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!
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!
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