I am not sure where to even start... There has been so much that has happened since the last update here.

The biggest change to the build is I will no longer be putting the 2jz motor in the GTUs and instead I will be restoring it back to the rotary engine now. The only need is to put back the four bolts I removed to replace with the four longer bolts that the kit came with the add in the shims.

The reason that I decided to put the rotary back into the car and swap the 2jz aristo motor into the RHD savanna is for several reasons.

I am getting older. I have already built close to 100 rotary cars and classic cars through reclaimer auto and I find myself consumed with projects I honestly never saw myself taking on. For one, I have found myself investing in property instead of cars lately. I am swept up in restoring a 1915 house from the ground up. I find it to be a great deal of fun and it has been taking up all my time with the plumbing, electrical, foundation and concrete, roof (this summer when I paint the cars!), flooring, walls, etc... The restoration of the grounds, creating a small vineyard and working farm, building pergolas and arbors, sheds and ponds was just a few things that have made it really hard to start on the GTUs project. However here is the difference in just one year to the place, with the help of my kid and my wife we are really knocking it out fast!


We bought it looking like this for 90k with near half down. We look forward to getting it appraised again.

This was actually taken the morning before the fires.

here is as the fires came into town. In 8 minutes the entire town but our four blocks burnt down... My gtus safe in its shop.
I'm sure everyone saw it on the news.



I cannot wait to make a build thread sometime, someplace showing the transformation of this house! So while the first pic of me on the thread is by the car, this is not and why the cars sat collecting parts!


So while I juggle a family, being a lapidary artist, trying to get some skating in for exercise I am almost never in the shop these days. So because of this and covid I was leaning towards just dropping a rotary in it knowing that I will probably never get around to swapping it back in the future. Being that the car is so rare, its worth at least keeping it rotary.

So I started looking for a rotary engine. Something that I would be able to use to restore the engine bay to original and then start adding on OEM+ style parts like RB, mazdaspeed, RE, knightsports, etc. Places that were reputable mazda race car parts or OEM dealer options. The rare and the unique parts that are not just random ebay/autozone crap.

I turns out that its really hard to find a good running rotary engine these days. Long gone are the 2005 prices. I remember just a few years back I picked up three FREE s5 na motors in WA off the Rx7club that had predet problems but were brand new motors from mazda with like 500 miles on each one. A few hours of lap time. The irons were so new the lapping marks never even faded in break in. I threw them all in a huge scrap pile because I could not even sell an NA iron back then. F*ck me now...

Well I found one but it cost me a bn sports kit and a few bills. I am pretty sure its a runner and the people I got it from seem cool, they have a couple of nice FC's and seemed to be upgrading and not cashing out. So I have high hopes that the motor I pulled out will be able to be a solid core to restore the GTUs! Here are a few pics of when I saw it, the traded kit, and it with the GTUs!







The RHD is getting the 2jz as stated earlier and so I am prepping it to get restored to original on the outside and then making it a white comet clone.




So I picked up a better bumper for the GTUs, the thing is mint with very low miles and swapping the one on the GTUs onto the RHD. I am on the look out for a mazdaspeed front lip for the GTUs now. I might get another FEED lip for it and make them twins. One RHD one LHD.


It has been interesting buying parts and watching the community respond to this build and my enjoyment of its rarity. There are some who have made Facebook groups in honor of the ultra rare gtus and my name is a constant topic. Some says technically as much as some like Rob dahm, others are just following me in style.









So onto the parts hording I am still doing for the both of the cars. There was a lot of disappointing purchases to say the least with this last go... Covid has really changed the market and how people sell and buy parts. Megan racing, Foresight, etc are just a couple of the companies that no longer exist or will be restarting if they ever do again. RHDjapan refunded my money after I waited almost a year after two attempts and a ton of them avoiding. There were several places that just said the companies are gone now. Covid put them out of business.


So from a couple of refunds to some straight up scams like the mirrors I did not get everything I was hopeful for but here are some of the goodies I just got and why the build for the GTUs had to go back to an OEM plus style build.

 

So first off I was so disappointed in not getting the visors I set out on a mission to find some, oem preferred but carbon if all else fails. No matter the cost, like the blitz rims or blistercwidebody kit I was hellbent on getting them. Well it didn't take long. The thirst was real and while a couple of my biggest fans like teddy were trying for them as well, I just could not let them get away.



I ended up finding some mint condition mazda oem rain guards from a guy on Facebook. I got him to put them on ebay to assure some buyer protection and bet an amount I knew no one would pay... mine..


I ended up getting them for a great price i think!


They are amazing and I look forward to putting them on the GTUs after it is painted and all the new seals are on the doors!

 

Well the mazdaspeed rims I have been drooling over were too much to bare and I ended up finding a set I had to own. I got a great deal on them. I will be sending them off to be fully restored and they are one of the reasons I have decided to put the gtus back to stock. Vsxx or not, these are neat!

