hi all

if a 1992 FD is a series 6 and has a chassis number of FD3S 1............

what chassis numbers denote a series 7 FD3S ?.............

and series 8 FD3S ?...............

Daioni you seem to have researched all this

eric e

going to see a R2 in tokyo on sunday, a series 7?

preparing my S6 silver FD for shipping and sale in brisbane in may, this would be the replacement

 

this page

http://www.transporteon.com/Cars-R/RX-7.php

gave this info, from which i think a 1994 FD3S-3xxxx would be a series 6......
will keep googling;o)

Series 6 was the initial version and ran from early 1992 to late 1995. This version was exported throughout the world and thus had the highest sales.

Series 7 ran from early 1996 to late 1998. Changes were minor to this car, the main difference was an ECU giving greater boost and 10 hp extra. Australia was the only country outside Japan with this version.

Series 8 was the final version, and ran from January 1999 until the car was discontinued in August 2002 in Japan only. This version had many changes, such as 5% more efficient turbochargers. The intercooling and radiator setup was greatly improved thanks to the revised frontal area. The seats, steering wheel, rear and front lights were all changed. The rear wing was also changed and was now adjustable, and the top line "Type RS" was shipped standard with 17" wheels. Power was rated as 280 ps (276 hp, 208 kW) (with 330 Nm (243 ft.lbf) of torque) as per the maximum Japanese limit, however the real power was more likely 220–230 kW (290–308.4 hp). In stock trim, the Series 8 is capable of a 13.2 s 1/4 mile run. The top line "Type RS" version also featured Bilstein suspension as standard enabling even more precise handling than the previous version. Regular "journalist racing events" against rivals Nissan Skyline GT-R and Honda NSX would find the RX-7 outclassing its more expensive rivals time after time.

 

ok it looks like R2 FD3S-3xxxxxx is a 1995 series 6 because it

- wasn't made in 1996
- doesn't have round tail lights
- has the series 6 rear wing
- has the series 6 orange dash illumination and dimmer

but it does have the orange steel spare wheel and later type abs controller like the series 7

to reduce weight/cost? it also doesn't have a rear wiper, but the inner trim still has tghe bulge for the motor. front spot/fog? lights are also absent and doesn't have the front lip of the R1 either

this russian site http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mazda/efini_rx-7/

lists lots of specs and is quite useful for all JDm cars, anyone know where those differing chassis codes are? besides the sticker in the drivers doorwell

Mazda Efini RX-7 1991 Type R E-FD3S-JAE
Mazda Efini RX-7 1993 Type RII E-FD3S-JFA
Mazda Efini RX-7 1995 Type R Bathurst E-FD3S-JJA

eric e

 

"Series 7 ran from early 1996 to late 1998. Changes were minor to this car, the main difference was an ECU giving greater boost and 10 hp extra. Australia was the only country outside Japan with this version."

hmm, yes and no.

to quote myself;

"There are three major production run changes for the FD -

I-III (91-96) FD3S-1xxxx - FD3S-3xxxx
IV (96-98) FD3S-4xxxx
V-VI (98-02) FD3S-5xxxx - FD3S-6xxxx

But these are NOT s6, s7 and s8 - which is why their is often some confusion among australian owners. It's not a parallel system - this is why I try to avoid using the australian terminology.

Our s6 are version I or II. Our s7, despite the compliance/sale dates, are version III. I guess you can lump version IV into s7 - but we didn't get it. Does that all make sense?"

Okay - so forgetting the australian terminology...

FD3S-3xxxxxx = version 3 (sangata) = march 95 - january 96.

the two-seater type-r (the r2) was only available in version II (93-early 95. It should have a '2' chassis code.

