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WRCWRXSTI
John Turner MacCallum
Infallible Moderator
Location: Friday Harbor WA
Join Date: 05/25/2011
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 136

Rally Car:
1988 Mazda 323 GTX



is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 12:07AM
if not, im going down there in 10 days and buying it.
http://www.specialstage.com/classifieds/show-ad/?id=49
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Greg Donovan
Greg Donovan
Professional Moderator
Location: Fargo, ND
Join Date: 04/12/2007
Age: Midlife Crisis
Posts: 423

Rally Car:
95 Impreza Sedan


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 12:45AM
could be a cool car, cant tell without pics. and they are providing minimal information. one nice thing about the low number of competitors in the US is that we all seem to know each other and know a little about each other's cars.

dont forget that you will not be able to race that car in Rally America events since it has a turbo motor and you are a new competitor. so you will need to enter NASA events, replace the turbo with one with now insides in it, or put a non turbo motor in there. so plan your budget accordingly.

if you go look at it take lots of pictures and if possible get in touch with another ralliest in area and have them look at it with you. just because it has a loog book does not mean it will automatically pass a tech inspection.

questions to ask:

-how old are the DMS and when was the last time they were rebuilt? DMS can be expensive to rebuild, but talk to JVL he knows how to get around the high cost of a DMS rebuild.

-are the belts current?

-does the roll cage padding meet the current rules?

-does it include a rally computer or intercom?

-what is the spare suspension?

-is the spare engine in need of a rebuild or can it be dropped right in?

-same question about the spare tranny. the tranny for this car can be spendy to rebuild.

-has it had any offs?

-when was the last time it was raced?

-when was the last time it was driven?

-does it have a restrictor?

-make sure to check general maintenance of the car too, like ball joints, bushings and what nots.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 01:04AM by Greg Donovan.
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WRCWRXSTI
John Turner MacCallum
Infallible Moderator
Location: Friday Harbor WA
Join Date: 05/25/2011
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 136

Rally Car:
1988 Mazda 323 GTX



Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 12:54AM
do i have to buy a non turbo engine? i cant just take the turbo off?
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Greg Donovan
Greg Donovan
Professional Moderator
Location: Fargo, ND
Join Date: 04/12/2007
Age: Midlife Crisis
Posts: 423

Rally Car:
95 Impreza Sedan


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 01:03AM
Quote
WRCWRXSTI
do i have to buy a non turbo engine? i cant just take the turbo off?

you could do that but it will be down on power. turbo engines have lower compression than non turbo engines and typically have different cams. that will be the cheapest option to getting the coefficients needed to be allowed to run a car with a turbo in RA. remember, even a slow car down on power is better than no car.

however, you can rallycross the crap out of the car the way it sits i bet and it will probably be a bunch of fun.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2011 01:06AM by Greg Donovan.
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john vanlandingham
John Vanlandingham
Elite Moderator
Location: Ford Asylum, Sleezattle, WA
Join Date: 12/20/2005
Age: Fossilized
Posts: 14,152

Rally Car:
Saab 96 V4



Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 01:56AM
Quote
WRCWRXSTI
if not, im going down there in 10 days and buying it.
http://www.specialstage.com/classifieds/show-ad/?id=49

Break any single part in the trans by Oh, say grimacing at the lever, and you are stuffed....

Stay the course....no 1.6 no no--big 2300 yes yes



John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.
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Jay
Jay Woodward
Junior Moderator
Location: Snohomish, WA
Join Date: 12/21/2005
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 893

Rally Car:
'90 Mazdog Frankenprotege



Jay
Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 18, 2011 06:59AM
Seeing all these cars up for sale makes me sad, boo hoo, cuz they shore aren't asking very much for em. I'm thinking Janice's car is a better deal even though I have a soft spot for gtx's. I think this one here's been pretty well sorted if it's the one I think it is. But yes the geaboxes are made of glass and they ain't nowhere near as available as they used to be. Treat it carefully and it should last long enough to do many rallies however. I never broke one, I don't think the Baldinis have busted trans yet, but it doth sucketh to have that major a component be such a weak spot...
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DaveK
Dave Kern
Ultra Moderator
Location: Centennial
Join Date: 07/11/2008
Age: Midlife Crisis
Posts: 1,085

Rally Car:
Compact M3 & Evo IX


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 22, 2011 09:34PM
I know somebody that has a short ratio dogbox for a GTX taking up space in their garage. Sorta helps solve the glass gearbox issue...though it needs a few dog-rings replaced.

