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    Another Mazda Newbie

    Hey Everyone. Just purchased a 1988 Mercury Tracer (aka Mazda 323). I was looking for a GTX or even GT but when I came across "TheDanny", I couldn't resist. The overall condition of the car is top notch for an '88 in Ontario Canada. Turns out the car was actually imported to BC when it was first put on the road (Almost no rust).
    I do have to admit that I really cant stand Fords, let alone Mercury. I've only ever owned one other domestic and that was my first car (1990 4 door cavalier), and again the car was in amazing condition and only driven by a very old man. Plus it was maintained by a BMW mechanic that I knew personally. Enough about that though. I am determined to make this car 100% Mazda.
    First off, does anyone know if the body panels and bumpers from the '88-'89 GTX will fit my car? (Before I go and tare everything off a retired GTX I've found in a secret location)
    Currently working on a centre column in order to turn TheDanny into that much more of a drivers car!


    Cheers, Ty
    Last edited by TheDanny; 12-22-2010, 06:38 PM. Reason: typo
    1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

    sigpic

    "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

    The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

    #2
    Its already all mazda the only thing on it thats ford is the badges. Iirc it all swaps no prob but theres a difference in body lines.
    12 cbr250r: daily ride
    01 saab 9-3: daily
    98 gsxr 1100: for sale
    93L: money pit/ space waster
    92GL: low and slow beater
    90?: the rust free shell
    89LX: swapping to rust free shell
    89L: for sale
    89L: parts
    87 conquest: dohc 4g64 swap underway
    76+80 vw dashers: for sale

    Comment


      #3
      Would the gap around the rear hatch be the same once installed?
      1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

      sigpic

      "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

      The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

      Comment


        #4
        i dont think that the rear hatches swap. different body lines between the merc and 323. the front fenders,hood,lights,grille will all swap over as a group but the lines on the side of the car wont match.
        "See that car, in the 80's that car was deadly." Random man to his son while passing the GTX in a parking lot

        Originally posted by neuspeedescort
        the proper spelling would be "Launchabilitiness" i do believe.
        -88' Mazda 323 GTX, 1.8t, Modified Magazine May 2012
        -88' Mazda 323 GTX, caged and ready for dirt
        -93' Mazda Miata, half caged
        -09' Mercedes C63 AMG
        -87' Toyota Land Cruiser, 33's with slight lift, safari style!

        Comment


          #5
          That's all I needed to know as far as body panels are concerned, so thank you both. I will find a way to make the rear of the car look as appealing as the 323GTX.
          Another question. When talking chassis, you refer to BP and BF. Would my car fall under one of those?
          ....and best place to order body panels from that will ship to Ontario Canada?



          Cheers Guys, Learning everything I can, best site yet.


          Ty
          1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

          sigpic

          "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

          The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

          Comment


            #6
            BP is the motor code for the 1.8L DOHC. BF is the chassis code for your car.

            1988 White GTX - #1 parts
            1988 Black GTX - #2 reliably broken touge monstar (294,000 miles no rebuilds) - dead
            1988 Blue GTX - #3 in progress (view here)
            1988 Blue GTX - #4 BPT swapped weekend warrior.
            1988 White GTX - #5 Rally car

            Comment


              #7
              Awesome, Cheers
              1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

              sigpic

              "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

              The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

              Comment


                #8
                Safty safty safty

                Took my car in for safety today. To my (lack of surprise) the car needs full brakes all round. Good news, I didn't let the mechanic order the parts. Went to Fart Source and got everything for about $400 less. Plus, who would pay $200 for one P155 80R13. He's a nice guy but I'm not stupid. Crazy mechanic.





                Ty
                Last edited by TheDanny; 12-28-2010, 10:48 AM.
                1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

                sigpic

                "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

                The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

                Comment


                  #9
                  I'll be converting to disk brakes in the spring. Where would I find suitable brakes for my car, and is the transfer pretty straight forward?
                  Last edited by TheDanny; 12-28-2010, 01:23 PM. Reason: typo
                  1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

                  sigpic

                  "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

                  The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Straight forward, yes - depending on how good you are with tools.

                    Rape a Merc Capri or Mazda GT from the Junk Yard, or check this board or the yahoo forum for someone that is selling off their spares.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      cheers
                      1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

                      sigpic

                      "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

                      The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

                      Comment


                        #12
                        just wondering what the widest rim and tire size would be for my car? 205's too much?
                        1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

                        sigpic

                        "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

                        The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by TheDanny View Post
                          just wondering what the widest rim and tire size would be for my car? 205's too much?
                          i think so...im running 205 on my bf now and wheneva i hit a bump the tire touch the shocks in the rear..think my shocks are blown..but it neva did that with 195....hope that help

                          Comment


                            #14
                            cheers mate, that's what i was thinking.
                            1988 Mercury Tracer. (aka Ford Laser)

                            sigpic

                            "If you do not try you cannot fail, but neither can you succeed.....however....If you dont have any clue what your doing, please, ask for help."

                            The above quote does not in any way imply that I know everything, but rather that I too need to ask for help sometimes

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I'm running 205s on my 15" rims (I cant recall the offset, but I want to say the number 35). It has the Galant brake mod in the front, 5mm spacers in the rear, and coilovers, if that helps.

                              The clearance of the tires to the rim is pretty tight, perhaps ~5mm.

                              Comment

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