Rx4 - GTR
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Mommy’s basement
Rx4 - GTR
I have a RX4 with "GTR" on it. Is the "GTR" just some customization a prior owner put on the car, or was this something offered as an option by Mazda when it was originally sold?
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
ol skool rotorhead
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: san diego
rx4 GTR
Factory...pretty sure that was an appearance option on 74-75 rx4's that dealers would throw on if desired. Almost bought one just like it back in 85' with a blown motor. Bet Wacky would know for sure tho.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: SoCal
Yeah I've seen a few online with a gtr on them but I'm not quite sure if they are factory. But then again the rx4 I had back in the days had a four link and a coil rear suspension "no leaf spring" set up, so It could be factory
Rx4 GTR
yes that was a dealer option ,Rx4 GTR's came stock like that from the factory....
I have only seen about 4 or 5 in 17 years of being a rotorhead.....
i have only seen white and yellow ones....
I have only seen about 4 or 5 in 17 years of being a rotorhead.....
i have only seen white and yellow ones....
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an old friend had one but I didnt notice any significant upgrade over a regular RX-4. All I can say is that even back in the days, we were upgrading motors (ported) and trannies from either a 76 RX-4 or Cosmo
do you really think that is low? this is low, yet no rubbing!!! I edited my orignal post as I just noticed a few things. if that one has a GSL-SE front suspensin why do you have the stock cross-rims from a non-SE? Also, the diffy on a RX-4 is totally different from all pre-86 RX-7's including old school so they are not interchangeable.
I have a RX4 with "GTR" on it. Is the "GTR" just some customization a prior owner put on the car, or was this something offered as an option by Mazda when it was originally sold?
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
Last edited by Siraniko; Jun 30, 2008 at 06:17 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,154
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From: Mommy’s basement
wackyracer,
I guess I wasn't clear enough for you when I stated in the second paragraph ..."Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added."...
The picture was taken five years ago, before I bought the car.
I'll take some current pictures, so as not to confuse any further.
I guess I wasn't clear enough for you when I stated in the second paragraph ..."Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added."...
The picture was taken five years ago, before I bought the car.
I'll take some current pictures, so as not to confuse any further.
Yeah, I know of a yellow RX4 coupe at JRX Rotary that had the GTR badging along the bottom too before it was painted. I didn't think anything of it since I've heard stories of how the dealers in the 70's used to load up all the old Mazda RX cars with anything they could to drive up the sticker price.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,154
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From: Mommy’s basement
I have a RX4 with "GTR" on it. Is the "GTR" just some customization a prior owner put on the car, or was this something offered as an option by Mazda when it was originally sold?
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
Since this pic was taken, the car has had GSL-SE suspension with LSD added. The front suspension from the GSL-SE is wider than the RX4 and the tires rub on the fenders when turning. I suppose there are several things one could do to remedy the problem; some involving much more work than others. Like "rolling" the fenders with a baseball bat between the tire and the fender; up to cutting the sway bar, changing the camber and installing adjustable end links or cutting the fender and adding a few inches of metal to "flare" the fender with a wide-body look. I kinda like the simplest one; rolling fender with bat between fender and tire.
I've managed to install and blow up (on the dyno) one of my two no-letter-series 20b's the day after I bought a D-series 20b. Last summer I bought a sweet 73 RX3 Wagon, two first gen GSL-SE convertibles, and a 88 AE turbo. Two years ago I also found a non-salvage titled, straight, clean, running, FD for $1000.
The 74 is what being worked on now.
I put GSL-SE suspension front and rear; added a Racing Beat front sway bar from the GSL-SE; put rack and pinion steering in it from a Nissan; and re-engineered the whole front end suspension. Thank you Gambone.
It ended up two fingers from the ground and it did not like bumps in the road.
I took some thick plywood and, with longer stud/bolts, placed the wood shims between the top of the front struts, within the strut tower. This raised the front suspension about two or three inches so now the RX4 has good ground clearance and now I can put the GSL-SE wheels on it instead of the aluminum spare tires. This last weekend the front fenders were flared with a cool fender flaring tool. That put another inch or two of space between the tire and fender. Enough to turn corners without hearing tires rubbing on the inner fender. Thank you Robert and Kevin.
Life is good.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 8
From: Mommy’s basement
It's been a few days since I started this thread, here's a little update on what's been happening since the original posting.
I've managed to install and blow up (on the dyno) one of my two no-letter-series 20b's the day after I bought a D-series 20b. Last summer I bought a sweet 73 RX3 Wagon, two first gen GSL-SE convertibles, and a 88 AE turbo. Two years ago I also found a non-salvage titled, straight, clean, running, FD for $1000.
The 74 is what being worked on now.
I put GSL-SE suspension front and rear; added a Racing Beat front sway bar from the GSL-SE; put rack and pinion steering in it from a Nissan; and re-engineered the whole front end suspension. Thank you Gambone.
It ended up two fingers from the ground and it did not like bumps in the road.
I took some thick plywood and, with longer stud/bolts, placed the wood shims between the top of the front struts, within the strut tower. This raised the front suspension about two or three inches so now the RX4 has good ground clearance and now I can put the GSL-SE wheels on it instead of the aluminum spare tires. This last weekend the front fenders were flared with a cool fender flaring tool. That put another inch or two of space between the tire and fender. Enough to turn corners without hearing tires rubbing on the inner fender. Thank you Robert and Kevin.
Life is good.
I've managed to install and blow up (on the dyno) one of my two no-letter-series 20b's the day after I bought a D-series 20b. Last summer I bought a sweet 73 RX3 Wagon, two first gen GSL-SE convertibles, and a 88 AE turbo. Two years ago I also found a non-salvage titled, straight, clean, running, FD for $1000.
The 74 is what being worked on now.
I put GSL-SE suspension front and rear; added a Racing Beat front sway bar from the GSL-SE; put rack and pinion steering in it from a Nissan; and re-engineered the whole front end suspension. Thank you Gambone.
It ended up two fingers from the ground and it did not like bumps in the road.
I took some thick plywood and, with longer stud/bolts, placed the wood shims between the top of the front struts, within the strut tower. This raised the front suspension about two or three inches so now the RX4 has good ground clearance and now I can put the GSL-SE wheels on it instead of the aluminum spare tires. This last weekend the front fenders were flared with a cool fender flaring tool. That put another inch or two of space between the tire and fender. Enough to turn corners without hearing tires rubbing on the inner fender. Thank you Robert and Kevin.
Life is good.
Painted Pearl white\Black with gold metal flake:
Was your trunk lid always black? Mine is body color. I'd love to hear any issues you came across with the GSL rear end mounting. I'd love a 2nd Gen, 5 lug suspension (including LSD IRS) under mine, and since I see extensive sheet metal work to bring mine back, its not unreasonable to explore the possibility.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,258
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From: South Florida
man that is one cool ride.....but can you remove those mirrors? Sorry to be negative but they really bother me.....again... love all the work you have done to this rare car. keep up the good work and keep us updated with pics.
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