Oh, how we love us some "Q-ships" and it doesn't get more unassuming than this 1989 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo.
Sharing a platform with its stable mate, the Dodge Colt GT, only 1500 examples were produced. The factory-equipped 1.6 DOHC mill was outfitted with a turbo, but no intercooler and was able to churn out 145 hp in stock trim. Four-wheel disc brakes and some trick suspension tuning, made this the ultimate sleeper back in '89, but times, they've changed.
So, the Autoblog reader with the apt name 'TurboMirage' decided that the stock power plant had to keep up with the Joneses. To quote T.M., swapping the 2-liter 4G63 engine from a turbo Eclipse "was an extremely simple, plug and play affair" since both motors share much of the same components and dimensions. The new heart, when attached to the stock tranny and outfitted with equal length half-shafts, creates an estimated 400 hp and, according to Mr. Mirage, limited torque steer.
Getting up to the four hundred mark involved HKS camshafts, uprated injectors, a Mitsubishi 20G snail and a 3" turbo-back expelling the exhaust. All that adds up to a claimed quarter-mile run of 11.67 seconds at a stupidly quick 123 MPH.
The best part: no visual additions beyond some tinted glass and upgraded wheels/tires. Keep it sleeper Senor Mirage and yes, we'll even plug your website.
Click on through for an engine shot.
If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and crown a Rig of the Week on Sundays. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.
Instructions for submitting to Autoblog's 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. 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!
Sharing a platform with its stable mate, the Dodge Colt GT, only 1500 examples were produced. The factory-equipped 1.6 DOHC mill was outfitted with a turbo, but no intercooler and was able to churn out 145 hp in stock trim. Four-wheel disc brakes and some trick suspension tuning, made this the ultimate sleeper back in '89, but times, they've changed.
So, the Autoblog reader with the apt name 'TurboMirage' decided that the stock power plant had to keep up with the Joneses. To quote T.M., swapping the 2-liter 4G63 engine from a turbo Eclipse "was an extremely simple, plug and play affair" since both motors share much of the same components and dimensions. The new heart, when attached to the stock tranny and outfitted with equal length half-shafts, creates an estimated 400 hp and, according to Mr. Mirage, limited torque steer.
Getting up to the four hundred mark involved HKS camshafts, uprated injectors, a Mitsubishi 20G snail and a 3" turbo-back expelling the exhaust. All that adds up to a claimed quarter-mile run of 11.67 seconds at a stupidly quick 123 MPH.
The best part: no visual additions beyond some tinted glass and upgraded wheels/tires. Keep it sleeper Senor Mirage and yes, we'll even plug your website.
Click on through for an engine shot.
If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and crown a Rig of the Week on Sundays. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.
Instructions for submitting to Autoblog's 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. 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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