My First Generation Informational Thread

Whizbang · 07-02-2008, 02:20 PM

Base specifications of the SA/FB

The best way to look at this is from a year to year perspective.

1978 / 1979

At first there were only two trim levels, the S and the GS. The "S" was the base level with the 4 speed manual transmission, at a price of about $6,300. The "GS" trim level consisted of a 5 speed manual transmission, a rear sway bar and a wider 185 tire width for an additional $600. Many opted for the alloy wheels and the rear spoiler. Earlier models only had a driver's side view mirror.

Japanese models had a backseat as a standard option to avoid certain taxes. US models did not in order to have a required crash bar to pass safety standards.

Specifications

Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
Length: 168.7 inches
Width: 65.9 inches
Height: 49.6 inches
Ride Height: 6.1 inches
Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1
Curb Weight: 2,420 lbs

17 city / 26 highway
14.5 Gallon Gas Tank

*The engine was a carbureted 12A four port engine with a 9.4:1 compression ratio. Rated at 100 HP @ 6000 and 105 ft/lbs @ 4000.

*There were three transmissions available; 4 speed manual, 5 speed manual and 3 speed automatic.
Manual gearing was as follows:
1st: 3.674
2nd: 2.217
3rd: 1.432
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.825 (5 speed only)

*All rear ends had final drives of 3.909 with an open differential.

1980

The only note worth changes in 1980 were the addition of the "LS" or "Leather Sport" trim level which included leather upholstery, sunroof and alloys.

The rest of the car remain mostly the same less the increased antenna height, a rubber piece added below the rear bumper and most semi-important, electronic ignition as opposed to the points system. Also, the optional sway bar was 18mm as opposed to the 15mm for all other years.

Specifications

Same as 1978 / 1979 model years.

1981 / 1982

In 1981, Mazda brought the Rx7 out with some new appearances, namely in the front and rear locations. Also, the GSL trim level was introduced which included disc brakes, sunroof, and alloy wheels. Leather was now an option.

We also see the "shutter valve" come into existence as well as the addition of catalytic converters and a split air system.

The price also stepped up to almost 12,000 dollars base.

Specifications

Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
Length: 170.1 inches
Width: 65.7 inches
Height: 49.6 inches
Ride Height: 5.7 inches
Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1
Curb Weight: 2,360 lbs

21 city / 30 highway
16.5 Gallon Gas Tank

Manual gearing was as follows:
1st: 3.674
2nd: 2.217
3rd: 1.432
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.825 (5 speed only)

1983

Speedometer was changed from 85 mph to 130 mph per loosening of government regulations. Effective front mounted oil cooler was replaced by the "beehive" oil cooler.

A limited model was released. Very similar to the GS but only came in Arctic Silver with a red pin stripping and a 14" wheel.

Specifications

Same as 1981 / 1982

1984 / 1985

With sales starting to slow and Mazda about to release the second generation rx7, some attempts were made to keep the first generation rx7 in the public eye. The biggest of these was introduction of the GSL-SE in the States and the 12a Turbo in Japan.

Specifications

Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
Length: 170.1 inches
Width: 65.7 inches
Height: 49.6 inches
Ride Height: 5.7 inches
Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1
Curb Weight: 2,350 lbs (non GSL-SE, m/t)
Curb Weight: 2,590 lbs (GSL-SE)

21 city / 30 highway (12a)
16 city / 23 highway (13b)
16.5 Gallon Gas Tank

12a engine Manual gearing was as follows:
1st: 3.674
2nd: 2.217
3rd: 1.432
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.825 (5 speed only)

Q: What is special about the GSL-SE trim level?

A: Several things.
*The engine was a fuel injected, 13B six port engine, 9.4:1 compression, 3mm seals. Was similiar to the 12a with the water seal grooves in the rotor housing. Engine performance was rated at 135 HP @ 6000 and 133 ft/lbs @ 4000. It used two, 680cc injectors, mounted at the primary ports on the intermediate iron. The beehive cooler was also left on the shelf and a front mounted oil cooler returned to the FB.

*The transmission was a beefier model than the previous 12a transmissions, also using an improved clutch assembly. Gearing was as follows:
1st: 3.622
2nd: 2.186
3rd: 1.419
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.758

*The rear axle was a live axle similar to the 12a equipped cars but sported a 4.076 final drive ratio, vented disc brakes, Limited slip and a 4x114.3 stud pattern (as opposed to the 4x110 with lug bolts).

*The front suspension also used a 4x114.3 hub. The steering was also modified with 3.4 turns lock to lock, and a turning radius of about 32.8 feet.

*The wheels were a 14x5.5 inch wheel withe 205/60R14 tires.

*Weight was listed at around 2650 lbs. I bit more weight than the previous rx7s.

*The price tag? Just tipped the scales at 16,000 dollars.

