Marvellous Mirages
Tom Tarp of Florida, America owns a couple of Mitsubishi Mirages that go w-a-y harder than they're 'supposed' to...
The idea to go all-out with a pair of Mirages came about after Tom lightly modified a 1991 Eclipse turbo. "I was amazed by how simple it was to make the turbo 2.0 litre Mitsu motor perform. When I say perform, I'm not talking about a few tenths of a second here or there. I'm talking about a car that runs mid 13-second quarter mile times with a very small amount of cash."
Not long after his experiences with the Eclipse he started wondering what lighter body shells could accept the 2.0-litre DOHC turbomotor and, you guessed it, an '89 Mirage sprung to mind. Cutting a long story short, you'll today find the 4G63 engine sporting a K&N air filter, a ported 2G DSM exhaust manifold, Mitsubishi 16G turbo with ported exhaust housing, Extreme Sports XBC boost controller, custom front-mount air-to-air intercooler, RC 550cc injectors and an A'PEXi Super AFC. Spent gasses exit through a Buschir Racing 2 ½-inch press-bent down pipe, 2 ½-inch centre pipe and 3-inch rear muffler. Drive to the front wheels is via a stock Mirage turbo 5-speed with a lightened flywheel, ACT 2600lb pressure plate and '97 Eclipse GSX clutch plate.
Upshot? A power-to-weight ratio equivalent to a Ferrari 360 Modena and a best quarter mile time of 12.401 seconds at 111.34 mph (running 18 psi boost and slicks)! Certainly, Tom has achieved his goal of creating the ultimate sleeper.
And now onto his more recent project - the 1.6-litre turbo '89 Mirage...
This little beastie is stuffed with a smaller 4G61 DOHC turbo engine with pretty much the same mods and turbo specs as the 'big block' brother. The only major differences are a Hallman boost controller, OE side-mount intercooler, 1G camshafts, 450 cc injectors and water/alcohol injection. It's best quarter mile outing scored a 13.336 ET at 100.63 mph (on 11 psi boost and with slicks).
To get the full story on these two wicked cars, go to http://www.turbomirage.com/
Smokin' 555
Ken and Catherine Ross of the United Kingdom own one of the rarest - and most desirable - Subie Imprezas ever produced. This 1995 Subaru Impreza STi Version II 555 Limited Edition (one of only 50 sedan versions made) is a production replica of the 555 sponsored WRC cars of the mid '90s.
Standard fitment on the 555 is a rally-style roof vent and under the bonnet there's a few tweaks to ensure the average WRX is a traffic light meal. The EJ20 turbo mill spins a TD05H turbo (which delivers around 13.5 psi boost via STi ECU mapping), a revised intake manifold, intercooler water spray and improved exhaust system. These goods yield 275 horsepower and 235lb-ft of torque.
But that's in only standard form...
Rob's gone ahead and let the EJ20 breath a little easier through a Blitz induction kit (complete with a homemade cold air box) and Forge dump valve. Power is further enhanced by a Falkland Group A stainless steel front pipe, Magnex 'decat' centre pipe and rear muffler.
Tackling those tarmac twisties is a task safe and secure thanks to the STi's constant AWD traction, alloy lower suspension arms and front strut bar. Braking - a particularly poor area in early turbo Imprezas - is now improved with P1 4-pot front calipers biting onto EBC grooved discs. The standard rims have also made way for a set of gold MY98-spec 16s wearing grippy 205/50 Bridgestone S-03s.
Rob tells us "As standard, it's a great car for covering cross country roads fast. Grip, acceleration and handling are brilliant - just what's needed on the roads around here. In a modified form, it's still a great everyday car that can be used on track at the weekends."
Future plans? Maybe a baffled sump, ECU upgrade and new suspension. Keep tabs on the progress of this rare STi Version II 555 Limited Edition at http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/ken.ross/sti/
S-w-e-e-t Skyline
Dean Wright - also of the UK - is yet another extremely happy Nissan R33 Skyline GTS25T owner. This is no ordinary GTS25T with mods limited to just a big shiny muffler hanging under the rear, however....
