3000GT History, Options, and Year to Year Changes

[AutostradaVR4]

I've been working on this for a while, just for my own personal refrence really. The info has been taken from multiple web sites and forum posts, as well as my own research. I'm not claiming any of this info as my own, and if you feel you have not been given credit for something, please let me know and i will gladly add your name as a source or remove the info.

That being said, my primary concern and reason for posting this is accuracy. I want this to be as accurate as possible, so i'm looking for input from anyone who sees something missing or inaccurate. I know that 100% of this info is available elsewhere on the internet, but AFAIK, it is spread around in different places. This is just an attempt to consolidate it and verify it for correctness and completeness.


1991

Mitsubishi entered the sports-car arena with its new 2+2 sport coupe. All trims came standard with a 3.0L 24-valve DOHC V6 (6G72). The Base and SL were FWD, non-turbo. The flagship VR-4 had AWD, AWS, and a twin-turbo engine with dual intercoolers. The VR-4 only came with a 5-speed manual Getrag transmission, but the SL and Base had the option of an electronic 4-speed automatic transmission.
A driver-side airbag was standard for all trims.
Four-wheel disc brakes were standard for all trims.
Fog Lights were Standard for all trims.
ABS was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on the Base.
ECS was Standard on the VR-4 and SL, not available on the Base.
Power windows and power locks Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Power Driver's seat was Standard on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
Leather was Optional on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
Rear Variable Speed Intermittent Wiper was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Climate Control Standard on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
AC was Standard on SL and VR-4, Optional on Base.
Cruise control was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Steering wheel remote radio control was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base. Graphic EQ and six speakers were Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Active Aero was Standard on the VR-4, not available on the SL or Base.
Dual Mode Active Exhaust was Standard on the VR-4, not available on the SL or Base.

Available Colors for 1991:
Jamaica Blue Metallic
Glacier White Pearl
Fiji Blue Metallic
Nairobi Beige Metallic
Morocco Red Mica
Monza Red
Sable Black (Only 1 recorded 3000GT VIN in this color for 1991?)


1992

The electrical system was revamped for 1992. The vents in the side skirts become functional, rather that purely asthetic as ther were in 1991. The blue light radio with the preprogrammed graphic equalizer appears as Standard on the VR4, Optional on the SL, not available on the Base. There were also some mechanical changes part way through the 1992 model year run. VR-4s manufactured in or after the 2nd 10-day period in November, 1991, got a more rugged transfercase with a 25-spline output shaft (previous VR-4s have an 18-spline shaft).
A glass sunroof becomes Optional on all trims (mid-late 1992 models only)
Keyless entry becomes Standard on all trims (late 1992 models only)

Available Colors for 1992:
Panama Green Mica
Morocco Red Mica
Albany Black Mica
Fiji Blue Metallic
Sandstone Gray Metallic
Ascot Silver Metallic
Glacier White Pearl
Monza Red


1993

1993 sees some significant changes to the VR-4s. Mitsubishi revamps the engine, giving the TT model a 4-bolt main bearing cap girdle (the original used 2-bolt caps with stiffening stays on the middle 4 bolts) and all DOHC trims got a new forged nitride-steel crankshaft (the original was cast iron or mild steel). Also, the cam angle sensors were moved from the left head (where it was user-adjustable for timing) and into the block (not adjustable).
ABS still Standard on VR-4 and SL, now not available on Base.
Power windows, power locks, AC, and Cruise Control are now Standard for all trims.
The blue light radio is now Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but six speakers and steering wheel radio controls are Standard on the Base.
Leather becomes Standard on the VR-4.
Chrome wheels are offered for the first time.
CD-Changer is offered for the first time.

