Either I have over read it a bunch or it's not there but do you have to use the GSL-se oil pan when putting a s4 motor into an FB that originally had a 12a when you use the -se front cover and the racing beat front mount.

 

The front cover makes no difference between SE and NON its just to retain OMP that you use the SE Front Cover.

Becuase the 13B is a longer engine, you need one of the RB/respeed/mazdatrix mounting options.

Because the engine is longer and alot of it sits further forward you need the SE oil pan because of the steering components. the SE pan is oppositeish to the 12A pan on how it straddles the steering stuff

So To my knowledge, YES you need both the racing beat mount (or alternatives) and the SE oilpan.

 

you can get a S4 13b engine into an originally 12a engine with OEM parts all around. The GSL-SE oil pan is a must for the steering as stated. but you can use a GSL-SE front cover or I've used 12a front covers as they are effectively the same thing. The only issue is the 12a cars sub frame was slightly tweaked for the longer engine. You can slightly tweak your engine cross member to make it work out.

 

i used se oil pan and a 12a front cover with omp blocked off.
Fit just fine and left lots of room for my front mount.

Here are the pic's
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/my-turbo-ii-swap-682986/

 

Well damn i wish i would have ordered the pan along with the front cover and RB cross member.
This is what I have btw

http://mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=10-A600-N304

http://mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=11832

 

Here's a stupid question...

if you are going to drop a S4 or S5 motor into an FB.

Why not simply use the GSL-SE Oil Pan and crossmember?

The GSL-SE's engine is 13B, Mazda made a different crossmember with mounts to make that fit into the car no? So why not use what is proven to work?

 

I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I just recently put my S5 Turbo back together using the GSL-SE oil pan and front cover. I had 2 problems, first the oil pick-up on the bottom of the motor didn't clear the GSL-SE oil pan, so I had to cut and modify it a bit. Secondly the S5 water pump housing won't fit around the GSL-SE front cover without some grinding. I don't know if this is all the same for an S4 but I though I would share the info anyway.

 

That is what I am using is the stock GSL-Se front cover, i was not sure that I needed an oil pan or not.

 

mazda moved the motor mounts on the subframe, they left the bracket that bolts to the engine alone. you can do it mazdas way, but then you need a gsl-se subframe which is harder to get

it does actually leave a little more room for the front oil cooler hose, so it is a little better, but not like it matters.

 

we should also mention you need the 79-85 oil pickup too

 

Could you just move the mounts of a 12A crossmember to match a 13B?

 

Hence the cross bracket from RB.

Thanks for coming out lol.

 

well not really, but something i was thinking about over the course of last night at work. i like carbs, just picked up a 13b out of an 87 rx7. i have a blown 12a out of my 83 gsl. i was more or so wondering that, if i make a custom intake manifold and use the stock lower section of the 13b's intake, use the 12a front cover and 12a distributor and ignition system that is upgraded to a 2ng gen system, will it all work?

i like the sound of a carburetors on a rotary engine. i loved how my 12a sounded, and was thinkin if it were possible with the 13b. everything looks the same on the both on the bottom of the distros. anyone have any insite to this? if it can work, i wanna do it.

 

you can carb a 13b, and the distributor from a 12a works any 13b.

i run a 12a distributor on my gsl-se.

 

i would still have to make a custom intake though huh? shouldn't be to hard to do that at all. well ok for that one.

now, there wasnt a trans attached to the 13b from the junkyard and i would rather use what i have already. is it possible to use a 12a flywheel and counterweight on a 13b? i had read somewhere that i would have to use an aftermarket setup? is that also true or no? thanks for helping me.

 

you will have to use a 13b trans preferably from a gsl-se as the mounts are diff. As for the motor you will also have to swap the oil pan from a first gen 13b to the 2nd gen 13b so it will clear the cross member. Good luck and lets see some pics.

 

damn, i dont have a 13b trans and didnt intend on getting one either. i was told that a 12a would work.......crap!!!! yes i still have the oilpan as well off the 12a as the front housing as well that is currently waiting on a gasket(that is id i can buy it seperate). looks like ill be purchasing a oilpan gasket as well. was gonna have to anyways.

can anyone else confirm that i must use a 13b trans or can i get away with a 12a trans? nothing against you, i believe what you say, i just want someone to back up the information.

 

i remember reading that you CAN use the 12a tranny, but idk what you'll need...do a search it'll come up, there were several threads about it.

 

ok, now im reading that all naturally aspirated 12a and 13b engines from 1983 to 1988 came with a 225mm clutch. if that is true then a trans swap would be fine, but my main concern is will my 12a flywheel and clutch work on the 13b or will i have balance issues?

 

I put a 13b SE transmission in my 83GS (12a). Works fine. But I don't know about the other way around.

 

i dont see why it wouldnt though? backwards compatibility?

 

i'm not sure, i've never done this swap, but as far as i know you only have to worry about the size of the disc and/or flywheel...double check me on that.

 

Bah! Some of us are POOR college students!

 

you can use the clutch but not the flywheel. wont balance

 

only difference between a 12a trans and the 13b ones are the overdrive gears.