Just bought a 93 VR4! I have a couple questions.....

1614 Views 29 Replies 15 Participants Last post by nissanzack, 4 mo ago

93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago (Edited)

3

Hi all,

I'm happy to be here, I just bought a 93 V4R4 that should be here in the next few days. Shout out to Keysavvy.com in making it super easy to get a car from a private seller safely.

I was curious though looking though the forums, I've seen polls and other posts on "the best year". The 93 won out the poll, and I am curious what really makes the 93 stand out?

It's my understanding the ECU was just replaced with an aftermarket one ( not sure of make ) however, I hear the ECU is unique to the 93 or something of that nature?

The seats inside defintly need to be replaced, or reupholdstered, however I haven't seen other seats that look like these, are they stock? ( pictured below with a few other pics of the car).

Anyone know of any good shops here that would work on this car in the Southwest Florida region?

Happy to be here, can't wait for it to be delivered!

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mini_cal

· #2 · 4 mo ago

To answer the seat question, these definitely look aftermarket/they were reupholstered by a previous owner. From my experience of getting quotes for reupholstery, it was better to just get aftermarket seats and brackets; most folks run Corbeau A4 seats since the most common bracket is for Corbeau seats.

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93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · #3 · 4 mo ago

mini_cal said:
To answer the seat question, these definitely look aftermarket/they were reupholstered by a previous owner. From my experience of getting quotes for reupholstery, it was better to just get aftermarket seats and brackets; most folks run Corbeau A4 seats since the most common bracket is for Corbeau seats.

Thanks I appreciate the feedback. I guess I'll have to see how comfortable they are and if the cost of fixing them is better than getting new ones. If I swapped them out for say Corbeau seats, do I lose the memory setting and such? Thanks again!

lawdogg

· #4 · 4 mo ago

Yes, you will lose all that (and the weight associated with it).

VR Thor

· #5 · 4 mo ago

The only thing I know of noteworthiness is that they are the only first generation to have a 4 bolt main, forged crank, with the 25-spline output shaft. Essentially the best one to race with, of that generation.

ECU I have not heard of anything different, as most first generations are plagued with ECU issues (someone may correct me on upgraded capacitors or something.)

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3000gtvr494

· #6 · 4 mo ago

The seats inside defintly need to be replaced, or reupholdstered, however I haven't seen other seats that look like these, are they stock? ( pictured below with a few other pics of the car).
I have been looking at new seat covers also. My upholstrey guy sent me this link as being high quality. Not cheap though, $1600 to $2100 for the complete interior. Search package

93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · #7 · 4 mo ago

3000gtvr494 said:
The seats inside defintly need to be replaced, or reupholdstered, however I haven't seen other seats that look like these, are they stock? ( pictured below with a few other pics of the car).
I have been looking at new seat covers also. My upholstrey guy sent me this link as being high quality. Not cheap though, $1600 to $2100 for the complete interior. Search package

I'll probably end up just taking it somewhere locally to see what they charge. They look rough, but liveable for the time being, especially since this is just a weekend car for me. 2k seems a little high to me, but I can't say I've had to have this done before either.

Black&Tan

· #8 · 4 mo ago

The Ecu is the same. If it was replaced with a reman or a new one you should be good for a long time.

The '93 is the best of both worlds! Pop up headlights AND a 4 bolt motor.

I think there was some company selling leather covers for the seats... maybe on the FB 3S group? Might be worth a look.

The big question is.... how long ago was the timing belt done?

Congrats! Welcome to the club!

420_Friendly

· #9 · 4 mo ago

93 had the strong engine with the strong transmission with the bad ass headlights. My favorite year by far

Vinnetou

· #10 · 4 mo ago

Black&Tan said:
The Ecu is the same. If it was replaced with a reman or a new one you should be good for a long time.

The '93 is the best of both worlds! Pop up headlights AND a 4 bolt motor.

I think there was some company selling leather covers for the seats... maybe on the FB 3S group? Might be worth a look.

The big question is.... how long ago was the timing belt done?

Congrats! Welcome to the club!

