I have come across two GXL's, 87 & 89, being parted out and was wondering what was compatible with my 86 GX. Fenders, hatch, doors, interior pieces, seats, intakes, anything worth swapping? My motor(158K) is getting yanked and street ported pretty soon, I'm just hoping the ATF trick will buy me another summer of driving.

 

i think the only one thats swappable for the most part is the 87. most of the stuff on the 89 is different. whats a GX? is that the model is says on carfax.com?

 

I have an 86 base and read on the forum that it's called a GX.

 

I would change out the entire suspension so that you can upgrade to the 5-lug wheels, big brakes, and LSD. Check all 3 propeller shafts for binding, and install the best one in your car.

You may want to consider porting the 89 engine, instead, as it has more stock HP and a fuel rail that doesn't tend to leak like the 86 & 87. The 89 intake is kinda funky so some people don't like it, but it does offer more HP.

 

You would benefit from the bigger front brakes, five-bolt hubs, LSD?, you could use the front fenders, hatch, bigger sway bars?, you could get the cooler outside mirrors? and front face? The interior trim pieces on the 87 for sure (color dependant of course)....
The door skins on the 89 wouldn't be the same, the intake on the 89 isn't the same but I think you could graft it on to your car along with the harnes and computer.

 

Forgot about the round tail-lights....and a wing.

Cory

 

How much of a PITA would this be?

 

The "GX" model is supposed to be a Canadian only model.&nbsp Something like a base model, but slotted between the base and GXL models.



-Ted

 

Depends on the tools you have available. With a lift and air tools, it's a minor pita. With crappy (dime-store) ratchets and cynder blocks? Forget it!

But OHHH what a project!

Cory

 

Not too bad, depending on your skills and tools available. IMO it's actually easier to change out the entire suspension sub-assemblies rather than just change out the hubs/brakes.

Yes, and it has "GX" written on the side. Yours is probably an American base model, but we can all pretty much tell what you have by the picture.

Welcome back, Ted!

 

I bought the car in Buffalo, NY so it could very well be Canadian. I checked through Carfax and it was registered twice in Niagara Falls, NY, in 92 and 97. Can I tell by the VIN if it's Canadian?

JM1FC3318G0148964

Jim

 

is the speedo in miles or kilometers?....

 

The speedo is in MPH, but it could have been converted, I guess. I haven't even seen the car. I had my parents go look at it and they have it at their house. My parents took it and had a compression check and a complete mechanics check. The comp was a bit low 85-85-85 front and 80-80-80 rear, hence the stew in ATF in my driveway. My Dad drove it for a few days b4 I sent him the $150 for it.

 

I have (well, had) and 87 GX. It had an auto tranny, manual windows, no sunroof, and the heavy-duty suspension and road-speed-sensitive power steering of the GXL. From what I understood of it, the GX was the GXL less the AAS.

Also, I have the original owner's manual for one of my 86's, and it lists X and GX models in the back, something having to do with weight, I believe. For 86, apparently, the base model was supposed to be called the X. The book was written in like July of 85.

Ren

 

Mine has a sunroof, 5 speed, manual windows, 4 lug wheels, not sure about CC, PDL, or PS, or suspension.