GTU vs GXL
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From: KS
GTU vs GXL
I just bought an 88 GTU and I notice some suttle differences in it (Hood is way lighter and it has a K&N Filter charger?) when compared to my 88 GXL. What are the differences in these two Rx7's.
The GTU has a good engine but the frame is bent. What parts would you suggest (if any) I should take from the GTU and put on my GXL?
The GTU has a good engine but the frame is bent. What parts would you suggest (if any) I should take from the GTU and put on my GXL?
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From: Egg Harbor, WI USA
Basically the GTU is a base (called SE) car with larger brakes, mirrors and spoilers from the T2, and weight kept to a minimum (no power windows & locks, or leather option). Wheels were 15" (same as GXL), LSD (std on GXL and T2 as well), and sport tuned suspension. 150mph speedometer was also shared with the GXL and SE while the T2 got a 160mph speedo.
It was also the precursor to the GTUs, an even further weight reduced model.
Greg O.
It was also the precursor to the GTUs, an even further weight reduced model.
Greg O.
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From: n
This info should be in the archive also. 
The 1988 GTU (only this year and model) is a successor for the 1987 (1986?) "Sport" model, which is basically a stripped down FC with the "hard" suspension and better brakes.  Most people like to call it a "Turbo II" without the turbo engine.
In 1989 (and 1990), this model was suceeded by the "GTUs".  Mazda did produce a 1989 (and 1990?) model that was also called a "GTU", but this was their base model for just those years.  Confused yet? It was this "GTUs" model that had the 4.30 rear end, not the 1988 "GTU".
1988 "GTU" models did or did not come with aluminum hoods - this is not consistent.  There are also a bunch of 1988 "GTU" models that did come with sunroofs.
All 1989-1990 "GTUs" models should have aluminum hoods - unless something can dispute this?
Otherwise, your GXL would swap almost all it's components with your 1988 "GTU" no problem.
-Ted
The 1988 GTU (only this year and model) is a successor for the 1987 (1986?) "Sport" model, which is basically a stripped down FC with the "hard" suspension and better brakes.  Most people like to call it a "Turbo II" without the turbo engine.
In 1989 (and 1990), this model was suceeded by the "GTUs".  Mazda did produce a 1989 (and 1990?) model that was also called a "GTU", but this was their base model for just those years.  Confused yet?
It was this "GTUs" model that had the 4.30 rear end, not the 1988 "GTU".1988 "GTU" models did or did not come with aluminum hoods - this is not consistent.  There are also a bunch of 1988 "GTU" models that did come with sunroofs.
All 1989-1990 "GTUs" models should have aluminum hoods - unless something can dispute this?
Otherwise, your GXL would swap almost all it's components with your 1988 "GTU" no problem.
-Ted
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Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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From: Stinson Beach, Ca
Originally posted by 13B
I believe the GTU also came equipped with a different gear ratio (to improve acceleration). Pretty sure it was 4.1 on the GXL vs. 4.3 on the GTU.
I believe the GTU also came equipped with a different gear ratio (to improve acceleration). Pretty sure it was 4.1 on the GXL vs. 4.3 on the GTU.
The GTUs had 4.3's
Turbo II's and GTUs came in manual only, I dunno if any others came in manual only
Autos 3.8
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU,
If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain,
n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU,
If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain, n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
...
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From: Tampa, FL
Originally posted by 1Revvin7
Autos 3.8
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU, If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain,
n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
Autos 3.8
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU,
If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain, n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
The autos I think have 3.90.
Only real differences besides the options with the GXLs is the actual weight difference from the options. I believe the GTU was 5 lug as well, they both have the adjustable suspension I think & lager brakes. Only upgrade you can really do is the aluminum hood if I'm not mistaken.
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From: louisville, KY
Originally posted by 1Revvin7
Autos 3.8
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU, If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain,
n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
Autos 3.8
5-speed Except GTUs 4.0
GTUs 4.3
And some GTU came with the TII TRANNY, Like my 88' GTU,
If u plan on converting to boost, get the TII drivetrain, n/a drivetrain max hp : 240
TII drivetrain max hp : 450
-Tesla
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From: Niagara Falls, Canada, Eh?!
I know that a lot of guys have mentioned the weight difference between the GXL and the GTU/GTUs. Exactly how much lighter was the GTU. I believe my '88 GXL weighs a porky ~3600lbs (according to the sticker inside the door jam).
Universal Genius
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From: tt
Originally posted by 13B
I know that a lot of guys have mentioned the weight difference between the GXL and the GTU/GTUs. Exactly how much lighter was the GTU. I believe my '88 GXL weighs a porky ~3600lbs (according to the sticker inside the door jam).
