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Hi. Many of you have been enormously helpful to me as I modified my 87 SPG, my beloved Stealthbomber. I now am wondering whether to put more money into her, or to let her go and move on. I would appreciate your thoughtful comments and suggestions. Please let me frame the subjective considerations for you.
Currently, the Stealthbomber has about 250,000 miles on her. I approached the mods with the intent to lay the foundation first, so when I upgraded the turbo, everything else would be in place. I have upgraded air flow (open K&N filter and performance exhaust) and fuel system (bigger injectors), aggressively modified the APC, adjusted the AMM, and sped the initial boost response with a Dawes MBC. The design target was a responsive road racer of 220 – 240 hp, and she’s 85 to 90% there. Even with the original turbo, I’ve seen her boost needle swing to the end of the red zone (>20 lbs psi per my calibration) and hang in there at 15 lbs psi boost. Andrews of Princeton rebuilt the motor and tranny (and upgraded the pinion bearing) maybe 25,000 miles ago. Except as noted below, she’s in terrific shape for a car of her age. Damn, she’s fun to drive.
But she now demands a new turbo, a new exhaust (again) and a new ball joint. Cosmetically, the headliner’s shot and the front seats should be replaced or rebuilt. On the other hand, there’s no rust, her body’s in great shape and she has perhaps the only uncracked dash in the States. She’s been my daily driver from 89 to 2004 (I’m her second owner) but she’s been parked for the last couple of years as I have avoided this decision.
If I were to replace her, here are my primary requirements in another car:
Turbocharged. Not an aftermarket add-on, but engineered from the factory to support turbocharging. Undoubtedly, I will further modify the car and add boost, but I want the underlying engineering to be solid.
Reliable. I believe in regular maintenance. I do not believe in owning a car that requires monthly visits to a chromium-plated maintenance temple populated by mechanics wearing designer coveralls. It would be wonderful if a competent owner could perform much of the regular maintenance.
Sure-footed. I live in Minnesota currently (another issue altogether). The roads are snowy, icy or slippery much of the year. I am very tempted by the idea of an AWD performance car. RWD does not seem a good choice for an all-season daily driver in this climate. Admittedly, with winter snow tires, the Stealthbomber has been great, but I wonder: would AWD be even more fun??
Versatile. I have a wife and two kids who are fast approaching adolescence. They are growing. In an ideal world, there would be room for our Lab and a few suitcases, too. For these reasons, I would consider a wagon (but don’t tell anyone).
A driver’s car: Fast, responsive, a great road car and FUN TO DRIVE. I don’t drag race. But I do love to “let her rip” on empty back roads or through the mountains when I don’t think other people are placed at risk by my enthusiasm. I prefer windy, hilly roads to long, flat highways. But I also want good highway performance, and a car that will eat up a thousand freeway miles in a day without putting me in traction afterwards.
Potentially serviceable for many years. As you might suspect, I prefer to buy good cars and keep them as long as they serve my needs. I would prefer a car engineered to give 200,000 miles of good service.
It could be used. In fact, a late model used car might be a better choice than a new one, all other things being equal.
Ideally, a manual tranny with at least 5 and maybe 6 speeds. Ideally, a minimum of electronic clutter and gizmos. Ideally, gauges with needles that point rather than digital readouts that have to be read. Ideally, clean, classic lines that do not cry out to every police officer that I must deserve a ticket, even if the car is stuck in traffic.
Okay, that should be enough to frame the issue. Please share your thoughts and suggestions, and thank you all for your time and help.
CHEERS!
Jim Watts
87 SPG, the Stealthbomber, Modestly Modified.
Mods include: Aggressively modified APC, Open K&N filter, tweaked AMM, upgraded injectors, Dawes MBC installed to speed initial boost response, tranny pinion upgraded, performance exhaust, solid motor mounts, stainless steel brake lines, Porterfield brake pads, and other stuff I can’t recall at the moment. Motor and tranny rebuilt 25,000 miles ago.
posted by 12.64.30...
, Thu, 7 Dec 2006 14:53:53, Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:31:48, Fri, 8 Dec 2006 14:50:58, Fri, 8 Dec 2006 14:54:02, Tue, 5 Dec 2006 18:24:23
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