Need Info on the Starion

[phinko]

Ohhh the Starion / Conquest is the way to go. As it is when the starion hit the scene in the 80's (before my time) the supras 300zx's and rx-7s were in the losers circle which is why they all had to go turbo. 87-89 starquest came intercooled but if you get an 87 you would have to get 88-89 upgrades. on top of that if you get any other car and want to upgrade your intercooler and anybody whos anybody will tell to go with the starquest intercooler. why steal from the best when you could just be the best?

[Kreal]

Starion / Conquest owner here! We need a forum for these.

[shift1313]

Not sure how old this thread is but I was searching the web for a fuso IC and came across this post somehow and wanted to give you some info about the starion because it is a car that is widely unknown.


First misconception I saw was that the starion was made to compete with other cars. The starion was one of the if not the first car of its kind and sent the other makers back to get turbos on their cars. It was the top dog. Came to the US in 83 but there is an 82 model.
83-87 they were offered in flatsider trim with many options, my car has a built in lap computer with many functions, 6 way adjustable seats, rear wheel drive, independent rear suspensions, limited slip, 4 wheel vented disks. rear abs, on and on. in 85.5 mitsu produce its first ESI which was an intercooled flatsider. 86 the car came out in flatsider(non intercooled)and widebody(intercooled) trim. the widebody had 16" rims that were 8" wide in the rear and 7"wide in the front. larger disks, upgraded sway bars, quicker steering. The best years for the widebodies were 88 and 89. the diff/tranny and halfshafts where the strongest of all the years. the flywheel was 240mm from the 225mm previous models. a sport handling package was offered with 8 way adjustable suspensions and larger rims, 9"in back and 8" up front with 245's and 225's respectively. the power numbers on one of the previous posts was right 188 was the last hp number at 10psi. and 220ft lbs. my car weighs about 2900lbs while the widebodies weight 3100+lbs.

the overseas, or JA starions came with a 2lt sirus dash motor. it was a 3 valve head, 2 intake, 1 exhaust, 1 intake is going all the time but after 3500rpms the other is electronically actuated for better higher rpm flow. almost the first vtec. that was used in the awd rally car which had 300+hp.

in the 80's HKS designed and build a DOHC 4 valve setup for the ralliart race cars, while the IMSA road cars still ran the SOHC 2valve setup.

this car was produced as a luxury sport car from the dealer but it was a true race car and a blast to drive. Its main downfall is its TBI fuel setup and years of abuse. the cars are capable of going fast, very fast, and all years parts are capable of being swapped, the older flatsiders had 4 lug setup and the widebody had 5 lug, the 5lug and larger brakes bolt up to the flatsides, along with the stronger tranny , read diff, half shafts, larger flywheel, etc. really a great car, a blast to drive and own. The best part is nobody knows what they are so you get some great admireres, those who do know always ask you, man is that car fast?
from 84-89 the car was badged as the starion from mitsu, and the conquest from chrysler company. there are many other features and options to list here.

Sakura race team runs the G54B block in a mirage drag car that runs consistent 7sec 1/4's.

the stock motor with alot of miles cant put up with a ton of abuse. stock forged crank holds its own, and the rods are just about if not stronger then anything out there but forged pistons are a must for the high boost enthusiast. along with a non jet valve head which are readily avail. i got one for 175. the stock intercooler on the starion is the largest ive ever seen, but the turbo is a tdo5-12a which looses efficiency around 15psi. the car runs off timing chain, not belt which is good. it has 2 balance shafts, which if you are building a motor probobly get removed and have the rotating assy. balanced. with the stock motor, multiport injection upgrade and a larger turbo its very easy to see a big improvement. just upping the boost and adding exhaust(stock 2" with 2cats) you can easily get 220hp. there are a lot of these cars out there in the 300+ range.

One thing i wouldnt reccomend is to only have a starion and expect to modify it and have a reliable car. Not saying the car is bad but like i said years of abuse and lots of 80's electronics mean that any modified car needs to be taken car of in the right way. there are a lot of daily drivers but i prefer mine to be a project street car, its more fun that way.



thats my car and there is also a 2min vid i posted online so you guys can see the car in action. as it sits in that vid its stock except a 2.5" exhaust i made, no cats and a dyno max bullet muffler. 6psi of boost, no intercooler.

http://www.26liter.us/media/Videos/

the vid name is conquest starion flatbody and you need to have xvid on your media player to watch it.
have fun

matt

[indy_85stariones]

Boy, I wish that I would've said that. Nice write-up Matt!!!!

