Turbo 323?

[Fatdaddy]

Hey guys. I was scouting out a junkyard this weekend looking for turbo parts to custom build a setup for my Honda. To my surprise, I came across an older 323 sedan and I saw 'turbo' on the trunklid. So I popped the hood and it was all intact. But I couldn't get to a label on the turbo housing to see what it was because the engine bay was so tight. I didn't realize that there was a turbo'd 323. Isn't the 323 about the same as a Protege?

Can anyone give me more info on the 323 years available with turbo and any info on the turbo itself? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[charles]

Was it a sedan or two door hatchback?

 

[Fatdaddy]

It was a 323 sedan, about like the car in your sig.

 

[Kauai Dave]

that's astounding! i only heard of them being turbo in aussy land and Japanese and euro. cool find! =)

 

[SeminoleMan]

They did make a limited number of 323 sedan turbos. They made 132 HP I believe. Late 80's model...they are pretty rare.

 

[Salmon_Rob]

its a 323 turbo sedan, made in the same limited run as the 323 gtx iirc

 

[SeminoleMan]

http://membres.lycos.fr/mazatenza/mazda_323_gt.htm

See this link for a little more info.

 

[stef_nz]

They made plenty of 1st gen (BG)1.8 bpt sedans (well, plenty is a relative term ).
That is the (Japanese)89-93 models (us 90-94).
We have quite a few here in nz, although not nearly as many as there are gtx hatches.

Unfortunately, most of the ones i've seen haven't been very well looked after. I have seen one really nice example but it was ruined by a crappy 5" exhaust tip.

These things are rare as hen's teeth and if you can get hold of one you bloody well better buy it or you'll never forgive yourself.......

The 132hp models are the earlier (BF)B6t models, made from about 86-88. They are not to be taken lightly either. (yes)

 

[Salmon_Rob]

we have no turbo 1g's only turbo 323's. we have a few 1g turbo conversions, but merely a handful. turbo bg's arent here

 

[stef_nz]

i know you didn't get them over there but maybe someone has imported one as referenced in an earlier post, it looks just like charles' 92 LX.

I guess its possible that it is a BF 323 sedan.

 

[yay for cars]

haha my mom had one when i was a baby

 

[Salmon_Rob]

the bf 323 is VERY similar, especially to one who isnt a discerning 1g coniseur

 

[stef_nz]

fair enough, i agree. it probably is a b6t 323. shame on mazda for keeping the big brother bg bpt sedan in japan eh?

 

[Salmon_Rob]

yes...i wanna bg turbo sedan

 

[stef_nz]

actually, its more like shame on your government trying to protect its own dinosaur of a car industry by throwing so many obstacles in the way that it just isn't worth the trouble for foreign car companies.

there are more and more imports creeping in there now which is great but you could have had some seriously cool cars over the years. :'(

in saying that of course, when our government decided to get into vehicle importation it completely destroyed our domestic car makers and they all pulled out - perhaps it isn't such a good idea after all?!?!

 

[Salmon_Rob]

*hold me* we got so shafted on the protege...i mean comeon, yall get a 180 hp awd protege. we get 125 hp, fwd

 

[stef_nz]

hehe, get this....i've seen two awd 1.8 2nd gens here in christchurch as well. that is about as cool as it gets.....even i'm jealous! i reckon they could be the rarest of all.

 

[Salmon_Rob]

i hate u

 

[Fatdaddy]

The picture below is what the 323 turbo I found looked like, except it was white. Being that it was this body style and turbocharged, I'd say it was an '88 or so. I would like to know more info on the turbo itself; manufacturer, size/model, etc. Anyone know where I can find the turbo specs for this particular car? I need to decide whether or not it is a good donor turbo or not.

Oh, and thanks for the info SeminoleMan.

 

[Boosted 1st Gen]

The turbo is made by IHI. The code on the turbo is most likely VJ-20. As far as the specs, I'm not really sure on that one being as I have it's bigger brother from the 323 GTR (IHI VJ-23 ball bearing).
I do know for a fact that the VJ-20 is not a ball bearing turbo, and it's pretty small.

Adam
1991 Protege GTR
#1739 of 2500