Matt Says
I live in Battle Ground, Washington, and I'm 26 years old. I'm a conductor for Amtrak by day and a true performance car enthusiast by nature. I own this one-of-a-kind '92 Galant VR-4, #57 of 1,000. I searched for months to find a good condition GVR4, and my goal was to make it very clean and satisfy my huge need for speed. I finally found one and immediately started upgrading it by changing the intercooler to a full FMIC kit that fits the JDM bumper. I had a friend, Jesse Botello, who does exhaust, custom bends and exhaust systems with 3.5-inch piping from the turbo back. Next, I went Lucas English, owner of English Racing, who installed a custom two-stage methanol injection system and EVO III 16G turbo. He tuned it and on the dyno it put down 317 whp and 341 ft-lbs of torque.
The power increase was night and day, so I shifted my focus to the exterior. I did the four-bolt rear-end swap and the 5-lug 1G conversion so I would have more wheel options. I went with these Primax Wheels because I liked the look of a clean white car with black wheels with red lips. I then put Ksport's Kontrol Pro Suspension system on.
But like any speed freak, I wanted more power! I went back to English Racing and Lucas upgraded the turbo to a Forced Performance 3052 ball-bearing turbo, FP 4-inch intake and Crower cams. He also rebuilt and upgraded the transmission. Lucas then tuned it again and set the boost settings at 25 psi without methanol and 30 psi with methanol. It put down 448 whp and 399 ft-lbs of torque. I'm very impressed with the vehicle's performance-it's right where I want it for now. Once this motor gets tired, the Galant will be getting a English Racing-built race motor!
We Say
We have a soft spot for turbocharged performance sedans, and this Galant VR-4 is no exception. The horsepower numbers are impressive and the exterior is clean. However, we aren't huge fans of the wheels, the red lips are a bit too much for our tastes. Some bronze or even matte-black wheels could really elevate the level of this sedan.
Engine
JDM-spec 4G63 Engine, balance shafts removed, Crower 272/272 cams, FP 3052 BB turbo, 3Glifters, Dual Slim SPAL fans, FP exhaust manifold, ported O2 housing, Tial 44mm wastegate, custom-fabbed 3.5" SS turbo-back exhaust, A'PEXi N1 muffler, ETS intercooler kit, FP intake pipe, HKS SSQV BOV, RC 750cc injectors, Walbro 255-lph FP, English Racing two-stage methanol injection system
Engine Management
MAFT translator w/ GM MAF, programmed keydiver EPROM ECU chip, manual boost controllers, AEM UEGO wideband gauge, Auto Meter Cobalt Blue boost gauge
Drivetrain
English Racing rebuilt transmission w/ double cone 2nd, ACT 2600 clutch kit, 4WS removed, 4-bolt rear-end swap, 1G DSM 5-lug wheel hub conversion
Wheels, Brakes, Suspension
18x7.5" Primax Wheels, 215/35R18 Riken Raptor Z Tires, Baer 4-piston front calipers and 13" slotted rotors, Ksport Kontrol Pro Full Coilover System w/ pillow mounts, Whiteline sway bars and bushings, Baer 4-piston calipers and 13" slotted rotors
Exterior
Mitsubishi Summit White paint, Installed EVO VIII full-functioning hood vent, JDM MMC rear emblems, JDM front bumper and projector foglights
Interior
1G short shifter w/ leather shift boot, JDM MMC steering wheel, A-pillar dual gauge mount