THE YARIS GR OF THE 90'S! MAZDA 323 GTR 4WD TURBO REVIEW

The iconic super rare Mazda 323 GTR, the Toyota Yaris GR from the 1990's! 4WD, turbo, forged engine, super rare and only 2500 ever made! An iconic Group A homologation special that looked super aggressive with handling to match! Awesome reviews of Nick's super special Mazda 323, pretty much a GTX with all those rally extra's! Big up his Dad John as well. Hope you guys enjoy this one, special little car! Make sure like, comment and share to keep awesome automotive content coming! Much love, ML

Big up Car Vertical, if you wanna avoid problems when buying a used car check the history first just like Monky! Use the link below for 20% off, restecpa:


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Monky London, JTI Motorsport, Unit C, Nyewood Business Park, Nyewood, Petersfield. GU31 5HA

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THE YARIS GR OF THE 90'S! MAZDA 323 GTR 4WD TURBO REVIEW

#GTR #4WD #GROUPA

Wiki Info:

The JDM GTX model featured four-wheel drive, viscous limited-slip differentials and a turbocharged 1.8 L BP engine. In the U.S. the Protegé came with a 1.8 L SOHC non-turbocharged engine, along with 4WD. The JDM GT-R rally homologation version was added in 1992, featuring a number of enhancements over the GTX model: an aggressive front bumper, grill and bonnet vents, updated rear bumper, wheel flares, stiffer suspension and anti-roll bars with thicker cross members, and homologated five-stud wheel hubs with larger brakes. The interior was fitted with leather and suede seats, and had the option of replacing the cupholder with a 3-gauge cluster. In addition, the GTR has stronger connecting rods and pistons, larger oil squirters, larger nose crank, larger oil cooler, sodium filled valves, a baffled inlet manifold, larger injectors (from 360cc (black) to 440cc (orange)), removed boost cut, front-mounted intercooler, and an IHI VJ-23 ball bearing water-cooled turbocharger. Both the GTX and GTR models were limited to a top speed of 180 km/h. However, by simply removing a screw on the back of the instrument cluster, labeled 180 km/h, the speed limiter could be removed.

The GT-R produced 210 PS (154 kW) compared to the GTX with 185 PS (136 kW). 300 special version GT-R's were produced known as GT-Ae's. These shared the power output of the GT-R, but were 30 kg (66 lb) lighter, fitted with closer ratio gearboxes, and featured a larger top spoiler with a gap between the hatch and the spoiler to direct air to the new lower spoiler. The wiring for ABS, air conditioning, power mirrors, power windows, power locks, and sunroof was removed. Instead of using the GTR's leather interior, the lighter cloth interior of the GTX was used.

Mazda had already been running a rally team in the eighties when the new Group A regulations were announced before 1987. The 323 won the 1987 Swedish Rally, its second race entered, with a car driven by Timo Salonen. Two more rally wins followed in 1989 but Mazda decided to end their rally program at the end of 1991.

Mazda had prepared to race the following year, just in case, with the homologation 323 GTR 4WD. This 323 is one of 2,500 produced. It has been kept in mostly original condition with the only exception being a repaired engine. When released, the 323 GTR’s 1.8-liter, turbo 4-cylinder engine was reported to produce 182 HP and a limited top speed of 112 MPH. Other updated features over the standard 323 include new front and rear bumpers, wheel flares, and stiffer suspension. Interior features include leather/suede seats and an interesting “speed” function.

Even though the top speed was limited to 112 MPH, or 180 km/h, there was a way to get around this. If you removed a screw behind the instrument panel marked “180 km/h,” you could remove the limiter and reach the car’s ultimate top speed of 135 MPH (218 km/h.)

Being over 25 years old, it can be imported and registered in the United States. For potentially around $30,000, it is your chance to own your own fully-fledged, homologated rally car. A Mazda rally car. Zoom, zoom!

