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

88-89 compatibility & turbo swap

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Old Jul 28, 2007 | 08:50 PM
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Question 88-89 compatibility & turbo swap

First of all, hello everybody, i'm new in this group, and i'm also new in the RX7 world.

My fist question is about the compatibility between the 88 and 89 models. Do they have the same motor mountings, bushings and overall dimension of drive train (motor, transmission and axles)? Can i swap a 89 motor into a 88 body?

And the second is about the turbo. If i put a full turbo motor in a GTU, does it turn completely into a TurboII? i mean, is it now a Turbo, and do you need to fin the parts for a turbo the next time you go to the "autozone" shop? And i don't know about the gauges.

I have a 88 GTU or GXL, not sure, and a guy is offering me a 89, but i don't know if i can swap the lighter motor to the 88.

I'll appreciate any response.
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Old Jul 28, 2007 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Pablo Escalera
First of all, hello everybody, i'm new in this group, and i'm also new in the RX7 world.

My fist question is about the compatibility between the 88 and 89 models. Do they have the same motor mountings, bushings and overall dimension of drive train (motor, transmission and axles)? Can i swap a 89 motor into a 88 body?

And the second is about the turbo. If i put a full turbo motor in a GTU, does it turn completely into a TurboII? i mean, is it now a Turbo, and do you need to fin the parts for a turbo the next time you go to the "autozone" shop? And i don't know about the gauges.

I have a 88 GTU or GXL, not sure, and a guy is offering me a 89, but i don't know if i can swap the lighter motor to the 88.

I'll appreciate any response.
Hey welcome to the club, get ready for the most cliche phrasing on the club: Search/FAQ

actually for any 2nd gen you can use any other motor so long as you go from N/A to N/A or TII to TII. It's also recommended that you stay within series then you won't have to swap over the ecu and related electronics.

As for your other questions you may be biting off more than you can chew if you're asking these types of questions. Honestly though make your way over to the FAQ and Archives. Look at the projects in the archives. If you're just willing to take a few days and weeks you'll get caught up pretty quick.
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Old Jul 28, 2007 | 09:15 PM
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like ^^^ he said... the motor will fit with no problem. the problems you will inccur will be the wiring between the S4(86-87) and S5(89-91). it isn't a TII at this point, but all your motor and tranny(if swapped) will be TII. anything you switch from N/A to TII will be a TII.
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Old Jul 29, 2007 | 09:36 PM
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Thanks for the responses.

I will be reading for a while. I read that the S5 is a bit longer than the S4. Would the same hood fit both models?
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Old Jul 29, 2007 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Pablo Escalera
Thanks for the responses.

I will be reading for a while. I read that the S5 is a bit longer than the S4. Would the same hood fit both models?

What the crap? News to me...
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Old Jul 30, 2007 | 01:16 AM
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no, they are both identical when it comes to the chassis dimensions so any hood will fit.

1. You CAN put an 89 motor in an 88 but you have to rewire the ECU (the Series 5 [89-91] ECU is different) and body harness which means that you have to read BOTH Factory Service manuals (wiring diagrams). For this reason it's BEST to stay within the same series (87-88 NA/TII motor into 86-88 NA, 89-91NA/TII motor into 89-92 NA) so it's PLUG AND PLAY.

2. IF you put a TURBO MOTOR then you technically have a TII but the only differences in parts will be performance parts/replacement parts (TID, FMIC, TB, starter, turbo, exhaust, manifolds, throttle cable, pressure sensors etc. etc.)

3.If you do a turbo swap then you should also look into swapping in a TII transmission to handle the power. IF you go with the TII tranny then your Driveshaft will not mate up it so you will have two choices:

A) Get a special Driveshaft from www.mazdatrix.com that will mate the TII tranny with the NA differential.

B) get a TII driveshaft, differential, halfshafts (or drop the whole subframe for simplicity)

4. The NA guages have a VOLTMETER instead of a boost gauge and they have a 1000RPM higher tach. You don't have to replace the gauges, just get an aftermarket boost gauge.

5. All this information is READILY available using the SEARCH feature and by reading the FAQs at the top of the second gen section.


IF you have an 86-88/NA and you're dropping an 89-92 NA motor then you're wasting your time and money.
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Old Jul 30, 2007 | 01:21 AM
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Here:

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n...to_turbo2.html

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n..._s5_diffs.html

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n...in_differ.html

/thread.
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Old Jul 30, 2007 | 01:26 AM
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^^
IBTL.


NOW you can /thread
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Old Jul 30, 2007 | 01:10 PM
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From: fountain valley
your gonna have to replace the s5 omp pump/casing, thermostat plus casing, timing casing, throttle body unless you want to run premix

your also gonna have to splice two wires on your original wiring harness

and youll need new ecu, a s4 turbo ecu 332 333
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Old Jul 31, 2007 | 11:01 PM
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From: Cary, NC
Hey, thanks a lot for all of the information, it's very useful, i appreciate all of your responses.

Tomorrow i will call the guy offering the S5 and i will see if i'll get a second FC. Keep it up with the rotary. I will.
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