My 1991 Eagle Talon AWD: From the beginning

[iaintmaci]

Man, I just want to thank you for posting up your amazing videos. You actually saved me a bi headache when I went to town to buy new turbo bolts. The ones I had where mangled, and the counter guy was trying to sell me M10x1.50. I then had a memory flash of "M10x1.25" comin across my screen when I was watching your channel.

Odd little thing that saved me return trips to the part store. Thanks!

 

[Underdog_]

Man, I just want to thank you for posting up your amazing videos. You actually saved me a bi headache when I went to town to buy new turbo bolts. The ones I had where mangled, and the counter guy was trying to sell me M10x1.50. I then had a memory flash of "M10x1.25" comin across my screen when I was watching your channel.

Odd little thing that saved me return trips to the part store. Thanks!

You're welcome and thanks for sharing this story!

 

[serviceguy]

Tom, thanks for posting these videos here and on your great facebook page. I find them more educational and entertaining than a lot of the one dime a dozen car shows on cable, mostly trying to sell you overpriced stuff (not saying there are no good ones out there).

On a side note I think remember you from tampabay.dsm.org and if I am not mistaken I almost bought a car previously owned by you from Jerry, it was a green 1g gsx, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, please keep up the great work.

P.S. Thanks fro giving me garage-envy!

 

[Michael@FP]

Where's the build thread for you garage? I found a link on another site the other night and it amazed me.

 

[Underdog_]

Tom, thanks for posting these videos here and on your great facebook page. I find them more educational and entertaining than a lot of the one dime a dozen car shows on cable, mostly trying to sell you overpriced stuff (not saying there are no good ones out there).

On a side note I think remember you from tampabay.dsm.org and if I am not mistaken I almost bought a car previously owned by you from Jerry, it was a green 1g gsx, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, please keep up the great work.

P.S. Thanks fro giving me garage-envy!

Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you like the videos! I have such fond memories of the Tampa Bay DSM crew. We kicked so much butt at the track back then and had as much fun just hanging out. One year the whole gang showed up for a surprise birthday party for me. I'm not a big birthday party guy, but this really meant a lot to me, and still does to this day.

I think Jerry has bought and sold every DSM in Tampa! I had the Jade Green 1G Eclipse that you saw show up in my last video, so maybe that was it?

Thanks again and good talking to ya!

-Tom

Where's the build thread for you garage? I found a link on another site the other night and it amazed me.

Thank you Michael! You probably saw it over on The Garage Journal, but I have it up on my website too: The Turbo Garage | Photos & Project Updates

 

[serviceguy]

Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you like the videos! I have such fond memories of the Tampa Bay DSM crew. We kicked so much butt at the track back then and had as much fun just hanging out. One year the whole gang showed up for a surprise birthday party for me. I'm not a big birthday party guy, but this really meant a lot to me, and still does to this day.

I think Jerry has bought and sold every DSM in Tampa! I had the Jade Green 1G Eclipse that you saw show up in my last video, so maybe that was it?

Thanks again and good talking to ya!

-Tom

I think that was the car, even though it wasn't in such a good shape when I saw it, around 2003, at Jerry's. He told me it was (or had been) Tom's car, I believe you had moved up north already. TB was a great bunch of guys, top notch drag racers too (Joe, Jerry, Mike, Glenn etc.) and fun to be around even though I actually attended only one meet. I still post there every now and then but the site has pretty much no activity going on whatsoever. Sad. And you're right, I believe the only DSM Jerry did not sell was mine, probably because its a FWD!

Looking forward to the next video.

 

[Talon virgin]

Every new video makes me want to hit the jackpot so i can finally upgrade my Tsi.
I've never taken an AWD car to the strip, but my last trip was in an 89 mustang pushing close to 460rwhp with a t70 and a very conservative tune
im not sure if the launch would be near the same experience but creeping the clutch out through the first half then dropping it usually worked to keep most of the wheel-spin in check

 

[Underdog_]

I think that was the car, even though it wasn't in such a good shape when I saw it, around 2003, at Jerry's. He told me it was (or had been) Tom's car, I believe you had moved up north already. TB was a great bunch of guys, top notch drag racers too (Joe, Jerry, Mike, Glenn etc.) and fun to be around even though I actually attended only one meet. I still post there every now and then but the site has pretty much no activity going on whatsoever. Sad. And you're right, I believe the only DSM Jerry did not sell was mine, probably because its a FWD!

