What's my best option, 12a, 13b swap, or 12a w/13b housings?
 

Hello forum! I need some advice. I have a 1985 RX-7 with a 1979 12a in it. Working on getting it running. It should but it has been sitting for a while. The current 12a has around 70-80k on it. I have the green light from the boss to use tax return on it. :-D
Here's my issue. I want to have the motor redone while I have the $. Ideally I want a 12a with a street port to go with the full racing beat exhaust currently on the car. With 12a housings what's my best option. I don't need a race car. Im looking for a daily driver that I get years of enjoyment out of. What are the chances of getting real good 12a housings or mine being great? Should I just swap it to a 13b? I have also heard that 13b housings can be used??? Does that help or hurt or require alot of modification???
My budget will be in the $5000 range. I don't want to skimp on motor but It needs suspension refresh as well.
What say the forum???

(Let's bring this to the top.)


Go for the 13B swap. It don't think it will be that difficult at all into an FB.

With a $5k budget, you're golden.

Maybe some FB guys can chime in.

That's where I'm leaning. Everything I have read says actual mounting requires just a little. Im more concerned about wiring for ignition. I assume I would need 13b ecu. Racing beat has a holly carb kit that would probably be easier than trying to convert the fuel tank to run fuel injection. I couldn't post in fb yet and It did seem like a noob question. :)

i would go the 13b rout u might be abel to find a nice s5t2, re13b, or rew. for a 5k budget

That engine is barely even broken in. My first 12a died at 213,000 miles after years of autocross racing and daily driving.

My opinion, spend your money on carb/exhaust/brakes/suspension/stuff you really need. I doubt you need a motor quite yet. :)




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fully bolted FB w/ RB package/1100 bux. you sitting at around 200whp on stock port. on a 1900 lb car....that can do some damage

I will get a compression test done before deciding. I doubt the motor is trashed unless the sitting did it in. If it tests good i will work on other issues. Im just trying to plan ahead for the worst case. I don't often get the green light to spend that $$$ from the wife. :-D

Yeah, your current mileage isn't bad at all.

What are your goals with this vehicle? Daily driver? Auto-X? Both? And what are your horsepower goals??

Truth day is Thursday. Hope it fires. Fingers crossed.
As for goals I'm a bit torn. I need daily driver and I'm a fan of longevity as I always have a thin budget. (Walmart employee) But quicker would be so much fun.
I have only driven a SA and FB. I LOVE how they drive. So nimble and smooth. What a joy. More power is great but at what point is that balance destroyed?
I like curvy roads. A straight line car is out of the question.
As for carborators...I HATE them. More issues and constant fiddling. I LOVE fuel injection. 13b carby is just a little easier as my fab skills are almost nil. But I am willing to learn.
Here's a pic of the ride

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...-25-56_318.jpg

Ls1 ;)

Almost have it started. Im not getting any gas out of the tank. Its almost starting off gas down carb. Its just a matter of time now!