Anthony Vanderberg – Tsidrift1

2 August 2010 in Featured Comments off

Andy Vanderberg (aka: Tsidrift1) is a warehouse worker from Decatur, Illinois, who does collision repair and paint on the side. He rolls a couple Mitsubishis these days, but you gotta check out his 1G Talon. Super nice! 

What Mitsubishi(s) do you drive?  How long have you had it/them?
I currently own a 1992 Eagle Talon TSi AWD.  I have had that for almost 7 years now.  My daily is a 2003 Mitsubishi Evolution,  I have only had for about 7 months.

What’s your build philosophy/goals for your Mitsubishi?  How do you use it?
At first I just wanted a “little” power. That soon changed.  I have went through 3 different turbo setups with the car before finally finalizing on the fp3065 setup.  My goal has been more of a very nice 1g, than a drag beast.  I want the power, but I also want the car to look good.  I want to be able to compete at car shows and have a chance. The car is basically a weekend toy.  I drive the car when its warm.  It doesn’t not see any snow, well except for one time last year, when I decided to take it out and play around a little.  Other than that, the car is driven on nice days only.

What originally attracted you to the Mitsubishi?  What keeps you going today?
I got my very first 1G off of my big brother.  It was a 1.8L non turbo.  It was in 2002, so Fast and furious was big.  The car was a pearl blue/pink, color-changing color.  It had a humongous wing, bright white painted interior, and soon after I threw a body kit on it.  We all go through those days, right?  I found my 92 TSi my senior year.  I knew there was a turbo model out there of the 1Gs, just never messed with one.  Well, once I found this one and got it running, then the real fun, and money spending began. I keep striving to make my 1G one of the cleanest ones out there.  The expression I get from other DSMers is what really keeps me going.  I love to hear the remarks from guys who enjoy a nice 1G.

Got a favorite story about your Mitsubishi?
I am a bit of ashamed to say, no. I don’t drive the car as much as I would really like to.  For the past 2 years or so, I was always nervous about the car, so it didn’t get driven, unless it was to a car show, meet or something like that.  Starting last summer is when I started to enjoy the car more and continued it this summer.  I try to drive it whenever I can now.

What are your goals for your Mitsubishi and how close are you to achieving them?
I think my goals are very close to being achieved.  My goal was always for a very clean 1G with some good power.  Well, it looks pretty good, and with the help of my new fp3065, I think it will lay down some nice power. I still would like to get under the car and get to work though.  Unfortunately, space and time have stopped me from going there so far.  Once the underside is addressed and looking as good as the top, I will be finished!

What was your favorite modification and why?
My favorite mod is probably the FP turbo setup.  Forced Performance’s products are top notch.  They are a bit on the steep side for some DSMers, but I pride myself in having their stuff on my car.

Your mod list:

Mechanics:
Engintecs built short block w/Scat rods, Wiseco 8.5:1 pistons.  ARP hardware. Fp3065. FP Race manifold. FP o2 housing and dump tube. Precision 46mm wastegate. Tial 50mm BOV. Buschur racing 3″ exhaust ( got after photo shoot). Punishment Racing FMIC with custom short route piping. Gm MAF w/ translator. Aeromotive FPR. -6an fuel feed and return. Walbro 255. Precision 1000cc injectors. -4an turbo oil feed line. -6an turbo oil return line. new oem coolant feed and return(for turbo). BC 272 cams. Fidanze cam gears. Greddy timing belt. Zaklee Clear timing cover. JMFab SMIM. JMFab spark plug cover. Custom 4″ intake. TCC coated Black pearl valve cover, fuel rail. Rebuilt trans to stock spec. Southbend heavy duty clutch. Stainless clutch line from master to slave. Mishimoto Aluminum radiator w/ 2 slim fans. Jay Racing Alt. relocation. NGK wires. AMS shifter cable bushings. DSMLink v2.5

Wheels, tires, suspension:
17×9 Enkei RPF1′s, +45 offset. 235/40/17 Nitto NTO5′s. Megan racing coilovers. DME rear camber kit. Megan racing front and rear strut bars

Interior:
Rear seat delete panels, covered in black carpet. New molded black carpet. 2g oem weighted shift knob. Autometer Cobalt Boost gauge. Autometer oil pressure gauge. AEM Uego wideband. Greddy turbo timer

Exterior:
Body painted (by myself) Toyota Blizzard pearl.  Gm Black on top. Seibon Carbon fiber hood. Custom, Kandy Red tails
crystal clear headlights with clear corners

Tell us about something really exciting you’ve done with other Mitsubishi owners.
The most exciting thing I’ve done so far with fellow owners was meet up for MOD.  I have went for the past two years and I always have a blast.  I will soon add the DSM Shootout, I will be attending this year for the first time!

