RR of the Day: 1988 Chrysler Conquest TSI
Before the Supra Turbo, the Impreza or the EVO, there was the Starion, or, if you opted for the domestic nameplate, the Chrysler Conquest. This initial bit of tasty, Japanese, turbocharged deliciousness was available between 1982 and 1990 and it played a substantial role in laying the foundation for future high performance imports.
The history of the Starion and its domestic counterparts is well documented in the annals of the internet, so we'll just give you the nitty-gritty. The Starion/Conquest was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe, equipped with MacPherson struts in the front and a fully independent rear suspension. In Japan, the Starion was home to the venerable 4G63, 2-liter inline four, which shares the same designation with EVOs of today. However, for the U.S. market, the Conquest was fitted with a G54B, 2.6-liter four that made the same amount of power, but lacked dual-overhead cams. There were a few combinations of turbocharger and intercooler, but most U.S. models produced power figures somewhere in the 150-170 HP range.
This particular example is owned by Flickr member RAVDesigns, who seems to have poured his heart, soul, blood and pocketbook into making this one of the more potent examples of early-modern, turbocharged bliss. The engine was torn down to the block, balanced, stuffed with Wiseco forged pistons and rebuilt with a host of new parts. A custom intake and exhaust were fitted, along with a TDO6-17C turbo, three-inch turbo back exhaust, intercooler with custom plumbing and Blitz BOV. Orchestration duties fall onto a Hawk programmable ECU.
The stock suspension was tossed in favor of Ground Control coilovers and Eibach springs, along with 4-way adjustable KYB shocks. Suspension Techniques front and rear sway bars were fitted, along with both front and rear strut braces. RAVDesigns didn't disclose what rubber is wrapping the 17" Work Equip wheels, but we're assuming he goes through tires so quickly, he can't keep track.
You can find a full list of the mods after the jump along with a shot of the engine bay.
If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and on the weekend let you vote for the RR of the Week. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.
Engine:
G54B 2.6L I4
Rebuilt, balanced, with "balancing shafts" removed
Wiseco forged pistons
New: crank, rods, timing chain, oil pump, water pump, starter, and alternator
Fidanza aluminum flywheel
A/C removed
Custom Australian "Magna" MPI intake w/ 750cc injectors
Custom "log" header
GMC Syclone/Typhoon TDO6-17C turbo
Isuzu NPR FMIC
Custom IC pipes by JMFabrications.com
Blitz BOV
"Joe P" MBC
Turbo-back 3" mandrel bent exhaust w/ Magnaflow muffler
Hawk fully programmable fuel/ignition ECU
Zeitronix Wideband O2 sensor w/ display
MSD 6A ignition box
Magnecor wires
Suspension:
Ground Control coilovers w/ custom rate Eibach springs
KYB AGX 4-way adjustable shocks
Rear camber plates
F & R Strut braces
Suspension Techniques F & R Anti-Sway bars
Interior/Electronics:
Momo Jet steering wheel
Defi Display/Computer/Boost gauge
Custom carbon fiber dash inserts
1G DSM shift knob
JVC 3-disc cd changer headunit
Exterior/Wheels:
1983 Starion hood
Cleared & tinted front turnsignals and fog lenses
Work Equip 17"
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Search for and join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as possible. Even if your ride is sweet, it will not be chosen if there's not a lot of info accompanying it. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done, that's it!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cliff 9:03PM (2/01/2008)
I just found one of these cars for sale in a back yard.they are so cool looking I just had to buy it.Looking forward to restoring it.paid 300.00
Reply
Mike Rolls 9:37AM (10/10/2006)
This one gets my vote. Have always loved these cars.
Reply
John 9:49AM (10/10/2006)
thanks for this information
Reply
D-Dog 9:54AM (10/10/2006)
I loved the look of these cars with their pumped out fenders. This car is sweet!
Reply
menice 10:16AM (10/10/2006)
love this car, almost as much as starion.. different front correct?
you have done a great job modding. looks great.
Reply
Jason_801 10:18AM (10/10/2006)
I think we have a winner.
Reply
djbango 10:38AM (10/10/2006)
damn, always loved that car
Reply
Bill 10:16AM (10/10/2006)
Another nice piece of 80's nostalgia (like the 300z a few weeks ago). This will probably get my vote.
Reply
Joe 10:43AM (10/10/2006)
Everyone I've ever met seems to love the Starion/Conquest. Remember the louvered-version from Cannonball Run?
My neighbor had a Conquest. Great seats, great big tires (at the time). Awesome original wheels. Just a great-looking car.
Reply
rwdmtparkingonly 11:10AM (10/10/2006)
People are going through huge efforts to keep Japanese 4 cylinder rear wheel drive 2+2 coupes like this and the 240sx on the road, and the used prices remain high; any automakers listening?
So far you have my vote.
Reply
Seabass 11:35AM (10/10/2006)
Definately better than the Maxima, with or without mods. This car in a sense is a classic and is rooted in some automotive heritage, however small it may be.
Reply
Stoneman 11:47AM (10/10/2006)
Neat car. I remember them.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
Reply
sean 11:53AM (10/10/2006)
How can you have a new reader ride without announcing the winner of the last RR weekend poll? It was Blowby!!!! It was Blowby!!!!
Reply
JD 3:44PM (10/10/2006)
Very nice. I always wanted one.
Reply
john 3:34PM (10/10/2006)
Bought a white one right of the showroom floor, in 1988.
This is the only car I have owned that I wish I never let go.
I still search ebay for the right one to show up.
Reply
mark 12:46PM (10/10/2006)
These things are pretty easy to make real fast. The only real drawback stock is the throttle body injection with two injectors. Switch it over to MPFI and a bigger turbo, and you can make some serious power with these. Plus that 2.6 gives them a bit of a musclecar feel. With a nice midsize turbo, they make a ton of torque.
Reply
casey 1:14PM (10/10/2006)
I think 1989 was the last official year in the U.S. market. Awesome car, though, I've always dug the Conquests, especially 1986 and up models with the fender blisters and '88 and '89s with the 188hp motors.
This one will be hard to top.
Reply
Colin 1:33PM (10/10/2006)
Awesome!! I have this car (88 Starion TSi Turbo) in pristine condition, I got it from my sisters-friends-boyfriend after he gave up on it, and moved on to an old mercury fixer-upper. It (the Starion) had a faulty starter and a few other problems that I have since remedied, although it seems to be eating through batteries after extended non-use. Mind you I don't use it at all yet because all the tires need to be replaced and I am broke :(
Well when I get some money to finish the car off I will have something awesome to look forward to!!
Reply
Richard Warren 4:47PM (10/10/2006)
A nice one
Reply
Ross 4:19PM (10/10/2006)
These cars are awesome. I always wanted one, but not in my price range back then. If they only made them now. This cars gets my vote.
Reply