Looking forward to the next video.

Thanks again man, have a good one!

Every new video makes me want to hit the jackpot so i can finally upgrade my Tsi.
I've never taken an AWD car to the strip, but my last trip was in an 89 mustang pushing close to 460rwhp with a t70 and a very conservative tune
im not sure if the launch would be near the same experience but creeping the clutch out through the first half then dropping it usually worked to keep most of the wheel-spin in check

You don't need to hit the lottery to have fun with these cars! Honestly, I had TONS of fun in my 91 Eclipse with ONLY the following mods. This combo was fast on the street (would beat new C5 corvettes back then) and ran a best of 12.8 at 102 at the track. No tuning to fool with, it got good MPG and it was dead reliable. If you got creative with used parts you could do this combo for under $1000.

• Ported stock 14b turbo, exhaust manifold and 02 housing
• Hogged out stock MAF
• 2.5" press bent downpipe
• 3" off road pipe and exhaust
• Walbro 255 pump
• ACT 2600 clutch
• Boost controller
• K&N filter
• Boost gauge
• TMO datalogger

Thanks and good luck man!

 

[Talon virgin]

You don't need to hit the lottery to have fun with these cars! Honestly, I had TONS of fun in my 91 Eclipse with ONLY the following mods. This combo was fast on the street (would beat new C5 corvettes back then) and ran a best of 12.8 at 102 at the track. No tuning to fool with, it got good MPG and it was dead reliable. If you got creative with used parts you could do this combo for under $1000.

Thanks and good luck man!

will do thnx

 

[fudde]

Hey Tom,

ever think about giving your little helper some seat time? I'd love to see the expression on his face after his first ride down the track. He's a good egg. I dig when he helps you out. - I just finished watching the track video.. man that looks like scary fun!

 

[92AWDHX40]

I love this build ive watched your videos great man lets see more.

 

[Underdog_]

Hey Tom, ever think about giving your little helper some seat time? I'd love to see the expression on his face after his first ride down the track. He's a good egg. I dig when he helps you out. - I just finished watching the track video.. man that looks like scary fun!

Haha, thanks man! I'd say the expression on his face would look something like this:

I love this build ive watched your videos great man lets see more.

Thank you for the support man! I've got a fun video coming in the next few weeks. Not Talon related, but neat anyway.

 

[manny correa]

Love all your builds man! But your 89 mirage turbo website has been very inspirational, and motivated me to find and purchase my current 89 Colt GT 4g61t. It's all original in great condition, and hopefully soon a lot faster then what it is now . It's a nice change from your average dsm's. But I still keep me a pair nom saying! keep up the outstanding work!

 

[Underdog_]

Love all your builds man! But your 89 mirage turbo website has been very inspirational, and motivated me to find and purchase my current 89 Colt GT 4g61t. It's all original in great condition, and hopefully soon a lot faster then what it is now . It's a nice change from your average dsm's. But I still keep me a pair nom saying! keep up the outstanding work!

Thank you Manny! Good luck with your Mirage, they are one of the best kept secrets of the automotive world. Take care man and make sure to beat up on some unsuspecting hot rods in that Colt GT, nom saying?!?

 

[sauminator]

Amazing to see the constant changes in your build, definetely a motivator for newbies like me.

 

[BCBruins17]

Love this thread and was even more excited to see you live in Knoxville. I live a little south of Grand Rapids, MI and frequently visit Knoxville as I have family down there. Planning my next trip for the spring time as we speak. Gotta take my new 90 Talon TSi AWD on the famous "Dragon". Have you ever been on 129with your vehicles? I've made plenty of runs with my Stealth TT. Keep up the good work!

 

[Underdog_]

Amazing to see the constant changes in your build, definetely a motivator for newbies like me.

