John Williamson

I'm trying to find and buy a GTUs. I've read enough of the other post to know what to look for including the tire size sticker in the door frame. A car I got a response on has all the GTUs mechanics but has a few "extras", I'm suspect.

Is there a way to tell by VIN #?????

riverzendz

What are the extras?

cool_as_crap

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494667
its in the faq, though it doesnt look like it specifys a gtu's. you can break it down to narrow out other possibliltys:


RX-7 89-91 (12/88 - 7/91)
JM1 FC 331 * K 0 ######
JM1= Mazda Passenger Car
FC= RX7 Coupe
33= Coupe
35= Convertible
1= 1308cc rotary non-turbo
2= 1308cc rotary turbo
331= Coupe w/auto shoulder belt
332= Coupe Turbo w/auto shoulder belt
333= Coupe w/o auto shoulder belt
334= Coupe turbo w/o auto shoulder belt
351= Convertible w/o airbag
352= Convertible w/ airbag
*= Check Digit
K= 1989
L= 1990
M= 1991
0= Hiroshima Plant
######= Serial number


Build dates by serial number:
Model year-----Production Date----Serial Number
1986--------------8/85 - 6/86------100001-200000
1987--------------6/86 - 7/87------500001-600000
1988-------------7/87 - 12/88-----600001-700000
1989------------12/88 - 12/89-----700001-800000
1990------------12/89 - 11-90-----800001-900000
1991--------------8/90 - 7/91------900001-950000

so you can narrow it down to 89-90.
a pretty good giveaway is if it has no sun/moon roof.

Roen

iTrader: (2)

not true, my GTUs has an aftermarket glass sunroof that a lot of GTUs' have.

cool_as_crap

that is actually a very rare dealer modification

Madrx7racer

but the sunroof will be very different than a stock sunroof. We need to know what "extras" you're talking about because MY extras would make ppl think it's NOT a GTUs when it actually IS.

socalrotor

iTrader: (1)

GTUs have a 160 speedo like the t2 but without a boost gauge. ALM hood, look for a vacuum layout on the underside of the hood. S5 T2 wheels, should be the tire sticker on the door sill saying 205/55/VR16. Lether wraped stearing wheel/shifter and ebrake handle, only has a am/fm stereo,Here is a pic of a stock GTUs.

Madrx7racer

how much does the guy want for the "GTUs" and what condition is it in?

socalrotor

iTrader: (1)

I have never seen any GTUs with a differant sunroof. I think this is incorrect info. Anyone know differant? Links? BTW the red one pictured sold for 1800 with 100k on the clock.

Madrx7racer

there was a thread in here not too long ago.......the stock one pops up at the rear and slides back with the rearward part sticking up higher than the front....right???? the dealer options popped up at the rear and slid back BUT it was flat (parallel to the roof) and the frame is different.......i'll find the thread.

Madrx7racer

well it's not incorrect:

here is a dealer installed sunroof:

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

The dealers used whomever local company they could find. They're all different. Mine is just a glass pop-up and doesn't slide at all.

Madrx7racer

could be...

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

It is.

Madrx7racer

possibly

socalrotor

iTrader: (1)

After 20 minutes of reading, GTUs did NOT come with a sunroof from the factory. That being the case I would stay away from GTUs with sunroofs!!!!

Madrx7racer

they NEVER came with sunroofs from the factory...........they were DEALER installed options.........I assume they used reputable local installers and did not leak but that might not be the case all the time.

John Williamson

Thanks for the info. Yeah the sunroof is one item that has me wondering. Never heard of the speedo to 160 before and the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter- good info.

Everytime I see "What makes a GTUs" there always seems to be a new bit of info to check out.

Looks like you can't tell a GTUs by a VIN#. We can tell a lot but there's no way to tell for sure.

socalrotor

iTrader: (1)

You would assume a Car dealer would use a top notch subcontractor?!

Yeah right, they pick who ever is cheapest for the most part. I have more than a few friends at various dealers and when ever they can save a buck they will. I am not saying all aftermarket installs are crap, but think about it. Cut open a roof and make a universal sunroof fit. NO THANKS!!!!!

Madrx7racer

the only reason you should be concerned is if they guy is ASKING too much for the 7 by claiming it's a GTUs.............if you can get an NA for under $2500 in nice shape and it runs then get it whether it is a GTUs, GXL, GTU or whatever.......people like to hype up cars like the GTUs over nothing.

Madrx7racer

yeah I know.............maybe at one point it was about quality........

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Some were decent units, like the sliding or electric sliding similar to stock. Others got the cheap end of the stick (ie mine). The nice part is, it's lighter than just about any other thing they could've filled the hole with!

adrock3217

Ok...

I'm surprised no one called on this.

In 1989-1990, the only cars that came with an LSD were the GTUs, and the T2. If you narrow it down to being EITHER of those years, it IS a GTUs.

1991 has the T2 being the only one listed with an LSD, but people have reported having '91 NA coupe's with LSDs, yet Mazda totally denies this.

John Williamson

OK, the GTUs was the only RX7 with the 4.30 LSD rear end. Does anyone know if a GTUs comes with the turbo drive shaft? It's much larger in diameter. I know this because I ordered the wrong one (turbo) from Mazdatrix. They were nice enough to let me return and get the N/A drive shaft. Little things add up.

Anyone got a window sticker that might have any more GTUs clues????

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

No, the entire driveline is N/A.