VirginiaTechVR4 (Tony Lushman)

November 2006 - Ride of the Month 3000GT/Stealth International

1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
Mariana Blue Pearl

3SI Member #2709

Engine:

• Bored Block, 0.030 over
• Ross 8.5:1 Pistons, rings
• Crower Rods
• New OEM Valves, 5 angle valve job
• New OEM springs
• Port and Polish Heads
• Clevite Bearings
• ARP Main Studs
• 3SX "Twin Turbo" Spark Plug Cover
• 3SX Custom Motor Mounts
• Powder Coated Front Valve Cover and Lots of Shiny Things

Performance:

• Dynamic Racing DR-650R Turbos
• DSM Side Mount Intercooler Upgrade
• Denso Supra Fuel Pump
• Denso 660cc Fuel Injectors
• Ek2mfg Fuel Rail Loop
• V.R.S. Exhaust Custom Mandrel Bent pre-cat-back Exhaust System
• 3SX EGR Block Off Plates
• Ported Stock Exhaust Manifolds
• DN Performance Intercooler Hard Pipe Kit
• DN Performance Pre-Cat Eliminators
• DN Performance Intake Pipes
• Stillen Cross Drilled Rotors and Stillen Pads
• 3SX Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• 3SX Aluminum Crank Pulley
• 3SX Dual Pass Aluminum Radiator with Flex-a-lite Fans
• HKS SSQV Open Loop Blow Off Valve
• Ultimate Performance Accessories Short Shifter
• NGK Spark Plug Wires
• Denso Iridium IK27 Spark Plugs

Driveline:

• Spec Stage 2 Clutch
• Fidanza Aluminum Flywheel
• Speed Freak Racing Limited Slip Differential Insert

Electronics:

• Greddy E-Manage Ultimate
• Blitz DSBC i-color Boost Controller
• Blitz Wideband O2 kit, integrated with i-color
• Blitz Dual Turbo Timer DCII
• Greddy Peak/Hold/Warn Boost Gauge, Oil Pressure Gauge, Water Temperature Gauge, Dual E.G.T Gauges
• NR-Auto El-Glo White Face Gauges - Main Cluster
• Shiver's (Mirage Corp Automotive) 94/95 Hybrid Datalogger with Palm M500

Suspension and Wheels:

• KYB GR2 Shocks
• Tein S-Tech Lowering Springs
• Rear Strut Tower Bar
• 3SX Adjustable Rear Control Arms
• Rays Moda R6 Wheels 18*9
• Toyo Proxes T1-R 245/40/18

Exterior:

• Deft Racing Vertical Lift System
• VIS Racing Carbon Fiber Evo Hood
• Bomex Front Lip
• Clear Corner Lights
• "VR-4" Blacked Out Brake Light
• 6000K Low Beam HIDs
• Custom Billet Aluminum Grill

Interior:

• JDM Mitsubishi EVO Shift Knob
• Custom Black/Tan Leather seats from Leatherseats.com
• Italian Leather E-brake and Shift Boot Replacement
• 97-98 Dome Light with Homelink
• GM Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature
• Ultimate Performance Accessories Polished VR4 Door Sills
• Cianci Performance 60mm Dual Gauge Pod A-Pillar
• Cianci Performance Passenger Side A-Pillar
• Carbon Fiber Trim Kit

Audio:

• Pioneer DEH-7500MP Head Unit
• Pioneer TS-C160R 6.5" Component Speakers
• Pioneer TS-D691R 6"x9" Speakers
• Pioneer TS-W256C 10" Subwoofer
• MTX Audio Thunder 342 Sub Amplifier

Awards:

• Best of Show - Virginia Tech Car Show - Fall 2005
• Crowd's Favorite Ride - Annual 3SX Charlotte Gathering - 2005
• Best of Show - Virginia Tech Car Show - Fall 2006

My Girl's Story:

My first 3000GT was a green SL, which I supercharged and mysteriously caught fire one day and was totaled. Like it was meant to be, 2 weeks later I stumbled upon this rare Mariana Blue Pearl VR-4 only an hour away from my house. I went and test drove the car and it was immaculate with 86,000 miles. Bank approved the loan and I drove her home the following week. I did two combat tours in Afghanistan after that which allowed me to spend some money (ok a lot of money) on the car.

Modding started off with trying to make the car a show car. All work and labor was done by my father, my uncle, and me, until I had 3SX install the DR-650Rs and some fuel mods. A week later I spun a rod bearing and I spent the last of my money getting her back together. I had the motor rebuilt by IPS Motorsports and installed a Greddy E-manage Ultimate with some other goodies after that while everything was torn down.

Currently, due to lack of money (can't afford to break anything), the car is running PERFECT at 10psi with the DR-650Rs, but sometime soon when I am back on my feet financially I will start to turn the boost up and get her tuned for 16psi on street tune, and hopefully low 20s for race tune. I have met countless people that have helped me out numerous times like StxFoo (Vaib), 943000GTVR4 (Matt), and 007KEN (Ken), spending great time with great people and great cars. 007KEN was with me when we turned 100,000 miles just last month and my girl is still running strong with a lot left in her.

Enjoy and Thanks for looking.

-Tony

My Webpage

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  VLS

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  Virginia Tech Seal in the Background

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  Launch At the Drag Strip

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  On The Road

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  Engine Bay

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  Interior Shot