2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

1990 GTUs keep it stock???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 06:29 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
1990 GTUs keep it stock???

Just got it friday, excellent condition no mods. ONLY HAS 13,000 miles on it, my cousin says its rare and I guess he would know hes like a RX-7 freak owns three, one of each gen, told me not to mod it. What do you guys know about this car??
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 07:32 AM
  #2  
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
not much info in the search engine

well its 8:30am and I'm going to bed wil check back around 6pm
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 07:43 AM
  #3  
go_speed_go's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Unless your going to make it show circuit trailer queen, mod it any way you want.

If you're concerned with 'preserving' a rare car, just keep all the original parts and don't do anything that can't be undone.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
No7Yet's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
If I were you, I'd mod the car, but I'd only do what Mazda "should" have done, were the US and its sheeple not generally pansies. I'd build it up to "super stock", if you get me.

But in the end, it's your car Just promise not to wreck it, or I'll hunt you down and kill you like the dog you, uh, would be if you wrecked it! Muhah- *coughcoughcough*

*sigh*

Brandon
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 08:56 AM
  #5  
787B's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Topeka, KS
sell it for quite a bit of money. then get a turbo II and mod that. i would feel bad if i did it to a GTUs. they are so rare.

please dont mod it.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 09:24 AM
  #6  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,862
Likes: 568
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Cut it apart and put a big ol' Chevy engine in it. Just to see if a mob carrying torches, pitchforks, and nooses comes hunting for you every night.

Seriously, those are quite rare cars - they are the ultimate non-turbo FCs - stripped out and with the good suspension and a special rear differential and gearing.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
montrealgtu's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
I agree, just do what can ultimately be undone, and enjoy.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 10:01 AM
  #8  
ZachSpazz's Avatar
I wish I had a posse...
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio-Boycott Central
That car is one out of hundred in existance.

Soon to be a collector's edition in several years. I would mod it, but make sure to keep every single original bit that came off the car, including exhaust, shocks, etc.

Try to keep the mileage down but enjoy the car too!
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 10:10 AM
  #9  
tmak26b's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
From: Norwich, CT
there were only 100 GTUs in 90
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 10:11 AM
  #10  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
If it was me:

Limited mods, such as Cat back and intake, strut bar, maybe add a basic stereo... Keep all the stock parts in storage.

That car doesn't need much else... it is already reasonably quick and has better balanced handling than the T2.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 01:35 PM
  #11  
RarestRX's Avatar
NA Powah, Every Hour!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, U S of A
Yo,


Like people said, just don't cut holes in anything. I've "modded" my 1989 GTUs, but they are simple mods that can be quickly undone if needed. Well, except for the stock exhaust, that thing is gone. *grin*

How much did you get it for? This is gonna hurt...

KS
1989 GTUs "You don't wanna know what I paid for mine..."
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 05:48 PM
  #12  
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
thanks for the input

Im used to having everything in my vert this car is like so spartan! that in itself will take getting use to. But for now I'm going to store in my barn under cover. Maybe next spring I can change the exhaust and intake.
Thanks guys I can't believe 100 of these were built only if thats true why?? now I'm scared to drive it!!
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2002 | 08:52 PM
  #13  
vaughnc's Avatar
knowledge junkie
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,595
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
several GTUs guys have supercharged theirs. So long as it "bolts on" and not cutting - go for it.

Just keep the OEM parts.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 12:40 AM
  #14  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,862
Likes: 568
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
they only made a few because it's a special edition, commemorating many, any years of dominating the GTU class. (as in, winning in every year they ran it except 1979, which was a very close 2nd place)
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 01:31 AM
  #15  
baix2's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
mod it anyway u want, who cares if it's rare or not as long as u take good care of it

and yeah, i kinda agree about selling the GTUs for good money and get turbo, but my reason is not because of modding the GTUs, but to take advantage for the fact that GTUs are rare and can sell for good money,

some ppl like to own a rare car and they are proud of it, but for me it's not a big deal, i would take a Turbo over GTUs anytime
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 01:37 AM
  #16  
XLR8's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 10
From: NJ
I agree with BAIX.

A GTUs is pretty much like every othere FC dispite a few things. But the price they bring is much different from othere NA's. I would sell and get a TII. To me, they are worth less than TII's because they are slower.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 01:42 AM
  #17  
Felix Wankel's Avatar
Super Newbie
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Originally posted by peejay
they only made a few because it's a special edition, commemorating many, any years of dominating the GTU class. (as in, winning in every year they ran it except 1979, which was a very close 2nd place)
Its not really to commemorate, its a homologation special so they could have the 4.30 gears and **** in the GTU class.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 01:56 AM
  #18  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,862
Likes: 568
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Really? I thought it didn't make a difference, unless they really tighened up the GTU rules over the years. (The '80-82ish racers had 100% not-stock suspensions, definitely not Mazda rearends, bodies that looked sort-of like RX-7s if you squinted and looked mostly at the roof, and peripheral port 12As pushing 300hp...)
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 02:04 AM
  #19  
Felix Wankel's Avatar
Super Newbie
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Most everything I've read on them says ''homologation special''. RarestRX needs to get his *** back in here and let us know whats up!
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 02:19 AM
  #20  
RarestRX's Avatar
NA Powah, Every Hour!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, U S of A
Yo,





I stuck with him for 100+ miles of gnarly twisties. I was running the stock 13 year old suspension, with stock tire size of 205/55-16. Trust me, all the little things add up on a GTUs.

