RX-8 Chassis Code.
 

Per RX-7 Magazine #17:

RX-8: SE3P

Stop calling it FE.

Just like there are no FB RX-7's, they're all SA22C, if you go by chassis designation.

its a FE, end of discussion.

...buuuut the first mention we had of official chassis codes (from vin #'s) was that it was FE********...?? :confused:

hmm... whatever. but fe17 sounds better than se3p :D so which is it??? what's this rx-7 magazine?

No, it's not. Neofreak is right about the SA22C. I was at Kinokuniya bookstore today at J-Town. Perhaps I saw it there in passing,

BTW neofreak...it's nice to see you on the 8 forum...when's the next dyno day? I never did see the videos from last time. (-_-)

Even IF it were to be an FE, it wouldn't be an FE17. Otherwise, my 7 would be an FD33, going by that VIN rule.

I recall seeing SE__ somewhere else. Damn, can't remember for the life of me.

Neofreak IS correct (as many of us know) about the 1st gen. So, close that topic.

Now, as for the RX-8; the reason many of us believe the code is to be FE is because one of the photos posted on this forum shows the code stamped on the firewall. Can't remember where exactly that photo is, and maybe it only bears that mark due it being a pre-production car. What I'm saying is that you may be correct, but to many of us the magazine you quote is an unknown and unverified source.

Per the catolgue, it is LA-SE3P.

RX-7 Magazine has been in print since 1998/9, it's Japanese. (I've got all 17 issues)

The stamp on the firewall is the VIN.. if you go by VIN codes, yes, its FE. SE3P is the chassis code.

VIN number is not chassis code, I bet if you look at a Japanese VIN it doesn't start with FE.

I saw the VIN in person (at Rev It Up) which prompted me to look up the real code.

Like Yuhki says, its listed as SE3P in the Mazdaspeed catalog, and on the Mazdaspeed website.

evel3333: I've got the dyno videos, I'll have to dig them up though, next dyno day.. not sure when yet.

You know, it's this kind of discussion that gets us geeks a bad name...

oh :) okay. cool stuff neo...
SE3P it is :D

JM1FE17N*4#123456

J=Japan
M=Mazda
1=Passenger car
FE is the carline series within the VIN for USA
The following digit is the restraint system type "1"
The next digit is the body style. "7"
The next digit is the engine type "N"- std power, "3" High power
The next digit is a check code 0-9, or "X"
The next digit is the model year. "4"-2004
Next digit is assembly plant. "0" Hiroshima, "1" Hofu
The remaining digits are for the numerical serial # of the vehicle.

That's the VIN sequence for North American RX8

oh what detail. awesome. thanks

thanks Monkey now what's a "check code"?

I'm not sure what the check digit designates.

Sorry.

It's a mathematical checksum that can confirm if there has been an error in transcribing a VIN. For an explanation of how it's calculated, look here.

So this means cars designated for sale in japan (presumably right hand drives) would have a different designation in place of FE?

hmmm... enlighten me please. what do "s" "e" and "p" stand for now? i know 3 stands for 1.3 liter, right? if the letters stand for nothing then never mind :D

99% sure FE will be in VINs for all markets.