The Big 5 Jap Juggernauts! Mitsubishi 3000gt VR-4

    Now moving along with this post, the next really doesn't need much of an introduction, but im going to introduce it anyway for sheer nostalgia even though this wasn't one of my favorite cars', but its presence alone was never taken lightly. The Mitsubishi 3000gt or GTO to JDM heads was an unbearable eyesore when it was first released in 1990 if i'm mistaken, it was introduced as a front wheel drive coupe using a SOHC V-6, the SL platform carried a DOHC, and the ever impressive VR-4 model was paired with the DOHC twin-turbo V-6 spitting out a whopping 280 horsepower to the wheels. What made the VR-4 stand out much more was the marriage of the racing tunes getrag transmission and an all wheel drive setup. Which made this car a formidable opponent to other driver. The question was how did heavy car perform the way it did in races? This car was a lot more complex-ed than anyone perceived it to be. Utilizing a style and usage of many electronic sensors and gadgets, the 3000gt was created for much more than looking pretty. It was made to become mitsubishis' crowning achievement to the automotive world. Now, what did you know was equipped with Computer controlled Suspension, Electronic Exhaust Control ( sport or casual mode ) and adaptive front and rear spoiler that was controlled by the ECU due for better Aerodynamics and handling, what car came stock with all these little goodies from the factory at no extra cost. OH....how about 4 wheel steering.
           What i remember about this car was the fact that the VR-4 was hard to find, and whoever owned the car were more feared that any Porsche and BMW driver when i was growing up. The sight of this vehicle launching off the line with such power i always thought it was gonna fly away. The exhaust sounded ominous, but it sat up like a debutante, until she was pushed and turned into a crazy B%$!#. I also remembered it was a high maintenance automobile, the engine bay was cramped, it drank gas up and the transfer cases always cracked under pressure. It was a money pit from my understanding. You could never find parts for it unless you found its counterpart the dodge Stealth R/T laying in a junkyard somewhere. The car was a gift and a curse, but whoever fixed and tuned these cars knew they had more than a rocket, they something untouchable. Properly tuned and maintained, you had one of the fastest street cars in your neighborhood

    Since its following the 3000gt has had its fair share of problems such as bad transmissions, turbo failure, and what not, the car is still popular and up there with the big boys, when sales were ceased in late 2000, Mitsubishi started concentrating more on its rally based street car, the LANCER EVOLUTION, calmly called the EVO.  Finally releasing the EVO 8 to the states, the 3000gt's legacy hasn't died, even though we prefer the 4 cylinder turbocharged all-wheel drive sport compact, we still loved to brutish style and grace of one of Mits' prized vehicles. Live on in our memories GTO, but our wallets never forgave you......to be continued

The Big 5 Jap Juggernauts! Part 1- Mazda RX-7

In the late 90s, early millennium, we saw the death of dominant sport compacts who legacy and repose could never be imitated or redefined. They have been used in countless world championships, show car specials, even immortalized in small TV shows,Video Games and film. These particular cars have a strong following of fans, restorers, and collectors of all sorts. We still see them on the streets on an everyday basis. Allow me to cut to the chase and stop all the anxiousness. The Cars I'm referring to is the Nissan 300zx, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, Mazda RX-7, the late model MA70 and JZA80 Toyota Supra, and the car of all cars, Nissans' Skyline GT-R.
 

    Allow me to to talk about the Mazda RX-7 first, it being the unsung hero of them all, with its tuned suspension, Phenomenally balanced power to weight ratio, and the crown jewel of Mazda, The 13b rotary engine. Not only were we intrigued by its power at high RP M's, but the pitch of the engine when it reached its threshold, a sound that can never be explained in a small collection of words, but when you heard it, shivers would race down the spines of those who were privileged to hear such a range of wonder. The most amazing feat that the FD brought being the last chassis code it carried was the twin turbo set-up  it was built with. When this car made boost you were surprised on how well it responded, but you were even more surprised how powerful this little small car was moving around the track. When the car reached the American shores, it was greeted with such praise and admiration for its compact detail and overall performance. The Only Problem that was apparent with the car itself was you needed to have your masters and your doctorate to repair the rotary engine underneath the hood. Every time you wanted to have the car serviced, you would have to find a specialist who was not only familiar with the car, he/she would have have to be a certified Mazda technician to repair the complex rotary engine, so in other words....MONEY PIT! At the end of the day, it would be worth it to some collectors, but to others they found their thrills by driving other sport compacts which  we will get to later in the series.
  Shortly after its demise in 2000 in America and 2002 in Japan the RX-7 was discontinued and another Mazda flagship would take its place. This would be the Mazda RX-8. With a newly revamped rotary and sleek styling, it was considered as well balanced car as its predecessor but it lacked one simple ingredient, a chink in the once formidable armor that Mazda wore proudly. The 13b would not be featured in the vehicle but another model known as The Renesis.This engine still provided the power at high output of 9000 rpms, but the torque was non-existent losing its luster with a small majority of enthusiasts, but still have a strong following with some due to its remarkable styling and graceful handling. Hopefully one day with the Automotive industry making some stand out moves in some manufacturers, Mazda will return to the stage with another flagship vehicle, hoping that maybe the RX-7 will make a triumphant return with its heart beating stronger than ever.  to be continued...........

What is The Chop Shop?

   10 years ago a 2 individuals in high school would sit at the lunch table and talk about nothing but cars and video games, but the subject leaned toward more on cars itself. What's faster, more fuel efficient, the worse car to work on the side of the road, most overrated, highly underrated, etc. This would initially transcend after graduation and into adulthood. Of further conversations and ideas thrown around they decided to create a blog and a show, to express the interest and knowledge of everything that has 4 wheels and an engine. Then life called      upon them to be responsible adults and the show never came into play. Years later they met up at a car show, caught up with life around them and once again the idea came back into play. They both have experienced the ups and downs of certain manufacturers and vehicles willing to share that knowledge with some of the unknowing public and chat with other Enthusiasts alike. This then lead into the creation of ...THE CHOP SHOP!

      The Significance of the Chop Shop is simple. To just talk shop about cars, and everything surrounding Cars, even video games to say the least. Chop Shop which came from the earlier terms of a shop that chop up cars and sell the parts, the meaning of our show is merely the same. We break down the Companies Vehicles and share our opinion on them, if there worth buying, what to stay weary of, what will be a money pit in the future, but its not bashing of automobile companies or anything like that, its just friendly banter, rants, and overall fun. If you love cars and enjoying talking about them whatever it may be feel free to join us in this crazy Road Trip..... See you on the road.