'92 Eagle Talon TSi AWD
I bought this car as a project to replace my stereo competition hobby I had with my '91 GMC Jimmy.
I had basic automotive mechanical skills and a grasp of how it all works,
but at the time I hadn't actually done anything major other than basic tune up work.
I thought that this might help me to learn and understand the mechanics involved by hands on experience.
It did just that. As the saying goes; "DSM's, making average guys mechanics since 1989".
With that said, my goals for this vehicle were as follows;

1. Have fun, and learn all I can.
2. Do as much work myself as possible.
3. Keep it on a "low cost" budget (I'm cheap).
4. Improve acceleration, handling, braking, and reliability.
5. Run a 12.5 second quarter mile time - on 94 octane pump gas.

All of this has to be done keeping in mind that my wife has to be able to get in it
and take it anywhere she may have to go should one of our other vehicles be in inoperable.
Basicly it has to be able to be daily driven should it need be.
Judging by other DSM owner's cars, all these goals should be
easliy attainable for less than $10K, including the price of the car.
I kept track of my expenses and work in the Talon Daily Blog.

I've met my goals, for the most part...
I've had a great time, learned a lot, made new friends, and built a nice tool collection.
I'd say 99% of the work I've done myself, excluding tire mounting, alignment, and the exhaust work.
I've bought the majority of my parts second hand, and as it sits now has less than $9000 in parts including the car.
It's much quicker, handles, and brakes way better than it ever did stock.
I can't really comment on reliability, as I've removed several parts that would normally fail,
and it has done all this on the factory installed headgasket, that now has 105K+ miles on it.
The transmission is my only real complaint on this car, having been through numerous rebuilds, and it's currently needing new bearings.
I mustered a 12.566 @ 111.94 on C16 race gas. Not 94 pump, I know, but with my lousy driving, that's what it took.
This car is falling by the wayside since I bought the Buick, and have numerous other projects going.
I still get it out and flog it every now and then, and it brings a smile to my face every time.
I'd like to upgrade to an aluminum race radiator, and build a custom cluster with all aftermarket gauges.

You can see my racing results by clicking on the links below.
'05 Dragstrip Times Page
'04 Dragstrip Times Page
'03 Dragstrip Times Page

I'd like to thank the guys at IndyStars, Team NABR, and Club DSM.
IndyStars is the local DSM group, and I've become a moderator on their message board.
Both the NABR tech archives and the VFAQs have helped me immensly,
I couldn't have done this without their help and know how.

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As it is now...







1992 Eagle Talon TSi AWD
Born: 2/3/92
6 bolt block / 4 bolt LSD rear end



The exhaust is "3 pressbent downpipe back,
with a Dynomax muffler and a tip from JC Whitney.
It's not fancy, but I noticed a huge gain, and it gets loud.
It's not a ricey sound at all, deep and grumbly.
Total investment: $198.53.



IRC Street Core.
This is the setup I should have bought a long time ago...
Upgrading to this from the Conquest made a nice difference on the top end,
and it makes the car look much meaner. :^)



Alpine CDM-7871 head unit, Apex'i S-AFC, and HKS Turbo Timer.
Custom mounted on the cluster bezel are a VDO EGT and boost gauge.
There's also a pair of green shift light LEDs, and a pair of
red knock light LEDs between the speedo and the oil pressure gauge.



Current engine and hatch pictures.

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As it was when I bought it...




I paid my brother $1500 for it with 96330 miles on the odometer.
When I first got it, it had been sitting for roughly 2 years-
1 year outside under a tree, then another year in a garage.
All it needed was a clutch and a lot of TLC.
The wheels are 16x7.5 MB Motoring Montrose.
I believe I am the third owner.

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MODIFICATIONS

GAUGES / ELECTRONICS Palm M515 with MMCD logger Knockbox VDO Boost gauge                     VDO EGT gauge with TRE probe                     ProForm shift light (LEDs) HKS Turbo Timer BEL radar detector Viper alarm

DRIVETRAIN 2G shift knob Mofugas short shifter ACT 2600 clutch RRE stainless braided clutch line Pennzoil Synchromesh tranny fluid Dual synchro 2nd gear TRE shift rails EVO 1/2 shift fork All shifter and tranny linkage bushings replaced with washers

SUSPENSION GReddy front strut bar           Road Race Engineering rear strut bar           Suspension Techniques rear sway bar KYB AGX Shocks Eibach ProKit Springs 2G GS-T chrome wheels Bridgestone Fuzion 225/50/ZR16 tires

ENGINE SPAL slim fan Balance shafts removed All air conditioning elements removed All emissions elements removed / EGR blockoff Home made catch can on valve cover vent line Mobil 1 engine oil NGK BPR7ES spark plugs NGK 7mm plug wires RRE stainless turbo oil feed line (from filter block)

INTAKE RS Akimoto air filter 2G MAS Modified 2G snorkel 18G compressor wheel in 14B compressor housing Ported compressor outlet IRC Street Core 2.5 inch piping 1G BOV w/ Gus mod Home made MBC @ 18psi

EXHAUST Ported 2G exhaust manifold Ported 7cm turbine housing Larger wastegate flapper TD06 turbine wheel (no clip) Ported 2G O2 housing Phantom RoadWorks "2.5 mandrel bent downpipe "3 pressbent downpipe back exhaust Dynomax muffler

FUEL Apex'i S-AFC RC Engineering 550cc injectors Rewired Walbro 255 fuel pump B&M fuel pressure gauge Charged Air adjustable fuel pressure regulator

Brakes        2G dual piston calipers and brackets        2G Powerslot slotted rotors Carbon / Kevlar pads Stainless braided lines Painted calipers red

AUDIO UPGRADES Optima Red Top battery Alpine CDM-7871 CD player JL Audio TR "4 coaxials in dash JL Audio TR "6.5 inch coaxials in doors JL Audio VR "6x9 coaxials in rear locations Rockford Fosgate Punch 250M sub amp Kicker SoloBaric L5 "12 sub

MISC. Dejon aluminum front bumper Dejon aluminum rear bumper Clear corner lenses 5% window tint       Removed spare tire, jack, and tools       Tinted license plate cover RRE license plate frame