Mantis

Hey guys, I was at a Mazda meet and a few RX-7 guys said that the RX-8 is a FE.

1st Gen RX-7 FB
2nd Gen RX-7 FC
3rd Gen RX-7 FD
RX-8 FE?

1st Gen MX-5 NA
2nd Gen MX-5 NB
3rd Gen MX-5 NC

I know in Japan they call the RX-8 the SE3P.

I thought the FE is based off of the platform the car was built on not the engine used. The RX-7 guys are saying the RX-8 is the next in line and it can be proven by the VIN number with the FE in it. I also thought the changing of the gen was based on the major change in body style on the same platform.

I would think that the future RX-7 would be the true FE, what is the deal?
I would appreciate any insight on this guys.....

Betsey

Y&Y

From what I know the VIN #'s used in japan are different from that of the US. Only time I know of, where japanese vin #'s are used is when the car is imported by private owners. The lettering IS based on body style. But that is a good question. unfortunately I don't have the answer to that.

toca

the rx8 is se3p that the code of the car

Mantis

yes, the SE3P is the model name for the car. The manual is Type S and the automatic is Type E.

So where does the FE fit in?

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

FE is considered RX-8 based on the VIN. Which back then, was used to identify the RX-7s based on their VIN.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

What makes this a "debate" is a little bit of cross-use by Mazda.
The RX-7s were chassis coded as following:
FC3S - 2nd gen
FD3S - 3rd gen
This was reflected in the VIN number. It was BOTH the chassis code AND the VIN identifier.
Now the RX-8 is SE3P however, Mazda continued the VIN identifier as FE3P. This is the confusion.
If you want the TRUE chassis number, it is SE3P. This is Mazda's internal code for the RX-8. If you continue to use the confused reference to the VIN, then you will use FE3P and just about everyone will understand you, though more informed folks will chuckle quietly.
The "3" = 13b motor. The "S" is turbo. The "P" is MSP.

Miatas are NA, NB and NC with an "8C" or a "6C" after that for the engine code.

The Cosmo is JCESE for the 20b and JC3SE for the 13b.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Yep - it's real confusing. Here is a scan from page 2 of the parts catalog...

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Right - because parts are ordered via VIN range. That is the only way to tell a lo-power SE3P from a hi-power SE3P and so on.
If you go into a Mazda dealer and order RX-8 parts, they will need to know the VIN, not the chassis code.
To further confuse matters, Mazda uses FE, QA, F15 and SE as parts prefixes.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php...E3P&word2=FE3P

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

'nuff said

Mantis

Great info guys.

If there was a new RX-7 to come out, what would they call it? FF3P or FE3S?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Probably SF3P

Mantis

thanks guys!

Bart!

But... if theres a FB... was the RX-6 FA?

Bart!

http://www.rx7uknet.dircon.co.uk/binhist/cars.html

Gomez

The letters "FE" are cast into the back of the hub on the 18" RX-8 wheels......just a bit of RX-8 trivia for ya .

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

"FE" is also stamped into many of the chassis components and hardware.
Build sheet still says "LA-SE3P"