Modifying A Dream Car: 1993 Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4
Honestly, the 3000gt was not in my mind at all. I was all about the s-chassis coming out of high school. So, as a first car, I got myself a 1990 Nissan 240sx hatchback. The same cousin (Manny) I would go play NFS and Midnight Club to, sold me his 240sx. Unfortunately, I crashed that car and I ended up buying my uncle's 87 Toyota Supra
Mr2mivin
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Alejandro Serrano
1993 Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4
Instagram: @blackmamba_vr4
Photographer: Marvin Recinos
Instagram: @mr2mivin
Performance Stats: 320-350 HP based on my current modifications.
Hey, I go by Alex, based out of Los Angeles, CA, USA. My parents brought me to Los Angeles from Guadalajara, Mexico as a young boy (8 years old) in search of the American Dream back in 2001. I had buckets and buckets of Hotwheels as a kid, this was the American Dream I thought. One day wishing to own my own "hot wheel". I studied and worked hard in school to get somewhere in life, ultimately trying to make my parents proud. I had a goal, and that goal was to prove to my parents that their sacrifice to immigrate to another country without any guarantee of success was worth the risk. Hard work and dedication pays off in the end!
From Hot Wheels To Console Games
Growing up with Hot Wheels and playing car video games piqued my interest in cars. It all started with Top Gear SNES, back in Mexico. When I came to the USA in 2000 I would spend countless hours at my cousin's house playing Need for Speed and Midnight Club 1,2 and 3 on the PS2. (I was too poor to afford any video game consoles at the time). Once my parents were able to afford a PS2, I played Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition way too much. It was the one thing that really fortified my love for cars.
A Car That Changed His Mind
Honestly, the 3000gt was not in my mind at all. I was all about the s-chassis coming out of high school. So, as a first car, I got myself a 1990 Nissan 240sx hatchback. The same cousin (Manny) I would go play NFS and Midnight Club to, sold me his 240sx. Unfortunately, I crashed that car and I ended up buying my uncle's 87 Toyota Supra (that had been rotting away for 7 years), I fixed it and it became my daily from 2015-2023. In 2019 my brother bought himself a non-turbo, front-wheel drive 1995 Mitsubishi 3000gt SL... That car really piqued my interest in the platform. So I did some more research on the better version.. the VR4. I set another goal for myself.
A Determination That Drove His Passion
I had to get it one way or another. Owning the Supra allowed me to meet a lot of great people and many other fellow Supra owners. One day one of them messaged me that he had a friend who owned a mechanic shop and had a 3000gt for sale and if I knew anyone who might be interested. I told him to send me pictures and I would post it for him on social media. Behold, IT WAS A VR4! I dropped everything I was doing and was on my way.
Modifying A Dream Car
The car was VERY rough... paint was super faded, no front bumper, dusty, interior was destroyed. He only wanted $400... He said that the original owner brought it in for some work, and never came back for the car and never paid him for the work that was done. It sat for 7 years and he was about to send it to the junkyard if it wasn't for me. He claimed ownership of it, sold it to me legally and I was on my way!
Driving Through The Gears In The Canyons
I feel like if I had bought the car already fixed and "built", I wouldn't appreciate it as much as I do now, but because I put in so much work into it and built it to my liking, it helped me develop a bond with it like no other. It's such a joy slamming through gears and hearing the turbos spool and blow-off valve noises through the local canyons. Its a joy like none other.
A Car That Is Unique To Me
The 3000gt VR4 is unique in so many ways right out of the factory, with the AWD, twin-turbo drivetrain, all-wheel steering, and electronic suspension. Let's not forget the Active Aero components that were truly ahead of everyone else in the 90s. But what makes my car unique from the rest of the VR4's is the theme I went with. I got the car in Dec. of 2019, right before the COVID19 pandemic. As you all know, Kobe Bryant passed away on February 26th, 2020. Growing up basketball was a big part of my life as well, and Kobe Bryant was my idol. I admired his work ethic, his dedication, and his passion for the game.
He really kept me in check and wanted me to work hard. His passing affected me as if he was a family member. I quickly decided to build this car in honour of Kobe, a tribute car to an extent, but I did not want it to be over the top with too many Lakers or Kobe references. It was more like small subtle references. The brake callipers, the valve covers, the fuse box cover, side mount intercoolers, and midnight purple paint, amongst other small things.
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Build List:
Engine:
- Upgraded 15T turbos,
- Turbo XS BOV,
- Stainless steel intake Y-pipe,
- Stainless Steel pre-turbo intake pipes,
- K&N Filter,
- Upgraded Side mount intercoolers,
- Upgraded front mount Oil cooler,
- Mishimoto Radiator and Hoses,
- Extended/baffled oil pan,
- Poly motor mounts,
- Aftermarket downpipe, test pipe,
- Tanabe Catback Exhaust,
- Upgraded clutch,
- Reinforced t-case,
- Custom powder-coated valve covers.
Body:
- Custom midnight purple paint,
- CF Rain guards,
- CF Combat Wing based off the '99 VR4 OEM wing.
- Carbon fiber lip,
- Carbon fiber sideskirts,
- Carbon fiber rear bumper spats,
- Carbon fiber hatch visor, rear diffuser,
- Custom LED taillights,
- Custom LED rear center garnish that lights up (Mitsubishi),
- Custom powder coated and engraved letters on brake callipers ("24" front, "blackmamba" rear),
- Steel braided brake lines,
- Volk rear upper and lower control arms, differential bracket,
- Rays Gramlights 57CR's wrapped in some Michelin Pilot Sports,
- BC Racing Coilovers,
- Purple underglow.
Interior:
- Kicker sound system with Pioneer head unit,
- Corbeau seats,
- Swapped interior from original beige to black,
- Small carbon fiber accents on the door handles, dash cluster, dash buttons,
- Momo steering wheel with NRG quick release and lock,
- Short shifter,
- Solid shifter bushings,
- Rear strut bar.
Who did the work?
- Paint - Superior Auto Collision Center
- Front Lip, Side skirts, rear spats, hatch visor - Retro Spec
- Rain guards and Wing - Nemesis Carbon
- Powder coating on brakes and valve cover - Luminous Concepts
- Installation of all parts and upgrades was done by me, besides the paint and powder coating of my valve cover and callipers.
Future Plans
I plan to get a standalone ECU and upgrade my intercooler piping, and fuel system to try to push a healthy 450-500 whp. Aesthetically I'm very happy where it is. I can't see myself adding more to the body. Just more engine power! but that's what we all say, right?!
Advice/Tips
My advice to all is to "have a good time, enjoy life, life is too short to get bogged down and discouraged, you have to keep moving, you have to keep going, put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling!" - Kobe Bryant
Shout Outs
- @nemesis.c.s for his carbon pieces
- @pauloatretrospec for his carbon pieces
- @socal_supras Without this group of people I would not have found this VR4
- @cyclist58 (my uncle) who is a mechanic guided me through a lot of the maintenance work at the beginning of the build
- @mr2mivin for thinking about my car when asked about a Vr4
@ my parents for always working hard and doing everything they could for me to have a better life than they did in Mexico, and lastly my crew, @socal3s and all the friends I met and those who came to lend a hand when I needed to install some things.
The car scene
A sense of brotherhood, family, and joy. The joy I get from people sending me messages that my build has inspired them to work on their cars. The messages I get from people across the world, asking for advice and that they admire my build. Very rewarding feeling.
We all Have a Dream Car
I already own it. The 1993 Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4
So, what's your car story? Share it with us, and let's keep the engines of passion running!
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