Wedge

I need some help... I was wondering if someone could tell me the different models of the FC. And what was special about each one.

thanks much.

-Wedge

Flobb

Well first off there are two series, 4 and 5. s4 is 86-88, s5 is 89-91. series 4 are little lighter but series 5 have about 16 more horsepower.
there are quite a few trim packages.
base, sport, GTU, GXL, TII, GTUs, convetible.

Wedge

hmmmm.... on the GTUs and TII; what are special about those two? Like either of them have turbo?

sorry if I seem rather naive... but I was still in kindergarten in '88. And everyone who lives near me wouldn't know anything unless it had a Ford logo on it.

-Wedge

Flobb

The GTUs is a non-turbo. It's the most rare FC. I can't give you the specifics, but basically, it's the performance model non-turbo. i.e.. best brakes, suspension, and least extras like sunroof, powerwindows, other heavy stuff.

The TII runs from 87-91. That is the turbo model FC. They are all 5-spd. If you want power, that's the way to go. But beware. TII's quite often become money pits.

If you want a turbo but can't find one, you just have to be patient. Most the people on here will argue that it isn't worth the time or money to convert a non-turbo.

BlackSport0187

You forgot the '88 GTU it's esssentially a GTUs and is a lot more common. In '89 the the base model became the GTU, but it was not the ultra-sports model GTU of '88. It's hard to keep them all straight, they should have kept the same model names for the entire run in my opinion (base, Sport model not option package!, Turbo II, convertable).

Ike

ZachSpazz

I agree with Flobb...if you want turbo power, buy a Turbo II aka TII. Regarding the money pit statement, the TIIs are only slightly more problematic than a non-turbo RX-7. Your maintenance schedule has to be more rigorous, i.e. 2500 mile oil changes, frequent spark plug changes, coolant checks, etc. Unmodded TII engines will tend to last at least 125,000 miles...however, once you start putting on modifications this can potentially shorten the engine's lifespan. Engine options are pretty good for us TII owners, we can pick up a J-Spec engine for $900, and switch the U.S specific smog stuff over or get a nice rebuild for about $2000+. Plus parts are relatively common and don't cost an arm and a leg (except for some of the electrical items).

My experience with the RX-7 has been pretty good, my first '7 was an 88 GXL and I basically learned the basics of car repair on this. It would start without fail but I did have to replace the alternator, battery, rear shocks, clutch, and fuel injectors over the miles of 79,000-115,000 miles. It did develop a injector leak in the secondaries that the Mazdatrix bleeder helped fix and a clunk in the rear diffy that I didn't tackle before I sold it.

My 90 TII has been a slightly different animal. I bought it back in June with 90,000 on the clock and in immaculate mechanical and physical shape. I've since put 5000 miles on it, 1000 of which were a few road trips I made over the summer and X-mas break. It is my daily driver and it makes the commute to school and work quite fun. However, several things have recently gone out on it. Over the summer I autocrossed it at 3 events and took it to the dragstrip once where I made 3 runs. It was these events that led to the clutch going out. It hasn't been replaced yet, but it only slips in 4th or 5th gear and on heavy boost. I also blew my right rear shock out and that's getting replaced this week along with the rest of the shocks with KYB AGX's.

Basically, as long as you keep up the maintanence, these cars are great for high-schoolers (please avoid the TII!!!) or even hardcore racers.

The poor-man's Porsche indeed.

Wedge

Hmmm... thanks for all the info. I want turbo, but I don't think I could afford too much maintanence. Would it be too hard to put turbo in a GTUs?

-Wedge

jimmyv13

It depends what you think "too hard"is. I'm not too familiar with the GTUs, but I think the driveline is the same as the TII, so you would need the TII ECU, intake, and exhaust. The hard part would be finding the GTUs. Why would you want to change a very rare GTUs anyway?

If you want a turbo, buy the TII. If you want to convert any RX to turbo, buy the TII. They can be as reliable as an NA and the maintenance is not much more.

If this is going to be your first RX, then get a cheap NA and learn with that.

ZachSpazz

A GTUs DOES NOT HAVE a TURBO DRIVELINE!!! The only thing that differentiates it from the standard non-turbo transmission is the close-ratio 5th Gear and 4.3 differential.

Like I said before, if you want turbo power...buy a Turbo II!!! To change a non-turbo car to turbo power you need a new engine, transmission, ECU, driveshaft, and a host of other parts. Expect to put PLENTY of work in and you can't call your mechanic up to help you out.

The only exception to drop a turbo engine in a non-turbo car is in the Convertible which did not come with a turbo option.

jimmyv13

I thought the GTUs was basically the TII model without the turbo.... I could have sworn I read that on the forum.

ZachSpazz

To a certain extent. The Turbo II has a specific tranny and rear-end, both of which are beefed up to handle the torque produced by the engine. The other main difference is in that the S5 TII is loaded with every power accessory available and the GTUs doesn't come with anything power, maybe optional from the factory. The GTUs DOES have a viscous limited slip differential (like the TII), TII wheels, TII brakes, TII suspension.

Think of the TII as the *****-to-the-walls sports car and the GTUs as it's lithe little brother. The Boxer Vs. The Ninja... (terrible analogy)

jimmyv13

So Mazda mada a specific tranny and LSD for the GTUs?

ZachSpazz

Yes sir!

jimmyv13

Well thank you ZackSpazz for the lesson on the GTUs driveline.

Flobb

If you think your gonna attempt to turbo an NA then don't look for a GTUs. It will cost more for that than an actual turbo II.

But really, it's a lot easier to just buy a TII, and you won't save money the other route. The only sensible reason I can see to make an NA turbo is if you already have an NA in good condition except the motor. Or just adding a turbo because you want a project. But on an NA driveline you can only run so much power. And I don't think you can run very high boost on a turboed NA.

Shamrock1054

Hey Wedge,

Kindergarten in '88??



Just kick me in the nuts and get it over with!!


Gregg

Wedge

I see... I guess I'll have to try and find a TII then... but even if I don't, I know the non-turbo will be fun too. Just now I have to FIND a FC... -.- which is easier said then done where I live.

Thanks for your help.

-Wedge