Available colors for 1993:
Morocco Red Mica
Panama Green Mica
Albany Black Mica (Base Only?)
Zurich White Mica
Sandstone Gray Metallic
Glacier White Pearl
Caracas Red


1994

For 1994, the 3000GT gets it’s first restyling. Exposed glass headlamps replace the flip-up units, as well as updated bumpers, side skirts, and tail light garnish. The 5-speed gives way to a 6-speed manual on the VR-4. Mitsubishi ups the boost from ~9 to ~12 lbs, resulting in a 20hp/8ftlb power bump. Mitsubishi’s Variable Induction Control System (MVIC) appears on the SL and Base DOHC. The ECU becomes a Hybrid OBD-I/OBD-II (OBD-I with some diagnostic capability). The VR-4 gets larger brakes. The SL and Base gain 4 ftlbs of tq. The blue light radio goes away for good, to be replaced by the Infinity 8-speaker system on the VR-4 and SL. Cali-Spec cars get the addition of an EGR system.
Climate Control is no longer available on the SL.
Dual Airbags become Standard for all trims.

Available colors for 1994:
Danube Blue Mica
Panama Green Mica
Zurich White Mica
Martinique Yellow Pearl
Glacier White Pearl
Sorrento Red Mica
Caracas Red
Sable Black


1995

The VR-4 loses it’s Active Exhaust. Sunroofs become confused- some are Electric, many are still glass with cranks. Either way, Bases still don't have one. ECS was ended half way through 95 (It seems that cars with Glass sunroofs have ECS and cars with the electric ones do not). The glass headlights are replaced with lexan units, but look almost identical.
The Infinity 8-Speaker system becomes Standard on all trims, but the Base lacks the steering wheel controls.
Costly retractable-hardtop Spyders debuted in spring 1995. Production was fairly limited. Spyder VR-4s kept their 6-speeds, Spyder SLs were all Automatic. There was no Spyder Base.

Available colors for 1995:
Martinique Yellow Mica
Sorrento Red Mica
Panama Green Mica
Danube Blue Mica
Glacier White Pearl
Caracas Red
Sable Black


1996

The ECU becomes a full OBD-II and all trims get an EGR system.
The electric sunroof is Optional on All trims.

Available colors for 1996:
Danube Blue Mica
Panama Green Mica
Superior Amethyst Pearl
Belgium Green Pearl
Glacier White Pearl
Solano Black Pearl
Caracas Red


1997

For 1997, the 3000 gets a modest facelift, and a rear hoop spoiler for all trims (the VR-4 loses its Active Aero system). Spyders are discontinued. Dodge discontinues the Stealth, and apparently Mitsubishi feels the need to fill the void left by the Base Stealth with the Base 3000GT by giving it a 161hp SOHC version of the 6G72. They also get rid of the rear sway bar on the Base. The Non Turbo also went from 222HP to 218HP (reason unknown, possibly re-rated after the EGR addition, or possibly a change in the way power is rated?)
ABS becomes Optional on the SL, still not available on the Base.
Wheel sizes become 16in aluminum Base, 17in chrome SL and 18in chrome VR4.
Fog lights remain Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but become Optional on the Base.
Leather becomes Standard on the VR-4 and SL, Optional on the Base.
Mitsubishi Homelink 3-channel garage door opener is Standard on the VR-4 and SL, not available on the Base.
The Infinity 8-speaker system remains Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but becomes Optional on the Base which comes standard with only a 6-speaker system. Steering Wheel Controls Still not available on the Base.

Available colors for 1997:
Danube Blue Mica
Panama Green Mica
Belgium Green Pearl
Glacier White Pearl
Solano Black Pearl
Caracas Red


1998

For 1998 the electrical system and ECU were updated (different harness), and the coolant resevoir was moved to the radiator support

Available colors for 1998:
Zealand Green Pearl
Glacier White Pearl
Solano Black Pearl
Caracas Red


1999

1999 is marked by an aggressive front end restyling and a new rear center garnish. The VR-4 gets a huge rear combat-style wing. Also, all models ditch the faux windows in the sail panels in favor of a solid piece. Still no ABS or sunroof for the Base, but almost everything else is the same for the SL and Base models. All trims got a fuel tank pressure sensor.
Fog light again become Standard on all trims.

Available colors for 1999:
Zealand Green Pearl
Glacier White Pearl
Solano Black Pearl
Caracas Red


The 3000GT is discontinued (in the US) for 2000.

(EDITED FOR ACCURACY)

[jason_bet]

Wow.. thats a lot of work.. Good work too..

Jason

[ChemDragon]

so you absolutely could not get a sunroof on a base model in 99? Didn't know that.

