What are the differences between a GTO and a 3000GT?
As this is one of the most frequently asked questions by people who are new to the world of the GTO/3000GT, here is a list/description of the main differences between the GTO (Grey Import/Japanese Domestic Market or JDM model) and the 3000GT (UK Domestic Market or UKDM). I should point out this is not a buyers guide (the excellent and detailed guide by Mark Sturman can be found here ) and is not an exhaustive list of all detail differences. If there are any inaccuracies please tell me and I will alter the post accordingly.
Mk.1 GTO/3000GT.
The Mk.1 GTO was produced and sold in Japan from 1990 to 1993. They have pop-up headlamps, small ’snake-eye’ sidelights and come in several different variants:
GTO Twin Turbo - All are 2972cc twin turbo 5sp. manual 4WD (though some have been converted to 6-speed drive trains). Some came with moon roofs and/or leather and later cars had the electric fold-in mirrors. Early cars had 16” in alloy wheels, 298mm diameter vented front brakes with 4-pot calipers and single piston sliding rear calipers, while later cars had 17” alloys, 312mm dia. discs with the same 4-pot calipers and twin pot calipers on the rear discs. The Mk.1 engine was also revised slightly in late ‘92 and the TT engine gained a 4-bolt main bearing block, relocated sensors and other minor revisions. MHI TD04-9b turbochargers were fitted to all JDM TT’s.
GTO N/A or Non-Turbo - A mix of automatics and 5-sp manuals, all are 4WD but not all are 4WS. Similar options list to the twin turbo (leather/moon roof/etc).
The Mk.1 3000GT was put on sale in the UK in early ‘93 and was very limited options wise. There was only the one model. Externally the body differed from the GTO by having headlamp washers where the snake-eyes on the GTO were placed, necessitating a different nosecone/front indicator/sidelight assembly. The rear bumper number plate cutout was also different to suit the standard size UK number plate.
3000GT - All cars are 2972cc twin turbo 5-sp manual 4WD/4WS, with the majority of cars having moon roof/etc fitted. All UK cars had the later revised engine, larger alloy wheels and brake upgrade, as well as being equipped with larger MHI TD04-13G turbos.
The front lower lights in the bumper are driving lights rather than the GTO’s pair of front fog lights. While they look externally identical, they have a different reflector pattern and automatically come on when main beam on the headlights is switched on. The 3000GT also has an oil level warning light on the dashboard as opposed to the oil pressure light on the GTO.
There were no auto or N/A 4WD UKDM cars, if you see one for sale it is a JDM car, regardless of the 3000GT badges someone may have applied Laughing Exclamation You may however come across a US-spec 3000GT with an N/A engine, these were FWD only but are easy to spot due to their LHD layout and GTO-spec body parts.
All 3000GT’s have a 17 digit VIN number that is very different to the JDM 11 digit number, as the UK spec VIN contains colour/options/spec information, whereas the JDM cars simply have their build number prefixed by the chassis type.
Mk.2 GTO/3000GT.
The Mk.2 GTO was sold in Japan between late ‘93 and 1996. They were mainly a visual revision from the Mk.1, with restyled bumpers and sideskirts, fixed-position projector headlights and a different bonnet. Mechanical changes were limited to fitting a 6-sp manual ‘box in the TT whereas the 5-sp manual and auto options were carried over from the Mk.1 for the N/A cars.
GTO Twin Turbo - Details as for the later-spec Mk.1, except for the 6-sp box.
GTO Twin Turbo MR - The ‘Mitsubishi Racing’ or MR was a lightweight TT without 4WS, ABS, ECS or Active Aeros, but was mechanically identical to the normal GTO TT. Chassis numbers for the MR should start Z15A.
GTO N/A - Details as for Mk.1.
The Mk.2 3000GT was sold between 1994 and 2000 in the UK. Although the JDM model was to go though two more facelifts the UK model was left as a Mk.2 until GTO/3000GT production finished in 2000. Visually very similar to the Mk.2 GTO, the only real difference externally was the rear bumper cutout for the number plate. The 5-sp manual box was carried over from the Mk.1 until around two years later when it gained the 6-sp box.
3000GT - Details as for Mk.1, except for change to 6-sp drive train around late’95/early ‘96. One model only.
Extra Info on Mk.2 3000GT from 'paulw1028' *
The Mk.2 3000GT has a towing eye cover on the N/S/F corner of the front bumper - this can be clearly seen in the front view of Paul's Mk.2 3000GT below.
Mk.3 & 4 GTO.
The Mk.3 GTO (96-98 ) was a minor revision, with a slightly different front bumper and a hoop spoiler on the rear to replace the active aero system. The range was reduced to the twin turbo MR and an N/A 'SR' stripped and lightened along the lines of the MR.
Extra Info for the Mk.2 GTO MR & Mk.3/4 GTO MR/SR from '3000gt' *
Both cars should have chassis numbers starting with Z15A, with the following two numbers identifiying the year the car was built - 1994 = 00, 1995 = 01, 1996 = 03 etc.
The Mk.4 GTO (99-00) was a more obvious restyle, with changes to the front end, sail panels, and rear wing. There were also minor mechanical revisions to the engine. The range of models as far as I am aware was continued from the Mk.3.
I hope this helps with differentiating between the various GTO/3000GT models.
Thanks to GTO Scott
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