Dale Myers “SP00L1SH” Conquest TSi

5 July 2010 in CBCC Comments off

Dale Myers (aka: d_myers427, dmyers151) is a Mechanical Engineer from Monroe, New York, about an hour outside NYC, and a Mitsubishi lifesaver. He bought the StarQuest you see here as a parts car that had met with a concrete bridge support. Proof that one man’s parts car is another man’s pride and joy. 

What Mitsubishi(s) do you drive?  How long have you had it/them?
I drive a 1988 Chrysler Conquest TSi, sister to the Mitsubishi Starion. I’ve had this one for about 2 years now.

What’s your build philosophy/goals for your Mitsubishi?  How do you use it?
My build philosophy? I guess do it once, do it right. Don’t skimp and use cheap parts or do the job half way just to get it done. I ask others about the parts I’m getting ready to buy/install and see how they turned out for them. I check and recheck everything before reassembly.

What originally attracted you to the Mitsubishi?  What keeps you going today?
I was originally attracted to the styling, the SQ is such a unique car. What keeps me going the most is probably that uniqueness. I get people stopping me all the time asking about the car, telling me stories about when they had one or their buddy had one. I like talking to people about them.

Got a favorite story about your Mitsubishi?
I bought this car “for parts only”. The previous owner had crashed it into a concrete bridge support several years before I purchased it. He was advertising it “for parts only” and was convinced the car was un-savable, he even gave me the contact info of a gentleman interested in the interior. He shook my hand and told me “good luck” when I picked it up. About 8 months later I emailed him pictures of the revived car, and he was shocked. I saved this car’s life.

What are your goals for your Mitsubishi and how close are you to achieving them?
My goals are constantly being reassessed and revised. At first I wanted to have the car complete and drivable. Now that it’s there I want it quick and reliable. When I achieve my current goals, my goals will change and become more ambitious. Ultimately though, I’d like to make around 350whp on pump gas.

What was your favorite modification and why?
My favorite modification is easily my fender stripe. Being a part of such a unique community already, it sets me apart from the group. Everyone comments on it, whether for or against it. It’s a conversation starter for sure.

Your mod list:
As of a few weeks ago, something like this:

Drivetrain:
- 70k mile stock longblock
- Balance shaft elimination
- Jet valve elimination
- Powder-coated; turbo heat shields, valve cover, oil pan
- Delphi 65lb primary, 95lb secondary fuel injectors
- Ported & polished throttle body mixing bowl
- MK1 intercooler hard pipes
- HoseTechniques 4 ply silicone couplers w/SS t-bolt clamps
- Knockoff RFL BOV
- Hallman Pro RX boost controller w/heavy spring
- All vacuum lines replaced with silicone lines
- Ragdoll_Unlimited 16g turbo @ ~15psi
- LSP SS braided turbo oil feed line
- LSP SS braided turbo coolant feed line
- Modified Honda Prelude intake
- 1g DSM MAFT w/3″ GM MAF
- Jolyrgr fulll 3″ straight exhaust
- BLSG short shifter
- Delrin spherical shift knob
- RX7 spec clutch
- Lightened stock flywheel
- Redline MT-90 trans fluid
- 3SX SS braided clutch slave line
- Jolyrgr 3 row, cross flow aluminum radiator

Chassis:
- 16×8 “SHP” front rims, 16×8 standard rear rims, PC’d black
- 245/45/16 tires, front & rear
- ST sway bars, front & rear
- MK1 performance gas struts, front & rear
- Cosmo “dual spring” coil-over sleeves, front & rear
- MK1 front “pillow-ball” camber plates
- MK1 rear “flat” camber plates
- TEP rear strut tower brace with battery tray & brace
- 3SX one piece SS braided brake lines, front & rear
- Semi-metallic brake pads, front & rear
- Dimpled & slotted rotors, front & rear

