Craigslist Crapwagon Outtake: Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

by Derek Kreindler

June 27th, 2013 11:42 AM

craigslist crapwagon outtake mitsubishi galant vr 4

While Doug and I are preparing our next installment of “ Derek and Doug’s Fantastic Crapwagons“, this gem came across my desk thanks to a sharp-eyed reader.

The car in question is a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4, a rare bird that was never ever sold here in Canada. The seller says it doesn’t have a drivetrain, but it’s only $800. If you’re lucky, you might be able to sell those godawful wheels and find a junked DSM powertrain from a wreckers and make a nice Lemons car.

Lacking any extra space, I can’t buy it, even though it’s tantalizingly close to me in Ann Arbor, MI. But someone should. I’d hate to see this thing go to the scrapyard.

#DerekAndDoug'sFantasticCrapwagons #Mitsubishi #MitsubishiGalantVr-4

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6 of 20 comments

Tim_Turbo on Jun 27, 2013

A friend of mine had one of these right after we started college. Fun car, and a perfect sleeper. Not many people knew what it was at the time and it was fun to challenge "fast" cars and smoke them.

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Ryoku75 on Jun 27, 2013

I don't know why but I'd rather have one of these over the Evo X.

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Alterboy21 on Jun 27, 2013

My first car was a GVR4 (#627) and it is still my favorite car. Ultimate sleeper and a hoot in the snow (the Galant was the WRC Champion before the EVO or WRX). Easily brought up to power with interchangeable parts with other DSM/EVO cars. A comfortable cruiser for 4 when not hustling.

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Corey Lewis on Jun 28, 2013

So, my 90s Mitsubishi question for today: The Diamante was sold as the Sigma over in Europe - but we never got the AWD one because it was too close to this model? Not enough demand? Correct me if there's a Diamante VR-4 out there (rallywagon!).

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- DR1665 on Jun 28, 2013
  
  @CoreyDL Sigmas are pretty cool. I think your dream is possible, if not immediately easy or common. How can I put this....? You know how the USDM Diamante is called Sigma everywhere else. Did you know the current generation Lancer (upon which the Evo X is based) is officially a Galant in Japan due to its size? They still call the Evo Lancer Evolution X over there, but if you Google: "Galant Fortis," you can see why some of us might see the current Evo being more Galant VR4 than Evo. ;) More to the technical aspects of your proposed swap, consider the V6 Diamante/Sigma is probably running the 6G72 used in the 3000GT of similar vintage, so a twin turbo swap is probably low-hanging fruit. Converting any FWD vehicle to AWD is going to require fabrication skills, but finding a wrecked 3000GT VR4 (or Dodge Stealth R/T) might be a good starting point for such a project. If I were going to do this project - and it's seriously crossed my mind more than a couple times - I think I'd start by researching the engine in my Sigma for compatibility with the "3S/i." (3000GT/Stealth community moniker extends to the cars these days, imo.) What would it take to turbocharge - twin or otherwise - the lump under the hood? Bolt up the turbo bits from the halo car? Are the internals up to snuff or would I be better off swapping the complete engine (or at least rebuilding with turbo car internals)? Will my gearbox handle the power or should I grab a 3S/i unit (FWD? AWD? 6-speed swap)? Is the ECU flashable to 3S/i specs or would I need to source the turbo car unit? That might be steps to a 250-300hp FWD 6-speed Sigma, which would be remarkable in its own right, methinks, and the second phase of your project could be fitting the AWD bits under the rear of the car. Might need a custom driveshaft built, might need a custom/modified fuel tank, might need a spool for center diff if you wanted to run the AWD gearbox in FWD config for any length of time without worrying about nuking the viscous coupling. Honestly? I think the hardest part of this project would be finding a good, clean Sigma wagon in North America. One of the projects I'm considering for next year is a DIY Evo IX GT wagon. Of course, Mitsubishi only sold about 1,500 2004 Lancer wagons in North America, so even though an Evo drivetrain swap would be fairly easy, any damage to the body would probably be a game ender. Hope this helps. If you'd like further inspiration, Google: Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. ;)
  
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- Corey Lewis on Jun 28, 2013
  
  @DR1665 Thanks for all the info! Ahh the Legnum - bringing back old Gran Turismo on PS1 memories for me.
  
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