GSL-SE rebuild
03-16-12, 04:52 PM
#1
GSL-SE rebuild
I bought an 85 with 142,000 it runs strong to me (first RX7) Should I rebuild it soon,due to the miles it has even tho it runs great. Will the rebuild extend the life of the components or is the termination date is Inevitable? I picked up a S4 13b from air box to 5sp with 164,000. it still ran when the guy pull it for a LS1 conversion. would this one be better to rebuild?
03-16-12, 11:39 PM
#2
Boosted n/a
I see one day boosting my GSL-SE, would it be better to rebuild than boost the FB motor or the FC motor. would like to keep the cost down and shot for 250 hp. use a S4 or S5 turbo type system. Is there any install manuals for a cartech type approach
03-17-12, 04:37 PM
#3
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Whats up man, first off congrats on getting a GSL- SE. I had 2 back in the day and I loved em. Is this your first rotary? If it is youre in for a treat because the 1st Gen RX7s are a really fun and capable platform.
Ok, as far as rebuilding goes... Is the S4 motor you purchased Turbo or Naturally Aspirated? If its not a Turbo motor I wouldnt build neither your GSL-SE nor the S4 motor. Not that theyre bad motors by any means, just not the optimal choice for what your wanting to do... 250 HP with boost. Your GSL-SE motor is the first factory fuel injected 13B and was pretty good but the factory has made a few revisions/improvements over the years (including 3 successively better turbocharged versions) so taking advantage of their R&D along with what youll learn on this board will accomplish your goal (and more) for a lot less money than trying to rebuild and modify either of the motors you currently have for a boosted application.
With that said heres a quick look at what your choices are when it comes to stock powerplants:
1984-1985 GSL SE = 135hp
1986-1988 (S4) Non Turbo = 146hp
1989-1991 (S5) Non Turbo =160hp
1986-1988 (S4) Turbo = 182hp
1989-1991 (S5) Turbo = 202hp
1992-1995 ("REW") Twin Turbo = 255hp
As you can see, 250hp with boost is a walk in the park for a rotary. A very mildly modded & tuned S4/S5 motor will easily do it and an REW makes more than that outta the box.
My $0.02 would be to keep your GSL-SE intact since it still runs strong and take this time to enjoy your FB and come up with a plan of attack. Sell your S4 motor/tranny (unless its a Turbo motor in which case your off to a really good start) and put that money towards gathering parts for your build.
Whatever you decide to do theres a bunch of info on this board so take advantage and do a bunch of research, itll save you some serious dough in the long run. Good luck with your ride man!
Ok, as far as rebuilding goes... Is the S4 motor you purchased Turbo or Naturally Aspirated? If its not a Turbo motor I wouldnt build neither your GSL-SE nor the S4 motor. Not that theyre bad motors by any means, just not the optimal choice for what your wanting to do... 250 HP with boost. Your GSL-SE motor is the first factory fuel injected 13B and was pretty good but the factory has made a few revisions/improvements over the years (including 3 successively better turbocharged versions) so taking advantage of their R&D along with what youll learn on this board will accomplish your goal (and more) for a lot less money than trying to rebuild and modify either of the motors you currently have for a boosted application.
With that said heres a quick look at what your choices are when it comes to stock powerplants:
1984-1985 GSL SE = 135hp
1986-1988 (S4) Non Turbo = 146hp
1989-1991 (S5) Non Turbo =160hp
1986-1988 (S4) Turbo = 182hp
1989-1991 (S5) Turbo = 202hp
1992-1995 ("REW") Twin Turbo = 255hp
As you can see, 250hp with boost is a walk in the park for a rotary. A very mildly modded & tuned S4/S5 motor will easily do it and an REW makes more than that outta the box.
My $0.02 would be to keep your GSL-SE intact since it still runs strong and take this time to enjoy your FB and come up with a plan of attack. Sell your S4 motor/tranny (unless its a Turbo motor in which case your off to a really good start) and put that money towards gathering parts for your build.
