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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:52 pm 
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Location: Stantonsburg, NC
OK guys and gals if you've never seen this car before you need to come out from under that rock. Our very own natedog explains how he picked up this pristine 89 Mirage Turbo.


It all started with the September 2005 Issue of Sport Compact Car. I remember picking up the issue with "Budget Bad Boys" and reading it cover to cover several times. I kept coming back to a white DSM powered Mirage. I had seen a few of them before online, but had really payed them no mind. Sure a DSM engine could swap into one, but how much fun could a FWD really be?



As time rolled on I began searching Ebay for "Turbo Mirage" and "Turbo Colt". Surprisingly enough there would occasionally be one for sale, but as usual all the good stuff was on the other side of the country. Then one day I befriended a (somewhat) local DSMer. As I went over to hang out, I couldn't believe what I saw in his garage. A black Turbo Mirage with huge "TURBO" stickers down the doors. As we started chatting I was instantly hooked. I had to have one, but where was one to be found? Months passed, and my phone rang. The words "I'm selling everything" echoed in my ears... A little negotiating and a couple weeks later. I had my first C53A shell sitting in my shop. As time went by I accumulated parts for the project. Turns out the car needed a roof skin, some interior work, an engine, a transmission... the list went on and on. I saved for quite some time. Then within days of dropping in the engine and transmission, I received and email from a close friend. It read "Hey you should really look at this Mirage. It would save you a lot of time and money just to buy this one". As I read the description I knew that I had to have it. It was perfect. I knew the car, I knew the history, I just needed to know a price.



After some PM's and a few phone calls it was set. I was buying a rolling chassis with a custom 3 inch exhaust and an aftermarket fuel pump. The next friday, after a night shift, and 3 hours of sleep. A road trip insued. Meeting Tom Tharp (aka underdog) was like making a new best friend. We spoke for a couple hours and then the car went onto the trailer. As my friend and I pulled out fo the drive, I could see Tom in my rear veiw with his camera taking pictures of his long time baby leaving. I was saddened by this, but I swore to myself that she would live again to crush the egos of the unsuspecting.



A few weeks later, as the parts stash dwindled down I found myself with an almost finished Mirage. Along with some help from a local fabricator, the FMIC pipes were made, and passenger side of the FMIC was remade to exit into the engine bay. This allowed for a shorter pipe routing, and the hole in the inner fender to be closed off once again.



Mods thus far are.

Stock 2.0 with balance shaft delete
Stock 2.0 head
ARP head studs
Mitsubishi metal head gasket
Revised Lifters
HKS 264/272 Cam Combo
Extrude Honed Stock Intake Manifold
Evo 3 Exhaust Manifold
Evo 3 16G Turbo

Extreme Motor Sports O2 Eliminator with 41mm Tial Wastegate
680cc Injectors

Walbro 255

Bushcur FPR
2G Maft
Joe P. MBC
FMIC
DSM Link
Wideband



Future plans include.

Greddy dual stage electronic boost controller

Water / Alcohol injection




I'd like to give a special thanks to my friend Don Trammell who "bird dogged" this car for me. To my brother for always helping me when I need it most. To Tom Tharp for keeping such a rare car so nice, and allowing me to carry on its legacy. I'd also like to thank the members of this board, for all the inspiration that I have found here.



Image

Image

_________________
93 Mitsubishi Expo LRV 1.8/manual
95 Eagle Summit DL Coupe 1.5/manual
01 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Sedan 1.8/manual


Last edited by 89Mirageman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:28 pm 
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CSM Junkie
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Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:43 pm
Posts: 636
Location: Wilmington, DE
I would have to say that this is the perfect car to bring ROTM back with. A good side note would be to check out www.turbomirage.com for those who arent familiar with this car can see the history of it. Definately one of the cleanest example out there. Congrats Natedog =D>


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:30 pm 
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2nd Banana
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Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:16 pm
Posts: 9369
Location: San Diego, CA.
So nice. Pretty much all CSM's should strive to look this good. :salute:

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91 GSX - 511fwhp and 352 lb/ft 25psi 110 octane, 7.68 @ 95.9mph 1/8th 21psi 91 octane, 11.93 @ 112.9mph, 117.7mph best trap speed, 20psi 91 octane
98 Volvo S70 T5 - DD

http://www.facebook.com/captaintonus


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:22 pm 
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Some call me a god

Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:39 pm
Posts: 1599
Location: Cincinnati, ohio
pffff.. Thats the only pictures he has of that thing. hahahaha


Congrates.. I think i might write me up something once i get my computer back.

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91 colt beater..


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:44 pm 
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Some call me a god
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Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2004 10:53 pm
Posts: 2347
Location: Missouri
Great looking car. Hopes are to have mine back in that condition one day and even be on the rotm :)

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John
89 Colt GT(2)
88 d50 4g63t, crower 272's, dsmlink


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:18 pm 
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Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 11:15 pm
Posts: 7515
Location: Stantonsburg, NC
There are alot of nice cars on here but this one does rank up there with the best of them for sure. Hopefully he'll get me a few more pics and I'll go in and add them later.

_________________
93 Mitsubishi Expo LRV 1.8/manual
95 Eagle Summit DL Coupe 1.5/manual
01 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Sedan 1.8/manual


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:55 pm 
Sweet ride-an inspiration to all of us. Kudos to you knowing what the car means to the early people on this forum.


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:11 am 
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Spends Too Much Time Under The Hood
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Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:57 pm
Posts: 220
Location: Kansas City Area
:hail: Sweet! sure makes me drool! :prayer:


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:22 am 
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Some call me a god
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:02 am
Posts: 1267
Location: Eva, Alabama
Everyone, thanks for all the positive feedback. Oh and John, as soon as I get some nice weather down here, I'll get more pictures and email them to you first :D

_________________
49 International KB-2
72 Dodge Colt
73 Dodge Colt (Project)
84 GMC K3500
85 Dodge D50 Diesel Swap
90 Mighty Max V6
89 Mirage Turbo
94 Mighty Max
99 Montero


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:50 am 
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CSM Junkie
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Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2001 7:00 pm
Posts: 785
Location: pa
wOw natedog.. thing is krispy.. Image


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:04 am 
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The Silent Administrator
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Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 3:32 pm
Posts: 9524
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
....makes my car wish it was faster.... But it's snowing and lots of it, so I have to figure that pictures of go fast cars is all I can feed my beast right now.

You feed the fire and look what you get ....... HOT HOT HOT!


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:22 pm 
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Some call me a god

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:29 pm
Posts: 1650
Location: North Idaho, USA
That's sweet, Natedog. I love how behind every one of these cars is someone with a story. We all have one. Thanks for sharing!!

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Good stuff - trucks bring it!


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:34 pm 
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2nd Banana
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Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:16 pm
Posts: 9369
Location: San Diego, CA.
Just out of curiosity; how much did you pay for this car, Natedog?

_________________
91 GSX - 511fwhp and 352 lb/ft 25psi 110 octane, 7.68 @ 95.9mph 1/8th 21psi 91 octane, 11.93 @ 112.9mph, 117.7mph best trap speed, 20psi 91 octane
98 Volvo S70 T5 - DD

http://www.facebook.com/captaintonus


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:10 pm 
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Joined: Sat May 14, 2005 11:15 pm
Posts: 7515
Location: Stantonsburg, NC
Quote:
Just out of curiosity; how much did you pay for this car, Natedog?
I bet he'll never tell. 8)

_________________
93 Mitsubishi Expo LRV 1.8/manual
95 Eagle Summit DL Coupe 1.5/manual
01 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Sedan 1.8/manual


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:42 pm 
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Some call me a god

Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:39 pm
Posts: 1599
Location: Cincinnati, ohio
I know i know.... eleventy billion dollers



But i really do know :evil:

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91 colt beater..


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