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(November 12th 2017)
Picked up this very well cared for 1990 GTU with 116,xxx miles from Ocala Florida back on Nov 12th 2017. Drove the car back to Tampa with no problems and cold AC on a rainy day. I’m a bit late starting this thread but, I am creating this thread to document the changes, repairs and add on’s the car has received up until now and will be adding pictures on all my future modifications. Thanks!
So when I picked up the car the previous owner mentioned that he had added a few goodies to the car. This GTU was outfitted with 4 piston front calipers along with vented rear disc/caliper setup. The car also has a manual rack installed so there is no power steering which I actually prefer. Interior the only notables that I can think of are adding cruise control, adding the small black stoppers on the rear hatch storage bins (S5's didnt come with these i guess), and also the car is outfitted with a European Domestic Market S4 steering wheel. The OMP has been removed from the engine block and the car is premixed with 1oz per gallon. The OMP is functional but the previous owner and myself prefer premix, especially being the car is not daily driven it's not a big deal or hassle for me.
Full suspension bushing replacement was completed by previous owner, as well as installing S4 front lower control arms which are able to be serviced for future reference.
S5 front fog lights were also installed which normally did not come on this GTU. The sunroof track and assembly has been revamped and lubricated and works perfectly. The only electronic issue was the radio sound was intermittent and the factory radio would need some service.
The car is already fitted with Tokico 5 way adjustable shocks and factory springs, Springs may be changed at a later date for lowering options. unsure yet. More to come.
A few days after purchase was to replace the front upper windshield gasket which was included. I cleaned the valley as best as possible with a razor blade and replaced the gasket with BLACK RTV window sealant purchased from a local hardware store. Easy replacement and no worry for a leak. No photo's sorry.
The racing beat stainless exhaust system had arrived in mail. The goal for today was to replace the aged OEM exhaust system and catalytic converter assembly. Also replace the factory exhaust manifold/reactor. The install went very smooth and everything fit as intended under the car using the factory hangers. I chose the True dual system for this N/A car as it seemed to be one of the best options still available today. There are plenty of arguments that a collected system produces more HP ect... I'm not here to argue any of those claims, merely documenting this car.
The car appears to be in exceptional condition!!! Do you know any of the car's history before you owned the car? I love what you've done with the car thus far! Keep up the good work and will look forward to future updates!
(Dec 11th 2017)
The factory radiator had a small epoxy repair when I purchased the car. I chose to scrap the radiator even without it causing issues (yet) and installed a Koyo N-Flow S5 radiator. Some slight modification had to be made to the shroud at the bottom return outlet area. Otherwise it was a strait forward install. Re-used the existing side mounts. A pre-made 50/50 green product was used in the car. It will be changed every year regardless of miles.
A full removal of all the window tint (crusty and sun damaged purple bubble monster) All of it was removed and the car was treated with new window tint. (Still need front windshield sun visor area completed) It took the guy about 6 hours, mostly cleaning up the back window.. I think it turned out spot on.
The infamous "Cargo Cover" I had been searching for some time before I found this one. I had seen others in similar or worse condition for about the same price so I jumped on the opportunity. I was also able to obtain the speaker covers for this to function properly on EBAY for 35$ for BOTH. I was sure I'd pay upwards of 100$ for the speaker covers them selves.. I had the cover shipped from Massachusetts and promptly got it installed. There was a slight crease in the covers center area from age, so I installed a thin wooden bar on the underside with 4 Black stainless screws from the top. It's hardly visible and helps support the assembly. It's not perfect but pretty darn close for being nearly 30 years old.
The car appears to be in exceptional condition!!! Do you know any of the car's history before you owned the car? I love what you've done with the car thus far! Keep up the good work and will look forward to future updates!
From what I understand it has always been a Florida car. It was saved by the previous owner (Stanis) I believe he bought it in Zephyrhills. When him and his father picked it up it was on the verge of a v8 swap.. They installed a spare (65,000) mile Stockport S5 motor and a spare N/A transmission they had laying around at the shop. I am very happy it was saved because this car will ALWAYS have a rotary in it moving forward.
Every little part matters : I am slowly picking things on the car that I can replace and still obtain from Mazda/atkins/mazdatrix ect.. The goal for this car has always been bring it back to it's glory. Having a good platform has made this much easier than most other projects i've had in life.
Another one of those "Must have" items for this car. A TII OEM mazda lip. I was able to find one in mint condition as not to worry about painting. PZ was the code. The lip arrived safely from Hawaii all the way to sunny Florida. As planned, the install went super smooth using existing holes. I chose to re-use hardware as most of it was not rusty at all (Lucky)
First off I would LOVE a set of Infini BBS 16"..... Just saying.
The "Vert" BBS wheels always appealed to me on these cars. I had a set 10 years ago on a red GXL that I beat to near death and sold(Miss that car) I was glad this car came with a nice set of BBS with center caps and even BBS valve caps! They we're tired and needed some cleaning/polishing. So I went to town one weekend.
