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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Humor me... (S13/FC3S content)

Jan. 12, 2011 8:00 p.m. RexSeven Dork

For whatever reason, the thought of owning another S13 has crossed my mind recently. My first car was an S13 coupe that had three wheels in the grave, but I loved it anyway. I've always liked the look of the Sileighty conversions (S13 Silvia front clip on a 180SX/240SX hatchback).

I currently own two FC3S RX-7s, one non-turbo I am trying to sell and one turbo-swapped project. The turbo car was involved in a low-speed accident and has bent frame rails so I'm not comfortable with using it as a track car like I originally intended. The non-turbo is a heavyweight luxury model with a sunroof, as opposed to the lightweight, tin-top Sport model donor of the turbo car. I was going to try finding another lightweight FC shell once I got the engine up and running, but then my medulla badidea kicked in...

Has anyone done a 13BT swap into an S13? What sort of issues do you think I could run into? [Clarkson] How hard could it be? [/Clarkson]
Jan. 12, 2011 8:38 p.m. Luke SuperDork

I might have an old magazine article kicking around, in 'Zoom' or 'FastFours' ('90s Aussie tuner mags), with a 13BT swap into an S13. I'll see if I can dig it up when I get home. Or I may have lost it .
Jan. 12, 2011 10:21 p.m. RexSeven Dork

If you can find it, let me know. I'm not sure if this is the route I will go down eventually, but it never hurts to ask.
Jan. 12, 2011 11:39 p.m. Luke SuperDork

Sorry, no luck .

I did, however, find a stack of MAD magazines I haven't read in about 10 years .
Jan. 13, 2011 7:34 a.m. wvumtnbkr New Reader

If you go that route, I am interested in parts off the donor car!
Jan. 13, 2011 8:06 a.m. 1988RedT2 HalfDork

I would argue that a 13BT swap into ANYTHING that weighs less than 3000 lbs. is a GREAT idea.
Jan. 13, 2011 8:47 a.m. pres589 HalfDork

I haven't owned either of these cars so grain of salt but why would an S13 be a better platform for a rotary like the 13b you're talking about vs. an FC type RX-7?
Jan. 13, 2011 9:13 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

pres589 wrote:

I haven't owned either of these cars so grain of salt but why would an S13 be a better platform for a rotary like the 13b you're talking about vs. an FC type RX-7?

More aftermarket for drift usage in the S13? Beyond that... i can't think of anything besides the looks factor, which is subjective.
Jan. 13, 2011 9:17 a.m. mndsm SuperDork

Talk to someone from Puerto Rico, or from Australia. They'll put rotaries in ANYTHING.
Jan. 13, 2011 3:46 p.m. RexSeven Dork

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

pres589 wrote:

I haven't owned either of these cars so grain of salt but why would an S13 be a better platform for a rotary like the 13b you're talking about vs. an FC type RX-7?

More aftermarket for drift usage in the S13? Beyond that... i can't think of anything besides the looks factor, which is subjective.

I'll admit to the nostalgia/aesthetic factors. Also, I seem to have better luck locating hardtop S13s closer to home than hardtop FCs (I don't want a sunroof-equipped car for various reasons). Neither car is common in New England anymore. That being said, this is all mental masturbation at this point. I still need to work on the 13BT's cooling system. Come spring, if I can find a hardtop FC shell locally or that can be brought home without much hassle than that will remain my first choice, but S13s seem easier to find.
Jan. 13, 2011 4:01 p.m. Greg Voth HalfDork

We will probably have a 86 shell hardtop shell here in Daytona pretty soon. You would just need to plan a trip down here. It would be a shell not a roller.
Jan. 13, 2011 4:37 p.m. Rustspecs13 Reader

Thats my friends S14. Makes about 523whp, from a 35R. Its kinda awesome.

Its a fantastic setup, the entire motor is behind the strut towers, the rest is all FMIC and piping and all that. The weight is 50/50 or better I think. Its fully gutted with a cage.

A great setup, except that nissan didn't make the engine. Cross bread swaps are hard to race really competitively but there are classes for them. Decide if that's really what you want or if you want something thats easier to be competitive.

OH and don't do it. I wanted to be the first to do it in a long time. Not like that it won't be done for 2-3 years or so though. :D

~Alex
Jan. 13, 2011 4:41 p.m. wvumtnbkr New Reader

Rustspecs13 wrote:

The weight is 50/50 or better I think. ~Alex

Better than 50/50 eh?

Just busting yo balls.
Jan. 13, 2011 5:35 p.m. Matt B HalfDork

wvumtnbkr wrote:

Rustspecs13 wrote:

The weight is 50/50 or better I think. ~Alex

Better than 50/50 eh?

Just busting yo balls.

Some people prefer a slightly rearward bias.
Jan. 13, 2011 5:42 p.m. fast_eddie_72 HalfDork

wvumtnbkr wrote:

Rustspecs13 wrote:

The weight is 50/50 or better I think. ~Alex

Better than 50/50 eh?

Just busting yo balls.

Oh yeah. Loads of cool cars that have a little more weight in the rear. I didn't get that until I got my MR2.
Jan. 13, 2011 5:44 p.m. Rustspecs13 Reader

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the S14 is 50/50.

Its my friends FD that I was thinking of. Its an NA 3 rotor in an FD. Dry sumped, semi-peripheral ported making 425ish WHP. Him and his friend are the ones that built that S14. The FD is very extensively modified and its 48/52. Also has 275F/315R NT01's so its got some rubber too.

~Alex
Jan. 13, 2011 6:47 p.m. clutchsmoke New Reader

While I'm all for stuffing a 13B in most anything it just makes more sense to boost the KA. Stock internals can handle 400whp without issue. And if you pop the KA you can pick up another for ~$200.
Jan. 13, 2011 7:14 p.m. Bench Racer (BowtieBandit) New Reader

If you're here, you're probably into frankenstein swaps anyway. The only thing that stops most people is $$$.

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