[Stealthee]

I'll have to read it carefully later tonight but the skimming I did I saw a few things that needed corrected.

Very good work though,

[Stealthee]

Couple things off the top of my head.

The large glass sunroof became available in mid/late 92.

It was also available on base models. (I know base/ES Stealths could get them so why not base 3ks?)

Keyless entry was added in late 92.

I've never seen a base 3k with radio controls.

I've never seen a base 3k with ABS (ABS is usually one of the key factors in determining the difference between a base and SL)

I've never seen a 3s not have cruise

I've never seen a 3s not have a/c

VICS was available on all year NA DOHC

EGR was added full time in 96. Some 94-95 (read: Cali spec) also had EGR.

The change in HP rating is still unknown why. The engine was identical from 96-97.

As for the electrical system 98 and 99 were totally different than all the other 3s's. They were still obd2 but things in the ECU just got to more of a pain in the ass in laymans terms.

Things in bold are things I am 100% certain of. Some of this might come from me knowing Stealths a little better than 3000GT's though.

[l_eclipse_l]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Couple things off the top of my head.

The large glass sunroof became available in mid/late 92.

Seconded. My '92 SL came with a power glass moonroof.

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Keyless entry was added in late 92.

How can you tell if the car came with keyless or not? Mine has power locks and an alarm...but when I got the car it did not come with a remote. The same thing happened with my eclipse and I just bought a remote on eBay and had a friend with a diagnostic tool program it, but I knew for sure that model had keyless.


Otherwise than that, the information looks good to me. Nice work.

[Crackhedbob341]

Hold it homes, how could you forget about Amethyst Purple? (my car)
All my pics keep happening to be in the shade, but here's a glimpse. (AFAIK this color is rare from the factory)

[Girly VR-4]

96+ base models did have optional sunroofs. I had either a red or a white 97/98 base model with an electric sunroof.

[Girly VR-4]

AND... I have a 95 SL, power sunroof, WITH ECS... talk about weird....

Also, cloth was an option on 94 TT models for the stealth's (not sure about the 3000GT's). There was a local guy with factory cloth interior in his yellow TT.




91 3000GT's... the sideskirts were NOT functional, in 92, they became functional vents.

98, the coolant resiovoir was moved to the front radiator support, also, the ECU's and wiring harness are 98-99 specific. NOT interchangeable with any prior years.

[Crackhedbob341]

Originally Posted by Girly VR-4

AND... I have a 95 SL, power sunroof, WITH ECS... talk about weird....

Not so weird....

Originally Posted by WIKIPEDIA

As the price of the cars increased, many of the "gadgets" on the car were discontinued. The tunable exhaust was phased out as early as 1994, the ECS disappeared after the 1995 model year, and the active aerodynamics in 1996. Finally, Chrysler ceased sales of the Dodge Stealth captive import, and for the remainder of its life only Mitsubishi-badged versions were available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3000GT

[AutostradaVR4]

Edited for accuracy.

crackhedbob: Superior Amethyst Pearl was in there for 1996...you must have missed it. my favorite 3/s color btw...very nice.

girly vr4: this is primarily for 3000's. I dont know a whole lot about the stealths. if someone wanted to do this for stealths, i'm sure alot of the info is the same though

[Stealthee]

I fixed 93 for ya. You fixed it by putting the sunroof info in 92 but still had sunroof was added in 93.

And again the EGR was added full time in 96. Cali spec 94 and 95 also had an EGR.

[Crackhedbob341]

Oh haha yeah I had some hardcore insomnia going on, and looked over it too quick.

[Girly VR-4]

Originally Posted by Crackhedbob341

Not so weird....



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3000GT

yes weird. Because ALL glass sunroofs had ECS... ALL retractable electric roofs did NOT have ECS. The electric roof/no ECS was a mid-year change.

[AutostradaVR4]

Originally Posted by Girly VR-4

yes weird. Because ALL glass sunroofs had ECS... ALL retractable electric roofs did NOT have ECS. The electric roof/no ECS was a mid-year change.

...what about ones with niether? maybe your sunroof was installed later or installed by a dealer for the original buyer?