Can someone explain to this ignorant 1stgen owner what exactly a 2nd gen GTU is, and why its different than the other models?

 

http://www.monito.com/wankel/rx-7.html

That should help

 

Clear. Thanks a ton.

 

Well that page is only half right...

The 88 GTU was a new model and was created to replace the 86-87 GS/Sport with a model that recognized the 8 year Champion win run of the Mazda RX-7 GTU race car. This model came standard with the TII suspension, TII seats, body color TII aero mirrors, Limited slip differential, drag lowering aero parts from the GS and a new wing rear spoiler (also found on the 88 TII).

The 89-90 GTU was the strippy base model, that had only single piston front brakes, solid rear discs, standard suspension, steel hood, no aero parts (except rear spoiler) no LSD, ETC.

Then there was the 89-90 GTUs (note the small "s") that was the race version, that included all the suspension, and brakes from the Turbo II, but was stripped of any extra weight (read options) and had the much desirable LSD 4.3 rear end and slightly different gearing in the tranny.