 

I love racing beat products, but my favorite part of all is their fc strut tower bar. I wanted one for years and finally got one. I'm looking forward to running it on the gtus!







I also got a header to run with the apexi n1 duals now that it has been restored back to rotary.

 

Found a new Cusco type OS front strut bar as well as a rear to go with the cusco lower brace bar! I am still looking for the rare OS-T type rear bar to complete the collection!










I was greatly disappointed in the cusco shifter and was scammed over the strut tower brake booster stopper. The shifter is literally a ping pong ball with a sticker. Luckily I was sent a 6 speed version after ordering a 5 speed one and was able to return for a full refund. But beware, they are GARBAGE!



As to the cusco brake booster stopper... I bought what was pictured, described and told to be a all in one os type strut tower bar brake booster stopper. I paid the price for that model and instead I got the cheaper version you bold on the inside of the strut tower. Pretty disappointing as I was looking forward to running it. I will be running the Racing Beat upper, cusco lower and mazdaspeed rear because of this.




Slowly I am gathering up all the neat blue cusco swag and neat rare mazdatrix goodies to bring it back to oem plus. Thinking black&white, blue&silver will be the engine bay and black and blue inside.

I dig this engine brace and catch can and pulley set up. I think I'll match the other pulleys to it!

 

Bought a set of arp studs to complete the suspension restoration. It is now 100% new. I got a koyo in buy it was not the right one, they sure do not make them like they used to, so I found a oem copper radiator to run instead.





Got a sweet megan racing strut bar for the miata. I suggest you get one while you can!

 

Time to start buying all new door and window seals! The OEM hording before paint begins!




These are on a boat taking forever but on the way!







At some point I will get started on the build thread for the lazrus project (the rhd savanna) that is getting the 2jzgte, I am going to use the turbo parts like the knightsports parts, intercooler, etc. The miata probably deserves its own thread on the site as well.

 

I got a rear package tray for the gtus! Shame to cover up the mazdaspeed rear strut bar, but these are so cool! Already have mint speaker covers for it!





I saw another ultra rare original copy of the GTUs brochure popped up. So far only a couple have been found, clearly they are costly as the rarest model probably has the fewest brochures... came with a nice collection to add to mine!






Since I am running the RE Amemyia wing, mirrors, shift **** etc I thought the rear diffuser would really tie the rear together... with the Apexi n1 duals it should really look full. Now to find carbon bumper guards!

 

Got the new Racing Beat header in today... I am always astonished at the high quality parts Racing Beat produces! I have been using these guys since 1999 and from their carbs to their headers, it is a must for all rotary builds! Not only is it high quality their tech service got me exactly what I needed for my application and had it in my hands in two business days from getting off the phone!





The reason why I only run Racing Beat headers is the runner designs. There is nothing else like theirs. Pacesetter and all others are usable but not quality, runner lengths and angles are very important and these high flow tested headers are the best on the market!

... No I am not a rep nor getting a discount, I seriously love this company.

 

Goodies!!! OK, so I was not able to get the re amemyia boost gauge from the company in Japan as shown earlier in the thread... however I was able to find it over in Europe instead. Very rare redom gauge in 80mm. Very excited to have it in the fc.






Now this inspired me to build a back up motor so I can run a turbo rotary later if I want to boost lhd. I will be building a 4 port 13bt for this, turbo rear, etc. I'll set the s5 13b na aside after the 13bt build but get the gtus running and on the road with the s5 na motor.

I got the rare blue rear gxl cargo cover in today! It is amazing.






So I decided I am going full custom oem with this guy. I'm not sure I can get 100% of the stock parts and since some must be aftermarket (safe fuel systems, unnecessary emissions, etc) I am going to make it a gxl/gtus/turbo mix with heavy RE Amemyia, Mazdaspeed and Cusco influences. I will be using my old gxl parts car seats to have reupholstered with the rear seats identical to the gtus seats but with the frame options of the gxl, like lumbar support and adjustable head rests. Rear wiper hatch and cruise control. With the turbo motor later and all the swag it should be a fun car. I will be looking for those RE Amemyia rims I posted about earlier as daily drivers for the gtus, the works are just for show. Keep em fresh.

While this build is fun I have been tinkering on the right hand drive 2jzgte aristo build. The car is going to be a RE Amemyia/Knightsports white comet clone. Kinda twin to the gtus bodywise but a black interior and stickered to clone with mazdaspeed rims. I bought this fun little toy to play with around it when it's done at meets or the top of the mountain 😆



Temptations are always present... I was offered a couple 10AE rx7s to restore. He wanted me to restore ones body for trade for another and then pay for me to get it running. As neat as it would be right now I had to pass. The gtus and white comet build are enough atm and will not be done until August. This would be fun but they were really far gone, the motor was toast and he did not even know the fd rx7 meant 3rd generation... so I told him he might want to look into rotary (rare rotary) restoration costs and decide if these things are something he wants to take on. I will be getting one later though, it will complete the collection!



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