Learn me 3000GT-VR4 | Stealth-RT/TT!

I've always had a soft spot for these cars. They're getting incredibly cheap now, too. What do you guys think?

We had a thread about it not terribly long ago. I posted in it, so I should be able to find it...

Here we go: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/stealth-rt-twin-turbo/45357/page1/

Those cars draw many in. twice the turbo's, twice the driven wheels, twice the steered wheels, thrice the headaches, 1/2 the money. If I've had one too many adult beverages that equals tons of fun. Normally though, it makes me shiver with fear.

Agreed, sounds like fun and love the cars. Just too big of a chance for massive headaches. Not easy to work on.

Buy a Playstation (1, 2 or 3) and a copy of Gran Turismo. Cheaper in the long run, tons of tuning options, and probably as fun as owning the real car. I love these cars but the first time I opened the hood on one my mind was filled with NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.

Doesn't the intern at GRM have one?

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/staff/Matt_Smith/

I ended up buying a broke down 1997 base sohc/5spd recently. Ive decided on an he351ve for it. There's one sitting in the (giant, roomy) engine bay right now, not hooked to anything yet..

Like i said in the other thread.. as a mechanic ive lost all interest in the TT AWD cars because i would hate to work on them, and i like to own things that i dont hate to work on. Luckily the SOHC base motor is a ridiculously strong, decent flowing motor as well and THAT engine bay is wide friggin open.

Bumpers not bolted on and those wheels are not for that car.. i just couldnt stand to look at it with stock 16s.

In reply to Vigo:

As of late I've been wondering how that motor would be in a Starion with a 5spd from a Montero backing it up. I figure if a V8 can fit, that 6 should be alright.

Nice sounding NA 6 with decent power in a 80s rwd sexy slutbox gives me tingly feelings. They ever make a non turbo DOHC?

Yeah, the non turbo dohc is what's in stealths and 3000gts most of the time. The TT and SOHC cars are a lot less common than the non turbo dohc ones. Those ones make about 200hp (regardless of what they're rated at... its a lie).

I have the SOHC in a dodge dynasty with a 5spd and it ran 15.2 with minor mods. I think a starion weighs about the same and would run about the same if it made the same power (might break 14s with rwd traction, my best 60' was ~2.1). The DOHC 5spd non turbo 3000gts and stealths can run low 15s completely stock, and into the 14s with mods. A starion probably weighs 200lbs less than a non turbo dohc 3000gt so it should go a bit quicker. Figure mid 14s with the kind of mods that go with the swap, like intake and exhaust. And of course they both (sohc & dohc) respond really well to boost. I bought a turbo from a guy who had it on a previously non-turbo dohc 3000gt, he made 390whp @ 8psi. I know a guy who has built 2 turbo sohcs which made a bit over 500whp on low 20s psi boost. The ABILITY to make power is there whichever way you go.

The sohc is just much less likely to bend valves, break the oil pump gears, have bottom end knocks, spun bearings, and be a pita to work on....

My plan with a Starion has always been to have a fun reliable awesome dd/funbox. To me that kills boost, not that I'd want a turbo car much anymore.<--- that's a lie actually. But the fact that you can find 6g72s everywhere around here appeals to me, I wouldn't want a 2.6 really, and a 4g63 is boring to me. I went to youtube to see if anyone had ITB'd a 6g, and sadly no one has.

I dunno that the Starion would do better in a straight line, as my mother said the ones she drove would pop sideways quite easily if you drove them right.

I reckon a Starion with a good instant on 200 at the wheels would be an absolute riot to drive.

After reading the thread Knurled posted, I think I might dismiss these cars.

After seeing what needs to be done to fit a 4G63 in a Starion, I'm not so sure about the six.

On the plus side, once the throttle body is moved to the other side of the intake manifold, it looks almost like the car and engine were designed for each other.

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In reply to Knurled:

You may be right.

Although in my google image searches for V6 Starions, I came across a 1980 Mitsu Eterna undergoing a TT 6g72 swap. Don't that look pretty.

