Nduda78 (Nick Duda)

April 2008 - Ride of the Month 3000GT/Stealth International

1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
Rio Red

Body:

• Deft Racing 575 CF Hood
• Deft Racing VLS
• 99 Conversion (listed below)
• 99 Front Bumper
• 99 Headlights
• 99 Turn signals
• 99 Sail panels
• 99 Rear Garnish
• 3SX one-piece lip
• Cianci Combat Spoiler
• Hand Painted calipers (with Clearcoat)
• Solar Solutions Tinting

Suspension and Wheels:

• Enkei RZ-5 18inch RIMS
• Falken RT-615 255/40/18 Summer racing tires
• ShopTech slotted rotors
• Hawk Performance front/rear brake pads

Electronics:

• Prosport Electronic Boost Gauge
• Prosport Electronic EGT Gauge
• AEM 6-1 UEGO Wideband Gauge
• MAFT GENII
• Blitz SBC i-D Electronic Boost w/ Power meter

Interior:

• 3SX Fiberglass triple a-pillar
• Custom VR4 Floor mats

Engine:

• Tec 15g turbos
• Gredy FMIC w/Greddy piping
• RC550cc Fuel Injectors
• Borla exhaust
• ESP Testpipr
• ESP Downpipe
• GM MAS w/cone filter
• Snow Methanol Injection Stage 2D Boost Cooler
• Walbro 255 Fuel Pump
• RPS Stree Max clutch

Audio:

• Custom built CarPC
• 7" Lilliput Touchscreen
• VoomPC (black case)
• Jetway Mini-ITX Motherboard,VIA C7 1.5GHz,J7F2WE1G5D
• PCMCIA addon card for motherboard
• M2-ATX Power Supply
• 250GB SATA notebook drive
• 1GB RAM
• DVD Drive (usb)
• GPS
• EVDO (Sprint Wireless Internet)
• Proxima WiFi pcmcia card
• 2 x 12" Rockford Fosgate Punch HX2 Subwoofers
• Rockford Fosgate P6001BD amplifier (for the 12" subs)
• Rockford Fosgate Power T152S 5 1/4" Comp. Speakers (with tweets) for doors
• Rockford Fosgate 6x9 speakers for back seat
• Rockford Fosgate P4004 amplifier for the front/back/tweets
• Roadrunner front end using DigitalFX 3.0

My Website:

• MyVR4.net

My story: I was with 3SI a very long time ago, around 1998-1999. At this time I had a Black 1994 3000GT SL and was very active in the forums back then, even held the famous North Shore Gathering. I've always loved the 3000GT platform from the day I set eyes on it. It was sad when I got the SL because I really wanted the VR4 but didnt know how to drive a manual transmission at the time. As a young teenager, I did everything I could (within budget) to that 94 SL, and loved it till the day I sold it for an all-year vehicle.

Seven years went by, and I constantly thought of that 94 SL and told myself that it was time to get back into the platform I've been in love with all my life.....but this time I knew how to drive a manual transmission. I searched for a good year for that perfect VR4, and then it came to me. A listing for a VR4 on eBay, many states away from me. The auction ended with no buyer, so I contacted the seller. I just knew this was the one, so I went out on a limb and just flat out purchased it and had it shipped to me. The day it arrived and was pulled off the trailer, I looked at it and said, "Are you ready for what is about to happen to you?"

I knew the VR4 was quick in its stock state, but I needed to push it to satisfy my visual and performance needs. I visioned what a brand new 99 VR4 would look like coming off the assembly line, with a mesmorizing shiny finish, then it ripping out of the factory faster than anything I've imagined....yes, that was what I was going to do to my VR4. The visual was in my mind already, but not the performance details. They say to have goals for performance, but I wasnt sure of my goals at first. I did my research, read what others were doing and sitting with some friends I said out loud my goals, "400awhp running 11's". I really didnt know what it would involve, I though just slap some stuff on it and hit the track.

So how was I going to make the car look brand new? My career is in the IT field, but my family roots in the Auto Body field. My father, an auto body teacher at a local Technical High school said, "Why dont you do it yourself?". I laughed, but then thought, "Could I?". I did. With the assistance of some really skilled auto body techs I got to work and stripped my car to nothing (changing the color required covering all the stock paint everywhere). Then, like a well oiled machine, I got to work....it took me the entire summer....stripping the car, installing VLS, sanding, welding, priming, sealing, painting, clearing, wetsanding, polishing...etc. In the end, it was just like my dream.

With the body out of the way, I started on the Audio. I thought, I'm a computer guy right, and everyone has a "car stereo"...why not be different. I decided on the CarPC. I knew this would be "easier" then the other stuff because this is where I am skilled. So I got to work, speced out the gear and ordered it up. Since the car was still gutted, this was a great time to do this. I built the CarPC and loaded all the software and spend time configuring it. Ran all the wires, installed speakers, subs, amps, gps...etc. During the body phase I even welded shut the stock antenna hole. I did everything by the book, used the right gauge wires, fuses, even a new Optima Battery. Once completed, I had an amazing(ly loud) setup, with a touchscreen and access to my entire MP3 library, Sirius radio, GPS, even USB webcameras hooked up to Sprint EVDO so you can watch me driving from anywhere over the internet. This setup appears to be more of the show stopper then the Body or Performance, go figure.

Finally, it was time to get the performance results I wanted. As much as I would love to say I did this, I can't. I had an amazing local shop (and well known on 3SI) ESP (Enhanced Street Performance) do everything. I met with ESP and discussed my goals (400awhp, 11's) and they gave me options. They went over everything I should need and we made a list of these items. I took one option (based on 15g's) they presented, but they stated that on their Mustang Dyno I would be looking at realistic AWHP of about 360-370. I knew I could do it. We setup the appointment for the VR4 for about a month after we met, this gave me time to collect all the goods. I'm not a big beleiver of hand-me-downs, so I pretty much bought 90% of all my performance gear brand new from the factory. In fact I should own stock in 3SX :) As ESP was doing the install of everything they would tune and do more, tune and do more...etc. I was getting close, but still 30-40awhp shy of 400awhp, then I decided on Methanol injection. I had them do the install and I am glad to say that while I didnt actually see the numbers 400 on the dyno sheet, I did see the numbers 396.1awhp which is good enough for me....i mean afterall, on a DynoJet thats about 420awhp.

This is where I am at now. I've always followed ROTM but never thought in my entire life I could ever build a 3S worth competing, but I think that has changed now. As I said, my love for the 3S platform is solid, 9 years and counting.

Future plans: While the interior of my VR4 is mint, even the leather, I do plan to replace some of it and make it look even more brand new. Leatherseats from Leatherseats.com is in my future, new panels.

As far as running 11's, well....the track isnt open just yet, but based on the techs from ESP as well as everyone on 3SI, my VR4 itself can do 11's 100%, its just up to the driver (me) to get it there. It will be there.

I'm so in love and dedicated to this platform that I designed and run a website dedicated to my VR4 called www.MyVR4.net , Check it out for TONS of pictures related to everything I spoke about.

-3SI member but never got number

My Website