From: SCHWARCZ_LARRY/...
Subject: RX-7 Yearly Model Differences
Hey, y'all,
Well, there had been some discussion on the list about the differences between the different years of RX-7's.
Well, I've compiled the following which lists a good deal of the changes from year to year. It also lists some info about reading the VIN, performance, prices, etc.
I compiled this document from many different sources and I've already corrected some of the errors in it. There are a few spots where I have "?" indicating that I'm not sure of a figure. If anyone can add to this or correct any errors, please e-mail me (and the list). Maybe we can get a decent document.
The bulk of this came from a book called, "Mazda RX-7: The First Generation" by John Ball and from the Mazda RX-7 Parts Catalog.
Later...
Larry Schwarcz
Cut Here --------------------------------------------------------------------
Yearly Model Differences.
To determine when a specific car was built, check the emmission 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
Sources:
Mazda RX-7: The First Generation 1979 - 1985 by John Ball (1990)
Mazda RX-7 owners manual (1984)
Mazda RX-7 shop manual (1984)
Mazda USA Part Catalog: 1984 - 1985 (1990)
Haynes RX-7 shop manual
Motor Trend, Feb. 1984