And the Eterna happens to be the same as the 80s Challengers, which is another car I lust after. And I think the Sapporo/Arrow is the same platform as the Eterna as well. And according to the guy doing that, you can use a Montero bellhousing to adapt a Toyo W58 or R154.

My ever evolving plans are getting more and more interesting.

Has noone done an LSx swap on a 3/S yet? Seems like a no-brainer.

Armitage wrote: Has noone done an LSx swap on a 3/S yet? Seems like a no-brainer.

You're gonna need a BIG hammer to get it in there. I hated working on mine since every single square inch of space was used up.

Doubt there's even enough room to set a RWD engine in there, even with a sawzall and a nice metal blade.

Then again.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmGSu5jO4ak

I hated working on mine since every single square inch of space was used up.

Try looking at a sohc engine bay. They have a HUGE engine bay for fwd. The problem is the TT motor.

Also Grizz, dont forget the sohc 24v 3.0, 3.5, and 3.8. They're way more common in the junkyards and make the same or better power (per displacement) up to around 5500 or 6k rpm. If you dont want or need 7500 rpm (or more), consider the simpler, more reliable SOHC 24v as another option. Same basic mounting and same bellhousing so the swap would be mechanically pretty similar.

There was also a 3.5L version of the dohc although it is not easy to find.

Apparently there was a Japan only Mivec equipped DOHC 6g72 that came in the late model Diamantes. 270 hp at 6k would be awesome.

My sister has a 3.8 powered Diamante VR-X, it's a hell of a car. Big and boaty feeling, but damn does it pull when she gets on it.

E: I'm hoping I'm remembering right and it did indeed say 3800 on the intake instead of 3500, but if it does I think I just figured out her cars computer issues.

The 3.8 was never available on the Diamante, as it came in the last gen Galants. So either the PO swapped in a more powerful engine(250hp as opposed to 210hp), or my great uncles shop did before she bought the car from them.

Interesting, and it might explain why that car is so much faster than I expected.

Look under the hood of a Hyundai if you want to see a DOHC 3.5/3.8.

Damn my adhd addled mind!

I've had a thought, and it's sticking in my head.

How do you think the 3.8 from the Last gen galant/4th gen eclipse GT and its 6 speed would fit under a 3000gt?

You can find dirt cheap dead VR4s pretty easily, and it seems to me that the 3.8 is a few mods away from surpassing the stock hp numbers of the TT version. I'd imagine if you can keep the AWD working with it that would make for a very interesting car. Same power output with less weight up front from turbos, intercoolers and all the assorted piping involved.

I just found 3 dead VR4s on craigslist for 2 grand or less. Not helping.

I really think that you should do it if you have the means to. That's exactly the type of innovation that this platform seems to need.

Knurled wrote: After seeing what needs to be done to fit a 4G63 in a Starion, I'm not so sure about the six. On the plus side, once the throttle body is moved to the other side of the intake manifold, it looks almost like the car and engine were designed for each other.

They came with a (SOHC, TBI) 4G63 in Europe & Japan. So yes, it was designed for it.

I vaguely recall reading that the 6G72 is too wide. I'm sure it's been done with a bit of fabbing though.

The means are an issue, which is why the ideas are annoying.

My brain fails to recognise that out of time, money, and skill, I have one. And it's useless without at least one other.

The MIVEC 3.8 is a sweet motor. But just so you know, without a turbo, it wouldnt be any faster in a 3000gt than in a stock eclipse (or vr4). Granted, that's low 14s @100mph with a FWD/soft launch but i personally dont see the point of swapping the motor into an equally heavy car if there's not a power upgrade involved.

That motor in a starion would probably do a mid 13 with intake and exhaust and a good launch.

Once you turbo a mitsu 6g motor, the sky's the limit. As said before, they are Mitsu's equivalent to a 2jz. 1000+hp hasnt been groundbreaking on a 6g for like 15 years.