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

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Old Aug 21, 2012 | 09:18 AM
  #1  
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IN 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???
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 05:55 AM
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(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.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 12:41 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 10:13 PM
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i would go the 13b rout u might be abel to find a nice s5t2, re13b, or rew. for a 5k budget
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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 04:27 PM
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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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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 04:36 PM
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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
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Old Aug 28, 2012 | 12:13 PM
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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
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Old Aug 28, 2012 | 12:38 PM
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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??
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Old Aug 28, 2012 | 08:07 PM
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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

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Old Aug 29, 2012 | 12:18 AM
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Ls1
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Old Aug 30, 2012 | 12:32 PM
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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!
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