This video explains the differences between the 84-85 RX7 Sub Models. GS - GSL - GSLSE. Let me know in the comments if I missed anything. I think I covered all the major differences. Thanks
Base model in those years was S. Similar to GS, except no automatic transmission option, no power mirrors, no tinting along top of windshield, deletes various interior lights, no remote hatch release, no driver left footrest, and headlights are not halogen. The standard wheels on the S and GS are steel, but the tires on the S are narrower, and both can be upgraded to alloy wheels. S was just as much fun as the GS at a lower price.
My 85 gsl came with power steering, ac, leather door cards and seats, electric hvac controls, power windows and mirrors, rear wiper, the good stereo, cold start assist deleted from factory with a blank panel on the dash, and igloo type coolers in the bins.
I just bought a gsl se mint condition. Hopefully Going to get it running for the summer then do a re build in the winter. You’re videos are really raising my confidence! Thanks dude
I have a 1985 GSL, Red/Burgundy interior, power windows, power mirrors, full stereo, rear wiper, sunroof, power steering and cruise control. Other than the carbureted 12a, smaller front disks, non vented rear disks, different wheels and bolt pattern/final gear and rear badge... it’s hard to tell the difference from my GSL and a GSL-SE (at least from the drivers perspective). So my guess is that the options were all over the place. Great videos BTW!
I thought the 84/5 gs and gsl had limited slip, but I don't think my GSL-SE did. It was terrible on wet and snow. I'm glad it didn't have power steering. Sort of a pain to park, but great road feel. These are such great videos!!
Gday mate, I swapped the parts from my smashed 84 S3 onto a 82 S2 shell, heaps of differences, fuel tanks are different sizes not interchangeable either and my 82 didn’t have retracting seat belts, Good channel too your OEM knowledge is very handy. Thanks mate.
I too have an 85 gsl with power steering. Black paint, burgundy interior, the stereo with multi band equalizer, cold start assist, storage bins behind seats, power windows and mirrors. GSL easily verified by the blue top carbed 12a in the engine bay and the choke knob in interior...and the GSL badge on the rear.
Savana rims where also different the stuts where best but anything today is. The GSL SE had on mine thenheadlamp washers too but maybe that was an option for the others. I loved my 85 FA GSL-SE white exterior with red leather interior it was a non turbo 13b of course and was super zippy. Perfect city sports car that didn't get you too many tickets. Best of Japan in 1985!
i have both gsl and gslse (1985). i cant really decide which is better though cause they have their own perks, omg the classic door creak XD at 9:55. i had to find a new gas tank for the gslse and it was a major pain in the ass to find. one major thing about them both though is they have different parts that are hard to source out
Although they are the same case, the SE has a softer LSD than the GSL. This is accomplished by having 1 less drive plate, with 2 driven plates side-by-side to reduce the amount of grab the unit has. I assume this is because the SE has a torquier engine so is able to compress the pack more effectively than the 12A which makes a solid 30lbs of torque less. When building my SE rearend I cherry-picked the best plates I had to build the tightest pack I could and stacked the in the GSL pattern for more grab.
The trans case on the GSLSE is vented. I read a while ago that the gear ratios are different but I have been running a 12A trans on mine for a while without noticing a difference
Interesting. Of the 4 I drug home in 2021 there's a 1981 GS with aftermarket sunroof which had a front mount oil cooler with proper radiator. I always thought that was OEM. Now I feel bad for selling off the oil cooler because I needed money.
I've owned six FBs, all with the 12A package. (designated "GX" in Canada for '81 through '83). I can confirm that the GSL (GX) and GSL-SE came STANDARD with the following: Sunroof, rear disc brakes, limited-slip differential, cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, power antenna, rear window wiper, upgraded sound system, electric enviro controls ('84-'85 only) and (in Canada) headlight washers. The GS base model could be had with a sunroof, but only as an option. Also, there is a difference between the under-rad oil coolers on the pre-83 RX7s and the under-rad GSL-SE oil coolers: The spigots for the oil hose attachment points on the earlier 12A-equipped oil coolers were welded onto the oil coolers at a 90-degree angle, ie: they came straight aft-ward from the oil cooler. The GSL-SE oil cooler on the other hand had these spigots welded onto the oil cooler at an larger-than 90-degree angle, ie: pointing the hoses at an angle toward the LH fender well. I know this because, on one of my '85 GSLs I got rid of the next-to-useless bee hive oil cooler in favour of an '82 rad and an ''84 GSL-SE under-rad oil cooler.
Besides the mounting bracket, do you know of any differences in AC system? Currently swapping the full drivetrain and running gear from my rusty SE into a rust free base model! Appreciate the video!
I have an 84 GSL with full power options - windows, mirrors, rear wiper, equalizer, fade/balance, and the hvac controls are all electric as well. I think the only difference between it and a 5 letter is it's a 12a and the rear discs aren't vented.
I had a chance to buy a 1984 GSL. It had the choke pull, I remember a nice stereo, with nice buttons. Had 84k original miles and looked mint. I had some money but not all of it and I was young, so no real credit, and nobody would co-sing for me. Mostly because “the apex seals are going to go bad”, “it’s not reliable” yadda, yadda, yadda… Instead I was told to get a Buick. Can you imagine?!?! A freaking land yacht Buick. So I saved up some more and about a year later bought a 1988 Mustang 5.0 lamo!
My dad picked up a GSL with an automatic transmission that had power steering. Sadly, he sold it to the junkyard before I could raid it for parts. They do exist, but they are relatively rare. I am not sure if it was just an expensive option or if it was a dealer option.
So what do you think a 84 GSL SE with 124k on it is worth...runs great , leather, great shape, no rust....I'm curious and selling soon....great video. thank you.
I heard through the grape vine that a gsl-se vin is suppose to have fb332 in the vin anything else might be a gsl or gs..is that true? Awesome channel by the way. I have learned alot and wish you could have been my neighbor. Lol.
Hey man. Any way to tell from the vin if my car was a gslse? I have the complete interior in my car and looks just like yours in the video. But its a 84 12a automatic with gsl badges. Its weird to me someone would have had a whole interior swap done. Talking seats doors, window swiches and the heater and ac buttons.
I bought a gsl se in 85 put a header and delet for catalytic was a very fast trouble free car first gear was a little low, otherwise was a great engine.
...I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested! Covering every possible variation would make for groovy content. Covering what is likely to be encountered makes for groovy and practical content.
All manual N/A engine car's transmissions have the same spline count and are rhe same length. From 79-83 the pinion flange will be the same regardless of LSD or open, 84-85 pinion flange will be same regardless of LSD, gslse, or opem
Have a question, I have a chance to get an 85 GSL-SE and it’s been in storage for 20 years. No rust but looks like rats made a home in the engine area. No cables chewed from what I can tell. I’m trying to get it for $300 is that a good deal? Thanks Paul
