How to 13b Swap Your FB SA RX7

[@benharrison2391]

I get the impression than many of the people doing these rotary rebuilds are as interested in the noise as they are in driveability. At least you are maintaining some sanity in the level of your rebuilds. I did a few 12a and 13b builds with street ported secondaries, which gets the power from the larger carb throats, but with stock primaries and exhaust. This gives smooth idle and drives like stock except when you put your foot in it. This would be a good job for you to try and report on it. I did this with a 12a, an RX4 carb and RB header, got 130 wheel hp.

[@RADPotential]

Everything has a purpose around here!!!! That sounds like a super fun combo!!!!

[@jamesford3549]

12A pickup tube works with SE oil pan.

[@hindey19]

This is great. I have an '84 GSL that the engine is getting a little worn down on (185,000km). When it goes, I'm debating whether to rebuild it or find a 13b to put in.

[@RADPotential]

If the 12a is in rebuildable condition that would be ideal. 13bs seem to hold up better as far as internal parts.

[@juanp2138]

I just got a 84 gls and I'm putting the 12a back in paired to an rx8 trans

[@RADPotential]

Yea!! The shifter will be a bit forward on your rx8 trans than what the stock 84 trans is. May have to notch the hole

[@juanp2138]

@@RADPotential okay thanks

[@juanp2138]

@@RADPotential also do you have a sun roof that u could get rid of that will fit it if so how much

[@austinriggs5502]

The white SA in the thumbnail is hot. Looks a little like my daily.

[@RADPotential]

It's a 13b turbo swap. Haltec. 5 lug, and FC front subframe. Ripper

[@iLuv4Play]

Great video! I have an '84 SE 13B and an '85 12A. I would like a half-bridge port with a Weber, but wondering if I should just build the 13B as a 6-port or swap the 12A 4-port irons into the 13B? Which combo would have the most potential? Thx!

[@RADPotential]

Personally I would use the 4 port irons from the 12a with the 13b housings. Intakes are easier to find for the 4 port than a 6 port to suit your weber.

[@christiancphoenix1]

Does the instrument panel wiring work easy with 13b swap?

[@Oborowatabinostk]

Stock fuel pump good enough?

[@RADPotential]

Should be fine for a stock port 13b.

[@noahlance9429]

Do you have to do anything for the ecu?

[@noahlance9429]

And the wiring harness

[@butzz8403]

can i go for an fc s4 motor with the fc transmition in an sa ?

[@RADPotential]

It will fit, but you will need to modify the shifter pedestal to be more forward if you wish to keep the stock hole in the trans tunnel for the shifter

[@butzz8403]

@@RADPotential thank you, and what about the cardan shaft? do i have to shorten it ?

[@AntonioPascualJr]

I have 1980 MAZDA RX7 (LS Edition) with 12A Engine that’s had been removed for rebuilding/ my Transmission is AUTOMATIC. My question is can a JDM Mazda 13B RE Twin Turbo from COSMO can work with my Automatic Transmission, give me some insights! Thank You!

[@khaleelmohammed7016]

I have some questions about putting a 13b old school engine into an 80 model with a series 4 turbo gearbox and SE rear end . How much will the shifter need to be shortened to work on the SA without trimming tunnel hole. What driveshaft would work best for the application and if i get all the SE caliper parking brake cable will it work on the car with the original center cable or do i need to change the center cable also. Thank

[@RADPotential]

I have a video about everything you mentioned. Look up the turbo 2 or rx8 trans swap video, look up my video on the rx7 FB rear ends

[@brianfong3954]

Not a subject most will not want or care to take on. But since I live in Sunny California.. SMOG ! ? Will the Smog equipment on my 79' 12a fit/work on a 13b. ? Intake/exhaust manifolds? Etc. What year 13b would be better suited for my project ? Any other options or work arounds. ? Guy, I don't need to hear about all the Smog and Cali jokes. So, please reframe from posting them, i've already heard them. This is about keeping my 79' SA on the road. If I want it to go fast, I have SBC & LS engines in my classic's. Thanks.

[@RADPotential]

Do you need to pass visual inspection? Or a sniffer test?

[@brianfong3954]

@@RADPotential in California for a 1979 model year, it is both. Not building a racer, so as much stock and orginal equipment or at lease look stock would be nice. I doubt many Smog Tech these days even know what a 40 year old RX7 looks like.. lol, but I do have friends... thanks for ur help.

