L Series turbo questions inside

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:33 pm

were all the L Series turbo sedans basically the same or not ?

there were manuals and autos - both awd

were they all RX or was there RX and bog standard pox box L series turbo sedans

as they have been out for 20 years or so now I have seen and different looking/sounding/going models but dunno whether they were all factory differences. Seen one 4WD sedan that looked normal ride height, no spoiler and maybe no turbo either ?!

I am sure I'd find out some info if I went thru old stuff in here but then again maybe not. any trivia bits appreciated

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:49 pm

In Australia there was two versions only officially imported. They were the RX, which was manual and the Turbo Auto (I always regarded them as a GLTA but others here will argue with me so I won't call them that here).

No Australian delivered turbo L was AWD in the sense that the Liberty is unless you want to count the 4 speed auto Vortex turbo, but thats different again. Overseas has had centre diff awd gearboxes since about 1983 or so.

The RX had a 5 speed manual and rear LSD plus the funky cheque interior. The auto had a 3 speed auto with auto 4wd, apply brakes or turn wipers on and 4wd would activate. LSD was an option. All turbo L's had rear discs. There was no turbo wagons delivered to Australia.

The GL came out in 4wd carb non turbo sedan.

In 1987 the RX was a whopping $20k!!!

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:34 pm

Thanks Mecha,

I've had a better look at this beast. Looks to be 3 speed auto coz it's got 1,2 and Drive indications, possibly a 4 speed as it has a lock on button (orange) on the selector. I'm thinking Mazda 626 had 4 speed autos in 88 , so maybe.

And guess what has been sitting inside my Gregory's for years...

Sunday Telegraph 14.06.1987 full page ad for Leone Gl $13,995 , wagon for another $1700. RX Turbo sedan 19,995 and the Vortex (makes you feel like a fighter pilot ) for $ 22,995 *

* plus statutory and dealer charges - in the finest of print !

2 year / 50,000 km warranty way back then.

The auto I'm looking at has button for 4WD selection so you are right it's a 2WD but compliance plate says 4WD so that could be worth something in the end.

suspension button too !

The boot looks big enough to take a big gas bottle

missing keys , bonnet and front bumper

188,000 on clock

$600 plus delivery charge

thinking EJ20 (turbo ?) plus AWD box 5 speed may be best way out of things if heads are cracked

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:40 pm

I think I am talking myself into this

am I sick ?

a weeks pay on something that could provide joy and grief for months

sh1t , a compliance from an engineer could cost me $600 on anything I build up !

Willie · Post by **Willie** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:55 pm

All 4WD sedans (non turbo) I have seen are standard 4WD ride height. That is, higher than a 2WD Leone. I suspect that manual and auto was available.

There was one that visited on a regular basis up the street from me when I lived in Canberra. It was a green sedan 4WD, 5 speed dual range manual, so same as a wagon. This one had QLD rego and seemed to visit for a week or so every two months or so, so I assumed it was family visiting from QLD. Never got to speak to owner, though.

All this info from observation, not reserched fact, I might add. Hope it's useful.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:35 pm

Basic differences between the manual RX and the auto RX where the manual had the checkered interios and coil spring suspension and the auto came in a blue or brown interior and had air suspension although by now most of the air suspension equipted cars would have been changed over to coil springs

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:01 pm

jono wrote:Thanks Mecha,

I've had a better look at this beast. Looks to be 3 speed auto coz it's got 1,2 and Drive indications, possibly a 4 speed as it has a lock on button (orange) on the selector. I'm thinking Mazda 626 had 4 speed autos in 88 , so maybe.

3 spd only. the 4 spd had a hold wsitch for 1st gear and no orange button.

And guess what has been sitting inside my Gregory's for years...

Sunday Telegraph 14.06.1987 full page ad for Leone Gl $13,995 , wagon for another $1700. RX Turbo sedan 19,995 and the Vortex (makes you feel like a fighter pilot ) for $ 22,995 *

* plus statutory and dealer charges - in the finest of print !

2 year / 50,000 km warranty way back then.

can we have a peek..

The auto I'm looking at has button for 4WD selection so you are right it's a 2WD but compliance plate says 4WD so that could be worth something in the end.

suspension button too !

suspension if shagged is expensive to repair- go to springs. my wagon HAD air suspension. has springs in it now.(no Idea who did the swap.)

The boot looks big enough to take a big gas bottle

missing keys , bonnet and front bumper

188,000 on clock

$600 plus delivery charge

thinking EJ20 (turbo ?) plus AWD box 5 speed may be best way out of things if heads are cracked

buy it!

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:18 pm

only 3 gears ! that's one way to feel the torque.

wanna peek at the ad...not sure if scanning is working too well given my attempt thru Jordan to post an even older article last week.

I'll give it a go anyway. Jordan - look out !!

and if I do buy it, I'll still want your old turbo Chris (when you get the time) for the Brumby

buy it?? I'm trying to save money...so telling myself I will save money in the future by buying an almost complete car to fix up and drive for the next decade before petrol runs out./...then buy electric Subaru.,

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:43 pm

jono,

I'll pull it on the weekend.

where is the car btw?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:01 pm

Chris, thanks.

Right now it's out in the cold, quivering when he hears his owner talking about the crusher ( I quivered a bit too !! )

Should be in my yard tomorrow tho, with a caring watch by me Brumby and the big old Ford sitting there. I'll be spending its rego on the Leone !!

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:36 pm

I've scanned the lower half of the ad , emailed it to Jordan, so wait and see.

The owner moves his cars around on fork lift and yep the little subie has some tell tale scrapes underneath, but all doors still open just fine, dunno what it does to the windscreen seal.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Tue May 09, 2006 7:50 am

Click the picture for the full size version.

Jordan.

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:26 am

RX Turbo has all wheel drive??

Great advertisement find though

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue May 09, 2006 12:27 pm

Thanks for doin' that Jordan

Fang, yep, looks like they were AWD as opposed to the 4WD boxes in the wagons, unless someone knows better ?

Purchase update:

expressed difficulty to 'owner' that no keys will make moving vehicle a pain in the arse unless I remove steering lock. So now waiting 'til he is in the right frame of mind to find keys

done a REVS check - no interest registered as yet.

Fang · Post by **Fang** » Tue May 09, 2006 12:54 pm

Australian production RXs were not Full Time 4WD (or AWD, wutever).

The Australian RX was the same as any other 4WD L Series - cept it had more splines on the front output shafts, different ratios (I think??), and had a crappy low of something like 1.196:1

USDM and JDM RXs on the other hand are Full Time 4WD / AWD.

But as I said - interesting ad!

Edit:

Fang wrote:The Australian RX was the same as any other 4WD L Series

Just to correct myself - that should be "The Australian RX gearbox was the same..."

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:57 pm

yup, and that is what Mechawagon said above in the plainest English I could have asked for. and looks to the US and Jap had centre diff lock for when on slippery stuff - these are boxes risingsunsteve has had in the past

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:02 pm

It has metal springs over rear shocks on the rear and normal looking struts. Dunno where or what the air suspension really was ? air shocks ?

there are little tiny motor like things left and right front rear of suspension towers that have two air line sockets , each only has one connected.

can also see a manual steer conversion coming up as I hate trans fluid when it leaks from anywhere in a car.

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:04 pm

if you can see the nozzles on top of the strut towers then it 'had' it. mine is in the same way.