Tell us about a time something broke and what it took to fix it.
Honestly, the only thing that has really broke on my car so far, was the clutch slave cylinder.  I had one go out on me as I was leaving a buddy’s house.  Nothing exciting to fix it, just picked up a new one and drove it home!

What’s the best part about being a Mitsubishi owner?  The most challenging?
Best part is the community.  There is plenty of help online with all the forums dedicated to Mitsus.  The most challenging is the stereotypes people have about Mitsus.  The whole unreliable thing people always argue with me about.  I always say, if you’re going fast, your probably gonna break something, It doesn’t matter what car you have, if you modify it and push it hard, its gonna break something.  Its bound to happen.

What excites you about the coming year?  (Your Mitsu and your community)
The best thing this year, was I had my new FP setup on.  I will finally get to the Shootout for the first year and hopefully meet a lot more DSMers.  Oh and Evo guys.  I love my Evo too!

How often do you get together with other Mitsubishi owners in person?
Not too often, unfortunately.  There aren’t many here in town.  I am finally coming around to some of them here in town, but tend to kinda keep my car on the “lowdown”, I guess you could say. Pretty much, owners day, is when I get to be with a lot of Mitsu enthusiasts.

Your thoughts on those who part out otherwise salvageable cars?
I can’t say much here.  I am guilty for thinking of part outs too.  I think people expect way to much out of their cars.  When it doesn’t meet their expectations, the answer is to part out.  The advantage is, there are always lots of buyers out there to buy the parts.  I am guilty though.  I have almost parted my 1g out 3 times now.  Its mostly cause I get the bug to mod my Evo though.  At least I am sticking with a Mitsubishi still.   Something still keeps me working on the 1G though.

How do you feel building a Mitsubishi compares to building a Mitsubishi community?
I’m not sure if I get the question? I would say building a Mitsubishi, makes you get involved in the Mitsubishi community.  Everyone starts to work on their own cars once they get a Mitsubishi.  The forums and others Mitsubishi owners is where you turn to get the answers.

How has your Mitsubishi build benefited from your involvement in the community?
I have gotten answers on different setups, what works on the street, what is only good for drag use.  That kinda stuff is what made my car.  If I didn’t have the community to ask questions, the car probably would have been gone a long time ago. Plus all the other clean 1Gs I see on the forums keep making me go further and further on mine.

What’s next for your Mitsubishi?
Not sure, try to enjoy it for a little while. Other than that, I continue to replace little things with new OEM parts.  Parts that some would just pass by or get from a junkyard.  I like the little OEM parts I can still get my hands on.  Like splash shields, brake fluid reservoirs, the reservoir bracket, etc.

Who has helped you the most along the way with the car?  Any mentors?
Not a whole lot of help with the car.  I have a few friends that are around as I am working on it, if that counts as helping. There are tons of mentors out there that kept me going.  Obviously, every time I saw Shep, I got pumped!  Any other guys that take their 1G and try to “restore” the car, I have much respect for ya and enjoy watching your builds.

How have you paid this forward and mentored others?
Can’t say a whole lot here, I’m afraid.  I’m more of a learner with the cars.  I have helped a few guys out in the community with auto body and paint questions.  Some have seen my bay and ask how I do things or were I “hide” stuff. I am always willing to let people know my “secrets.”

Is there a particular shop you’d like to recommend?
The shop were I get 95% of everything I have bought for the car is ExtremePSI.  I love the customer service and the shipping is ALWAYS on time.  I always get my stuff in 4 days.  Always have.

Do you spend time on any Mitsubishi sites?  Which ones?
Of course! I am on the DSMLink forums, Mitsu-Media, DsmPurity, Chi-town DSM, DSmtuners, DSMtalk, there are some others I’m sure, but those are the most visited ones.

Are you on Twitter?  Facebook?  Where can people find you online?
I have a Facebook, you can reach me there, although, I am not a fluent Facebooker.  Get on there every once in while.

What do you like best about Anthony’s TSi? Thank you for visiting Gearbox Magazine!

Decatur, DSM, Talon