1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T - Import Tuner Magazine

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gst Bahama Blue Pearl Paintjob

It's a rare sight to look up in the sky and see a total solar eclipse in the heavens above. It's even more impressive to look down and be blinded by this rare marvel. Julius Mayo's 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T is a true labor of love. Purchased right off the lot after high school graduation, the Eclipse has been receiving love for seven arduous years and is now out hitting the show circuit. To those that want it all in life, yes, it's still street driven. Like many enthusiasts beginning to mod their car, Mayo started with bolt-on performance pieces and took it out to the track to race. Having a turbocharged car straight from the factory certainly helped performance capabilities and with modified power levels reaching "adequate," Mayo turned to the house of style for help. His car became the full package; balanced and complete in many respects. The Mitsubishi was impressive enough that in October 2002 Mayo was cast as an extra in the recent 2 Fast 2 Furious movie. He spent two weeks down in Miami, learning the film business from dusk until dawn. After hobnobbing with Paul Walker and the grand Ludacris, Mayo's friends jokingly renamed him "2 Fast 2 Julius." But it isn't just Hollywood that Mayo has conquered. In 2003, this street legal automobile has taken Best Mitsubishi and Best Interior at Mazda Extreme Street Sebring, first place at the Mitsubishi and Eclipse Showoff and Spring Break Tuner Bash, and first place Mitsubishi at Import Generation, Tampa.

Nothing sounds more impressive at stoplight battles than saying, "My car's a turbo." That'll scare the guy in the minivan next to you. A factory turbocharged car offers engine durability under boost that most naturally-aspirated cars can only hope to obtain. With this rock solid foundation, Mayo sought to increase power with a few choice modifications. A larger Big 16G turbo was ported and clipped by Turbo Trix of New Jersey.

Adding to the new super leaf blower is a ported exhaust manifold and O2 housing. An A'PEXi N1 three-inch catback exhaust system allows easier exhaling for the Mitsubishi while upgraded fueling duties are handled by RC Engineering 550cc fuel injectors and a Walbro 255 fuel pump. A big new turbocharger wasn't enough for Mayo, so he added a Nitrous Express fifty-shot nitrous oxide kit into the mix. It's truly an example of bringing a howitzer to a knife fight. Engine tuning is handled by HKS adjustable camshaft gears, an A'PEXi S-AFC and a GReddy Profec B. The Profec B is set at 16psi for low boost and 19psi for high boost. Only in the world of the DSM super stars can 16psi be considered low boost, a very impressive number in any condition. Even with factory turbo durability, steps must be taken to avoid a blown engine. For extra cooling ability, Mayo added a new Fluidyne radiator with dual Flex-A-Lite fans and Hayame brackets, a massive Greddy front mount intercooler and a GReddy radiator cap. A GReddy Type S blow off valve was added to blow girls' skirts up at stoplights. The engine bay was given a facelift with Injen dress up pieces.