Some might predict that this level of modification would be a hindrance to daily driveability; however, the car drives like it came turbo'd from the factory. "I have yet to experience any sort of engine failure. I credit my success to the great tuning I received by Angel Robles of Autotuner, here in Florida, and by the vast amount of help I have received from my fellow Club3G Florida members."
Power finally in hand, Rule added the finishing touches including a Quaife LSD and SPEC Stage III clutch. Brembo was enlisted for its cross-drilled and slotted rotors and Axxis for its pads. Bling and functionality come from Rays Engineering's Gram Lights 57 Pro wheel, measuring in at 18x7.5 inches. Because he is drag-obsessed, Nitto NT 555s are the tires of choice.
With all of the heavy lifting done, Rule and his friends are using their passion to pay the bills. They set up Tearstone Performance Solutions (www.tearstone.com), a company that hooks up Eclipses with everything from lowering springs to fully-built race blocks. Rule suggests that anybody looking to emulate this prime example of boosted Mitsubishi performance should check out their blocks, or consider, at the very least, new pistons. As of this writing, Rule's Eclipse is breaking new ground once again. With the turbo breathing a healthy 12 psi of boost, Rule knows reinforcements are in order. The pistons are due for replacement, an overbore is in store, and the rods and crank are being balanced. All that is needed is a little dyno time and Rule will be back at the track with hopes of breaking more records. Goals include 370 hp to the wheels and quarter-mile times in the mid 12s on street tires and 11s on slicks.
"In a scene where our cars are looked down upon as performers, we have definitely opened up eyes and turned heads."
Here's to those who prove the nay-sayers wrong.
2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTEngine
Engine Code: 6G72
Type: 2972cc V6, iron block, aluminum heads, turbocharged and intercooled
External Mods: Injen CAI, 2.5-in.cat-back exhaust, X-techT3/T4 turbo kit, Accelerated Autosports intercooler piping, Boostn.com intercooler, Proflow 62mm throttlebody, Diamante intake plenum, Tial 38mm wastegate, Greddy Type-S BOV, Magnecore spark plug wires, ZEX spark plugs, Deyeme Racing motor mounts, CSF radiator, SPAL fans
Engine Management Mods: A'PEXi S-AFC, Walbro 255lph pump, Precision 400cc/min injectors
Drivetrain
Layout: Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive
Drivetrain Mods: SPEC Stage III clutch, Quaife LSD, B&M short shifter, 3.736:1 final drive
Suspension
Front: TEIN S-Tech lowering springs, KYB/AGX adjustable dampers, Suspension Techniques anti-roll bar, RRE strut tower brace
Rear: TEIN S-Tech lowering springs, KYB/AGX adjustable dampers, SuspensionTechniques anti-roll bar, RRE strut tower brace
Brakes
Front: Brembo cross-drilled and slotted rotors with stock 2-pot caliper, Axxis Metal Masters pads, stainless-steel braided lines, Motul RBF400 fluid
Rear: Brembo cross-drilled and slotted rotors with stock single-pot caliper, Axxis Metal Masters pads, stainless-steel braided lines
External
Wheels: 18 x 7.5-in Rays Engineering Gram lite 57 Pro +32mm offset
Tires: Nitto Extreme NT-555, 225/40ZR18