Let me warn you : Aircraft stripper is dangerous stuff. It stinks, it stings (use gloves) it will take paint nearly off of anything... Take your time, use masking tape and a narrow brush to apply it.
The clearcoat on the lips of these rims was very flaky and tired. I chose to remove it and polish the bare aluminum. I do keep the lip coated with wheel guard to prevent oxidizing. It can happen in just open air.. Just keep them wiped occasionally and they look clean all the time. I'm still not 100% happy but for now this looks better.
A while went by after being busy with work and kiddo's. I mainly just drove the car and have been enjoying it.
The intermittent radio finally got to me. I had sent the factory radio out for service wanting to keep the car "MOSTLY OEM"
The shop (Factoryradioservice.com) took very good care of my radio. Installed new lighting as needed, added an AUX jack to play from my phone and tested the unit's function. Good to go!
I added 6 new speakers (two rear towers, two doors, two under dash at the time of the radio install. I'm not a huge radio junky but I did want some tunes for the occasional long cruises or backroad fun.. No amps or subs here guys sorry..
I also took this opportunity to install a European domestic market RX8 shift ****. (5 speed only) The OEM **** is tired and worn... The new **** thread's directly onto the S5 threaded shifter.
I tried my hardest to find a Mazdaspeed rear strut bar.. Kinda difficult. So I purchased a knock-off. I know shame on me... The unit was 65$ and came with hardware. Did you know the rear strut towers (speaker towers) already have pre-drilled holes for this? All I had to do was put a small hole (4 total) in the carpet for the hardware to thread through. I did paint the brackets black rather than orange... Just personal taste. If it was the real deal I would leave it gold like it comes. I'll find a mint rear MazdaSpeed bar one day..
Sick car, reminds me of mine. Super clean and tastefully modified. Any noticeable difference in handling from the rear strut bar?
Thanks! Other than the winding roads a few days a month commuting to work, I really have not had the opportunity to push it very hard. I have a feeling the rear of these chassis is pretty stiff already, but it cannot hurt having the bar there for extra rigidity.
We're settled in to the house. Why not time for a full LED lighting upgrade?
GE 6054 LED 5700K headlamps. Dot approved Plug and Play These perform amazing! Nice clean cutoff and super easy to see the adjustment line to prevent blinding other drivers. Worth the cost!
6000K H3c LED Fog-light Some modification required to fit. I did NOT modify the foglamp socket.
Sylvania LED Brake lamps 5 bulbs total I SHOULD have gotten RED. I mistakenly purchased white LED.. there's a slight washout but the red brake lens makes up for it. I probably will switch to RED LED's eventually...
Phillips 194 LED side marker, Phillips amber in front and Phillips white in rear
Sylvania 1156 LED reverse lights
Sylvania 1156 LED tag lights too bright, need.. but clean
Philips 194 LED map lights BRIGHT
LED dome/door ajar light 3022?Festoon? I threw package away.. BRIGHT!
LED rear cargo light. Similar to Dome / BRIGHT
Lastly, Need to modify existing turn signal cpu to cancel hyper flash so I can install LED turn signal bulbs front and rear.. I've heard it's as easy as clipping a resistor in the cpu box..
Would like to eventually install gauge cluster LED as well... Eventually
Finally got around to installing that cup holder that I bought and forgot about... When I do drive this car, it's usually on a friday to work and back.. I really enjoy my morning commute on back winding roads... BUT I gotta have my coffee... I must be aging. LOL!
Same guy I purchased the Cargo Cover from... 3D Prints these.. Worth it!
This boot has been on back order for what seems like forever! I had to reach out to the vendor and update my address because we had moved prior to it coming. Well it's finally in. My old was was beat and ripped.
It's the little things that bring it all together.
What was originally going to be a "clean and paint calipers" project. Turned into a.. "hey this thing needs brakes!"
Stoptech slotted front rotors and Hawk HPS/HPB pads. Rears will get similar treatment within a few weeks, although I'm not entirely sure I'll spring for slotted rears, we'll see.. Anyways a vast improvement in braking performance once I broke these bad boys in and got them hot a couple of times. And in the end, I got to paint the calipers for a nice re-fresh.
I don't say this often anymore because I'm so picky about my restorations, but I respect the hell out of what you're doing. Everything that's not stock is completely tasteful and functional and its inspiring to see how much you love the car and you're drive to continually improve the car. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you! There are some additions and changes coming soon and I’m really excited about them. I really enjoyed my younger years owning my red GXL but this car is really special. It rolls back the years for me and since I don’t daily drive it I get an opportunity to really bring this car back to show room shine and something to be proud of l. Turbo or not an FC will always have a special place in my heart. More to come soon.
03-19-19, 06:10 AM
I’m a bit late starting this thread but, I am creating this thread to document the changes, repairs and add on’s the car has received up until now and will be adding pictures on all my future modifications. Thanks!
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