Thanks sauminator, good luck with your car!

Love this thread and was even more excited to see you live in Knoxville. I live a little south of Grand Rapids, MI and frequently visit Knoxville as I have family down there. Planning my next trip for the spring time as we speak. Gotta take my new 90 Talon TSi AWD on the famous "Dragon". Have you ever been on 129with your vehicles? I've made plenty of runs with my Stealth TT. Keep up the good work!

Thanks man! Cool to hear that you visit Knoxville. I love it here and have been to the Dragon a few times, but not in the last few years. I'll be going in the spring for sure though. Take care and good luck to you!

 

[BoosteDsm1993]

Underdog, it's good to see that you're on here! I was just about to click on this thread when I recalled watching your videos last night (I spent like 2 hours watching your vids, and chuckled at some of the humerous bits you have, mainly where you pull out the old hks VPC like a rabid dog ) and I wondered why you weren't on tuners. Low and behold! I have an automatic tsi AWD that I'm working on right now, but progess is slow. Just installed an E3 16g and it's on wastegate pressure. Won't be long till it has dsmlink/supporting fuel etc. Keep up the videos man!

 

[Underdog_]

Underdog, it's good to see that you're on here! I was just about to click on this thread when I recalled watching your videos last night (I spent like 2 hours watching your vids, and chuckled at some of the humerous bits you have, mainly where you pull out the old hks VPC like a rabid dog ) and I wondered why you weren't on tuners. Low and behold! I have an automatic tsi AWD that I'm working on right now, but progess is slow. Just installed an E3 16g and it's on wastegate pressure. Won't be long till it has dsmlink/supporting fuel etc. Keep up the videos man!

Haha, thank you sir! Best of luck to you and your Tsi! Do you have a build thread or some pics, I'd love to see it.

 

[BoosteDsm1993]

Haha, thank you sir! Best of luck to you and your Tsi! Do you have a build thread or some pics, I'd love to see it.

Currently no. I'll snap some photos when I have a working camera. I'm actually going to start a build thread when I get ECM link, injectors, fuel pump/FPR and the rest of the odds and ends done. When I do I'll definatly post a link.

 

[Underdog_]

Hi Everyone,

Here's the latest video, where we build and test drive a cool racing simulator. Thanks for checking it out as always!

Tom's Turbo Garage: Epic Racing Simulator - YouTube

 

[perk85]

absolutely amazing!!!!!! I don't really play video games but i could spend days in that seat.

 

[Underdog_]

absolutely amazing!!!!!! I don't really play video games but i could spend days in that seat.

Thank you! I'm the same way- don't really have time for video games much these days, but this fills the racing void to such a degree that you end up making time for it! The downside is that it is arguably more rewarding than actual (amateur) racing.

 

[teejayDSM]

I had a setup just like that for my PS3 when gran turismo came out. I have a force feedback wheel and pedals, and I used the driver seat out of the DSM and some wood to make a simulator. surround sound and a 65" TV. I'm a huge video game junkie, but after a while I found the racing sims lacking. I like a car a little loose for racing wheel to wheel, but I can't feel the G forces to know when the car is wanting to get a little tail happy. They're good to learn tracks and to get shifting/left foot braking down/heel toe and such though.

 

[Underdog_]

I had a setup just like that for my PS3 when gran turismo came out. I have a force feedback wheel and pedals, and I used the driver seat out of the DSM and some wood to make a simulator. surround sound and a 65" TV. I'm a huge video game junkie, but after a while I found the racing sims lacking. I like a car a little loose for racing wheel to wheel, but I can't feel the G forces to know when the car is wanting to get a little tail happy. They're good to learn tracks and to get shifting/left foot braking down/heel toe and such though.

I completely agree with your observations. That said, there's something about this wheel and/or the game dynamics that make slides and stuff far more predictable. The turbo miata I am driving in the game is VERY tail happy, but I can catch it throughout a race and it makes the experience fun and thrilling. The thing that is still impossible to sense is understeer. Like you said, it really helps for understanding lines, proper passing etiquette, etc.