(Updated 4/08)
2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX
Yes I am addicted to Mitsubishi. If you don't know why I'd buy this car even with the horrid wing on the back, go testdrive one! It is graphite gray with the SSL package for pampered comfort! Check out the seats, engine, and more views here and here. SSL > MR since the mods will be done by yours truly.
To begin with, I added a 3 gauge panel (lighted with included LEDs at night)from 42 Draft Designs (note the need for radio relocation and associated kit). Next I added an aftermarket headunit that plays mp3s from SD cards! Lastly I debadged the car front and rear.
Performance mods unlisted... err there are none! But if I were to mod, I'd get a nice and quiet 3 inch polished / stealth stainless steel exhaust (from here) and put it on my car, followed by some sort of drop in filter and in-cockpit boost controller. I recently also would have been using EcuFlash to tune the car and logging with EvoScan utilizing a high speed Tactrix cable. I highly recommend it if you know how to tune ecu maps!
This car looks, sounds, and behaves 100% stock until you press the pedal to the metal!
Best ET/MPH: 12.6@111mph with the slipping stock clutch good for a 1.800 60 ft.
For info regarding Evolutions, see www.evolutionm.net.
2005 Jetta TDI Wagon
Stealthy shoebox, isn't she? That's really the reason I got the car, no one pays attention to it. I have made some pimpin interior additions to it so far, including a Phatbox, an Isotta leather steering wheel cover and some nice custom two tone leather seats and door inserts. As it is a GLS it has lots of creature comforts, including heated seats. Also modded were the DRLs (now optional), a euroswitch install, an AutoWindow install to give Audi-like functionality to the VW remote, as well as the addition of a TDIHeater for those cold winter nights. Future additions will include the sport suspension, which I have but am holding off installing for now. I was also considering the .68 5th gear replacement, but it is also on hold because all 04-05 Mk IV PDs have an ECU problem that interferes with the cruise control function when the gear is changed.
Big kudos to VW for making ESP available as an option on this car. On the Audi I found it intrusive, on a fwd (wwd) car ESP is fantastic for cornering! I also highly recommend a ventectomy... it's a diesel thing!
Recent additions due to a piece of road debris cutting my fuel lines: off-road fuel line cover and an Evolution Atlas Skidplate. The wagon is uparmored!
Now that the warranty has run out I can share the performance mods, which is only one, namely a Rocketchip. It was REAL hard (but possible) to go over 110mph with the stock setup! Now with the chip, passing cars is a breeze, the car is a torque monster, and the car will go as fast as you dare.
For info regarding TDI Audis/VWs, see http://www.tdiclub.com/
For more info regarding VWs, see http://forums.vwvortex.com/
2003 Subaru WRX
Wagon
This car is SOLD. FYI never buy a yellow car, it attracts too
much attention.
I procured this sonic "pull me over" yellow wagon to lug stuff around.
Enhancement mods done in first week (ok DAY) of ownership
include DRL
mod, defogger mod, foglight mod, foglight covers, HID bulbs, clear sides,
and of course...
The Perrin
front brake upgrade to eliminate the HORRIBLY unsafe stock brakes
(uses Dynalite calipers) and some Kazera
17 inch wheels (50mm offset) with 225/45/17 HTR+ tires.
Dealer installed leather seat
covers (with working side airbags).
Performance mods unlisted... err I mean there are none!... due
to warranty preservation efforts :)
To all the DSMers reading this... YES it is unbearably slow even
lightly modded.
For technical info and questions about Subaru visit www.nasioc.com. Check out the forums there!
2001 Audi S4
This car is SOLD. Four years of ownership, nothing but fun!
It's a twin turbo 5 valves per cylinder V6... a stylish way to
get some thrills!
Pics from the Side , Rear , and Engine .
I couldn't resist... I did the clear corner light mod
Ugh, bubbles
in tires suck! I should have known Audi dealer service people are
idiots just like Mitsubishi service people. All future service on
my S4 will be done by yours truly.
To solve this problem the car now sports 235/45 Falken
GRB-451s on replica Avus wheels
(side by side comparison with OEM here, offset
is a tad less too).
Doing an oil change is a piece of cake on this car once you
have the cover off, just be ready for the 7 quart oil flood when you
open the drain plug...
Performance mods can now be listed that the warranty has officially
expired. They include a 93
octane APR EMCS FlipSwitch, an AWE
DTS (Drive Train Stabilizer), upgraded Diverter valves, upgraded
Throttle Body Boot, and a K&N drop-in filter.
For technical info and questions about Audi visit www.AudiWorld.com. Check out the forums there!
90 GSX - the
"race" car
This car is sold. Long live the DSM!
19c
Frank Jr Turbo w/ 7cm housing
(I recently had to fix this turbo because the flapper melted
)
95 .5
oversize pistons
Removed
balance shafts + balanced bottom end
Total Seal Rings Stock .5 over Rings
ARP head studs
24x8x3.5
FMIC with 2.5 inch
piping .