[pauldrew]

Such an iconic car, great to see john giving it full respect rather then full ham 👍well done john 10 points 😂

[monkylondon]

Special little car this, hope you guys enjoy it! Ya boi made the LZ World tour too, updates coning up. Do a like, comment and share, any help appreciated x Peace ML

[thewojtek]

Well, I had one of them back in the day, red with cloth seats.
The head work was quite extensive in a GTR compared to GTX - valves were larger and sodium filled, as was the intake manifold - identical on the outside, reworked inside. The larger VF23 turbo (GTX: VF21) was lazily spinning in stock form (0.6 bar), but nothing a manual boost regulator couldn't cure. 210 bhp in stock JDM form (EU-spec was 185 hp), the ECU has fueling maps up to 1.4 bar, though, so safe to push the boost and enjoy in excess of 300 bhp in a car weighting 1280 kg. Until the transmission says 'I'm outta here' and it says it quite often.
The transmission was strengthened (compared to a GTX) by shot penning the gears, but it has a design flaw (or you may say: design and financial constraints of late '80s didn't allow for a gearbox worth the rest of the car). This flaw causes the casing to twist on load. Even in stock form a 4-wheel launch will put excessive stress on the casing which will inevitably crack. This leads not only to total transmission destruction, but also damages the driveshaft output gears. So, once you have sent it, you end up with a partially disassembled gearbox and transfer case spread on the tarmac, waiting for you to fix them. Personally, I went through 4 complete gearboxes and three transfer cases, running the car as a daily driver with 1.4 bar peak boost on 225/45R17 rubber providing much more traction and stress on the drivetrain compared to 195/55R15 stock size.

The white one we can see is exceptionally clean and un-modified, apart from the non-stock exhaust (tiny dual pipes were stock). Many owners (as the owners group we assume not more than 1000 cars survived worldwide) frankenstein the car for some more drivetrain reliability. Celica ST205 gearbox swaps with a pre-made adapter plate are a common cure, although the stock GTR has 40/60 torque split making it very tail happy for an AWD. Celica 'box is 50/50 so less fun (I also had a GT4 Celica so I know). The other way is to have the transmission sent to Poland (burry_gtr) for modifications. Accidentally Poland is the largest market for 323 GTR in continental Europe (personally I know at least 15 cars) and a lot of research has been put into fixing the design of the transmission casing.
I know of successful Lancer Evolution IV-VI box swaps in Australia, but it is a very tight fit and needs installing all the electronic gizmos Mitsubishi has put to the Evo, so much more complicated. However, some parts of earlier Lancer Evos fit bolt-on: brakes, rear hubs and obviously wheels. The GTR looks absolutely perfect on Evo 17" alloys that give the 323 a great stance with the offset pushing the wheels outward. #Protip: if the wheels are 4-stud, it's not a GTR but a GTX, as the GTR was unique in Mazdas small car lineup by employing a 5x100 stud pattern.

I loved the car and it was way better than me. Probably got it too early in my life to explore the full potential and ended up trading it for a MR2 turbo which really taught me how to drive. Not a single Subaru I had later was comparable to the 323, they felt lazy and disconnected in comparison. Only my Evo VI was on par with the 323, adjusting for the power difference. But the 323 was about 3 times cheaper to buy.

The great thing with the 323 GTR is that from most angles it looks like a regular old Mazda 323. A nervous BMW driver behind you will never have any idea. You will be far away before they start contemplating what the heck happened.

[ROLLINGFANATICS]

This car and the Pulsar GTI-R, imagine those two ripping down the road .. sick vibe . Great video as always ! I swear YouTube on some bull shit, because you’ve been underrated for a while with all the work you’ve put in

[garethwillis]

This was a special era. This car looks like 50% Nissan pulsar 50% starlet turbo, best way I can describe them. Even bog standard they are a lot of fun. Awesome episode.

[estewar]

The look on Nick the owner's face starting around 12:17 is priceless. It's SO hard to allow someone else to drive your vehicle, let alone quickly. Props to him for not freaking out too much.
Beautiful car.

