Fri 4.29

The sun shined down on the pavement and gave everyone in Milford, CT the impression that summer was soon to come. Friday, April 29, 2011.

It was more like a 'Porsche Day' than anything else as the shop housed a 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster that was in for servicing, a mint 1999 Porsche 996 Carrera Cabriolet, and the monstrous, 700-horsepower, silver Porsche 996 Turbo. 

First on the to-do list was the 996 Carrera Cabriolet. After covering a scant, 42,000 miles since its birth, the car has been garaged most of its 12 years. With that said, the customer needed a full tune-up which consisted of new spark plugs, coil packs, an oil change, cabin filter, air filter, and much more. 

The car's engine has been left stock, but the car has been aerodynamically upgraded with parts such as a rare, TechArt rear wing/deck lid, matching side skirts, and a genuine 996 Cup front bumper modified with TechArt bumper winglets at the front and rear. The car's brakes have been upgraded to Porsche 996 Turbo spec in the front and rear. A set of very rare, 3-piece TechArt Champion Formula Wheels fill the wheel wells as Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's tires wrap them. The rear tires had seen better days, so Hugh discussed with the owner his options on new tires. The deal was made, and a new set is on way.

Meanwhile, Richard and his cousin James were planning to replace the sunroof on his E36 325is, but they found that it was not a faulty motor, but a few broken tabs in the rails themselves.  These tabs were soon replaced from a donor sunroof, and then it was back in working condition. Griff brough his E36 M3 in for a belt change after severe squealing during startup in the mornings. Soon after, Gabe's Evo was raised on the lift for some work towards a 'radical reconstruction'. 

After many track days since it's purchase new, this Lancer Evolution IX MR was and is still in the process of getting major upgrades. HSM already installed a full, Buschur Racing turbo-back exhaust system as well as ECU software and an intake from AEM. Making over 300 wheel horsepower, Gabe is possibly considering going all out and adding a Mitsubishi to the long list of HSM race cars. Stay tuned!

Alex's MB Wheels for his Mazdaspeed 3 arrived back at the shop after being powdercoated gloss white. He chose to go an aggressive route with his 3, as the car is literally slammed on the BC Racing coilovers. Once the 18" x 9.5" MB Wheels are finally mounted on the stretched Hankook tires, wheel gap between the tire and fender will just be a past memory. HSM has already installed an upgraded 3" downpipe to help aid exhaust flow from the turbocharger and an intake and diverter valve as well. The car pulls hard and growls like it is angry. 

"The car sounds like a cross between a Dodge SRT-4 and an STI. It burbles and pops with fury. It's awesome and a load of fun to drive!" said Alex. 

Stay tuned until next week!

-GG