BTW, the GTXs are low enough on power that you might just get granted a waiver to run one, especially if you agree to turn down the boost. Only way to know is to ask the folks at Rally America. Keep in mind that GTX probably makes 180hp, which isn't too far off what an Open Light car could make.

Dave
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Billyee
Billy Irvin
Elite Moderator
Location: Puyallup Washington
Join Date: 06/06/2010
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 156


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 12:48AM
With all the nasa and canadian events close by building coefficients shouldn't be that hard. Haven't seen that gtx sence the last rally sprints, if it were be I would pick up the talon as I have a feeling it will be cheaper to get on stage and in the long run.
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Jay
Jay Woodward
Junior Moderator
Location: Snohomish, WA
Join Date: 12/21/2005
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 893

Rally Car:
'90 Mazdog Frankenprotege



Jay
Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 01:37AM
Quote
DaveK
I know somebody that has a short ratio dogbox for a GTX taking up space in their garage. Sorta helps solve the glass gearbox issue...though it needs a few dog-rings replaced.


I *Wish* that's all it took to fix the glass gearbox. But you still end up with the same glass centerdiff, which when it shatters will take your fancy closeratio gearset right with it...
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DaveK
Dave Kern
Ultra Moderator
Location: Centennial
Join Date: 07/11/2008
Age: Midlife Crisis
Posts: 1,085

Rally Car:
Compact M3 & Evo IX


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 01:06PM
Quote
Jay
I *Wish* that's all it took to fix the glass gearbox. But you still end up with the same glass centerdiff, which when it shatters will take your fancy closeratio gearset right with it...

I always ran with the center diff locked on loose surfaces. Never had a problem, and I was making more power than most GTX'ers back then (built 1.8L, GT256R turbo). That said, I knew it was an issue, so maybe I shifted a little slower in hopes of saving things. smiling smiley

Dave
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wvonkessler
Wilson von Kessler
Mega Moderator
Location: Lookout Mountain, GA
Join Date: 02/28/2006
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 1,127

Rally Car:
Colts are in Finland; now '87 325i, '89 325i



Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 01:18PM
Quote
DaveK
Quote
Jay
I *Wish* that's all it took to fix the glass gearbox. But you still end up with the same glass centerdiff, which when it shatters will take your fancy closeratio gearset right with it...

I always ran with the center diff locked on loose surfaces. Never had a problem, and I was making more power than most GTX'ers back then (built 1.8L, GT256R turbo). That said, I knew it was an issue, so maybe I shifted a little slower in hopes of saving things. smiling smiley

Dave

We did as well. Never had a gearbox issue either. It's only when you really put on the boost that things start to happen.
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Jay
Jay Woodward
Junior Moderator
Location: Snohomish, WA
Join Date: 12/21/2005
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 893

Rally Car:
'90 Mazdog Frankenprotege



Jay
Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 03:41PM
..Which is why next time my car rallies, it'll be with a toyletta gt4 alltrac box grafted in.
With the boost turned up to the limits of the injectors. Looks like it'll be ready for Mt. Hood..
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phlat65
Sean Medcroft
Super Moderator
Location: Edmonds, Washington
Join Date: 02/12/2009
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Posts: 1,802

Rally Car:
Building a Merkur


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 23, 2011 05:18PM
Cheers all around, Jay!!!!
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alkun
Albert Kun
Godlike Moderator
Location: SF Ca.
Join Date: 01/07/2008
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Posts: 1,732

Rally Car:
volvo 242


Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 24, 2011 07:29PM
Right on Jay!
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WRCWRXSTI
John Turner MacCallum
Infallible Moderator
Location: Friday Harbor WA
Join Date: 05/25/2011
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 136

Rally Car:
1988 Mazda 323 GTX



Re: is this too good to be true?!
July 31, 2011 02:01PM
Ive been talking to the owner of the car for a couple weeks now. there are 2 spare transmissions, ready to be dropped in to the car, same with the spare engine, and spare suspension. it was last raced in 2009, and the last time it ran was 9 months ago. everything on the car is current except for the safety harnesses. it needs a fresh battery, and a new wheel bearing, which he said we can change when i go to see the car. what do you guys think?
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