I'm new to the RX-7 world and have just purchased an '89 GTU. It's a high mile car that I bought at the local car auction and drove home (I'm bought it for a song, so I couldn't pass it up!!). Given the amount of miles, it still looks good (very little rust), runs good enough to drive, doesn't smoke too bad and everything works.

I'm assuming the GTU model is the sporty version of the RX-7, but I don't know anything about it. Can anyone fill me in or point me to a good site to explain.

My plan is to convert it to a race car and run in the ITS division in the SCCA.

Thanks for the help!!
Don

 

The 89 GTU is the base model. In 89 the GTUs was the "sport" model, while in 88 it was the GTU. Confused? So are most people.

Sport: 86/87 Sport --> 88 GTU --> 89/90 GTUs.
Base: 86/87 Base --> 88 SE --> 89/90 GTU.

Don't feel too bad though. In 89 all the non-turbos got an extra 15 hp and many other refinements. Also, if you really are going into ITS, then a base model is not a bad start (less to strip out). You will need better brakes and an LSD, which were not on that model. Also, ITS is hugely expensive to compete in. Are you wealthy? To make the car "not embarrasing" (TM) on the track, you will have to spend a lot of money in prep work ($10-30K). Then, you have consumables (fuel, tires, etc.) and entry fees. Not sure what ITS costs, but Spec 7 (much more affordable) racers tend to spend "a couple hundred dollars" per weekend of racing. Don't forget needing a crew, trailer, a tow vehicle, and lots of spare parts. Good luck.
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Blake Qualley
Rotary Engine Illustrated

 

Thanks again for the info. Blake. I am also considering the Spec 7 class, and maybe that would be a better (read less expensive) place to start with this car. As I mentioned in my other thread, I am already racing in E-Prod. and ultimately, I'd like to sell that car and get this one into GT2 or 3, but that's a few years down the road.

In the mean time, I was planning on going through this one and I figured I could build a pretty competitive car for about $10K or so (the car was free, so I had a good starting point) The problem I have is that it has about 185K miles on it, so a total teardown and replacement/rebuild of all moving parts is required anyway. (I feel better doing that to a race car anyway!) Given that, I didn't think the ITS class would be much of a step up from Spec 7. What are your thoughts??

Best regards,
Don

 

Well, if you're already racing, then you know what you're in for As Rob Golden is fond of saying "Speed equals Dollars cubed. How fast can you afford?" Spec 7, however, is for 1st gens, so the GTU will not be able to race in that class. ITS is the place for 2nd gens, but it is very competitive. Cubic dollars rule. Sylvain Tremblay (SpeedSource) makes good money selling turnkey terrors that dominate the class. Presuming you knew what you were doing and planned to do the work yourself, $10K is a very realistic budget for prep. Paying a pro would require 3x as much due to all the labor. If you want to see what SpeedSource does, check out the May/June 1998 back issue of Grassroots Motorsports, page 42-49.
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Blake Qualley
Rotary Engine Illustrated

 

I can certainly relate to the dollars part as this year hasn't been kind to me and my 'B (said goodbye to a complete engine/head and two trans.). I do believe, though there are people in every class that try to buy championships and all the power to them (pun intended). I know of a guy in E-Prod. that has over $80K in his car, has a professional race car mechanic on his staff and still finished mid-pack at the Runoffs. My goal, however, is to build a reliable car and have fun.

I do understand the commitment it takes to run at the front with the national boys, and someday I'll be there, but the next several years I'm concentrating on the 3 most important things; track time, track time, track time.

Anyway, that's my story in a nutshell. I do appreciate the info. and I'm sure I'll be here many times in the future.

Thanks again,
Don Lavrenz
Killer Beez Racing
Pewaukee, WI