[legendary]

I’m watching this as soon as I get home from work, I own a GTX model in Australia and it’s rare to see any Familias on the road these days!

[donaljamescaddye]

I got a spin in the original 323 4WD about 1987 - it was a mate of my dad had one - it was a rare car then - I never saw another one since - Fair play to you John for showing that rare precious wee car the respect she deserves - Special !

[Retrobeemer]

*I used to work for Mazda UK down in Tunbridge Wells when I was just 20 and looked after the Mazda press fleet in 88/89 and loved the 323 turbo. I used to own an early RX7 and had a 323sp which was rare even then. They were kinda like a Starlet and were 1.4 with Weber, 5 speed and RWD but weighed as much as a wet Rizla. BBR used to do some quick examples, as the engines in the 323 turbo were very similar to the MX5, which is why they boost so well. I used to love showing RS turbo owners what the back looked like on a regular basis. The only negative I remember was they'd get through HT leads. The lead mechanic at TW Mazda had a black example of this car. Anyway, lovely car and thanks for the trip down memory lane. Mark*

[andybee]

Man how wish I had a glass ball back in the 90's to see what these beauties would be commanding in monetary terms. Makes us older ones realise now what a special time and special cars we was involved in. 205's gti's Renault 5 turbo Uno turbo's even remember my pals MG metro turbo. Another memory was another pal getting a MG maestro that felt so futuristic as it talked to you😊, XR2 so many to name and fetching crazy money now. Luv this Mazda also👌

[mattgood]

These cars were everywhere in nz 15 odd years ago, now they are rare, always liked the look of them

[gojomodu]

I had a 91 Protege in Canada. Ran into a GTX swapped 91 Protege once. That thing ripped. Really regret not stripping an AWD Protege with the Na BP I found in the Scrap yard when I owned that car. Those parts are priceless now.

[mikey]

I remember seeing one or two of these little beasts in the 90s . A few tear ups used to happen around the town where I lived lol 😂 Renault 5 GT turbos and escorts going sideways everywhere there was corners and roundabouts lol 😂 spent many nights cheering the yobs on lol 😂 was a big part of my teenage years lol 😂 most streets where like drift tracks lol 😂

[Oxygen_Thief]

Had a 323 4x4 turbo back in the early 90s it was a little weapon, destroyed alot of other hot hatches back in the day lol

[WraithDeath]

I've owned a BFMR, GTX and then a GTR myself in NZ in the past . They're great zippy little cars, but unfortunately their major downfall was how piss weak the gearboxes were preventing these to become a lot more popular with modifications then they were. Currently now though after years, I do own a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 aka a MPS though, which again is a great little car

[wswan]

Mazda GTX/GTR, Nissan Pulsar under rated.
Im glad to see this one being loved and used.
Nice build too, ups to the man 👍🍺

[Dj.Ray.Von.]

I know you had a patch where you thought you might knock YouTube on the head, I'm glad you haven't dude ! No word of a lie, Monday morning and I'm welding up a Farriers van (someone who fits horse shoes) van stinks, workshop stinks and worst of all I stink. A little voice reminded me "Monky Londons Mazda Monday"
It made the farmyard shite that little bit better, so cheers man 🤙

[Gofast]

Xyz is jdm
Goodness parts 👌

My old honda run xyz 6pot brakes

[enkerl]

So einen Wagen sieht man heute fast nicht mehr, zumindest bei uns in Österreich😔.Jedoch gut das es noch Leute gibt die was so einen GTR noch haben, und schätzen Ihn.Nicht hergeben😀😀
👍

[scalecrawlnl]

Thank you Monky London. Greatly appreciated video. Really enjoy you go into the details and with the knowledgeable owner of this very nice and rare Mazda survivor car.
Also if I may I'd like to mention it is awesome you take the time to show us around and include the engine and interior footage. Classy and cool motorcar, Mazda love 👓
Like 99 👀💯👊 Thanks again, I appreciate too the relaxed vibe in the video, coupled with proper smooth JDM acceleration sounds. Looking foward to more ML action!