| Message |
The transfer case is still the weak point, but the 1st gen 5-speed does have more problems then the 2nd gen 6-speed. A company named Kormex (sp?) makes rebuilt/upgraded internals for pretty much all the driveline stuff though. I wouldn't waste my time with an NA. The stock TD04-9b turbos are tiny, and run out of efficiency pretty easily. The cars are heavy, but can be put on a diet to bring them around the 3500 pound range without having to do anything too severe. They mod very well, have strong stock internals, and the stock heads flow very well. You can do a few pretty decent budget turbo and injector upgrades since so many parts cross over with the DSM's. Stock injectors are 360cc's, but the stock DSM 450cc's drop right in and are easy to find cheap. The engine bay is easier to work on then a Z in pretty much every aspect except for doing a timing belt, as they have more room everywhere except on the drivers side near the cam gears/crank pulley. You also have more space to do something different/custom if you want to when compared to a Z, since their intake manifold doesn't take up as much room, and you don't have frame rail clearances to worry about. They do drive more like a front wheel drive car, but they still handle well, and AWD is nice for a daily driven sports car. Here are some pics of the current VR4 project I have been working on in case you are curious to see how far you can go with one: 
pic2 pic3 pic4
www.ipsmotorsports.net |
 |
11:33:52 01/10/04