The smooth-as-silk RB25DET engine draws intake air through a Blitz SUS Power kit, while boosted air is cooled by an ARC front-mount 3-layer air-to-air IC. Also fitted is a Blitz high-flow dump valve, an A'PEXi Power FC computer upgrade (with separate boost controller) and a Fujitsubo Legalis R Evolution exhaust system. The resulting extra grunt is channelled through an OS Gikken triple-plate clutch to a standard 5-speed gearbox (equipped with a short shifter) and, finally, to a stockie LSD rear.
For improved handling and braking, you'll find aftermarket springs teamed with adjustable OMP dampers and front and rear strut braces. Rolling stock is 18-inch OZ Superturismos clad in 235/40 and 255/35 Falken GRB rubbers. Pinning Dean to the windscreen with a mere brush of the brake pedal are 6-pot calipers with 330mm discs at the front and the standard 2-pot/275mm disc combo at the rear.
Dean has also focussed attention on on-road presence; as he says, "it turns heads of all ages as it's a handsome car, and not unnecessarily in your face..." First up, the body is brought 30mm closer to the ground, there's a Nizmo GTS grille, 400R side skirts, rear bar and side spats and a genuine GT-R adjustable rear wing. Mesh inlays finish the front bumper, while there's a set of driving lights added and tinted windows.
Indoors, the R33's large sporty cabin is decked out with a host of quality audio gear. Up front there's a 10-disc CD stacker wired to 6-inch front mids, tweeters and 3-way rears. Thundering bass is provided by a Focal 12-inch sub powered up by a 900W Phillips amplifier. Other than that, the well mod-con'd interior is brightened up with a Raceline stainless gear knob, chequer plate footrest and Razo pedals.
With plans for a re-map (by Rob at RB Motorsports) there's not much left for Dean to do to his streeter. He tells "I'm extremely happy with the build quality and performance, and have no intension of changing the car at all."
See more at http://www.myskyline.co.uk/
Mean Mustang
Craig of America owns a 1991 Ford Mustang GT you'd better watch out for.
It's 5.0-litre injected V8 is thoroughly worked with mods extending to Ford Motorsport 'shorty' headers, three-chamber Flowmaster mufflers, pace setter H-pipe, Summit cold air induction with K&N filter, MSD heli-core wires, BBK underdive pullies, 180 degree Fahrenheit thermostat and MSD 6AL ignition with MSD Blaster TFI coil. Recent addition have also included an Edelbrock Performer aluminium heads, Ford E-303 camshaft, Crane 1.7 roller rockers, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Pro M 75mm Bullit MAF and FRPP 65mm throttle body.
The most recent dyno showing saw the 'Stang push out 286.5hp at 5400 rpm on a Dyno Jet chassis dyno, and Craig claims the power curve is almost a straight line from 5100 to 5900 rpm. This considerable amount of mumbo is put through a 5-speed manual gearbox (fitted with a Hurst short shifter) running to a 3.73:1 rear-end. There's also a tailshaft loop, just to be safe.
The RWD chassis has been fine tuned using Lakewood 70/30 struts, KB subframe connectors, a Saleen rear shock tower brace, custom lower control arms and boxed uppers, urethane swaybar and end-link bushes. Nitto drag radials are used to find traction at the track, while Dunlop SP 5000 245/50/ZR 16s are used for the street.
Of course, lightweight is not such a priority when you've got a grunt-rich V8 throbbing under the bonnet. Inside you'll find the full factory leather trim (very cushy) featuring an Autometer water temperature gauge and Monster tacho with shift light, plus a Blaupunkt CD.
To date the car's best quarter mile time (on drag radials) is a creditable 13.12 seconds, and the best ET is 105.46 mph. See if it'll be made to haul faster by visiting http://www.geocities.com/cw50must/
|