1988 GTU resto-mod project

mpm · 02-06-2011, 02:40 PM

I've owned the car since 1997 at 54,000 miles. Was completely stock. I did the basic exhaust work eventually eliminating the failing convertors with a straight pipe.

Summer of 1998 was caught in a hail storm and ended up with an insurance check just short of $2000. The rear wing was previously damaged so was removed in favor of the supra style wing along with a Kaminari front air damn which is no longer on the car. I was younger then so please no rice comments.

Autocrossed the car off an on during this time. Standard suspension mods like springs, struts, swaybars, dtss eliminator, ect.....

Swapped the engine for a mildly ported 6port around 2003 and drive it a few more months then the engine died. A year later final finished another engine for it and drove it another year of so then it died. One more used engine with and eventual leaking coolant seal and I parked the car a number of years ago.

I've finally decided with permission(wife suggested it) to source another engine and do a mild restore to the car. Replace some missing performance parts I sold or loaned out. Get rid of any rust underneath or hidden elsewhere on the chassis and such.

The plan of attack will be simple. One mini project at a time. First will be the engine compartment and ofcourse an engine. Get the car running then deal with the brakes. Next it will be a little suspension work. Followed by the exterior repaint and finally freshening up the interior via steering wheel replacement and center surround for a/c and stereo. A/C will stay functional but stereo and related components will be removed.

Following are some pics as it currently sits.

RagNaRoKxXx · 02-07-2011, 12:25 AM

Please tell me you are going to remove that spoiler. Otherwise really clean interior, will keep checking on this.

mpm · 02-07-2011, 07:02 PM

The wing will be removed. Not sure if I want to go naked on the rear or add a factory wing back to it.

I've been particular over the years about the interior. Always kept it clean and covered when it was sitting without an engine. Garage kept for awhile.

I'm excited about getting back into RX-7s. Really glad I didn't sale it years ago.

diabolical1 · 02-07-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm

The plan of attack will be simple. One mini project at a time. First will be the engine compartment and of course an engine. Get the car running then deal with the brakes. Next it will be a little suspension work. Followed by the exterior repaint and finally freshening up the interior via steering wheel replacement and center surround for a/c and stereo. A/C will stay functional but stereo and related components will be removed.

another 6-port?

anyway, the car looks to be in great shape - all around, but particularly the interior. i'm happy to see that you're giving it another go around. are you going to stick with the black exterior?

just an aside, i'm not sure if the it's just the photo, but is that shifter a bit taller than stock?

mpm · 02-08-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabolical1

another 6-port?

anyway, the car looks to be in great shape - all around, but particularly the interior. i'm happy to see that you're giving it another go around. are you going to stick with the black exterior?

just an aside, i'm not sure if the it's just the photo, but is that shifter a bit taller than stock?

To start with I will do another 6-port. I'm going to look at a 1987 6-port in a week or so that has a mildly ported engine. It runs and drives but is ugly(but then so is my car at the moment). Planning on swapping the engine and trans and assorted suspension pieces into the skunk car. Eventually I'd like to end up with a 4 port from a TII with high compression rotors and a proper N/A intake/exhaust.

Exterior will be brilliant black which is the original factory color.

The shifter is taller due to the trans tipping forward as there is no engine attached to it.

diabolical1 · 02-08-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

The shifter is taller due to the trans tipping forward as there is no engine attached to it.

a-ha ... i didn't think of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm

To start with I will do another 6-port. ... Eventually I'd like to end up with a 4 port from a TII with high compression rotors and a proper N/A intake/exhaust.

sounds good. i'm currently walking slowly down that very road, myself.

Sideo · 02-14-2011, 01:10 AM

i dont know why but i kinda like the wing on an fc

02-06-2011, 02:40 PM	#1
mpm The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	1988 GTU resto-mod project I've owned the car since 1997 at 54,000 miles. Was completely stock. I did the basic exhaust work eventually eliminating the failing convertors with a straight pipe. Summer of 1998 was caught in a hail storm and ended up with an insurance check just short of $2000. The rear wing was previously damaged so was removed in favor of the supra style wing along with a Kaminari front air damn which is no longer on the car. I was younger then so please no rice comments. Autocrossed the car off an on during this time. Standard suspension mods like springs, struts, swaybars, dtss eliminator, ect..... Swapped the engine for a mildly ported 6port around 2003 and drive it a few more months then the engine died. A year later final finished another engine for it and drove it another year of so then it died. One more used engine with and eventual leaking coolant seal and I parked the car a number of years ago. I've finally decided with permission(wife suggested it) to source another engine and do a mild restore to the car. Replace some missing performance parts I sold or loaned out. Get rid of any rust underneath or hidden elsewhere on the chassis and such. The plan of attack will be simple. One mini project at a time. First will be the engine compartment and ofcourse an engine. Get the car running then deal with the brakes. Next it will be a little suspension work. Followed by the exterior repaint and finally freshening up the interior via steering wheel replacement and center surround for a/c and stereo. A/C will stay functional but stereo and related components will be removed. Following are some pics as it currently sits.

02-07-2011, 12:25 AM	#2
RagNaRoKxXx The Newbie Join Date: Jun 2010 iTrader: (0) Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Please tell me you are going to remove that spoiler. Otherwise really clean interior, will keep checking on this. __________________ 1988 GTU - Arctic Silver - Fixing up 1992 Honda Prelude - Fresco Blue - DD

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02-07-2011, 07:02 PM	#3
mpm The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	The wing will be removed. Not sure if I want to go naked on the rear or add a factory wing back to it. I've been particular over the years about the interior. Always kept it clean and covered when it was sitting without an engine. Garage kept for awhile. I'm excited about getting back into RX-7s. Really glad I didn't sale it years ago.

02-14-2011, 01:10 AM	#7
Sideo The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2010 iTrader: (0) Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	i dont know why but i kinda like the wing on an fc