1983 Mazda 626 GTX Magnum Turbo review from Australia and New Zealand

The usual; too much boost. It can take 17psi, but any more cracks the pistons.

Even with cracked pistons it still runs and boosts good; just goes thru about half a litre of oil per week.

Then you learn quantity of air is nothing 2 quality, as I have rebuilt the the motor since then (standard), and put a Subaru vf10 with vf8 shaft and wheels in place of the standard vj6 turbo.

My standard gearbox never gave me problems, even when the oil plug fell out as I didn't tighten it. I was boosting all day before I realised and put the spare 5spd in. Recently I took that gearbox to a Mazda gearbox rebuilder, so he could put a laser cut end plate in to hold the bearings between 4th and 5th gear. The most common problem, and he told me even though the gearbox ran out of oil, it looked mint and would have happily kept going (with oil).

The car has never let me down. Even when I've had a blown head gasket or stuffed motor, it's always gotten me home.

It's a 2 door coupe and they are a light car; 1.1 tons with me in it and full tank of gas.

It's very quick and does 60 in 1st, 120 in 2nd, and 180 in 3rd, but has a speed cut.

I'm not bothered about mods; I just do what it needs. It has a water to air intercooler, 500hp fuel pump, Bosch fuel regulator, K & N filter, half inch bigger than standard exhaust, and it's fast enough that I haven't been beaten by any other standard road car with minor mods.

I have a friend in Wellington who has a 4 door turbo 626 1984, and he has put the limited multi point injection head on with a link, and not even tuned properly he says its way quicker than his twin turbo Subaru, and would crap on his Lancer, which is 1.6 T with a vr4 motor. It has the standard 1.6 T gearbox, 270 degree cams, tdo5 turbo, and other mods as well. He reckons it would easy beat any car. His should be back up and running soon.

Goes great.

Very fast.

Reliable.

Not bad looker.

Average comfort; I've grown attached to my Hiace Regius van.

Great fuel consumption 6 litres - 100 kms cruising, or 6 litres in one hardcore boost.