Weekend Warrior - 1997 Talon TSi AWD

2GbTalonGuy · Mar 30, 2026

Awesome car and build!

MindBlowin03 · Mar 30, 2026

CrackedDSM said:
Jesus Christ, 2009?! Was it really that long ago? I remember it like it was maybe 5+ years. This car has always been and will always be one of my absolute favorites. That interior shot is so clean it almost looks AI generated. Spectacular.

Yes, it was. I actually had to log back into DSMtalk to confirm the dates on my old build thread there LOL

.

92AWDHX40 said:
Damn this thing looks great thanks for the update on this build its really inspring. Following on the ig, same erl manifold on my dsm hx40 too. Im running the same radium afpr in the same spot how do you like it. I have yet to drive this thing plan is to get it running and dynoed this summer and make it look nicer in the following montsh before the shootout. IF not then winter months she comes apart for more of the restoration process. Oem and new tech with haltech , dbw, and ic7 digital dash. Love the engine bay.

Thank you. I love the Radium setup so far and have no complaints.

MindBlowin03 · Mar 31, 2026

Added a new firewall tag today. Super stoked for this. Came out great IMO.

saturn345 · Mar 31, 2026

Where did you get that new firewall tag made at?
I would love to get one for my car

MindBlowin03 · Apr 1, 2026

saturn345 said:
Where did you get that new firewall tag made at?
I would love to get one for my car

This one was from a guy on a Facebook group. I can give you his info if you'd like.

Ludachris · Apr 1, 2026

Better late than never. Great update. The next ones should be easier and way less time consuming now.

Car looks f'n great, and yes, I remember how much different mine felt when changing to that intake manifold. I can only imagine if I had done the cams at the same time and had the right turbo size for my set up back then for road courses.

MindBlowin03 · Apr 14, 2026

Finally got the interior buttoned up. New head unit which I'm in love with so far. It's a PLZ MP-926W unit from Amazon. Wireless Android Auto and all the other goodies to go with it. I also installed my new rolling anti lag button in the lighter spot. The fit and functionality is perfect and it even has an orange ring when lit to match the factory lighting.

MindBlowin03 · Apr 25, 2026

Couple small updates. I got the windows tinted and it came out great. I used to have them at 5% as a young lad but had it taken off nearly 10 years ago. Finally got sick of the fish bowl look so took it back to get 35% on the front and hatch windows and double 5% on the back port windows. We've had crappy weather lately and the car still isn't washed so pictures to come on that.

I also started to swap out my door vent trims. Mine were in decent shape but not great and I purchased a 3d printed set and painted them to match to the OEM. They came out great.

Top set is OEM and bottom is new set in both pictures.

MindBlowin03 · Monday at 6:21 AM

I have an unfortunate update today. Took the car to the local Father's Day car show - big show with over 600 cars. While on my way home I did a pull and completely stripped out 2nd gear. I've made good power since 2009 in this car and this is my first trans issue, so I guess I've been lucky. I have a spare 'built' trans here that I can throw in but it has seen better days so I'm not gonna do that. I also have two 'built' trans with stripped 3rd gears. I also have some NOS EVO 3 gears here. I think I'm gonna shut it down for the year and talk to some professionals and weight some options. This 3000 lb car making mid 600s HP and lower 500s TQ to the tire is in a tough spot transmission wise.

Ludachris · Monday at 9:23 AM

That sucks man. You're in a tough spot at that power range. Could always just lower the boost a little and put less stress on the next trans.

miliman13 · Monday at 9:29 AM

Ludachris said:
That sucks man. You're in a tough spot at that power range. Could always just lower the boost a little and put less stress on the next trans.

Is there a threshold for boost values to prevent stripping gears

?

A lill concern

for my future!

Ludachris · Monday at 9:40 AM

miliman13 said:
Is there a threshold for boost values to prevent stripping gears ?

A lill concern for my future!

Well no, but lower power levels certainly reduce the chances.

It was one of the reasons my HP goal was around 400whp when I was running the 1g at the track - not a big impressive number for the DSM world, but also one that wasn't known to tear up transmissions all the time. I also didn't to a ton of launches with it. Big power is fun, but it's usually expensive too.

MindBlowin03 · Monday at 10:33 AM

Ludachris said:
That sucks man. You're in a tough spot at that power range. Could always just lower the boost a little and put less stress on the next trans.

I agree. I will never go twin disk and/or dogbox because I just enjoy the car too much, but I've been riding that fine line for a long time.

diambo4life · Monday at 11:07 AM

MindBlowin03 said:
I have an unfortunate update today. Took the car to the local Father's Day car show - big show with over 600 cars. While on my way home I did a pull and completely stripped out 2nd gear. I've made good power since 2009 in this car and this is my first trans issue, so I guess I've been lucky. I have a spare 'built' trans here that I can throw in but it has seen better days so I'm not gonna do that. I also have two 'built' trans with stripped 3rd gears. I also have some NOS EVO 3 gears here. I think I'm gonna shut it down for the year and talk to some professionals and weight some options. This 3000 lb car making mid 600s HP and lower 500s TQ to the tire is in a tough spot transmission wise.

Sorry to hear Nick, but you have been very very fortunate to have gone that long with that trans. I think it's time to consider the "D" word (aka Dogbox) or go auto like some of us have.

MindBlowin03 · Monday at 11:49 AM

diambo4life said:
Sorry to hear Nick, but you have been very very fortunate to have gone that long with that trans. I think it's time to consider the "D" word (aka Dogbox) or go auto like some of us have.

Never! I'm weighing a couple different options right now so we'll see what happens.

92AWDHX40 · Monday at 1:36 PM

Sounds like you got time and decisions to make.

diambo4life · Monday at 2:34 PM

MindBlowin03 said:
Never! I'm weighing a couple different options right now so we'll see what happens.

Dogbox it is. Just bite the bullet.

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