I know that a lot of guys have mentioned the weight difference between the GXL and the GTU/GTUs. Exactly how much lighter was the GTU. I believe my '88 GXL weighs a porky ~3600lbs (according to the sticker inside the door jam).
Best of both worlds
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From: NJ
Originally posted by 13B
I know that a lot of guys have mentioned the weight difference between the GXL and the GTU/GTUs. Exactly how much lighter was the GTU. I believe my '88 GXL weighs a porky ~3600lbs (according to the sticker inside the door jam).
I know that a lot of guys have mentioned the weight difference between the GXL and the GTU/GTUs. Exactly how much lighter was the GTU. I believe my '88 GXL weighs a porky ~3600lbs (according to the sticker inside the door jam).
it prob weights around 2700-2900 lbs
...
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From: Tampa, FL
Ya if your weighs 3600 lbs you might want to take out the 150 cement blocks you fit in there somehow, lol. A GXL should weigh I would think around 100 lbs more maybe a little more, depending on what hood the GTU has.
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From: Calgary, AB, CA
This sport model listed above, is it in 88's as well? Because I have an 88, but it doesn't have the SE badging on the sides, and no options basically. It's pretty light I'm sure. Oh and it has the 14 inch rims. Just wondering.
Thanks
Thanks
...
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From: Tampa, FL
WellI have never seen any "SE" badges at all. Or sport for that matter. I am not sure what the difference is between the 2, for a while I thought they were the same, u know "Sport Edition." Someone said they were different so I guess someone will tell us now. I mean they have options anyways, or the option of certain options so some are different.
I'll just stick with the "base" lol.
I'll just stick with the "base" lol.
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Argh.
Okay, you guy want the definitive answer? Here it is: http://devils.eng.fsu.edu/bmatts_stuff/FCdesc.txt That's an "essay" I wrote for a buddy of mine...
Brandon
(no, I don't have a 7 yet, but I used to have two, and am going to buy a TII this Friday, so shaddup.)
Brandon
(no, I don't have a 7 yet, but I used to have two, and am going to buy a TII this Friday, so shaddup.)
Originally posted by tesla042
I didn't think ANY n/a came with the turbo tranny... Are you sure it wasn't swapped in before you bought it? I assume if it has the tranny, it must have the driveshaft, and the diff, right?
-Tesla
I didn't think ANY n/a came with the turbo tranny... Are you sure it wasn't swapped in before you bought it? I assume if it has the tranny, it must have the driveshaft, and the diff, right?
-Tesla
Yes i have the whole drivtrain.
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From: Calgary, AB, CA
From the looks of that very informative essay, it appears I have one of those very rare "true base" RX7's. I have the 14inch steel wheels (although they look like alloy, but probably are cast steel), absolutely no options whatsoever. This could really be the lightest RX7 produced, for 2nd gens anyways!
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From: louisville, KY
From the "essay":
Power windows are lighter than manual? hmmmmm.......
-Tesla
Ah, now back to the super-mega-ultra-schweet GTUs (that's GTU + s =
GTUs). The GTUs came with power windows (they're actually lighter than
manual), the turbo power steering rack (fewer turns lock-to-lock), the
turbo suspension, the big brakes and no sunroof (because it lowers the
CofG, dummy-head!).
GTUs). The GTUs came with power windows (they're actually lighter than
manual), the turbo power steering rack (fewer turns lock-to-lock), the
turbo suspension, the big brakes and no sunroof (because it lowers the
CofG, dummy-head!).
-Tesla
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Originally posted by tesla042
From the "essay":
Power windows are lighter than manual? hmmmmm.......
-Tesla
From the "essay":
Power windows are lighter than manual? hmmmmm.......
-Tesla
Actually, yes, the power windows motors/regulators/etc are lighter than the manual bits. The GTUs-with-manual bit however was secondhand information. I was contacted by no less than 4 people with GTUs-es who all said that they had power windows, so, uh... oops
Originally posted by nima_taba:
From the looks of that very informative essay, it appears I have one of those very rare "true base" RX7's. I have the 14inch steel wheels (although they look like alloy, but probably are cast steel), absolutely no options whatsoever. This could really be the lightest RX7 produced, for 2nd gens anyways!
From the looks of that very informative essay, it appears I have one of those very rare "true base" RX7's. I have the 14inch steel wheels (although they look like alloy, but probably are cast steel), absolutely no options whatsoever. This could really be the lightest RX7 produced, for 2nd gens anyways!
Brandon
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From: connecticut
ok im confused. i have a sunroof, power mirrors but no power door locks or power windows. my hood is wicked heavy. it came with those 4 lug hubcaps that are like 14" or something. dont know which model, but im leaning towards GXL. can someone tell me what i hav???
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