People will go to any length in the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes this involves blood, sweat, and tears. But more often, this involves the easiest, quickest, and usually the least-cost effective path. Legs too skinny, get some calve implants! Feel old and getting sad, just buy that drop top red Miata (and get those frosted tips in your hair too)!
The tuning world is a little more reasonable, where enthusiasts will drop loads of cash on the best possible parts available to attain their performance goals. But what if they don’t meet your standards, or worse, constantly break down which can often be the case? Well, if it makes you happy, make your own. This is exactly what Ron Korolak from northern Alberta, Canada did. He has invested six grueling years into his 1997 Eagle Talon TSi AWD, completing nearly all the work himself along with a few select friends.
"Everything on the car was only designed to take 200 crank HP, and putting out well over 850HP (on the dyno) hasn’t been easy on any of the power or drivetrain components." Ron continues, "This car has broken almost every part imaginable over the last six years. From low quality rods, to clutches, to ripping the rear end clean off the car on more than one occasion. People see cars like this but don’t realize the ton of hours, time, money, and heartache it takes to get to this point." For those who don’t realize the blood, sweat, and tears that go into a project like this, let’s break it down (so to speak).
Tackling the engine, Ron opted for the parts that would give him the most results. Realizing the parts were not available, he made his own. The real challenge, however, was finding the clearances allowing him to make well over 730whp and still remain reliable. "I broke several aftermarket rods until I found the strongest ones," he states. Over the years, he kept a record of all the clearances, motor specs, and other relevant measurements until attaining the right combination allowing him to push the Talon’s limits. Using an uncommon displacement motor for a DSM, the Talon put down 730hp to the wheels with 600lbs-ft of torque. Achieved running medium boost levels only and no nitrous.
The drivetrain was upgraded and reinforced to deal with the excessive power. For instance, the stock syncros within the gearbox would constantly wear out, resulting in the car not slipping into gear under power. The solution was a DogBox transmission supplied by John Shepard Racing. Ron exclaims, "I was dealing with destroyed syncros in the tranny for years, which resulted in missed shifts. Since I installed the DogBox gears from John I have never missed another shift or had another tranny related failure." Switching to a twin disc clutch over the regular single disc also helped. With the help of friend Will Lacelle, the two have recently fabricated a new rear-differential housing to replace the stock differential which was apparently being ripped apart upon launching at the track.
This DSM has seen more fabrication than Joan Rivers. So it’s worth listing some of these items: the downpipe, the exhaust and intake, intercooler piping, valve cover, oil filter housing, intercooler end tanks, the rear differential, the battery and intercooler hold downs, the oil cooler, fuel system, the alternator relocation to the back of the engine, removal of all wiring under the engine bay, and the list goes on.
Ron’s first two cars were both early model Honda CRXs. And both were all-show no-go. To avoid this path again, all of the Talon’s exterior parts are for performance purposes while maintaining a clean overall style. All moldings have been shaved off, including the antenna. The stock turbo wing and all emblems are removed to retain the clean look. The paint is custom, and the VIS carbon fiber hood, VIS carbon fiber hatch, and roof are all painted to match. Other exterior parts include M3 style mirrors and a custom air vent in the front bumper.