Speed & Sound: Feature Car: Pursuit of Happiness
An 850hp 1997 Eagle Talon literally built to perfection.
Story and Photos by Amee Reehal
People will go to any length in the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes this involves blood, sweat, and tears. But more often, it involves the easiest, quickest, and usually the least-cost-effective path. Legs too skinny, get some calve implants! Feel old and getting sad, just buy that droptop red Miata (and get those frosted tips in your hair too)!
The tuning world is a little more reasonable, where enthusiasts will drop loads of cash on the best possible parts available to attain their performance goals. But what if they don’t meet your standards, or worse, constantly break down, which can often be the case? Well, if it makes you happy, make your own. This is exactly what Ron Korolak from northern Alberta did. He has invested six grueling years into his 1997 Eagle Talon TSi AWD, completing nearly all the work himself along with a few select friends.
“Everything on the car was only designed to take 200 crank horsepower, and putting out well over 850 hp (on the dyno) hasn’t been easy on any of the engine or drivetrain components.” Ron continues, “this car has broken almost every part imaginable over the last six years. From low quality rods, to clutches, to ripping the rear end clean off the car on more than one occasion. People see cars like this but don’t realize the ton of hours, time, money, and heartache it takes to get to this point.” For those who don’t realize the effort that goes into a project like this, let’s break it down (so to speak).
Tackling the engine, Ron wanted parts that would give him the most results. Realizing the parts were not available, he made his own. The real challenge, however, was finding the clearances that would allow him to make well over 730 whp and still remain reliable. “I broke several aftermarket rods until I found the strongest ones,” he states. Over the years, he kept a record of all the clearances, motor specs, and other relevant measurements, until attaining the right combination that allowed him to push the Talon’s limits. Using an uncommon displacement motor for a DSM, the Talon put down 730 hp to the wheels with 600 lb-ft of torque, achieved running medium boost levels only and no nitrous.
The drivetrain was upgraded and reinforced to deal with the excessive power. For instance, the stock syncros within the gearbox would constantly wear out, resulting in the car not slipping into gear under power. The solution was a DogBox transmission supplied by John Shepard Racing. Ron explains, “I was dealing with destroyed syncros in the tranny for years, which resulted in missed shifts. Since I installed the DogBox gears from John, I have never missed another shift or had another tranny-related failure.” Switching to a twin-disc clutch over the regular single-disc also helped. With the help of friend Will Lacelle, the two have recently fabricated a new rear-differential housing to replace the stock differential, which was apparently being ripped apart upon launching at the track.
This DSM has seen more fabrication than Joan Rivers. So it’s worth listing some of these items: the downpipe, the exhaust and intake, intercooler piping, valve cover, oil filter housing, intercooler end tanks, the rear differential, the battery and intercooler hold-downs, the oil cooler, fuel system, the alternator relocation to the back of the engine, removal of all wiring under the engine bay, and the list goes on.
Ron’s first two cars were both early-model Honda CRXs. And both were all-show no-go. To avoid this path again, all of the Talon’s exterior parts are for performance purposes while maintaining a clean overall style. All moldings have been shaved off, including the antenna. The stock turbo wing and all emblems are removed to retain the clean look. The paint is custom, and the VIS carbon fibre hood, VIS carbon fibre hatch, and roof are all painted to match. Other exterior parts include M3-style mirrors and a custom air vent in the front bumper.
The clean and simple theme carries into the interior, where a majority of the parts have been custom-fabricated. This includes the dash, the seat mounts, and turbo timer pod. The largest interior fabrication, and certainly the largest headache, was the ten-point cage. Dave from Trimble Performance helped with this one-off, and the challenge they had was getting the cage into the car without compromising too much interior space. The A-pillars on the cage consist of 14 individual bends, proving to be the toughest bit of fabrication on this project. A healthy list of high-end I.C.E. components once weighed this beast down, but has been replaced with the old tuner stand by: basic CD system with door and rear speakers. It’s probably worth noting this DSM ran the quarter mile clocking 10.4 seconds at 144 mph – with functioning heater, lights, wipers, windows, sunroof, etc.
The mandate for the suspension was optimal traction, and the JIC suspension was the clear choice. All the stock bushings were removed, which proved to be a painful yet worthwhile process in the end, and replaced with urethane bushings. The wheels are 18-inch OZ Racing Superleggera, wrapped in 245/45-18 BF Goodriches, front and rear. “Putting that much power down on 18-inch tires….thanks to BF Goodrich, I was able to find a street tire that could harness over 730 whp” Ron explains. “The Wilwood brake setup is incredible…this car can turn and brake with some of the best sports cars out there.” The front brake assembly includes Willwood four-pistion calipers with 13-inch rotors. The rear is fitted with 12-inch AEM rotors. Establishing a 9-second pass on these 18-inch street tires, Ron’s next move is to throw on some slicks to produce even quicker time slips (in addition to upgrading the turbo, fuel system, and increasing the boost).
So whether you’re getting a nose job, a new 9-5 job, or a custom paint job, do what makes you a happy man. The old adage, ‘if you don’t like it, do it yourself’ certainly rings true for Ron and his incredible ’97 Talon. Unsatisfied with the parts available, or lack thereof, he set out and created his own. From a simple turbo timer pod to a rear differential, he invested the time and energy into something others would never even consider. But hey, whatever makes you happy.
Eagle Talon Specifications:
Details
1997 Eagle Talon
Engine
4G63T (2.3L Stroker)
Engine Modifications
First-Gen 4G63 Engine Swap with 2.3L stroker, JE pistons, Pauter rods, 4G64 crank, ACL bearings, balance shaft removal, ARP main studs with girdle, custom head studs, ARP flywheel bolts, Supertech dual valve springs, Titanium retainers, 1mm stainless steel intake valves and 1mm enconel exhaust valves, AEM cam gears, 1600cc Inj, JM Fabrications intake manifold, Revolution Motorsports Stage 5 head, custom solid motor mounts, custom 3-inch aluminum intercooler piping, custom 4-inch downpipe and exhaust, custom intercooler, B&M oil cooler, coil-on-plug conversion, alternator relocation, GSC custom cams, 75mm throttle body, Aeromotive fuel pump, filters, and FPR, custom engine wiring harness
Engine Management
AEM ECU, AEM CDI 2, 8 Autometer gauges, FJO wideband
Drivetrain Modifications
5-speed Dogbox Gearset (John Shepard Racing), Twin carbon/carbon clutch, Driveshaft Shop driveshaft and rear axle upgrade, and transfer case upgrade
Suspension Modifications
JIC coilovers, urethane bushings all around, front and rear strut tower braces
Wheel, Tires, Brakes
Wilwood 4-piston calipers and 13-inch front rotors, AEM 12-inch rear rotors and pads, 18-inch OZ Superleggera and BF Goodrich 245/45-18 front and rear
Interior Modifications
Sparco FIA race seats and steering wheel, custom dash with 8 Autometer gauges, custom 8-point Chromalloy cage with 5-point harness, Alpine CD player and speakers, custom turbo timer pod on steering column
Exterior
VIS carbon fibre hood and hatch, M3-style mirrors, custom metallic grey paint with matching roof and rear centre tail section, moldings and wiper shaved, custom air vent in front bumper
Numbers
10.4 sec at 144 mph (on 18s at 3,250 lbs)
726 whp on low boost
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