[@RADPotential]

My thoughts would be to hook up the existing 79 smog equipment on a carb 13b. Most just pull vacuum at the manifold. The. You would simply need a catalytic convertor. The smog stuff on the engine would be visual only, and the cat would do all the work.

[@brianfong3954]

@@RADPotential yes, that was my thought also, but wasn't sure if all of the accessories and manifolds would bolt up ok. The 79' has that ugly Thermal Reactor. I guess if someone or you can verify that all bolt up or at lease with minor modification I should be good. Can you recommend a year(s) of the 13b would be my best candidate to use ?. I'll guess I'll do some more research and maybe drag it out of the back yard soon. My other option is to get a 13b with all of the smog equipment and do a California C.A.R.B legal swap. This means using all of the smog equipment from the donor engine/car. Then once ready, take it to a Smog Referee station to get recertified. Can you recommend a year the has minimum amount of it equipment. What years did the FI get introduced and what year did the computer start being used. (Same year?) Thanks.

[@TheLoca215]

How to install rx8 seats to a 79 rx7 ?

[@RADPotential]

install the rx7 rails onto the bottom of the rx8 seats. May have to drill a few holes, but nothing wild IIRC

[@wp4CidraPuertoRico]

RAD Potential, I have a blown 13b gen1 and can get a gen2 13b at a good price. Have you done the conversion ? By that I mean install the gen2 using the parts of the gen1 and if so what parts do I have to reuse ?

[@RADPotential]

Front cover and oil pan from the FB on the FC engine. Use the FC clutch and flywheel

[@wp4CidraPuertoRico]

@@RADPotential Wow that was a fast reply. So EFI and transmission bolts on as well?

[@jorgehernandez-ly4gm]

i have an automatic 12a 85 gsl carbureted, but i'm wondering if i'm able to swap an rx8 engine and manual trans

[@RADPotential]

There is a guy who has done that swap. I think there is a writeup somewhere.

[@MrSchnarr]

Your list says gslse front cover your video says you can use the 12a cover FYI

[@RADPotential]

They are the same essentially.

[@MrSchnarr]

@@RADPotential thought so just wanted to make it clear since finding gslse front covers is a needle in a haystack sometimes

[@RADPotential]

I updated the description hopefully people still figure it out. Not too hard

[@ZandorrL]

Actually, the -Se uses the same OMP as the FC, and your 12as will not mount to it. Not a big deal if you're premixing, but there is a difference.

[@rotaryrich]

@@ZandorrL S4 FC. The S5 had an electronic pump

[@jamesford3549]

13b is 20mm not cm longer. Also you can’t slot the holes, you end up with an open slot, better to cut and weld in 20mm plate.

[@RADPotential]

Lol 2cm. Was the 3rd time I tried to film it. Should have done it again

[@jamesford3549]

Better job than I’d do man 👍🏼

[@FormOverFunction]

Buddy of mine is selling me an FB in perfect condition with an FC 13B Turbo 2 motor and trans, I’ve never worked on a rotary let alone done an engine swap….so I’m hesitating on this project, Lowkey may pass and I’ll regret it eventually. (Engine and trans are out of the car)

[@rotaryrich]

I have some questions based upon my experience swapping a GSL-SE 13B into a 1980 SA chassis. My experience was that the front mount bracket was exactly the same as the 12a. that the subframe mounted different and that is why I needed to purchase Racing Beat part 11832. There is also a risk of dropping the needle bearings if you just swap the front covers. There are write ups on procedure, just search. While a 79-82 "shorty" 3 row radiator with the 12 a oil cooler located directly under will of course fit all first gen years, the taller 2 row radiator on the GSLSE has special brackets on frame to mount the oil cooler. I have a GSLSE oil cooler that will require custom mounting. I found mounting bars for off road lights that are designed to clamp on a 2" diameter tube. Many choices out there. Last bit. pick up a cell/camera tripod. your subscribers will thank you.

[@RADPotential]

I have always just swapped the motor bar to make them fit one vs the other. Never have experienced any variation in subframe

[@Boy-cz9dp]

Bro can I buy you Rx-7 for $2000??????

[@RADPotential]

Id love it if you bought me an rx7