1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Said I'd never do it again...

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Old 03-23-05, 04:47 PM
  #26  
No distributor? No thanks

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83 1/2 are THE car to have for some autocrossers. Somewhat lighter, but with bigger-splined rear end like the S3. Early 83 cars are THE ONLY source for a LSD that will drop into older RX cars (took me forever to find one). 83.5 have bolt-through pinion flange, whereas older 83s have threaded (small spline). If you ever want to cannibalize one, look for the beehive and diff if you want to know what you've got.
Old 03-23-05, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by peejay
Holy crap, a '70 Catalina!
Not just a Catalina, a factory 455 station wagon

I can't afford to drive it since gas went so high, it has about 10:1 compression and only takes 93.



Old 03-23-05, 05:13 PM
  #28  
Seven Is Coming

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Im still looking for one for myself again... Someday you'll see me posting like this too

~T.J.
Old 03-23-05, 10:07 PM
  #29  
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Ahhh, yay for the lightened rotors + heavier flywheel. I have an '83 engine for parts. Whenever my '82 goes out, SP + rotor swap should do well
Old 03-24-05, 01:53 PM
  #30  
Take A Look Around

 
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**** nevermind the Catalina is that a 79 Zehpyr beside it??? you must give it to me!!!! first car I ever had same color too! oh and nice FB
Old 03-24-05, 04:35 PM
  #31  
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It's a 78 Fairmont Futura (same thing, but you knew that). It is getting a turbocharged 5.0 HO once I recover from moving into this house.
Old 03-24-05, 04:40 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by vipernicus42
Yeah, there was another thread on here recently discussing some differences in the funky '83s. Mazdatrix lists an '83 and an '83-and-a-half kinda thing. It's like Mazda decided to make some changes at the beginning of the '83 run, then again halfway through, then again at the beginning of the '84 run!

One of these days, someone is going to get un-lazy enough to compile a VERY detailed listing of all these changes through the 1st generation... Might be me, who knows. I'll have to get a lot of free time before that happens though

The question I have now is: How do I identify if the engine I have is an '83? I think only the second HALF of the '83 production year got the S3 oil cooler, so if I do have an '83 it would be from the first HALF. And did the whole year have light rotors?

Gah.. so confusing

Jon
Problem is that Mazda never really went by model years with the FB. They just sorta phased-in changes gradually as they came up with them, so there are HUNDRED of combinations.

A good example:
My old '85 SE (made in late '84) had the short air intake (takes air from in front of the rad)
My new '85 SE (October '85) has the longer intake, but black mirrors. Apparently body colour-mached mirrors were only available on November and early December '85 models... until they switched to FC production...
Old 03-24-05, 07:01 PM
  #33  
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body colour matched mirrors? Dude... never seen that on an FB, that would rock

Yeah, I guess WE notice the big changes more than anything else.

I'm still looking for a surefire way to determine what year my extra 12a is. I s'pose when I crack it open I'll see what the rotors weigh... that will at least tell me what range I'm in.

Jon
Old 03-24-05, 07:43 PM
  #34  
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Yeah, I've only seen pics of a couple... but SWEEET...
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