86 Model Turbo?
 

First my question: Is it possible for a Turbo to be made in November of '85, or was this car a swap?
Now for the background - I was looking for a Turbo differential earlier today since I might need it. I only know of 1 Turbo in the junkyards in the area, so I went to make sure it had the differential in it. It did, and I was wondering what series it was to see what type of lsd is was. The last digit of the manufaturer year on the door jam sticker was partially missing, but it looked like 11-85. This confused me because I thought that was too early for an 87 car, since turbos weren't made in 86. I wrote down the vin and looked it up at home, and it has G for the year code, which means its an 86 model year car. I guess its possible that they started making them early, or soemthing, and the vin was thrown off because of that.
It had a turbo hood on it when I saw it a few years ago, I found a section of intake that is only on a turbo car, it has turbo wheels, and the instrument cluster is from a turbo model. I just would like to know if it was originally a turbo car for curiosity's sake, plus it would be nice to know for sure that it has a turbo diff without measuring the bolt pattern on the front.

November of 85 makes this car an 86 model only. But it is possible that it was an early Turbo model shipped out in 87.

If the differential is a Turbo diff, just pull it. But be carefull because those clutch type LSD's wear out and it might need a rebuild.

Your best choice would probably pick up the entire pum[kin and swap in an FD differential. Helical diffs are just better any way you cut it IMO.

Well, I'm I'm swapping in a turbo but the guy I'm gettting the stuff from wants to keep the diff in it until he can get the ford 9" rear end for his v-8 swap so it can still roll. He said it should only be another month, but I was checking this out just in case. I already have a clutch type diff on my car (NA though) so I know about them wearing out. I just need to get the car drivable while I save up more money to fix it up. I was already planning on swapping in the FD torsen unit once I got the money. I'm actually about to start a thread with more details about the swap.

If I was you, I'd just save up and get the Torsen unit. You can get them on E-bay for pretty cheap. No reason to buy another diff after a bit because it will just cost more. Or are you talking about picking up a complete TII diff?

I think I just confused myself.

i have heard of 86 turbos, i heared they are like n/as with a turbo strapped on, compleatly different fron the later ones

Hmm, maybe Icemark will chime in, I'm sure he knows.
Also, I was talking about the entire diff unit with casing and everything. I most likely won't end up getting it, but its better safe than sorry.

yea you have to get the entire case and all. a Tii pumpkin wont fit into an NA, period!

I think I might have one of those.......the car has been through some things, s4 parts here and s5 parts here. I will check the vin.

Look at the VIN.
Turbo II's officially start with JM1FC332...
The "2" is what designates a Turbo II model.

Also, the "G" code makes it officially a 1986 model.
This has been covered before.
Mazda USA did not officially import the Turbo II until 1987.
There are a few 1986 Turbo II models running around - FC332 + "G".
I've got a few of them on my registry page.
I've seen one in person.
So they are out there.


-Ted

Thanks for the info ted. I know they weren't here until 87, but I thought there might have been a fluke and it reall was a turbo. I just forgot that there was a number designating the model. It started with FC331, though so its a NA conversion. It looks like they did a complete swap of everything, so it should be good. If I end up needing it I'll go and check for sure.
And for the people offering their's for sale, I don't need one yet, and probably won't need one at all. I was just checking this out as a just-in-case measure. If I do end up needing one I will post in the classifieds section.
Thanks for the help.

if it's not a rhd GT limited it's not a real turbo for that year

Guess some people can't read...

Thanx for this thread resurrection.


-Ted

lol

Wow.....that was worthless.

Haha. WOW.

I was reading this thinking "what the hell?" Then I realized it was a useless thread resurrection. Of all the things to bring up, a stupid question that was already answered....
I never did get the turbo swap. The bastard flaked on me before I could buy it.