-dont forget that the power mirror switch is different SA to FB. SA's had two joysticks to the left of the steering column to control the power mirrirs.

-SA's use a different style lower front air dam than the FB's

-antenna lengths were different

-trailing plug shutdown was eliminated in 81

-gas tanks are different SA to FB and the FB tanks differ as well

-SA's originally came with three electrode plugs, FB's came with four electrode plugs

 

You are correct.

I'm not sure about the '80 model, but the '79 model as a strengthening brace in the storage bin area.

Location of key hole for rear hatch.

Windshield defroster vents are different - a mesh grill on my '79 SA's and a plastic insert on my '81 FB.

Door panels without pockets at the bottom. I'm not sure if these were available on the '81-'83 S models or not.

You get a full size spare in the SA's.

That little triangle piece on the rear side windows is "longer" on the SA's.

 

Didn't know that , I wonder if thats the reason for no storage bins on the 79-80 ?

 

No. The strenghening brace that I mentioned is though.

 

The gearing of the transmissions are different from the 4-Speeds to the 5-Speeds. At least this is the case between my 4-Speed SA and my 5-Speed FB. The SA topped 3rd gear out at about 85mph at 7k RPMs. The FB tops 3rd gear out at about 75mph at 7k RPMs. Seems like 2nd gear pulls a little bit harder in the FB as well than the SA did. I can't speak for the SA 5-Speeds since I've never driven one

 

The SA's do have the vertical braces in the bin areas; when I converted mine for bins, I made custom bin bags that go up over the braces.

The full-size spare on the SA's is the reason for the difference in gas tank sizes, though.

 

my FB came with a full size spare. Even with the same aluminum wheel

 

a little more on BRAKES , regarding the proportioning valve ,courtesy of T G Farrel ..... mmmmm Waffles and divindriver ... moderation is for monks

I have a similiar issue on my 80 SA. It will favor the left front wheel when I brake hard and pull slightly to that side. Whenever I have had this be a problem it usually means I need to adjust the rear drum brakes and do a bleed while I'm at it. Once the rear brakes are back in adjustement it seems to be much better and will eventaully come back over time. On the SA,as Divin pointed out, the left front is the directly connected brake line to the MC and the others go thru the pv. Opposite of how your works. Maybe 81-85 thats correct for the plumbing.

PS

I hope none of you mind me snatching little pieces from other threads and copying into this one .

 

again courtesy of DivinDriver from another thread answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by kcscott11
...but according to you, if the key is on the fuel pump is running on a 79 rx7?

Yep; on 79's and 80's (the "SA" models) the pump runs continuously when the key is on. Floats in the carb shut off fuel flow into the bowls when they are filled; and excess gas is just circulated back to the tank through the return line.

 

I thought thats how my '82 was, as well. How is that different to FBs?

 

The fuel pump runs continuously on '79-'83 cars. Starting in '84, they added the fuel pump relay and made it so that the pump runs onnly during cranking or if the car is running.

 

^^^As well as adding an Inertia switch in the event of a rollover