Wheels Options for the SA/FB

The 1979 "Limited" wheel. Should the rarest of them all. 13" 4x110

The 1983 LE or "limited edition" wheel. 14" 4x110 (thanks to P71)

The "Rotor" Wheels from the top of the line Savannah GT limited. 13" 4x110 (thanks to -xlr8planet-)

07-02-2008, 02:20 PM	#1
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	Base specifications of the SA/FB The best way to look at this is from a year to year perspective. 1978 / 1979 At first there were only two trim levels, the S and the GS. The "S" was the base level with the 4 speed manual transmission, at a price of about $6,300. The "GS" trim level consisted of a 5 speed manual transmission, a rear sway bar and a wider 185 tire width for an additional $600. Many opted for the alloy wheels and the rear spoiler. Earlier models only had a driver's side view mirror. Japanese models had a backseat as a standard option to avoid certain taxes. US models did not in order to have a required crash bar to pass safety standards. Specifications Wheelbase: 95.3 inches Length: 168.7 inches Width: 65.9 inches Height: 49.6 inches Ride Height: 6.1 inches Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1 Curb Weight: 2,420 lbs 17 city / 26 highway 14.5 Gallon Gas Tank The engine was a carbureted 12A four port engine with a 9.4:1 compression ratio. Rated at 100 HP @ 6000 and 105 ft/lbs @ 4000. There were three transmissions available; 4 speed manual, 5 speed manual and 3 speed automatic. Manual gearing was as follows: 1st: 3.674 2nd: 2.217 3rd: 1.432 4th: 1.000 5th: 0.825 (5 speed only) All rear ends had final drives of 3.909 with an open differential. 1980 The only note worth changes in 1980 were the addition of the "LS" or "Leather Sport" trim level which included leather upholstery, sunroof and alloys. The rest of the car remain mostly the same less the increased antenna height, a rubber piece added below the rear bumper and most semi-important, electronic ignition as opposed to the points system. Also, the optional sway bar was 18mm as opposed to the 15mm for all other years. Specifications* Same as 1978 / 1979 model years. 1981 / 1982 In 1981, Mazda brought the Rx7 out with some new appearances, namely in the front and rear locations. Also, the GSL trim level was introduced which included disc brakes, sunroof, and alloy wheels. Leather was now an option. We also see the "shutter valve" come into existence as well as the addition of catalytic converters and a split air system. The price also stepped up to almost 12,000 dollars base. Specifications Wheelbase: 95.3 inches Length: 170.1 inches Width: 65.7 inches Height: 49.6 inches Ride Height: 5.7 inches Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1 Curb Weight: 2,360 lbs 21 city / 30 highway 16.5 Gallon Gas Tank Manual gearing was as follows: 1st: 3.674 2nd: 2.217 3rd: 1.432 4th: 1.000 5th: 0.825 (5 speed only) 1983 Speedometer was changed from 85 mph to 130 mph per loosening of government regulations. Effective front mounted oil cooler was replaced by the "beehive" oil cooler. A limited model was released. Very similar to the GS but only came in Arctic Silver with a red pin stripping and a 14" wheel. Specifications Same as 1981 / 1982 1984 / 1985 With sales starting to slow and Mazda about to release the second generation rx7, some attempts were made to keep the first generation rx7 in the public eye. The biggest of these was introduction of the GSL-SE in the States and the 12a Turbo in Japan. Specifications Wheelbase: 95.3 inches Length: 170.1 inches Width: 65.7 inches Height: 49.6 inches Ride Height: 5.7 inches Track: Front 55.9 / Rear 55.1 Curb Weight: 2,350 lbs (non GSL-SE, m/t) Curb Weight: 2,590 lbs (GSL-SE) 21 city / 30 highway (12a) 16 city / 23 highway (13b) 16.5 Gallon Gas Tank 12a engine Manual gearing was as follows: 1st: 3.674 2nd: 2.217 3rd: 1.432 4th: 1.000 5th: 0.825 (5 speed only) Q: What is special about the GSL-SE trim level? A: Several things. The engine was a fuel injected, 13B six port engine, 9.4:1 compression, 3mm seals. Was similiar to the 12a with the water seal grooves in the rotor housing. Engine performance was rated at 135 HP @ 6000 and 133 ft/lbs @ 4000. It used two, 680cc injectors, mounted at the primary ports on the intermediate iron. The beehive cooler was also left on the shelf and a front mounted oil cooler returned to the FB. The transmission was a beefier model than the previous 12a transmissions, also using an improved clutch assembly. Gearing was as follows: 1st: 3.622 2nd: 2.186 3rd: 1.419 4th: 1.000 5th: 0.758 The rear axle was a live axle similar to the 12a equipped cars but sported a 4.076 final drive ratio, vented disc brakes, Limited slip and a 4x114.3 stud pattern (as opposed to the 4x110 with lug bolts). The front suspension also used a 4x114.3 hub. The steering was also modified with 3.4 turns lock to lock, and a turning radius of about 32.8 feet. The wheels were a 14x5.5 inch wheel withe 205/60R14 tires. Weight was listed at around 2650 lbs. I bit more weight than the previous rx7s. The price tag? Just tipped the scales at 16,000 dollars. Wheels Options for the SA/FB* The 1979 "Limited" wheel. Should the rarest of them all. 13" 4x110 The 1983 LE or "limited edition" wheel. 14" 4x110 (thanks to P71) The "Rotor" Wheels from the top of the line Savannah GT limited. 13" 4x110 (thanks to -xlr8planet-) Last edited by Whizbang; 02-26-2009 at 01:26 AM.