The r2 was a bit of a budget version - quite a bit cheaper than the standard type-r (53man less actually)

the 's6 wing' was actually still used in version IV (but most were dolphin tail)

I take my info from japanese sources (magazines, websites - including mazda's rx-7 history history pages) - I wouldn't put too much trust in other sources

 

hi Dai

in theory the car is now mine

have put a few pics up of it at

http://groups.msn.com/2wheelsgood/rx7.msnw?Page=1

got to admit i'm still unsure which series it will be called in oz

from what i remember of your car it may very well be it's sister. chassis # is FD3S-300253

if so would love to know all the facts you've ferreted out about this model

certainly it has some important mechanical improvements over the 92 models but not the cosmetic changes that were brought in a little later

they do seem to have been the cheapest of the FD's when new. what with the black paint, no rear wiper, rear plastic storage bins and without any spot lights or front lip

but that would have also made them the lighter even than the R1 and much lighter than the porky x models that went to oz. the slightly longer suspension was supposed to have softened the ride without compromising the cornering

will have to look for some skidpad numbers

i have extra wheels, spots and a front lip ready to go on. wonder if i should put on the sp wing and start looking for another nose???

eric e

can't to get it up here and in the garage, no rego and snow tyres at the moment so it will have to come up by truck some time next week

 

ok Dai, got it now after a reread as it's a FD3S-3xxx it will be called a series 7 in oz. agree that the japanese info is probably the most accurate. most others end up talking their own country models and dates which generally lag the japanese market. ie the HUGE range of factory options that are available in japan. seem to remember your has the rear wiper, would have needed it in niigata more than this tokyo? car

 

I'm in kobe now, btw.

Did you check the white sticker in the drivers' side door area (next to the seat) - the exact model info should be there.

Your car is a bit of an enigma - it looks to be a version II type-r II bathurst, but it clearly has a version III plate. That doesn't match any of the data I have seen. I would take it to mazda and ask them to clarify that.

The bathurst models are were optioned-down base spec - cheapest of the lot (that's why it will be missing a few bits you might be used to). Weight is 1250kg (my 4-seater is 1260kg).

Mine is a version II type-r - which is the sports version (RZ being the upgrade sports model).

 

what is the best japanese site you have found for FD models listings and specs?

will have a good look at the white sticker in the drivers doorwell when it arrives. that seems to have lots of important codes on it

it does have the alloy kickplates with the gold anodised rx7 logo on them. 1 up from the black plasti versions on my silver car which is a jp series 1 FD made in 1992, ox series6

eric e

 

the silver scuff plates are a common option - I priced them not long ago (as mine are starting to get too 'scuffed') - and I think they were a bit under 2man for a set.

the best site, by far is http://13b.power.ne.jp
there is rx7 history, a version V parts book (most of the part numbers match for all cars), and all sorts of other goodies

the official mazda history is a good read too - www.mazda.co.jp/history/rx7

 

thanks for those links

from the 13B tech info link i see what you mean about the car not fitting into their build/model history

they list sept 1994 as the start? date of the 350 bathurst RII models but state that they all have FD3S-2xxxx numbers making them ozzie series 6, japanese FDmk2

my car would appear at 1st to be 1 of those

but with the FD3S-3xxxx number on the firewall and changes like the beefing up of the rear subframe it also appears to be an ozzie series 7t, japanese FDmk3, but with the older tail spoiler and lights

when i get the car rego'd i'll take it in to a mazda dealer and see what they say

will have to compare the ecu's between the 92 and 95 cars

i've been down looking for them in the drivers footwell but couldn't find them

any pointers anyone

 

I doubt you are going to see a difference between the ecus - the 16bit came with the version IV - that's very obvious (the harness/socket is totally different).

The ecu is easy to spot - just pull down the carpet on the left hand side of the passenger footwell. Don't bother unclipping it though (that can't be a bitch to do - age kind of welds them in).

The only thing I can guess, is that the car was a version II leftover - came off the production line so late - it got a 3.. build plate. Just stabbing in the dark though - definitely take it to mazda - I'd be interested in the answer.

 

dodgy-ness is also a possibility (unfortunately) - but I hope that's not the case.

 

ok, bookmark this page if you have any interest in japanese domestic FD models

it's the best listing i've found and it's in english

http://www.rx7.net.nz/fd-jp-models.html

still doesn't explain my car but hell, what's life without a few mysteries

 

i took the chassis number to a mazda dealer today and he entered it into their computer which flashed up all the production details

looks like it's an 1994 RII Bathurst.

a limited edition of 350 cars made to celebrate the 3rd winning of the bathurst production car races in 1994.
of course from then on mazda released many "bathurst" editions. the "bathurst X" "RB bathurst" etc.

only suprise from the specs was that it seems to have been fitted with the LSD, (limited slip diff), which wasn't standard fitment on many versions

eric e

 

nah - all FDs have LSD. Your car has a 4.1 - which is standard for most of the manuals (the upper spec sports getting the 4.3).

the chassis # is still a curious thing.

