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- Disclaimer:
RX7CITY.COM ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY IN HOW YOU USE THE
TECHNICAL HELP BELOW. THESE ARE FOR EXPERIENCED
MECHANICS AND IS TO BE USED
AT
YOUR OWN RISK!
- First Generation (1978 - 1985)
-
FIRST GENERATION SPECIFICATIONS
Yearly Model Differences.
To determine when a specific car was built, check the
emission control
label on the rear of the driver's door jamb. The
month and year of
manufacture is given. There was a delay of
approximately six weeks
from this date to the arrival in this country.
EXTERIOR:
1979 - '80 Nearly identical. Doors
appeared smooth - actually narrow
rubber
molding covered the body crease. Taillights were
separated by painted indentation. License plate
mounted
above
bumper.
Radio
antenna 8 inches longer in 1980 for better reception.
Early
1979 models (built in 1978) had only a left rearview
mirror
and the hood propping rod was on the right side
instead
of the left.
There
were 3,000 fully optioned Limited Edition cars built -
all
painted black.
1981 - '85 Few differences among them.
Wider side molding located below
body
crease. Taillights extended across entire body.
Power
mirrors, and rear window washer and wipers were
optional.
Longer
wiper blades and two washer jets in '84. Front
bumper
and air
dam changes produced lower drag and less lift at high
speeds.
Radio antenna controlled by engine ignition switch
instead
of separate console switch
Electric fuel filler door release standard. In
1983 the key
operated fuel door release was eliminated.
1984 & '85 Panel below front bumper
contained slots next to grille.
"IMSA"
appearance package available. Includes front
airdam,
rear
spoiler and brushed-finish roof band. [1]
INTERIOR:
1979: Console
was uncluttered with coin holders behind the shifter
boot
(they weren't made to fit American coins).
Speedometer
range
to 130 mph. No oil pressure gauge. Fabric
seats. No
hidden
storage bins. Early 1979 models had no map pockets
in
doors.
1980: Vinyl
seats available. Speedometer top speed was 85 mph.
Sunroof
mechanism improved.
3,000
"LS" model cars had all options.
1981: Console
was updated with switches located behind the shifter
where
the coin holders were previously. Clock moved to
console.
Switches for windshield wipers/washers and lights were
reversed
from
previous models. Dome light design changed.
Better
instrument lighting. Separate voltmeter.
Needle and
number
colors reversed to orange numbers and white needles.
Oil
pressure gauge added.
Storage
bin located behind seats. Leather seats and power
windows
optional. Upgraded radio.
Handbrake vinyl boot replaced with a plastic cover.
Shifter
control
shortened. Vinyl boot on shifter lever replaced
with
rubber
"accordian" style.
1982: Better
audio system available.
1983: Firmer
foam in seats and lumbar adjustment improved.
1984: Dial
type ventilation controls on console. Ventilation
much
better
with a four speed fan.
Steering wheel spoke design change. Instruments
numbers changed
to red
from previous orange. Storage bins gained lights
and
locks.
Seats received more support and plusher fabrics.
MECHANICAL DESIGN:
1979: Engine
was a 12A (1200 cc producing 100 HP) with 3 electrode
sparkplugs. Only leading plugs fired under certain
conditions.
Mechanical points/condenser ignition. Emission
control-system
used a
"thermal reactor".
Brakes
were vaccum boosted with discs in front and drums in
back.
Only GS
model had rear antiroll bar.
1980: Similar
to '79, but with electronic ignition. Brake power
boost
increased.
All
models had front and rear antiroll bars.
1981:
Catalytic converter replaced thermal reactor.
Hotter electronic
ignition. Both sparkplugs (4 electrodes)
fired all the time.
When
engine decelerating, all air/fuel diverted to front
rotor
to
prevent backfire. Lighter flywheel.
Disc
brakes on rear and limited slip differential were
optional
(standard on GSL). Gas tank capacity increased to
16.5 gallons
from
14.
Cruise
control optional. Only manual transmission
available was
five
speed.
1982: Wider
tires. Minor changes to engine for better fuel
economy.
1983: Oil
cooler moved from below the radiator to the top of
engine
under
the oil filter (12A). Stronger clutch.
Shorter throw
on
shifter.
1984: SE model
introduced (see below).
Optional automatic transmission was a 4 speed type - a 3
speed
with an
overdrive gear. Power steering (variable with
speed)
became
an option on GSL and SE models only.
1985: Similar
to '84.
1984 and '85 GSL-SE:
13B
engine - 1300 cc, 135 HP, special six port design,
electronic fuel injection. 14 inch wheels
standard. Larger
disc
brakes. Limited slip differential. Power
steering
optional. Improved interior. Separate oil
cooler mounted
under
radiator.
Dimensions/Capacities/Performance figures
Dimensions:
Length: 169
in. (170.1 in. for 1981 and later)
Width:
65.7 in.
Height
49.6 in.
Wheelbase 95.3 in.
(front wheels to rear wheels)
Track, f/r 55.9/55.1 in.
(left wheels to right wheels)
Weight:
Empty Wt - Varies with options and model year; 2350 lbs
for 1979
4 spd S model to
2500 lbs for GSL model.
