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MOTRS

RX-7 (SA/FB)

1978-1985 / Coupe / Japan

// SPECIFICATIONS

Key Specifications

Spec Value
Production Years 1971-1978
Manufacturer Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Mazda)
Assembly Hiroshima, Japan
Internal Designation Savanna (S102A / S124A)
Body Styles 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase 2,310 mm
Overall Length 4,065 mm (coupe), 4,155 mm (sedan)
Overall Width 1,595 mm
Overall Height 1,345 mm (coupe), 1,395 mm (sedan)
Kerb Weight 910 kg (coupe, 10A), 945 kg (coupe, 12A), 980 kg (sedan, 12A)
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 L
Boot Capacity Approx. 320 L (coupe)
Drag Coefficient Not officially published

Engine Specifications

10A (S102A, Early RX-3, 1971-1973)

Spec Value
Type Twin-rotor Wankel rotary
Designation 10A
Displacement 982 cc (2 x 491 cc)
Rotor Dimensions Not published (nominal 491 cc per chamber)
Compression Ratio 9.4:1
Power 81 kW (110 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Torque 137 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System Nikki 4-barrel carburettor
Ignition Points-type distributor (early), electronic (later)
Cooling Water-cooled
Lubrication Wet sump with oil metering pump (apex seal lubrication)
Redline 7,500 rpm
Oil Capacity Approx. 3.5 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil 20W-50 mineral

12A (S124A, Later RX-3, 1973-1978)

Spec Value
Type Twin-rotor Wankel rotary
Designation 12A
Displacement 1,146 cc (2 x 573 cc)
Rotor Dimensions 573 cc per chamber
Compression Ratio 9.4:1
Power 97 kW (130 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Torque 157 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System Nikki 4-barrel carburettor
Ignition Points-type distributor (early), electronic (later)
Cooling Water-cooled
Lubrication Wet sump with oil metering pump (apex seal lubrication)
Redline 7,500 rpm
Oil Capacity Approx. 4.0 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil 20W-50 mineral

Rotary Engine Internal Components

Component Quantity (per rotor) Notes
Apex Seals 3 Primary combustion chamber seal
Side Seals 6 (3 per side) Seal rotor face to side housing
Corner Seals 6 (3 per side) Seal apex/side seal junction
Oil Seals 6 (3 per side) Control oil consumption
Rotor Springs 3 (apex seal springs) Maintain apex seal tension

Transmission

Spec Value
Standard 4-speed manual
Optional 3-speed automatic
Clutch Single dry plate, hydraulic actuation

4-Speed Manual Gear Ratios

Gear Ratio
1st 3.587
2nd 2.022
3rd 1.414
4th 1.000
Reverse 3.663

Final Drive

Variant Ratio
Standard 3.909
SP / Performance 4.111
Automatic 3.700

Suspension

Component Front Rear
Type Independent, MacPherson strut Live axle
Springs Coil Leaf springs (sedan/wagon), Coil springs (coupe)
Dampers Telescopic hydraulic Telescopic hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar Yes No (optional on SP)

SP Suspension Differences

Component Specification
Front springs Stiffer rate than standard
Rear springs Stiffer rate than standard
Dampers Firmer calibration
Limited-Slip Differential Optional / standard on some SP models

Brakes

Component Front Rear
Type Solid disc Drum
Diameter (front disc) 238 mm
Drum Diameter (rear) 229 mm
Booster Vacuum assisted

Steering

Spec Value
Type Recirculating ball
Power Assist No (manual steering)
Turns Lock-to-Lock 3.5
Turning Circle 9.4 m

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Variant 0-100 km/h Quarter Mile Top Speed
10A Manual 10.5 s ~17.0 s 175 km/h
12A Manual 9.0 s ~16.2 s 185 km/h
12A SP Manual 8.5 s ~15.8 s 190 km/h
12A Automatic 11.5 s ~18.0 s 170 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Variant L/100 km
10A Manual 13-15
12A Manual 15-18
12A SP Manual 16-20
12A Automatic 14-17
12A Street Ported 18-22
12A Bridge Ported 22-28

Tyre Specifications

Variant Size
Standard 155SR13
SP / Performance 175/70R13
Common Upgrade 185/70R13 or 195/60R14

Wheel Specifications

Spec Value
Standard 13" x 4.5" steel
SP 13" x 5" alloy or steel
Bolt Pattern 4 x 114.3
Centre Bore 73.1 mm

Electrical

Spec Value
Battery 12V, 45 Ah
Alternator 35A (early), 45A (later)
Headlights Sealed beam
Ignition Points (early), electronic (later and modified)

Service Intervals

Service Item Interval
Engine oil and filter 5,000 km or 3 months
Spark plugs 15,000 km
Ignition points (if fitted) 10,000 km (adjust), 20,000 km (replace)
Compression test Annually (recommended)
Coolant 24 months or 40,000 km
Gearbox oil 40,000 km
Differential oil 40,000 km
Brake fluid 24 months

Model Variants (Australian Market)

RX-3 Coupe (10A)

Spec Value
Engine 10A (982 cc)
Power 81 kW (110 hp)
Kerb Weight 910 kg
Production 1971-1973

RX-3 Coupe (12A)

Spec Value
Engine 12A (1,146 cc)
Power 97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight 945 kg
Production 1973-1978

RX-3 SP Coupe

Spec Value
Engine 12A (1,146 cc)
Power 97 kW (130 hp)
Additional Close-ratio gearbox, sport suspension, LSD (some), SP badging
Kerb Weight 950 kg

RX-3 Sedan (12A)

Spec Value
Engine 12A (1,146 cc)
Power 97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight 980 kg

RX-3 Wagon (12A)

Spec Value
Engine 12A (1,146 cc)
Power 97 kW (130 hp)
Kerb Weight 1,010 kg

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Variant Units
RX-3 Total (all variants) ~286,000
Coupe ~95,000
Sedan ~130,000
Wagon ~61,000

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