Driver: Rob Shibao

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

 
Rob Shibao's GSX at Buttonwillow Raceway Park

Modifications:

Engine:

RRE 16-G turbo, ported O2 and exhaust housing. I love this turbo. With the stock turbo there was nothing above 5500 rpm, now it pulls all the way to redline. Moreover, I noticed no lag penalty for all this extra power. I'm still running stock fuel: injectors, pump, boost, no AFC; eventually, however, I want to upgrade for real BIG power... For now I keep the boost down to 14 psi.

RRE 2.5" exhaust, downpipe, and high flow cat. It sounds great. Not too loud, not too quite for me - just what I asked for.

HRC Upgraded Side-mount I/C 

GReddy Airinx. air filter

Suspension:

H&R (Street as opposed to race) Springs. These lowered the car a little over an inch. I'm really happy with these, but I'm thinking of trying race springs to get that tiny last bit of body roll out...

GAB Shocks (always on setting "4" of 4). Fortunately, the streets around here are not in too bad of shape and I like a lot of feedback from the road surface. The real story is that I forgot to switch the shocks back to "1" from my last event, but now that I'm used to it, I really like it (especially when turning).

RRE super beefy rear sway bar (>1" tubular sway bar, they also have them in 7/8" or 1" diameter). This made a huge difference in the balance of the car. It now handles brilliantly! Get one if you hate understeer!

Toyo Proxes RA-1 race compound tires. 225-50-16 mounted on Prime 16"x7" cheap, but heavy, alloy wheels. Tires make an unbelievable difference. The expense is well worth it. You get loads of extra cornering and braking G's which means a heck of a lot more fun.

Safety:

Schroth 3point  Harness

Bell Sport II EC Helmet, SA95

Events:

I've run time trial events with the Touring Car Club, Open Track, and Speedtrial USA. All of these events were a blast; you should give it a try if you haven't yet.

This car is too much fun to drive. The stock car handled pathetically (massive understeer and body roll), and although the stock car made good power, it was still not enough. I am very happy with my current engine mods - and the gobs of power that resulted- and the suspension mods - and the neutral/oversteer balance with minimal body roll that resulted.

I've been to all the tracks, except Laguna, more than once. I'll update these with pictures and text as I get time.

• Big Willow
• Streets of Willow
• Buttonwillow
• Laguna Seca

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