Whatever you decide to do theres a bunch of info on this board so take advantage and do a bunch of research, itll save you some serious dough in the long run. Good luck with your ride man!
03-18-12, 10:14 AM
#5
Engine, Not Motor
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I bought an 85 with 142,000 it runs strong to me (first RX7) Should I rebuild it soon,due to the miles it has even tho it runs great. Will the rebuild extend the life of the components or is the termination date is Inevitable? I picked up a S4 13b from air box to 5sp with 164,000. it still ran when the guy pull it for a LS1 conversion. would this one be better to rebuild?
As for your S4 13B, which engine is it? Turbo or NA?
The best bet is to swap in a TII engine. For only 250HP, it doesn't matter whether you choose S4 or S5 because that's easily achievable on the stock turbo either way. Best bet is to install the TII transmission as well, modify the shifter location to fit, use a custom driveshaft to connect it to the 1st gen rear end (see 1st gen FAQs). Use a standalone to run the engine so you don't have to screw around with finding all the stuff related to the old stock ECU.
03-18-12, 07:17 PM
#6
The S4 engine is an N/A I got as a spare for my son's car. He has a 86 SE, was gong to rebuild it and the trans for stand by when he pops his (17 year old) The 86 has 150K not nearly as strong as my 85.
As to install a TII, The stand alone would run the fuel system (injectors,air flow air temp and fuel pump) and ignition(use second Gen. ignition) Than the instrument cluster and rest of the car with the old ECU? What is your opinion on using a JDM TII ? If JDM would stiil be easier with a stand alone? Side note; I've seen some of the videos from Japan, those boys drive pretty hard!
As to install a TII, The stand alone would run the fuel system (injectors,air flow air temp and fuel pump) and ignition(use second Gen. ignition) Than the instrument cluster and rest of the car with the old ECU? What is your opinion on using a JDM TII ? If JDM would stiil be easier with a stand alone? Side note; I've seen some of the videos from Japan, those boys drive pretty hard!
03-19-12, 09:46 AM
#7
Engine, Not Motor
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The 1st gen ECU runs only the engine. The gauges and everything else are connected directly to their sensors.
If you intend to keep the engine stock when you swap it into your 1st gen, you can use all 2nd gen sensors and ECU, as well as the wiring harness. But that can be a bit of a pain. A standalone is easier to wire, but you'll need to tune it.
"JDM" engines are just junkyard engines from Japan. For all intents and purposes in this discussion, they are the same as North American engines and don't negate the necessity for properly controlling the engine.
If you intend to keep the engine stock when you swap it into your 1st gen, you can use all 2nd gen sensors and ECU, as well as the wiring harness. But that can be a bit of a pain. A standalone is easier to wire, but you'll need to tune it.
"JDM" engines are just junkyard engines from Japan. For all intents and purposes in this discussion, they are the same as North American engines and don't negate the necessity for properly controlling the engine.
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03-19-12, 10:10 PM
#8
sorry, I changed direction mid post. I was thinking of a package type JDM; MAF to 5sp. that way I would have most every thing I would need. Than disassemble engine and turbo and rebuild it. I've noticed quite a few posts that talk about not using the JDM ECU, but USDM ECU, is that more for swaps into 2 Gen cars? So I could use the jspec ECU in a GSL-SE.
Than I read today, that S5 t2 stock setup would limit boost to only 5psi so one would need a Boost Controller?
Since Dec. when I bought my first 7 I've reading on the forum most every day, WOW a lot of info and different builds on turbo topic. At times, seems I have more questions than not. Been reading both 1 Gen and 2 Gen builds.
Just found your series on engine rebuild. will be watching it over the few days.
Than I read today, that S5 t2 stock setup would limit boost to only 5psi so one would need a Boost Controller?
Since Dec. when I bought my first 7 I've reading on the forum most every day, WOW a lot of info and different builds on turbo topic. At times, seems I have more questions than not. Been reading both 1 Gen and 2 Gen builds.
Just found your series on engine rebuild. will be watching it over the few days.
Last edited by HRnico; 03-19-12 at 10:14 PM.
