Struggly (Clint Fralick)
Ride of the Month Submission 3000GT/Stealth International December 2006
Deleted:
- ABS (including control unit and speed sensors)
- SRS (including control unit)
- AWS (rack, lines, valve, pump)
- A/C (compressor and compressor bracket, condensor, evaporator, lines, reciever/dryer, fan, and relay box)
- Accessory belt tensioner and idler (direct crank to alt. pulley routing)
- cruise control (10" custom throttle cable)
- Vacuum hose reduction
- EGR
- EVAP
- Solenoid rack
- Front washer tank
- Antenna
- Rear wiper
- Fog lights
- Front Active Aero
- Clutch vacuum canister
- Battery relocated to trunk
- Gutted from rear seats back
Suspension, Wheels, Tires, and Brakes:
- Custom hard brake lines and Wilwood knob-style proportioning valve in center console (one of two known 3/S so equipped)
- 332mm Stoptechs (Zinc'd rotors)
- SS flexible brake lines
- Carbotech Panther Plus (front) and Porterfield R4S (rear) brake pads
- ATE Super Blue
- Tein Flex coilovers
- SCE Caster/camber plates
- 3SX rear control arms
- SKVR4 rear toe control links
- OZ F1 Plus 17x9.5 +36mm wheels
- 275/40/17 Yokohama AVS ES100s
Engine and Transmission:
- Rebuilt last year (rehone, new rings, bearings, seals, gaskets)
- 9B-13G mismatch w/ 9psi WG springs
- DSM 450s
- DSM sidemounts
- JDM final drive
- SCE oil pan
- RPS Flywheel
- Spec Stage II clutch
- 3SX polyurethane motor mounts
- IPO propane
- Walbro 341
- EK2MFG fuel rail loop
- EK2MFG plenum spacer
- DN Precat Eliminators
- ATR Downpipe
- ATR Single Shot
- Krank Vents
- Solid shifter bushings
- K&N FIPK
Electronics:
- Hardwired V1
- SAFC
- Greddy 60mm P/H/W Boost gauge
- AEM UEGO
- Greddy Profec B Spec II
- Tein EDFC
- Mirage Hybrid logger
- Apexi turbo timer
Body, Interior, and Audio:
- Yeah...whatever
History of the Car:
I bought this car just over 4 years ago, I think. It was relatively stock and I wanted to slowly prepare it for roadcourses. I knew from the outset that I wanted to build the car, in a way, backwards, beginning with simple power modifications but focusing primarily on suspension and brakes.
About two years later, I decided that I wanted to have the simplest 3/S possible. I began a campaign to thoroughly rid the car of any unnecessary parts--a campaign that continues today but is near the end. When I was forced to tear the car down just over 2 years ago, I saw it not just as an opportunity to freshen up the engine, but to further simplify things. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to design, or contribute to the design, of a few exciting custom projects: the brake lines and the accessory belt mod most recently. I'm inexplicably amused every time I find a new part to remove. Recently I disassembled my steering wheel and removed my cruise control toggle in the parking lot of a Dunkin' Donuts, and smiled the whole time.
This past summer, I was finally confident enough in the car's condition and abilities to take it to road courses. It performed well at Lime Rock Park, especially considering that I was on mediocre tires. I also ran it at NHIS in fairly heavy rain. I was less satisfied that day, although I mostly blame my own inexperience.
Next season I'll be going back to Lime Rock and NHIS and taking a trip to Watkins Glen in New York. The car should be better suited to the Glen because it is a longer course better suited to higher-powered cars.
-Clint
