Building a GTX!

Hello all, I am a newbie to the 323 forum! My name is Bryan and I own a business called BNR Supercars. We specialize in custom hybrid turbocharger upgrades and also build racing rotary engines for mazda RX7's...

I just got my hands on an 87 GTX black on grey, with 68K original miles on it. Rod is knocking and the nose of the crank is wobbley. I have a whole bunch of parts lying around from Japanese rotary engines that would be a great upgrade for my beast, but first I will need to get this baby running w/o the nods rockin!

What do you guys suggest I do first when I modify this car?

Bryan
www.bnrsupercars.com

87 GTX turbo??????

if me i will change a 4 cyc 1839 BP DOHC turbo engine GTX or GTR
GTX got 180hp and GTR got 210hp in stock 0.6 bar!
sorry if i wrong!
thanks
:)

I am also new to this forum, I just got a 88 323 GTX, my last car was a 1999 acura integra. The GTX I bought already has a custom built intercooler, so after you get it running I would suggest doing that along with a 3 inch exaust from as far back as you can get it. It might be best to go to a custom exhaust shop for that. You can find a lot more info and parts at on of these 2 websites:

www.corksport.com
www.roadraceengineering.com

I am also having the same problem with the crank. Right now the engine is being rebuilt with a new crank and bearings. The stock suspension is pretty soft, you might want to switch to coilovers, you will find them at corksport also. You will find a lot of parts for GTX's on these two websites, so good luck on that.

Well as of right now, I am doing a lot of custom work to the car. I have a T3/T04B Garrett turbocharger, going to make a custom manifold, 3" exhaust, 550cc injectors, SAFC, FCD, upgraded clutch, Custom intake, ported head, Walbro fuel pump, and I haven't decided what intercooler I will do in the car. I am thinking I can fit a Isuzu NPR intercooler in front of the car :). I am looking to make 320+ WHP. I am hoping I can piggy back the stock ECU for 17-18 psi of boost... I am not looking to launch the car, just drive it around like a granny giving some big v8's a run for their money....

Thanks for your response!

Bryan
www.bnrsupercars.com

Bryan, I'd like to invite you to www.mazda323performance.com. I'm a member of that site as well, and we only deal in 323s of all types (occasionally a Protege, and one guy has a Capri XR-2, but who's counting...) and I believe you will find more help there than you will here. Not knocking this site or anyone who has replied to your post, but I've really never seen a whole lot of traffic in the 323 forum here. Come check us out, I'm sure you'll find a lot of pertinent info.

As for your upgrades, start small as you would with any engine. Intake, exhaust, then move on to more serious upgrades. Save a turbo for later, as you will need to upgrade the fuel system first. Also, count on replacing the tranny, as the stock GTX gearbox will only hold about 250 HP, if I remember correctly. Anyway, it won't hold 400 HP, of that I'm sure.

As for the crank nose wobbling, prepare to kiss your engine goodbye. That problem is usually the death of an engine, unless you fix it NOW. If you fix it, no worries. If you don't, buy a new engine.

Definitely check the site out. I think you'll like it there. Good luck with the project, hope it works out well.

87 GTX? not 88?
Done yet?

ya'll may want to take a look here for answers:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/323gtx/messages