Anybody have any interest in helping tune a Mazda?

[Travis Koch]

First of all.... I have to say, WOW!  What a fun little car.  I picked up a 1988 Mazda 323 GTX a little while ago and it is tight.  Typical rusty quarters but that's pretty minor.  It is more or less stock with a boost gauge added in.  I understand you can upgrade the ECU, and swap out the intercooler and turbo for some Ford Probe items and there are brake upgrades I can do if I look for a few other cars at the wreckers. 

 I may not be able to do these upgrades for awhile, or I might just flip this car and move on to something else but it is running so well it would be a shame to see it go.  I know it'll just get harder to find another one down the road.

 Well, I suppose I can join a Mazda forum as well and do some more research before I make a decision.

Any thoughts?

[Brett Haviland]

All I know is they are cool little AWD turbo cars.  Very rare option for the 80's.  (not sure of too many others that were available besides the gallant in the states in 89 only??

Haha I would keep it, but they are pretty hard to find drivetrain parts I would imagine.  May be able to find some JDM stuff that will work fine...  Definalty do some more research on em...  would be cool to see you build one up!

[Ivan Skare]

They have very nice lil engines. Definately a cool car. My friend had one about 10 years ago. I liked it.

[Travis Koch]

Took a rip out to Vancouver in it today.  Definitely a good drive, I love the stock Recaro seats, fit like a glove.  A bit loud though as it is running straight pipe exhaust.  lol. Didn't seem to bother the cops at the road block though!  hehehe..  Sneaky Sons of ******, were hiding just around the corner on the 264th exit. 

[John Hartman]

be careful, I have heard that they don't use a knock sensor.  If that's true, you could blow up real good, real easily.

other than that, just get more cold air to the turbo, more flow from the turbo, and enough fuel for that amount of air.

[Travis Koch]

Well, it looks like they don't have a CEL either.     or maybe I just didn't look hard enough. 

[Jason Harwood]

I used to have a 88 MX6 Turbo and have done alot of upgrades to a friends GTX.

Swap the turbo and IC for sure. Hard pipes are a must.

Then run it as is.

There are limited options for Tuning - You basically need a full stand alone.

[John Hartman]

the MX6 is a veritable modern setup compared to the GTX 

[Travis Koch]

I have done a bit of reading up on it, but that was a week or two ago now.... so my memory is a bit foggy on the vehicles that will interchange the IC and turbo.  The ford probe might have both or just the turbo and the MX6 would have the IC.  There may be others, but it's going to have to come off the road for awhile.  Looks like the GTX needs a little TLC after all.  Doesn't seem like a good time for me to start getting into it so I think it's about time to put Venom on the road.  GTX can go sit on the sidelines for awhile but she'll be back.   

[Brett Haviland]

as I slip back into a 2g awd?

[Jason Harwood]

I have done a bit of reading up on it, but that was a week or two ago now.... so my memory is a bit foggy on the vehicles that will interchange the IC and turbo.  The ford probe might have both or just the turbo and the MX6 would have the IC.  There may be others, but it's going to have to come off the road for awhile.  Looks like the GTX needs a little TLC after all.  Doesn't seem like a good time for me to start getting into it so I think it's about time to put Venom on the road.  GTX can go sit on the sidelines for awhile but she'll be back.   

Probe and MX6 have the same IC I think.
I might have one still.

[Jason Harwood]

the MX6 is a veritable modern setup compared to the GTX 

What?

[Travis Koch]

I have done a bit of reading up on it, but that was a week or two ago now.... so my memory is a bit foggy on the vehicles that will interchange the IC and turbo.  The ford probe might have both or just the turbo and the MX6 would have the IC.  There may be others, but it's going to have to come off the road for awhile.  Looks like the GTX needs a little TLC after all.  Doesn't seem like a good time for me to start getting into it so I think it's about time to put Venom on the road.  GTX can go sit on the sidelines for awhile but she'll be back.   

Probe and MX6 have the same IC I think.
I might have one still.

Cool shit!  who knew you could find Mazda parts in DSM land?  If you do, let me know what you would want for it.  saves me the trouble of scouring the wrecking yards.  Thanks.

[Jason Harwood]

I have done a bit of reading up on it, but that was a week or two ago now.... so my memory is a bit foggy on the vehicles that will interchange the IC and turbo.  The ford probe might have both or just the turbo and the MX6 would have the IC.  There may be others, but it's going to have to come off the road for awhile.  Looks like the GTX needs a little TLC after all.  Doesn't seem like a good time for me to start getting into it so I think it's about time to put Venom on the road.  GTX can go sit on the sidelines for awhile but she'll be back.   

Probe and MX6 have the same IC I think.
I might have one still.

Cool shit!  who knew you could find Mazda parts in DSM land?  If you do, let me know what you would want for it.  saves me the trouble of scouring the wrecking yards.  Thanks.

Look at the car's in my list. Ive owned a bit of everything now