 

yes, i now see from the nz site that the LSD option was "Hard type torsen LSD 4.3 final" and started on some special editions from the 1995 ver3 RZ3

i assume increasing the final drive ratio allowed a higher top speed before red line, good for those racing with worked engines i guess

is that the only advantage of that type of diff?

eric e

 

hey dai

if you're still monitoring this thread

you've got a RII with FD3S-2xxxxxxx right?

if so what is the Model number and the RUIBETSU number on your car doorjam sticker?

the model numbers look to be a numerical count of the various versions that mazda released. so far the lowest i've seen has been F122, for a 1993 RII then F123 for my 1994? RII bathurst and F132 for a version4 RB

the ruibetsu number at the top right also seems to climb, whatever that is, from 104 to 204 etc

eric e

 

no, I have a version II type-r - not a version II type r 2. ie: mine has four seats and full options.

from my understanding, the FD3S-'X' almost certainly denotes production run (I-VI) - yours is the first car I've seen that seemingly breaks that rule.

ruibetsu means classification, but that's all I know. My car doesn't have that on the i.d sticker.

 

Just to add another level of complexity - there's also two distinct chassis codes; e-fd3s, and gf-fd3s. The latter being version V and VI. There must be a fair level of distinction - as not all exhaust systems, for example, work on both platforms.

 

after studying the FD3S version production dates in the mazda's rx7 parts manual

posted here

http://groups.msn.com/2wheelsgood/rx...to&PhotoID=804

i think i now understand the numbering and dates of the japanese versions I-VI

it says that version 3 production started july 1994 and finished dec 1995

as the RII bathurst was announced in sep 1994 it falls within those dates so should be version 3 according to mazda

the question is why do the various hobby sites list the RII bathurst as being version 2?

i guess that someone like the 13B guy simply made a mistake and others like the nz site have copied it

http://13b.power.ne.jp/main_contents/index.html

http://www.rx7.net.nz/fd-jp-models.html

eric e

 

the NZ site is a copy of japanese sources.

I have japanese enthusiast magazines that have all sorts of data. They show exactly what cars belong to what version. RII is exclusive to version II.

I'm very very very busy at the moment, but if I can find some spare time - I'll scan the data and post it up.

 

i've just dropped in to a different mazda dealer and gotten him to scan the 1st few pages of efinity? rx7 parts book AJFA04. that book covers cars FD3S-200001 to 300000

that's R2, R, S and X. in the limited versions it lists the RZ and なにわ version??? (according to my wife naniwa often means osaka...) no mention of the R2 bathurst, will try and get copies of the same pages from the AJFA05 book that covers FD3S-3000001 to 400000

it's got the best breakdown of the various mazda codes that i've seen and even lists options like more powerful wiper motors for cold weather areas

will take some time to nut out, will try and post scans tonight

eric e

 

i dropped in today to yet another mazda dealer, (3 down 1 to go), and begged for copies of the front pages of the AJFA05 parts book. this book covers FD3S-300001-400000. Thats 10! different FD models. R2, R2 Bathurst, R, RM, RS, RB, R Bathurst X, RZ, S and X. will scan and post the pages tonight so they are up with the version 2 and 5 pages

http://groups.msn.com/2wheelsgood/rx7.msnw?Page=1

 

Eric, don't suppose you have any info on correlation between chassis number and build date?

The No. on this car is 1002576, was thinking it was a 92 build but if production started in October 91, would have thought they could of easily churned out that many.

 

according to the numbers i've been putting together it would have been 1st rego'd jan/feb 1992.

FD3S-102399 1992 Jan
103609 1992 Feb
104526 1992 Jun
104528 1992 March
108544 1992 May
109566 1992 Jun
113978 1992 Oct
114509 1992 Oct
115126 1993 Mar

according to this mazda diagram froman FD parts book

http://groups.msn.com/2wheelsgood/rx...to&PhotoID=804

mazda started FD production in oct 1991, so your car could well have been made in dec 1991 and rego'd in jan 1992

eric e