Chrysubishi Conquest/Starion: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 20, 2009 9:04 p.m. 72SuperBrian Reader

Another one of those "Learn me..." topics

Until today, I hadn't seen one of those cars on the street in what seems like a decade. The passage of time has made them look very cool, indeed...

So, before I go adding more 1980's Japanese sports car cheesy-ness to my garage, does anyone know anything about the Chrysler Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion?

Any years to avoid? What are the common problems? Where the heck do I even find one? Are they as cheap as they probably should be by now? Fun to drive? Overweight crap? Easily modified?
April 20, 2009 9:21 p.m. RexSeven HalfDork

Definetly a Japanese musclecar if there ever was such a thing. Early cars came with TBI, which can go wonky and can be a pain to work on. Later models had EFI, which is easier to work on. All US models got a 2.6l turbo I-4 called the G54B. The 4G63T can swap in; JDM, Euro, and Aussie versions came with the 4G stock. The Starquest came in narrowbody and widebody styles. The widebody is rarer, more desireable, and can be more expensive than the narrowbodies, but they should all fall under GRM-level prices.

www.starquestclub.com is a good place to poke around for info on these.
April 20, 2009 10:01 p.m. hotg54b New Reader

All US spec. starquests came TBI on the 2.6L
April 20, 2009 10:05 p.m. InigoMontoya New Reader

there was a guy in huntsville alabama that I used to work with that had one. He had adapted the use of the intake manifold from the turbo dodge caravan to work with the motor, evidently much better flow and setup. I never got to go for a drive in it so I cannot fully confirm, but definently not the standard piece that was on there when I saw it.

Evidently one of the hot pieces to get is the hood with the scoop on it, not many exist.
April 20, 2009 10:24 p.m. P71 Dork

My grandparents had a later widebody Starion Turbo/Auto in Silver many many moons ago. I remember that it was very fast in the times and solidly reliable. Comfy and good looking too.

We saw a narrow body Conquest Turbo (very early, 4-lug wheels and said "Turbo" on the door handles) yesterday that was super clean, in light gold metallic.

Neat cars, on my "must own one one day" list.
April 21, 2009 8:24 a.m. belteshazzar Dork

Haven't worked on them in years. Back in high school it seemed like they were everywhere. No less than three of my friends had 'em. They were total piles of crap that would die in some catastrophic way with no warning. I still want one anyway. I imagine if there's any left it would have the bugs (if you can call them that) worked out by now. When you ask about common problems, I'd just tell ya, you never know what's going to happen with those damn things.
April 21, 2009 8:28 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

My buddy had one and snapped the wheel studs under acceleration. 4-bolt design with pretty huge tires IIRC.
April 21, 2009 8:42 a.m. Xceler8x Dork

P71 wrote:

yesterday that was super clean, in light gold metallic.

Was it parked in front of Studio 54? Metal Flake Gold baby...
April 21, 2009 9:14 a.m. Travis_K HalfDork

As far as I know they all had TBI, any ones with multiport were swapped, but i could be wrong. They have trouble with cracking heads, but there are other versions of that engine with heads that hold up better. I see way more wide body ones than narrow ones, i think the narrow ones have more engine trouble so they are pretty much disappeared by now. I wouldnt buy one, there are alot of way better cars than that.
April 21, 2009 11:08 a.m. mattmacklind SuperDork

Cool cars. Hemmings Sports & exotic did a buyers guide sometime over the last year, which would be worth getting your hands on, they are pretty thorough for a magazine.

I always loved those cars, at least the wide body. The best Japanese 924/944 mimick design ever made. They were expensive when new. Every once in a while I see one on the street. They are either clapped out or look great, not much middle ground. Hmm, sort of like 924/944's.

Good luck. Seems like there is one in the Reader's Rides, might be good to shoot that person an email. Its either here or in the Classic side.

Here's one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-Mitsubishi-Starion-Chrysler-Conquest_W0QQitemZ...
April 21, 2009 12:48 p.m. fiat22turbo SuperDork

Aside from the cracking heads (common to 2.6's with the air injection port for the EGR) and the recirculating ball steering system (which means it isn't quite as nice as a car with a rack and pinion solution) they seem to be decent cars to start with.