ACT2600 clutch
Big
Brake
Upgrade with Powerslot rotors and Porterfield R4S pads
Flexalite
1200 cfm pusher fan
SBR 2.5
/ 3" downpipe and 3" turbo-back
Supra TT fuel pump upgrade
660 injectors 550 injectors
Adjustable
fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressure
gauge
2G MAF
and
Dejon intake
Greddy
Type S BOV (springs stretched + heat treated to hold ANY psi)
8.5mm
Magnecor Wires
Ported 2G exhaust manifold and EVO
III
O2 housing
Ground
control coil-overs
375/300
lb 7 inch Eibach springs
AGX
adjustable shocks
Extreme Manual Boost controller - XBC
Autometer
Boost gauge
Greddy
60mm peak/hold EGT
APEXI
new Super AFC
A set of
225/50/16 Victoracers for Pocono / auto-X
4 bolt rear (see here
for why I
needed this)
Future mods (as checkbook allows...)
Fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressure gauge
T3/T4 turbo
NOS! (Just kidding)
Last year's action:
Auto-X on 6/3/01. It did very well despite running on 4 year old RS-As
Drag on 7/14/01 - Ran a nice 12.8 second run (107mph) at Island at only 19psi. Sadly it was only a shakeout run, when I turned up the boost to 21 psi to go for a low 12 this happened . Who was it that told me I wouldn't need a 4 bolt rear until I hit 11s?
Current Status:
8/15/01 - Racing is on hold. The Total Seal rings never seated properly and I'm having major blow-by problems at over 18-19psi. Leak down test confirmed the rings are shot. When I get the chance I will go back to stock rings, but until the weather warms up that kind of engine work is out of the question.
Update 3/25/02 - Stock Rings are in, also fixed my broken Viscous Coupling and installed new shifter cables, a new front mount intercooler and associated piping. Let the racing season begin...
Update 5/14/02 - Racing was progressing well, I was hitting 109.5 mph but my 60ft time was getting consistently worse. Turns out the new functional VC put stress on the center diff which chewed up the spider gear spacers and tossed them through the tranny. I'm currently looking for rebuild parts to get the car back on the road.
Update 6/28/02 - Transmission is back together, I hope to get back to the track very soon after I fix a few other annoyances...
Update 7/25/02 - I went out to Norwalk Ohio for the annual DSM Shootout. I went there to auto-X and had a blast. See my 58.8 second run (+1 cone) from inside the car! (2MB media file). I could have been competitive but one of my coil-over collars was frozen so I couldn't lower the car for more camber.
Update 8/14/02 - Fixed the coil-overs and a broken timing belt tensioner.
Update 9/29/02 - Argh its been a rough month. Little things
have been driving
me nuts. The list includes broken hoses (radiator, gas tank), fried
alternators
and headlights + wiring, plus the nagging false knock problem when
boost
comes on. I am planning on swapping in a 20G and the Greddy E-manage
over
the winter, this should FINALLY get me into 11 second territory... Also
on
the list is to repaint my roof which is looking mighty ghetto as is.
Update 11/19/05 - I should add that not only did I sell this
car, I also bought another one less than a year later, and also sold it
shortly afterwards. Lesson learned: A 13 year old rustbucket is still a
rustbucket, no matter how much money you throw at it...
This car is sponsored by CrapHeap
Racing .
The following car has been SOLD, but I keep the pics for info:
97 GST - the "stock" street car - Mods:
Alamo small 16G turbo with 7cm housing
Ported exhaust manifold and O2 housing
Griffin
FMIC with RRE 2.25/2.5" piping
Turbo back 2.5" with RRE Downpipe
(replaced RRE with Brode flex section) and Tanabe cat-back
Resonated test pipe
Supra TT Fuel pump upgrade
550 RC injectors
APEXI
new Super AFC
Joey P. Manual Boost controller
AGX adjustable shocks - stock springs
8mm Accel Wires
Koenig
17 x 8 Villains (running 235 SP8000s for the Summer)
Autometer
A/F and Boost gauges on A-pillar replacement
Greddy EGT
gauge
Big Brake upgrade (93+ GSX) calipers and rotors
Powerstop X-drilled rotors and Porterfield R4S pads
K&N FIPK "aircharger"
Future mods
None planned, I'm busy with the other car, but a LSD and
slicks may actually get me into the 12s
instead of spinning and hopping down the track.
Best time (1999) - 13.7 @ 106mph
Other stuff....
Tire Reviews of tires I have personally used
Wanna check out why I had to replace my front axle? Look here .
The difference between a 97 and a 98 Throttle Body .
16 inch 2G stock tires and 17 inch Villains with 235/45/17 SP8000s side by side .
A picture of me, the 97 GST and 90 GSX before major mods were done.
A picture
of my new bicycle, in all it's carbon fiber glory. Everything should be made of carbon fiber!
You can e-mail me at johe@umdnj.edu .
New Jersey Club DSM ( http://nj.dsm.org )
New York City Club DSM ( http://nyc.dsm.org )
For technical questions and info, go visit www.dsm.org
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