The Uber PT
This is my little toy. I'm in sales, so I need practicality, but I like to push the limits too. A GT Cruiser is about the best compromise - it hauls stuff and a**. Hey Subie, how about an STI wagon? I only dragged it once so far and my reaction was awful, the track was damp, and I spun 1st a bit, not the best first effort! For those that are asking, I ran a 15.68 at 91.91 and it's a GT, so the turbo is stock. Although often maligned by SRT-4 owners, the SRT-4 only exists because of the GT - they have the same motor. Since Chrysler was hopping up the PT the SRT-4 got the green light. I love it - the import scene got a new contender because of a minivan - ahhh, life's ironies!
I just added a Mopar Borla dual exhaust and Suspension Technologies sway bars. Next up, stage 3 Mopar struts with adjustable height and firmness; stage 2 Mopar performance kit, which bumps it to about 265 with a chip, injectors, MAP sensor, and wastegate; Turbo XS 2 stage blowoff RFL (really FITB loud); 18" rims and decent sized tires instead of lousy M&S 205s. I want to get it to about 300 HP. When old Vettes and Mustangs hide from me, I'll be happy. The 0-60 should drop to mid 5s and I'll probably end up with a high 13 quarter. I'm also setting it up for the track, drags are OK, but I prefer corners!
The most fun yet? Screwing with an M5, he only got about 2 lengths on me from 75 to 100 - that's 400 HP! Ram Air really helps at those speeds. The punk wouldn't break 100, so he kept staying on my turf. He was pissed that his $90K Bimmer couldn't dust my minivan. And I'll admit it's a minivan because it walks away from most stuff - hard to laugh when your doors just got sucked off, you know? Still, I'm rather envious of my 2 buddies who have an SRT-4 and the end all STi.
Once I get the motor out (again) of my T-Bird SC, to fix a spun rod bearing (a tip for you - plastigauge EVERYTHING!), I'll be headed to the track with that too. You would never guess a big 3600 lb. car could handle so well - my dad has driven some wild stuff, Lambos, Ferraris, Maseratis and his Jag E-Type, and prefers a Ford. I think I already used the word irony. Yep, that's twice...
Oh, and for you wrenches out there, check out my creeper, the Bone?. They're the only creepers that really work. And yes, I'll sell to anyone dumb enough to listen to me... www.bonecreeper.com
