Just ran across this article... Thought everyone interested in this racing forum would find it very interesting and very scary. Especially that it appears Mitsubishi is doing computer searches of SCCA members who race autocross their cars, so they can void the warranty.

What next ? Are they going to go to these forums and see who's modded their car ?

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100378

 

How about a Reward for turn ins ?$?$?$$ss

Just kidding

 

I knew about this about 6 months ago, anything involving EVO's is important to me:-D

 

Racing not only can void your warranty, but it also can pull your coverage on insurance. Private tracks, auto cross, drag racing, etc. It's all the same. Excessive wear and speeds step outside the "normal" range the cars were designed to be used at. Excessive wear will cause parts to break early and increase costs to the MFR. In addition, excessive speeds also reduce your chance to prevent an accident, which is why the insurance companies will drop coverage if you try to file a claim when it was caused by "racing".

Now this isn't all "legal" terms, its just the way it is. I've been racing cars since 95, road racing, drag, autox, street, whatever. Just the rules of the game. You wanna play you gotta pay. I've killed motors, transmissions,etc. Paid for the repairs myself. Never held the mfr responsable. I knew the risks involved. If you are that worried about it, just put some tape over your vin number and take your license plate off.

I'll let you know though, I work for the business center here in the SW, and we don't deploy anyone to go to such events to check vin numbers or anything. Not too much to worry about. Our tech advisors can tell if a car has been modified or abused.

 

Thanks DFWSBR:

I knew you would understand... I was just passing info I ran across on the web. I'm surely one of the biggest offenders... It's my understanding you are employed by DC in some way-shape-or-form, correct ?

If so, I've been having problems with the 1st gear syncro popping out since delivery, but my build # doesn't match the TSB. And I have continously experienced missing at idle since 1k miles. The dealer is useless and has no answers...

Your assistance is appreciated...

PS: Could you get me the specs and plans for the front and rear sway bar assembly ? .jpg or PDF format is fine. This needs to include pre-load, diameter, arm length etc... Thanks in advance...

 

No problem. I've just seen situations where SRT4 owners have bragged about getting parts replaced after breaking them after racing. Eventually came back and bit them in the ***. If I ever had a dealer replace something under warranty that was my fault, I definately would keep quiet about it. I just think its up there with insurance fraud.

As for the 1st gear popping out, if you can duplicate it with a tech, there is no reason they should deny working on the car. I drive my car pretty hard and haven't had the issue. It does fall within the range of the TSB, however doesn't mean the work should be performed. It is only a technical service suggestion.

If you are indeed having the problem and can't get the dealer to help you out, yet you have duplicated the issue in front of either the tech or the service advisor. PM me privately. We can try to get it resolved for you. .

As for the sway bar, let me get back to you on that. I don't have the manual cd with me here. I'll do it when I have access to it again. About a day or so.

Adam

 

Adam:

Thanks... The problem with the POP-OUT is random... And the missing does not show-up as an error code...The sway bar plans are to have the fabricator I am working with, see if he can mfg a bit tighter bar for track use. I have a tower bar prototype being constructed now.

Happy New Year... Derek

 

No dice on the sway bar specifics. All the service manuals have are torque specs for the bolts. You'd have better luck sending off your sway bars to be analized for the proper matchup. I'm guessing you have a company working with you to develop some aftermarket bars for the vehicle?

Perhaps RMracing.com can do something? They used to make some great swaybars for the DSM's. They also have done a lot of work for the NSX group:

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performa...ystrutbars.htm

Looks like rmracing.com is down for now. Might want to check back on them later. They know what they are talking about.

 

Actually working with Herb Adams who has been making sway bars for GM cars for years... I was just being lazy and hoping I could get the measurements without pulling them out... But I knew I would have to, to get the pre-load angles, etc.

We've got a pretty slick design that has spherical bearing ends and greasable "Energy Suspension" bushings. The mathmatics of the new system looks like 441% stiffer than the OEM sway bar in the front and 290% in the rear...

Combine that with the new Strut Tower Bar we are having built and you've got yourself a premium handling road-racer that will stick to the road like Super-Glue....

Now all we need is more JUICE !!! I think the new diff. from Berg Werks will help with acceleration and torque... Once that is installed I can gauge what I need to do to the engine without srcrewing myself in the SCCA DSP Classification that our car is ranked in...

 

That sounds really cool. Good to see someone is making some effort in getting the crossfire a little more track ready. I think from the factory it does quite well out of the box. I've had a few years of road racing under my belt personally. I had to get out of it due to the major expenses. I no longer have the need to have a daily driven road race ready vehicle. The crossfire is a perfect balance between my aggressive daily driving and nimble enough to take what I dish out.

LagunaSeca. I still plan on getting out there one day. I'd love to take a car on that track. I had plans to ship my old car up to run one year, but again, the money was an issue.