DJ Elford '93 Dodge Shadow
From beaters to show-winners to drag cars, we don't discriminate. So send us your submissions, but make sure to include the following information and at least one picture of your car's exterior, interior and engine bay. Remember, the better the photos, the greater your chance of getting your car showcased. Send all submissions to readersrides@modified.com.
Go-Fast Bits: 2.4-liter engine swap (originally a 3-liter-the 2.4 is a NA from a Dodge Stratus), Weiseco 8.5:1 CR forged pistons, SRT-4 Eagle rods, ARP head studs, main studs and rod bolts, DCR billet oil pump and SRT-4 cooling system, custom oil pickup, custom intake, custom equal-length 4-1 header, Delphi 880cc injectors, 0.375-inch fuel rail, Findanza adjustable cam gears, custom 60D polyurethane engine and transmission mounts with custom engine mount brackets, MSD coil pack and plug wires, Megasquirt 2 ECU system, Turbos Unleashed 4 puck clutch, Holset HE351CW turbo, 4-inch exhaust to an electronic dump and then 3-inch back through 2 MagnaFlow mufflers, GReddy catch can, Apex'i AVCR boost controller.
Interior: Auto Meter boost, oil, fuel, EGT, water, and 5-inch tach gauges, Tech Edge wideband O2 controller, manual fan switch, Dodge neon hand brake conversion. Almost all '85-94 era Dodge cars came with the stupid foot e-brake.
Exterior: Completely stripped and splashed with BMW Monaco Blue paint, modified front bumper to let more air into the intercooler but still look completely stock, 17-inch Enkei EVO 5 rims wrapped with 215/45R17 Falken FK-452 rubber, rear disc brake conversion, Koni adjustable struts and shocks, Ground control coilover kit.
Future Mods: Chromoly control arms incorporating an end link sway bar system (currently being built), second fuel tank to hold high-octane fuel and be able to switch calibrations and fuel with the flick of a switch.
Worst Mods: I spend a lot of time thinking and researching on each step I take, so I can't really think of anything I regret or don't like.
Why You Chose This Platform: It was the car I bought, and since then, have owned six with one other being decently modified putting down 270 whp and 320 ft-lbs on a V-8 engine. On the way to the dyno to break the 300-whp mark, I dropped a valve and that was the end of that story. I then chose the 2.4 platform for it's 16V head and better aftermarket engine support. I decided to stick with the Shadow because with my fabrication skills it was a very affordable way to have a fast car and something unique. I have much less into this car than most people pay before they even get started. With six months of planning and 18 months of solid building, I'm very happy with the end product. The engine and all complementing systems were built around a safe 500 whp, which is my current goal. With some practice I don't see why this car can't be a low-11-second to high-10-second daily driver.
Prop/Thanks To: I definitely have to give a big thank you to my wife, Jeaninne. I also owe my boss a big thanks for making a key to the machine shop-one of the company perks.
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