I wouldn't trade mine for any turbo RX-7.

KS
1989 GTUs "It's just not worth it."
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 02:28 AM
  #21  
RarestRX's Avatar
NA Powah, Every Hour!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, U S of A
Yo,







I don't know if it's a homologation special or not, we like to think so. *grin*

It was definitely a limited production run, and it was to celebrate the domination of the NA RX-7's in the IMSA GTU class from 1980 to 1987. Not to mention the unheard of streak from 1982 to 1993 at the 24 Hours at Daytona:

1982

GTO 1st Place
4th overall 77 Yoshimi Katayama / J Mazda RX-7 254

Takashi Yorino / J
Yojiro Terada / J

GTU 1st Place
6th overall 98 Lee Mueller / USA Mazda RX-7

Kathy Rude / USA
Allan Moffat / AUS

1983

GTO 1st Place
3rd overall 7 Pete Halsmer / USA Mazda RX-7
Racing Beat
Bob Reed / USA
Rick Knoop / USA

GTU 1st Place

12th overall 92 Lee Mueller / USA Mazda RX-7

Terry Visger / USA
Hugh McDonough

1984

GTU 1st Place
12th overall 76 Jack Baldwin / USA Mazda RX-7

Ira Young
Bob Reed / USA
Jim Cook / CDN

1985

GTO 2nd Place
11th overall 53 Danny Smith / USA Mazda RX-7

Tom Waugh / USA
Diego Febles / PR

GTU 1st Place
12th overall 71 Amos Johnson / USA Mazda RX-7
Team
Jack Dunham / USA
Highball
Yojiro Terada / J

1986

GTU 1st Place
8th overall 71 Amos Johnson / USA Mazda RX-7
Team
Dennis Shaw / USA
Highball
Jack Dunham / USA

1987

GTU 1st Place
10th overall 71 Amos Johnson / USA Mazda RX-7
Team
Dennis Shaw / USA
Highball
Bob Lazier / USA

1988

GTU 1st Place
15th overall 71 Amos Johnson / USA Mazda RX-7
Team
Dennis Shaw / USA
Highball
Bob Lazier / USA

1989

GTU 1st Place
12th overall 17 Al Bacon / USA Mazda RX-7 Al
Bacon Perf
Bob Reed / USA
Rod Millen / USA

1990

GTO 2nd Place
7th overall 63 Jim Downing / USA Mazda RX-7

Amos Johnson / USA
John O'Steen / USA
Pete Halsmer / USA

GTU 1st Place
12th overall 71 Peter Uria / USA Mazda RX-7

Bob Dotson / USA
Jim Pace / USA
Rusty Scott / USA

1991

GTU 1st Place
13th overall 82 Dick Greer / USA Mazda RX 7
Greer Racing
Al Bacon / USA
Peter Uria / USA
Mike Mees / USA

1992

GTU 1st Place
7th overall 82 Dick Greer / USA Mazda RX-7
Greer
Al Bacon / USA
Peter Uria / USA
Mike Mees / USA

1993

GTU 1st Place
9th overall 82 Dick Greer / USA Mazda RX 7
Wendy's Racing
Al Bacon / USA
Peter Uria / USA
Mike Mees / USA

Thanks to:

Joe Favata
www.EnduranceSportscar.com

For the above info.

Also check:

http://wspr-racing.com/results/imsa/...agtumakes.html

For more info.

KS
1989 GTUs "We own GTU."
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 02:43 AM
  #22  
Felix Wankel's Avatar
Super Newbie
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Hate me yet?

Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 02:46 AM
  #23  
RETed's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 22
From: n
Cars were meant to be driven...I'd mod the hell out of it and still drive it.
If I ever get my 1962 250GTO, I might think about it for a bit.&nbsp $50,000 engine rebuilds make me cringe!




-Ted
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 04:22 AM
  #24  
baix2's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Originally posted by RarestRX
Yo,





I stuck with him for 100+ miles of gnarly twisties. I was running the stock 13 year old suspension, with stock tire size of 205/55-16. Trust me, all the little things add up on a GTUs.

I wouldn't trade mine for any turbo RX-7.

KS
1989 GTUs "It's just not worth it."
u should have passed him on the twisties, and make him never see ur tailights

and 100+miles??? where the hell is that?? around bay area?
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2002 | 11:02 AM
  #25  
RarestRX's Avatar
NA Powah, Every Hour!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, U S of A
Yo,


Felix, I don't hate you yet. My bank account is gonna hate you when you force me to drop a grand on a coilover suspension set up. *grin*

Baix2: It's impolite to pass Doc Wong on a Doc Wong driving clinic. Especially when he's leading, and you don't know where we're going. *grin* That picture is up on Skyline.

Check it:

http://www.docwong.com/Autos/index.htm

It was freakin' awesome.

KS
1989 GTUs "Wanna do it again!"
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:51 AM.