what with these carbs... can't find the step by step I used though...
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...ki-mods-62678/
That's one of the write ups that helped me, look up sterling on these forums he knows whats what with these carbs... can't find the step by step I used though...
03-15-13, 10:37 AM
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Here's another https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...ump-mod-37243/
03-15-13, 11:51 AM
#16
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Awesome, I really appreciate it! I think I'm going to dig into it this weekend. I also found this while scrounging through the site.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...torial-923168/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...torial-923168/
Last edited by TrackRabbit; 03-15-13 at 12:16 PM.
03-18-13, 09:38 AM
#17
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
I got the GP Sorenson carb rebuild kit and took the motor out this weekend. Everything that I can do at my house is done. Im waiting for my current "professional development" classes at school to be done and I can get back in the shop to begin the rebuilds.
What I will be doing in the next month or so:
-Carb rebuild and slight modifications
-Emissions, Rats nest, and HVAC delete
-Engine rebuild and streetport
-Racing beat header and ported intake
-LSD swap?
What I will be doing in the next month or so:
-Carb rebuild and slight modifications
-Emissions, Rats nest, and HVAC delete
-Engine rebuild and streetport
-Racing beat header and ported intake
-LSD swap?
03-21-13, 08:32 AM
#18
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
So I found a Sterling-Nikki carb locally. A guy I went to high school with, graduated before I really go to know him, got one a few years ago for his 12a. He would sell it and accepeted my offer, only problem being he currently has it on his car and doesnt care to take it off at the moment, understandable. I WANT IT!!!!!!
03-22-13, 09:19 AM
#21
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Another great link I found, just posting it here so I can find it again.
http://maz_tutorials.ten15.net/Tutorial_1.pdf
http://maz_tutorials.ten15.net/Tutorial_1.pdf
06-10-13, 07:45 PM
#24
Rotorbaby
Thread Starter
Oh man has it been awhile. I was busy with school and work I lost time with the rx7 and this forum. I finished school, quit delivering pizzas, and started full time at a chevy dealership. I have my evenings back
So, an update, I have the motor with a few new gaskets and the carb assembled ready to go. I just need a friend's help loading the motor into my car to take to work to replace the flywheel, Ive been lazy about that...but after that I can put the motor in and pray it starts 
So, an update, I have the motor with a few new gaskets and the carb assembled ready to go. I just need a friend's help loading the motor into my car to take to work to replace the flywheel, Ive been lazy about that...but after that I can put the motor in and pray it starts
06-10-13, 11:51 PM
#25
Show off your car.
Oh man has it been awhile. I was busy with school and work I lost time with the rx7 and this forum. I finished school, quit delivering pizzas, and started full time at a chevy dealership. I have my evenings back So, an update, I have the motor with a few new gaskets and the carb assembled ready to go. I just need a friend's help loading the motor into my car to take to work to replace the flywheel, Ive been lazy about that...but after that I can put the motor in and pray it starts
So, an update, I have the motor with a few new gaskets and the carb assembled ready to go. I just need a friend's help loading the motor into my car to take to work to replace the flywheel, Ive been lazy about that...but after that I can put the motor in and pray it starts West Penn Mazda Club
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