Vehicle Info
Bragging Rights
- 1/4 Mile15.49 sec @ 88 mph
- Top Speed159 mph
- HP250
- Weight2282 lbs
- SPL4 dB
Major Upgrades
- extrude-honed
- port and polish
- nitrous
- turbo
- engine swap
- bore-increase
Modifications
Performance Parts
- Custom Intake
- Custom Header
- Custom Exhaust
- Custom Engine Comps.
- Custom Ignition
- Haltech Perf. Chip
- G-Tech Engine Electronics
- KYB Shocks
- Custom Springs
- Custom Strut Bars
- Custom Brakes
- Custom Transmission
Interior
Exterior Styling
The SOHC engine is a nice little engine, but like most things with me, I needed something with a little more power. SO. . .I bought an Isuzu Impulse RS that was completely rusted out. The engine was totally trashed, turbo blown(the shaft was broken in 2 spots) and the compression was a joke.
One thing to do from there, Rebuild time!
The Cylinder walls were etched with rust and needed to be bored out. I search high and low, but could not find Stock overbore pistons...Isuzu, Lotus, nobody had a set. That meant that I had to go Custom. I got a set of Forged pistons from Ross Racing Pistons made for $600: 9.35:1CR flat top with valve reliefs, .030" Overbore, Ross Racing Molly rings ($75), 4340 Chrome Moly Tapered Pins($22each), Reinforced pin bridge($27 extra)
Since the turbo was scrap metal, I needed a replacement. I found out that the 1989 Ford Thunderbird Turbocoupe used the same center cartridge as the Impulse RS, but has a larger compressor wheel. (IHI RHB5) So I found one, rebuilt it, and ceramic coated the compressor housing/center cartridge/exhaust shield/turbine blades.
I also ceramic coated the exhaust manifold and O2 sensor housing
After the head got a 3 angle valve job, I ported the intake and Exhaust, opened them up to match the gaskets- an extra 2mm per port
I couldn't stop there, so I ported the turbine housing, wastegate, exhaust manifold, secondaries, and intake plenum.
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