I found these:

ridies.com

1991-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT OEM Replacement Leather Seat Covers - $474.95 | Ridies.com

Factory Replacement Upholstery (not slip-ons). Real Leather. Free shipping. 14-Day money back guarantee. 3 Year warranty. Several colors to choose from. Call 317-516-5962 for questions. Top Quality & Best Price - guaranteed! 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

ridies.com

Ian2160

· #11 · 4 mo ago

Black&Tan said:
The Ecu is the same. If it was replaced with a reman or a new one you should be good for a long time.

The '93 is the best of both worlds! Pop up headlights AND a 4 bolt motor.

I think there was some company selling leather covers for the seats... maybe on the FB 3S group? Might be worth a look.

The big question is.... how long ago was the timing belt done?

Congrats! Welcome to the club!

OEM 3000GT Stealth Leather Seat Kits Archives - Otto & Odette

ottoandodette.com

ottoandodette.com

this was the person who does the leather stuff for the seats, but its not listed on her site anymore.

kbarns86

· #12 · 4 mo ago

I went with Interior Innovations back in 2019. Very pleased for the price and results. Learned lots doing it myself.
1991-99 Mitsubishi 3000GT STEALTH – Interior Innovation

beegeezy

· #13 · 4 mo ago

As others have said, it's the drivetrain that makes the '93 VR4 special. The 4-bolt main block is nice, but doesn't really matter (you can make silly power with the 2-bolt main too). The forged crankshaft on the other hand is a big deal. That combined with the 25-spline transfer case and the 5-speed transmission make this the best year for drag racing. However, these are things that can be upgraded on a '91-92 and the 6-speed in the 94+ can also be strengthened. The best 3S is one that was taken car of, regardless of year/gen.

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DuTTch

· #14 · 4 mo ago

welcome to SW FL , i am in Lehigh Acres

93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · #15 · 4 mo ago

DuTTch said:
welcome to SW FL , i am in Lehigh Acres

Hey DuTTch, I'm right down the street from you in Fort Myers. Know of any other members that are local?

DuTTch

· #16 · 4 mo ago

there is a actually lot of people in the area, but we never get together lol. In March there is the MOM )Mitsubishi Owners Day in Orlando, u see various 3S owners. There is 3 x Florida 3S groups on FB

93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · #17 · 4 mo ago

DuTTch said:
there is a actually lot of people in the area, but we never get together lol. In March there is the MOM )Mitsubishi Owners Day in Orlando, u see various 3S owners. There is 3 x Florida 3S groups on FB

What's the name of the groups? I haven't had luck searching so far. Thanks!

DuTTch

· #18 · 4 mo ago

Florida3S Florida3S | Facebook
3SofFlorida 3sofflorida | Facebook
SothFlorida3S SouthFlorida3s | Facebook

Not a very active bunch BTW lol

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nissanzack

· #19 · 4 mo ago

Congratulations! Yep, '93 is a great year. In reality, each production year received some improvements. For example, '92 got a power driver's seat and leather e-brake handle, as well as improved ribbed belts for the engine accessories instead of the previous v-belts. But, arguably, '93 received the most substantial improvements. Repeating some of what others have said, '93 has a forged crank, 4-bolt engine and a 25 spline tranmission & TC. In my opinion, 5-speed is more pleasant to drive on the road vs. 6-speed. The 5-speed gear ratios just feel more right. There's also various other little improvements, such as a revised shifter with shorter height and throw. For 3000GT, I believe the sail panels got revised for '93 to eliminate the delaminating issue with the black part. The radiator fan speed on a '93 is regulated by the ECU, unlike '91-'92 cars. '93 has a unique ECU P/N. A 9966 ECU from a '91-'92 Turbo will plug in and the car will run fine, however the radiator fans won't operate properly (as I recall, I think they stay on all the time). And there are other obscure revisions that I've noticed... such as the upper door glass retainers that were added to keep the windows from popping out of the seal at high speeds.

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93VR4Rob

Discussion Starter · #20 · 4 mo ago

Hi everyone, I got the car delivered today, and it definitely is a little bit rough. I really want to get a scan tool to plug into it, but with being a 93, I am having a hard time finding out what kind of scanner I can even use. Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

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