Ok, here is the deal. I own a 1991 Na coup, and my brother loves it, although it needs a lot of work still. I know it very well, so he needs my advice on getting one. Only problem is, he can't travel for one, and there are no 2nd gens for sale in my area, but there are two first gens. One is a 1985 gsl se, and the other is a 1982 something or another. He's looking at getting the 1982 one, and want's my advice. I already drove him to see it yesterday, and he wants it. But I really don't know much about it. I advised him that it has a 12a in it, and I really don't know much about them, or fist gens in general. That's where you guys come in.

How exactly is a 12a different from a 13b?

I know this one is carburated, and uses a distributer cap, but that's the only difference I know of. I know that both of these things can be used on a 13b, so I am lost here, as to how exactly it is different. Does it still have potential?

How are the handling characteristics of the car?

I know it's an RX7, but is is better, worse, the same as the 2nd gens?



Now, onto specific questions on the 1982 car. The body is better than my car, but there is much rust under the hood, how concerned would you be? The engine does not run. I think it's blown. He said he "thinks" it ran low on oil. I check the dipstick, no oil on it at all. I can't turn it over by hand, so I think an apex broke off, and lodged itself really good. How hard is it to stick a 13b in there, since the engine is being re-done anyways.

I did search, and read a lot. Trust me, if I didn't, I would be asking some really stupid questions right now...... Meaning even more stupid than I just did...lateR

 

TO my knowledge the 13b makes about 33 more horsepower and 25 lb ft.

I think it'd be better to buy the GSL-SE and focus on fixing whatever problems are on that. Buying an 82 with a shot engine might cost you more to swap the engine than to get the GSL-SE..Is your bro deadset on the 82?

 

12a's and carbs kick *** man. a gsl-se is nice too tho. with my old n/a 12a setup (pretty much damn stock, minus great exhaust) i beat highly modded n/a fc's. i even beat a streetported one. the 12a cars are lighter. WOOOT!

 

i'd go with the GSL-SE. How much are they both 4sale for?

 

The gsl se is 2500, and the 1982 is best offer by the end of the week, he want's it because he thinks it looks better with a spoiler, and those wierd shades/louvers over the back window. The interior is shot to. Although I did recommend the gsl se, He is cheap...later

 

the only thing you have to change on a 13b to swap the engine in to the 82 is the oil pan and something else...it's not that hard but with an 85 gsl-se oil pan and the other mod I can't remember now it should slide in like a puppy. IMO You should get it ported while it's getting a rebuild just my 2 cents

 

An engine run low on oil is a door stop. Almost nothing in that engine will be usable. The rotors will be overheated and the bearings spun. The Eshaft will be a paperweight, the side housings will have overheated centers and will have warped. The stat gears will likely be damaged. About the only thing you might be able to reuse is the rotor housings. Any place that builds 12A's won't accept that engine as a core, so you're looking at $1500+ for the motor. And the funny thing is that you would pay more if you tried to do it yourself because you won't have access to the used parts bin that a professional will have, and new parts are $$$$.

I'd say go for the -SE, since you get the 13B without the expense of a swap. Unless the 82 has a mint body, clean interior, etc. and you just happen to have a spare 1st gen engine (13b or 12a) I'd stay away from it.

 

I'd go with the '85 as well. The back end will be better for handling. Tell your brother to start with an offer to buy both, then work his way down from there. At least make an offer for the '85 and the spoiler off of the '82.

 

If he can afford the GSL-SE, he better get it. It will be worth more as the years go by and it's a way better car all around. Better engine, better suspension, better rear end, rear disc brakes, and the fact that is more rare than the '82. It's like comparing a Trans AM to a Firebird.

-my 2 cents....

 

So which is the better one? A Transam or a Firebird? I thought they were the same thing.

 

Now days, a T/A is about $10,000 more than a Firebird. Basically, Firebirds have basic interior, wheels, and a V6. It's the "base" model.

T/A's have leather, power everything, usually T-tops, and one bad-*** V8. Lots more rubber tucked under the fenders too. Oh, and a wing on the rear and different tailights and Ram-Air induction. There's probably more that I've forgotten here.

Just about every car manfr. out there, if they have a "SE" model, will be drastically different including a bigger/faster engine under the hood.

Just like I also have a '72 Pontiac Lemans but wish I had a '72 GTO for the same difference reasons... It's the "package" that makes a car great.