Misc.
- Full AC delete w/duct, firewall plug & alternator bracket
- Cruise control delete
- ABS delete
- Rear seat delete
- Charcoal canister delete
- EGR delete w/block-off plate
- Sparco 4pt harness’
- Manual seat belt center console
- LED dome light & door lights
- HVAC controls relocated
- AEM UEGO wideband mtd. on gauge hood
- Hand made center mounted gauge cluster
- Autometer Phantom gauges; Boost/Vac, Oil psi, Water temp
- Battery relocation
- Custom CNC plasma cut intake heat shield
- 1983 Starion hood
- 1983 Starion tail lights
- MK1 fiberglass upper hatch spoiler/sun visor
- Custom made polished aluminum center caps by Starquestrims
- Custom fender stripe by Ron @ Moto-On.com
- Zipties
- Heli-coils
- Electrical tape
- Pure, unadulterated AWESOME (Added by editor.)

Tell us about something really exciting you’ve done with other Mitsubishi owners.
Last summer I made the road-trip out to Branson, Missouri for the “2009 Starquest Nationals.” I got to meet a ton of great people and see SQ’s from all over the country.

What’s the best part about being a Mitsubishi owner?  The most challenging?
Probably the Mitsu community as a whole. Most Mitsu owners know of the SQ and respect it greatly. There’s a mutual respect between owners that other people don’t understand. The most challenging, besides finding parts for the car, is probably convincing people its not a Supra, Celica, RX-7, DeLorean, Daytona, etc… haha.

What excites you about the coming year?  (Your Mitsu and your community)
I’m most excited to just drive the car this year. Last year and the year before it was all shakedown runs and constantly worrying about the car. I think I’ve got most of it worked out this season, so I’m just going to enjoy it. As for the community, probably the Vegas National meet in October. I’m not sure whether or not I’m going to make it, but it should be a great time for everyone regardless.

How often do you get together with other Mitsubishi owners in person?
Local to me there are very few SQ owners so I have to travel a little bit to get to them. I’d say probably 3-4 times a year.

Your thoughts on those who part out otherwise salvageable cars?
I guess that depends on what your definition of “salvageable” is. You’ll come across cars that are completely gone, to the point of being dangerous to drive even if fixed. Then there are those that need some work beyond the average persons abilities. Some people just don’t have the skills, funds, or resources to save a car, I understand their situation. I definitely frown upon those who part/crush them strictly for monetary gain or out of spite to the community. Yes, it’s happened.

How do you feel building a Mitsubishi compares to building a Mitsubishi community?
Jeeze, hmm… Having never built a “community” before, I can’t say for sure, but I’d imagine it’s like anything else. There’s hard times when you wanna give up, but the payoff makes it well worth the effort.

How has your Mitsubishi build benefited from your involvement in the community?
Without the community, I don’t think my build would have been completed. Parts are so difficult to find, without the community, I would have had an awful time getting the stuff I needed.

What’s next for your Mitsubishi?
Miles on the odometer, and tuning.

Who has helped you the most along the way with the car?  Any mentors?
The forum (starquestclub.com) as a whole has helped me infinitely. The knowledge it’s members hold is staggering. The local guys have been great for helping with parts and advice; Joe, Mike, Ryan, and John. Oh, and Mrs. Joe for letting us have the meets at the house in PA.

How have you paid this forward and mentored others?
The new owners usually get roughed up over simple and common questions, I try and answer those, just like the seasoned guys did when I was new. I keep my car clean and try to set a good example. I take time to talk to others that seem interested in being an owner and try to lead them in the right direction.

Is there a particular shop you’d like to recommend?
Your own garage, get out there and work on your car.

Do you spend time on any Mitsubishi sites?  Which ones?
The majority of my time is spent over at starquestclub.com. That’s a great group of guys and ladies. I also spend some time at mitsumedia.com, and speedhunters.com and will occasionally poke my nose in over at dsmtuners.com.

Are you on Twitter?  Facebook?  How can people find you online?
I never got into the twitter thing, I’m on Facebook though, just search my name (Dale Myers).

Thank you, Dale, for taking the time and for reminding us:

1. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.
2. We were all FNG/newbies at one point.

What do you think of Dale’s StarQuest? Do you want one now? Do you have that burning desire to devote yourself to the fine details and Mitsubishi craftsmanship? What do you think about that fender stripe? ;)

Conquest, NYC