GT2 vs 3000GT, Who wins? Options

[OOBE]

It's cool racing in a straight line but you need some good handling too. For example, my 87 Supra is fast but the handling sucks and it's too easy to loose control even on a slight curve...now my 88 Supra has a better suspension (Tein HA coilovers kick ass ) and I can still accelerate on curves, you know what I mean...the road is straight and then it curves a little bit, but that little bit still makes my 87 loose control and be all over the place. So the formula is to have a little bit of everything...have some balance

[Hym3n]

I read all of page one and wanted to puke. Going to clear up some facts here first--some of this may have been covered in the second, third, and fourth pages, but this is it, the definitive stuff. I'm in the market for a 3000GT, frequently meet-up with the Dallas 3Si (3000GT/Stealth International) group, and have since learned a ton about these cars.

1st Gen ('91-'93): Base/SL 3.0L V6 - 218-222hp/200-215ft./lbs. torque, VR-4 (Twin Turbo, AWD, AWS) 320hp/315ft./lbs. torque
2nd Gen ('94-'98): Base 3.0L V6 - 161hp/160ft./lbs. torque, SL 3.0L V6 - 218-222/200-215 ft./lbs. torque, VR-4 (Twin Turbo, AWD, AWS) 320hp/315ft./lbs. torque
"3rd Gen" ('99): Same as above, different exterior styling.

The Base model usually weighs in just around 3300lbs curb weight, so tack on a few more hundred for driving weight. SL models are ~100lbs. heavier than base models, and the VR-4 another ~100-200lbs. over the SL. The average VR-4, including driver and gas is around 4000lbs. Heavy yes, slow no. Check out http://www.3si.org, and take a look at their forums. From there, you'll find the most comprehensive database of any car I've seen outside Civic's and the SR20DET. There are more than just a handful of 3000GT's that run a consistent 11-second 1320, and most of the VR-4's (couple thousand or so), have broken into the 12's with very minor mods.

Mod-wise, there is a HUGE aftermarket for the 3000GT/Stealth. Find out where your buddies parts are from, and I can give you rough estimates of how much FWHP each part makes. Every part available for the 3/S aftermarket has been extensively dyno tested in the years it's been out, and finding numbers such as these is not difficult. Shockingly, dyno results off common upgrade mods such as downpipes, headers, and the Borla exhaust are quite high, each part respectively in the 10-20hp range. That is a HUGE gain. The reason being is that Mitsu was under tight emissions standards, and even with minor mods these cars will not pass any emissions standards whatsoever. I know that with the parts you have listed, this guy should be throwing about 230 to the ground, unless he purchased el-cheapo parts (yes, that can always be done, but the results are less gratifying). Ask where his parts are from, and if he knows the brand name, or the website he got it off of (3sxperformance.com, etc..), then odds are, it's good quality stuff.

There is no RWD 3000GT, although there are two in existance, both custom applications. And even though the 3kgt you'll be racing is FWD, he'll have 10x better traction than you off the line due to much wider tires (stock are 16x8.5" on a '92 I believe), and a heavier front end. Stock base/SL models have a LSD, which should also help.

Your Celica is getting, what you said was 210hp, so probably 180 to the ground, 50 less (guesstimating) than the 3kgt, but it weighs, likely, a thousand pounds less. The 1320-race should be pretty damn good, granted you both shift well.

Good luck!

-Brian

[bufferdan]

tru dat! One thing though... they only started putting SOHC 164hp engines in 97-99 3000GT's. Stealth had a option for SOHC during all years.

[Hym3n]

Yup, that's why I want the '94-'96, or the '97+ SL model. I really just want a second gen.. IMO it looks better, but less Ferrari-like. If only I could get first gen headlights/signals on a second gen front/rear/sides.. and the viper hood.. mmmm

-brian

[97sccelica]

[bufferdan]

mine is a 5spd and it mostly spins the tire the tranny is closest too..same with my celica.

[bufferdan]

the difference between 5spd's and auto's in mitsubishi's is night and day. There is like a second difference between the two in quarter mile times. I had a guy try to keep with me one time in a auto and he couldnt hang.