Average wt = 2450
lbs
1984 & '85 GSL-SE
2512 lbs [1]
Engine specs:
1979
198? +
12A
12A
13B
Displacement: 1146 cc/70
cu in 1146 cc/70 cu in
1308 cc/80 cu in
Compression:
9.4:1
9.4:1
9.4:1
Horsepower:
100 @ 6,000
101 @ 6,000
135 @ 6,000
Torque:
105 @ 4,000
107 @ 4,000
133 @ 2,750
Induction:
Nikki 4 bbl carb Nikki 4 bbl
carb Bosch L Jetronic FI
Transmissions:
4 spd man, 5 spd man, 3 spd auto in 1979 and '80.
No 4 spd man in 1981 and later models.
4 spd auto available in 1984 & '85.
1979
198? +
Ratios: 1st 3.674
3.622
2nd
2.217 2.186
3rd
1.432 1.419
4th
1.000 1.000
5th
0.825 0.758
SE: 0.807
Reverse 3.542
3.493
Steering Radius: 16 ft.
Fluid Capacities:
Fuel tank: 14.5 gal (1979 & '80) 16.4
gal (1981 & later)
Engine oil: 5.5 qts (thru 1982)
4.8 qts (1983 & later)
6.1 qts (SE model)
Oil meter pump flow:
2.0 - 2.5 cc/6 min (1979 & '80)
1.8 - 2.2 cc/6 min (1981 & later)
0.8 - 1.2 cc/6 min (13B engine)
Transmission oil:
1.8 qts (1979 - '81)
2.1 qts (1982 & later - including 13B)
7.9 qts (automatic) Type "F"
Coolant: 10 qts
Wheels and tires: added by jes, May 27, 2000
Wheels
Tires
Steel 5"x13" 165 HR 13
(S, GS)
Aluminum 5.5"x13" 185/70 HR 13 (option non-SE models)
Aluminum ? 14" ?
14 (Limited and SE)
Performance Figures:
These are general figures due to the differences in
driver technique,
road surfaces, air temperature, etc on tests done at
different places
and times. Most published results were achieved
with nearly new, well
maintained cars.
0 - 60 accel
9 - 10 secs varies with engine/trans
8 - 9 secs SE model (13B engine)
[2]
1/4 mile accel 17 - 18
secs/80 - 83 mph
16 - 17 secs/84 - 85 mph (SE model) [2]
60 - 0 mph braking 150 - 160 (drum rear brake)
160 - 170 (rear disc brakes) [2]
cornering "g" approx
.78
approx .85 (SE model-different tires)
Vin Info:
Model Year VIN Ser Numbers
1979
SA22C - 500001 +
1980
SA22C - 600001 +
1981
FB33 - 500001 + (USA)
1982
FB33 - 600001 +
1983
FB33 - 700001 +
1984
FB33 - 800001 +
1985
FB33 - 856209 +
How to interpret the VIN (Chassis No.)
Vehicle Identification System for Mazda RX-7 series
(1981 - )
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for RX-7 (1981 and
later year models)
consists of World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle
Description Section (VDS),
Check Digit, Model Year Code and Production Serial
Number which is sequentially
numbered within each VDS.
Shown below as an example is the VIN for a Mazda RX-7
(1981 model).
____ VDS (Vehicle
Description Section)
|
____V____
J M 1 F B 3 3 1 4 B O 5 1 2 3 4 5
----- --- --- - - - - -----------
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Production Serial Number
| | | | |
| |
| | | | |
| |__ Assembly Plant Code (O = Hiroshima)
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
|__ Model Year Code (B= 1981, C = 1982, D = 1983...)
| | | | |
| | | |
|__ Check Digit *
| | | |
| | | |__
Miscellaneous Identification Code **
| | |
| | |__ Body
Style Code
| |
| |__ Car Line Code (FB =
RX-7 Series)
|
|__ World Manufacturer Identifier (All Mazda
Passenger Cars are
identified by JM1.)
* Check Digit is included as a VIN security feature to
permit law enforcement
verification of the authenticity of a suspected illegal VIN plate.
This
single digit number is determined, based upon a complex mathematical
formula which is applied to each vehicle's VIN number.
** Miscellaneous Identification Code identifies major
components such as
engine, brake system, cab type, etc. However, if all models of the
same
car line use the same such components, this code is indicated as a
numeric
character "1" only.
List of Monthly starting VIN (Chassis No.):
1983 1984
1985
JAN
815218
881177
FEB
819695
885029
MAR
824687
889474
APR
829422
893766
MAY
834333
899625
JUNE
839137/850001 905108
JULY
850015
909988
AUG
856209
912608
SEPT 800001 861829
OCT 800882 866965
NOV 806531 871511
DEC 811185 876904
Factory List Prices:
Actual prices varied throughout production year, area of
country, and
of course depending on options.
S
GS GSL
GSL-SE
1979 $ 6,395 $ 6,995 (when
introduced '78)
$ 7,195 $ 7,995 (early in
'79)
1980 $ 7,645 $ 8,395
$ 9,795 ("LS")
1981 $ 9,395 $ 9,895
$11,395
1982 $ 9,695 $10,295
$11,895
1983 $ 9,895 $10,915
$12,595
1984 $10,195 $11,295
$13,095 $15,095
1985 $10,945 $11,845
$13,645 $15,645
Footnotes:
[1] From 1984 Mazda RX-7 Sales Literature.
[2] From Feb. 1984 Motor Trend article on GSL-SE:
0 - 60 accel: 7.96 sec.
1/4 mile accel: 16.06 sec @ 85.1 mph
60 - 0 braking: 135 ft
information source: www.rx7.org
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