Hi all. I just went to test drive a 1988 RX-7. The owner claims it is a GTU. However, the car had a paint job the GTU logo on both side doors were painted over, if they were there to begin with. Therefore, besides the logos, I am unable to tell if it is an actual GTU. Is there other clues or things to look for that would indicate the car as an authentic GTU? BTW, it does have a rear spoiler and alloy rims. But, it has non-power windows and door locks. Anybody please? Oh, I drive a 85 GSL-SE and, the 1988 RX-7 seemed less quick on the acceleration department, plus, it didn't pull that much. What's up with this? But, it rides quiet and smooth.

 

check the hood, i think the gtu had an aluminum hood for 88' and also the brakes would be 4 piston brakes up front(means two pistons per brake caliper in front), oh yeah the s4 gtu had limited slip too i believe. check for those things, if they are there im betting its a gtu.
also i looked at a 88 gtu a few years ago i noticed it didnt have power windows or locks. as for acceleration...yeah it sucks stock but do basic mods and it becomes a much faster and more fun of a car to drive.

 

I didn't know they made GTU rx7s in 88.......weird....

 

ok, it has the aero kit, which means GTU/GXL...not sure on the alum hood, mine doesnt have one, but it was wrecked before too...also, if it has TII seats, cloth, bucket type, higher sides, then it is a GTU, the GTU and TII shared the seats for 88...also, if it has no rear wiper, GTU...again, all these parts could have been added, but I doubt it...the car isnt really worth more thana GXL, or whatever

 

yes they did, and I happen to own one

 

That is a '88 GTU. Check out the aero pieces and the 15" wheels, as well as larger brakes and HD suspension. Congratulations, arguably one of the best N/A FCs out there

Check out the "What did my FC come with?" sticky at the top of this forum..

 

Well the GTU should be slower, because its got pretty much the same engine as your GSL-SE but it also weighs a few hundred pounds more.

 

BTW- The back wheels are on backwards.

 

The GXL did not have the aero kit, only GTU and Turbo2 in '88...

 

are you sure the GXl didn't have the aero package? I had an 88 GXL and I'm pretty sure it had a wing.....but then again,it was a long time ago...

 

Yup the 88 GTU is one of the best NA's to get. It's argued that the GTUs is modeled after it but with extra goodies.

It's got the 4 piston brakes in the front. Bigger/TII sized suspension parts.
Has LSD rearend.

It will not have power windows or locks but mine has power mirrors and sunroof.

It can have the Aeropackage. That would be little under skirt things before the rear tires and a little lip thing under the front bumper. Also an extra under giard semi under the tranny for better air flow.

It sounds like a GTU to me because GXL's are the luxury models(all the power stuff).

This one is a TII without the TII engine. So it's got the good stuff but less weight.

 

if its a gtu it wont have the electric suspension system in front of the arm rest but the GXL will , tII seats, no power locks or windows and it wont have a rear wiper i drive an 88 gtu and it is pretty quik for a N/A plus it has the LSD which is fatty because it lets me get all slideways Woooooooo!!!!

 

..... especially in all of Montanas snow! we have about 2 feet sometimes in town!

 

I have seen GXLs with the 88 aero package, may have not have been the full kit, but it did have the spoiler, and it wasnt added on...

 

edit

 

Dealer installed option... no GXL came from the factory with the aero kit.

 

looks just like my GTU did.. if its not then its a look a like.. and yes they made on GTU in 88

 

The 88 was the only year the GTU was worth owning.

It was what the GTUs model was made from, but without the S5 heaviness (and infact was equipped exactly the same as the GTUs, just no 4.3 rear end. The 88 GTU got the 4.1 LSD rear end.

 

yeah. too bad for all of us with our pos cars that aren't worth owning.

 

The 4 piston brakes has 4 pistons per caliper, which means 8 pistons upfront

Proof:

 

Now hold on a minute, a buddy of mine has an 88 GTU that does have the AAS, single piston front calipers, 5 lug wheels, no spoiler, no aero kit, with an auto transmission and lsd. I know for a fact it was a GTU because it was bought from the lot in 88 with factory GTU emblems, he has pics of it. From what I gathered from this thread is either it is a total oddity or the dealer played a heinous trick. Did they offer a "gtu badge upgrade" for GXL's or something?

-E

 

Yeah. I test drove the this GTU in question and I was disappointed and unimpressed with the lack of a hard pulling acceleration that I'm used to with my 85 GSL-SE. I was under the impression that the 13B since 1985 had undergone small bits of improvements through the years leading up to 1988 and beyond. But, I do understand the horsepower to weight ratio between the GTU and GSL-SE. Hey ajsuper, and the rest.... so you say basic mods will improve it's acceleration a little , alot or much more.

 

It may be a GTU , can't tell much for the picture. It has the right wheels and rear spoiler, check the FAQ for equipment. My 88 GTU has the 4.1 lsd rear, HD brakes, ect. but no alum. hood. By the way the front wheels are the ones on backward, check the inside edge for the RH, LH side stamps the knife edge of the spokes goes forward for brake airflow. Great handling car but not the power of 89 GTUs sith S5 intake.

 

That is a GXL, not a GTU.

GTU never came with power windows, or AAS or an auto tranny. Those were not even available options.

If he has a GTU sticker, someone put the wrong badge on it (probably has been in an accident as well and been repainted).

He did not buy it from the dealer brand new like that.

If he did buy it from the dealer, have him show you the window sticker... It will say GXL

Maybe this will help:

 

Ouch thats got to hurt..... but on the bright side i think the GXL has a higher resale value. ( according to the books)