First post (I think?) in the 2nd gen section!

Well, I'm looking at purchasing an FC but there seems to be some trouble over what trim it is. Now, the seller is quite certain it is a GTUs, but I'm doubting for a few reasons: 1. has a sunroof (i suppose it could be a dealer option) 2. Seller said it has a 4.30 rear as the reason it was a GTUs, (he could be mistaken, confused? doesn't know that much about sevens he says) 3. it's a 1990...and there were only 100 GTUs produced which makes me kinda doubt I stumbled on one. I checked the VIN and carfax lists it as a GTU/GXL. I'm very far from the seller though I will be moving to his area soon so I can't check it out in person just yet. I just sent him an email asking about p/w/dl and the rear wiper and I'm going to check the VIN at a mazda dealership tomorrow. Anyone have any input?

I've always settled for a comprimse in practicality, first a AE86 then a S13, now I can at last get a seven

 

if it has a sunroof, power windows, power locks, then it is NOT a GTUs. the sunroof is the dead give away, there were never ever any sunroofs on the GTUs

 

what is a gtu neway??? iv never understood this whole thing? is it better or no?

 

gtu is the base model and gxl is the luxury model (back then) and the there is the TII model performance



90TII

 

I ran a search here and it appears some sunroofs were installed as a dealer (not a factory) option.

 

I think the GTU I picked up might be a GTUs

it has a sunroof, but no rear wiper, no power anything.

the year is 1989 with the round taillights, turbo style mirrors, spoiler, etc....

what else is there that is easily identifiable to seperate the two "gtu vs. gtus" ?

whats year did the GTUs run off the line?

 

A GTUs will have the following...
*limited slip
*16" Turbo rims
* 4-piston calipers up front and vented discs in back
*no power anything (it might not even have a tape deck)
* a close-ratio 5th-gear (engine RPMS should be around 3500 (?) while going 70 MPH)

Just let RarestRX get in on this thread.

 

Yo,


Quick and dirty checks:

Inside drivers door sticker should say the recommended tire size is:

205/55 - 16

Hood should be aluminum, take a magnet to it.

Cloth interior

No rear wiper

No tilt mechanism on the steering column.

Manual windows

Drive the car, it should turn 4,000rpm at 80mph in 5th.

Should be Black w/Black int. Red w/Black int. or White w/Blue int. That was it.

Good luck! They're great cars!

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Fat Free."

 

It's confusing because the GTU model concept changed from 88 to 89, and there is a difference between a GTU and GTUs even though they sound similar. Better or no, that's an individual opinion.

86-87 Sport = Stripped performance non-turbo model with aero kit
88 GTU = Stripped performance non-turbo model
89+ GTU = Base model
89-90 GTUs = Stripped performance non-turbo model

The dealer-installed sunroof is manual, not electric.

Good idea.

I don't suppose that anybody has bothered to see if "GTUs" is written on the side of the front fender? I don't see what the big deal is, anyway. If you happen to like the GTUs trim, and the car has all of the items, then what does it matter if it was originally a GTUs?

 

what is the difference between GTU and GTUs? that liitle chart says GTU = stripped perf. model and so does the GTUs

 

Note the year.

Brandon

 

Well, the dealership was inconclusive. The guy conclued it was a GTU but I think that was the result of it not having leather seats.

Other people have mentioned this but GTU for the zenki models was the performance version but GTU for the kouki was a base model. GTUs for kouki was the performance model. 4 piston brakes, lsd, 4.10 rear end etc.

Evil Aviator, thanks for the tip, I'll check the sunroof. You're right, it's not a big deal but if the seller is mistaken about one thing then he may be mistaken about others.

The seller says nothing on the car is power. In any case, I'm going to have a friend check it out this weekend and use RarestRx7's tips and that should end my speculation .

 

The chart I made is just for the different model concepts, not their actual parts and pieces. It would take me a week to research everything, lol.

In the automotive world, several manufacturers offer a stripped performance version of their sportscar line. These models more or less drop the luxury items to save weight, but retain the better drivetrain components for performance. Sometimes there are even unique goodies on the stripped performance models, such as the special 4.3 rear end of the RX-7 GTUs, or the aero kit of the RX-7 Sport.

 

To add to what RarestRx said (of course use his first, mine are just things I noticed on my GTUs)...

1. leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter
2. flat door panels (manual cranks)
3. I noticed the other day in my GTUs that the seats do not have bolster or tilt, but they do have recline.
4. 16 inch spare
5. AM/FM radio (no tape/cd)

 

don't the GTU'S have a t2 tranny?

 

No, the GTUs has a smooth-case transmission with a special 5th gear ratio.

Brandon

 

Here is a good post that you would have found all your answers in with the search feature

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...highlight=GTUs

 

also the seats in them were made by sparco, and the hood should be alum. not steel.

 

I was under the impression that they were just TII seats.

 

would it be good to use the GTU rearend on a turbo to since it has the closer 5th gear ratio?

 

Yo,


I heard Recaro made the seats. In Japan they're labeled as such, I've been told.

Kevin
1989 GTUs "Side bolsters!"

 

I will second that

 

There wasn't a GTUs in Japan, unless the cloth seats that the GTUs/Turbo II are Sparcos. P'raps it's a JDM item only then.

 

Ok let me clarify. The last couple of posts were talking about the “seats” in the GTUs. We were talking that the GTUs “style” seats in Japan were designed by Recaro and that they are the same ones "in" the GTUs. Not about an GTUs in Japan. Less confused now?

 

Since the T2 and GTUs share the same seats...and japan only had T2's...some of their seats had Recaro embroidery...

Dunno why our's never got that labeling though...its the same seat...