A case of envy - or merely accepting how things are? What the hell am I talking about you're no doubt wondering. Well, I had to question the intent of the owner of this nimble and quick all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Galant VR4. Particularly considering it was only a few months back that Adam Skutela owned a burgundy coloured 1990 model VR4, whilst the white 1991 model seen here was owned by a mate.
"When my friend decided to sell his, I decided to sell mine and buy it off him," Adam explained. "I knew the car very well and intended doing as much as I could without having to ring Kerry Packer for a loan". Not that this really answered why he sold his immaculate burgundy car, so I guess you and I are left to ponder his reasoning - if you're inclined to spend time thinking about such things, that is!
In the white car's favour, the previous owner graced it with a bundle of goodies including a complete adjustable GAB shock absorber and 50mm-lowered springs package. Its improved suspension geometry with negative camber and a sprinkling of urethane bushes also helps, plus there's those 16 x 7 Simmons F90 rims. And the previous owner wasn't adverse to a little straight line mumbo either, having equipped the two-litre 4G63 engine with a large Performance Metalcraft intercooler, 'Evo' turbocharger, HKS boost controller and HKS turbo timer and a mandrel-bent 3 inch exhaust system.
Not Enough!
Adam picked up the white VR4 for a song, thanks in part to his mate needing cash in a hurry. Ah ha! Now I've got it - that's why he sold the burgundy car and bought white one. Smart cookie!
And, having a little cash left over, he wanted to try a few more mods of his own - but not just in the engine bay. But hey, let's start where the real action is - with the engine. Significant modifications (but not necessarily those that gain a huge amount of power) include a genuine hand ported Ralliart Evolution exhaust manifold, oversized intercooler piping and a replacement for the past aftermarket core. We say "replacement" because the previous owner pulled off the large intercooler that was once fitted (so now we know why the car was bought cheap too!).
Yep, the replacement is a cute idea too let me tell you. You see Adam is tight - really, really tight with his bucks. So he's always looking for the cheapest most effective option available. In this case he's adapted a late model SAAB 9000 intercooler to suit the Galant.
Other changes include a 4 inch cold air duct leading from the fog light up to the original airbox, which incorporates a Finer Filter There are also 8.8mm Top Gun plug leads and a heavily improved inlet manifold. The stock manifold had major restrictions just prior to where it accepts the throttle body, so the 1 7/8-inch orifice section was sliced off and a new 2.5-inch flanged section welded back into position. A new exhaust has also taken place that incorporates a three-inch dump piggy backed plus a separate 1.5-inch wastegate tube. Both pipes later merge and lead to a 3-inch pipe and single Super Turbo muffler.
One interesting 'try' has been to plug-in a complete Lancer Evo 3 engine management computer, which as it turned out, was a vain attempt at achieving improved fuel and ignition maps. The result was a dismal failure, as the car wouldn't even start! So it ain't plugged in no more! Backing the engine, a heavy-duty Sachs clutch passes the power to all four wheels through the stock trans, the same 16-inch Simmons rims and 205/55 Kuhmo Ecsta tyres.
Interior Trimmings
Major enhancements are there for all to see once the windows are dropped. Yep, Adam is a glutton for comfort, so rather than accept the stock trim he's upped the ante with a full leather and suede import VR4 combination of seats, door trims and everything right down to the sun-visors. Steering duties are handled with a leather American Eclipse steering wheel, and cogs are swapped with a chrome gear knob.
Full time thrills are an impossibility in a daily driven car, which means that Adam has had to look for other kicks. Yep, his ears are now constantly bashed thanks to a semi-serious sound system of a Kenwood head unit, 6 x 9-inch JBL rear speakers, front Polk splits, Pioneer and Precision Power (PPI) monster amplifiers. The wish list is a little more comprehensive with optical fibre cable, a much better head unit and subwoofers amongst it.
On the Road
Adam's intent with this car is obvious - well at least it became so once I was in the driver's seat, and he was telling his story from the passenger seat. This man is keen to improve his Mitsu to the point where it is competitive in club level sprinting, without being really compromised on the street. He's also quite concerned about the level of driving experience of those surrounding him, hence he is retaining that large tow bar for the possibility of some drongo sliding up the VR4's bum! Another exterior difference is that supplied thanks to fitment the SAAB intercooler. The usual bonnet catch has been removed, and the bonnet equipped with a pair of lock down pins.
The driving experience makes all the work worth it. See, once you're strapped into the comfortable leather driver's seat and moving along at a slowish pace, you're surrounded by blissful sounds from the crisp and clear audio system to the barking exhaust. Nail the accelerator and one tends to want to turn down the stereo to concentrate on the scream of the engine and exhaust howl! Thanks to the modified turbocharger, cooled intake charge and the other engine mods, and whilst keeping tabs on the tacho needle, you feel a major push in the middle of your back as the revs pass 3700. And I can assure you, second gear is needed in a real hurry. Speed increases fluently and before you know it, the speedo indicates you're at a warp - far in advance of what you'd expect in such a short time. The bark from the exhaust remains crisp even on full boost (of around 1.1 Bar/15.4psi) and the sweetness of the ride floods the sensors. Yep, this VR4 is a quality item, offering all of the things we normally ask and desire from a car.
We wonder if he wants to sell it...