[Hudson]

I don't see how the Starion was "one of the if not the first car of its kind." It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the Ford Mustang/Mercury Capri, Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird, Toyota Supra, Datsun/Nissan Z, and Mazda RX7. Just having a turbocharged engine doesn't put it in its own class. Besides, Ford introudced the Mustang Cobra (and Mercury Capri) in 1979 with a turbo four engine.

By the time the Starion was introduced, there was plenty of competition. Mitsubishi was fairly LATE to the party.

[indy_85stariones]

It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the Ford Mustang/Mercury Capri...

Ah yes, I remember them...
engine choices...
1. turbo, 2.3L, in-line-4
2. 3.3L, in-line-6
3. 2.8L, v-6
4. 5.0L, v-8

The turbo, 2.3L, in-line-4 version utilizing a
2 barrel carburator. It was discontinued at the start of the 1980 model year. It re-introduced again in 1983, only to be dropped again in 1986. The cars utilized a solid rear axle. Their rear brakes were only available in drums.

The Conquest/Starion
a. utilized the same, consistant, single engine platform -- the EFI, Turbo, 2.6L, in-line 4, for all model years.
b. independent RWD suspension with LSD
c. disc brakes - front and rear
d. Anti-lock brakes

Advantage: CONQUEST/STARION

It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird

Good choice, but still a matter of personal preference.

The Conquest/Starion
a. utilized electronic fuel injection
b. employed a turbocharger
c. independent RWD suspension with LSD
-- all model years
d. disc brakes - front and rear -- all model years
e. Anti-lock brakes -- all model years
f. weighs in at 3,000 lbs.

Advantage: CONQUEST/STARION

It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the
Toyota Supra

Please don't remind me about those earlier model years -- looked like a Celica body-shell with Supra add-on parts.

The Conquest/Starion
a. employed a turbocharger -- all model years
b. disc brakes -- front and rear -- all model years
c. anti-lock brakes -- all model years
d. priced less than Supra

Advantage: CONQUEST/STARION

It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the
Datsun/Nissan Z

Very nice choice, but

The Conquest/Starion
a. utilized a back seat -- all model trims,
all model years
b. priced much less than 280Z/300Z

Advantage: 1981-82 Datsun 280Z
a. EFI, turbo, 2.8L in-line six
That was a great engine

It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the
Mazda RX7

The Mazda RX7 changed so dramatically from one generation to the next, I would have to compare each generation.

The Conquest/Starion had only one body style change (model year 86), still the internals remained basically the same over all model years (1983-89). Very helpful, when trying to find parts for a 20 y/o auto.

Advantage: CONQUEST/STARION


It's just a sports coupe, not unlike the
Porche 924/944.

My point exactly!!!!

[Hudson]

These little feature differences don't put the car in a "class by itself." All of those cars fall under the same category.

According to Mitsubishi, the Starion got ABS in 1984, two years into production.

[indy_85stariones]

The Starion was introduced to the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand during the 1982 model year. Not sure about Japan.

The Starion was introduced to the United States during the 1983 model year.

Per the sales brochure for 1983...
"Technica Performance Package (includes Limited Slip Differential and Brake Lock-up Control System)..."

One of the most talked about features was the inmitation Recaro styled seats. How many cars have you ridden in where the passenger's seat is stripped of all of the comfort features? Even the lumbar support is missing. The Starion offered the identical features to both driver and passenger.

Six-Way Adjustable Front Seats
The six-way adjustable front seat includes 1) its head restraint is multi-adjustable 2) the seat back fully reclines 3) its thigh support 4) side 5) and lumbar support molds to fit the contours of your body. The 6th feature? The seat slides forward and back.

Oh I forget to mention, these seats were available in both cloth and leather.

Specifications that most people omit...
Suspension -- Front
Independent MacPherson strut, I-arm, coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, (hi-caster/low trail) with stabilizer bar

Suspension -- Rear
Independent w/stabilizer bar, coil springs, and telescopic shock absorbers

Turning Diameter
31 1/2 feet (curb to curb)

Brakes
4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with 9 inch diameter vacuum booster

Curb Weight
2899 lbs.

Weight Distribution
53% front/47% rear

Closed ratio 5-speed w/ overdrive
1st 3.369
2nd 2.035
3rd 1.360
4th 1.000
5th 0.856

Fuel Tank Capacity
19.8 gallons

EPA mileage figures
5 speed, 22 Est. City, 32 Est. Hwy.

The best part is Mitsubishi's consistency, other than Curb Weight, these specs stayed the same throughout all model years (83-89).

The sum of all of these little feature differences do put the car in a "class by itself."