Phil H., Texas
1992 Dodge Stealth RT/TT

AutoSportz (AS): Who or what influenced you to get started in sport compact modification?

Phil: I just kinda started one day back in 1996. I had bought a new AWD Talon in March of that year. I wanted to improve the performance a little so I found a shop local to me that specialized in the DSM cars. My first purchase was a Greddy exhaust and it has been non stop since then.

AS: Why did you decide to pick a Dodge Stealth to modify?

Phil: I had always loved the Stealth. My 1st encounter was in Michigan. My aunt works at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership. I was up there visiting and they had one on the lot. I fell in love with the car instantly.

AS: Is your car mainly for daily driving, race or show/competition?

Phil: Mainly daily driving and show events. It sees the track about once a year.

AS: What was the most recent event you participated in?

Phil: I was in a car show at the Grapevine, Tx. Hooters last September.

AS: What awards/recognition have you received?

Phil: 2003 3000GT/Stealth National Gathering I won --> 1st Place, Best 1st Generation stock to mildly modified / 2nd Place Best 1st Generation Modified / 2nd Place Best Engine Compartment........

2003 Texas 3000GT/Stealth State Gathering I won --> 1st Place, Nicest Overall Car (best of show) / 3rd Place, Fastest Twin Turbo Car........

2004 Texas 3000GT/Stealth State Gathering I won --> 1st Place, Nicest Overall Car (best of show) / 3rd Place, Fastest Twin Turbo Car / 3rd Place, Highest Dyno Horse Power.......

C.A.R.S. car show I won, 1st Place Best Import..........

3000GT/Stealth International message board (www.3si.org), Ride Of The Month for January 2005

AS: Which car club or team are you a member of?

Phil: Texas 3000GT/Stealth

AS: Who are your current sponsors?

Phil: Don't have one. I am my own sponsor and I have performed all the work on my car in my garage.

AS: What advice would you give to someone who is just getting started in modifying their car?

Phil: Research the mods you want to do before you perform them to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Also, learn to work on your own car so that you can save labor costs and become "one" with your car.

AS: What is your advice for those who want to get started in competition whether racing or show?

Phil: Go to a few events before you do anything and talk to the people there. Ask them what they would've done different and learn from their mistakes.

AS: When you first started modifying your car, what was the biggest mistake you made or regret you have?

Phil: Biggest mistake --> Not shopping around for the best price on parts. Regrets --> I have no real regrets. If I had it to do over again there's not much I would do different.

AS: What makes your car unique and different from other Dodge Stealths?

Phil: It is actually a pretty rare car as far as todays production numbers are concerned. My car is 1 of 169 identically built cars for the 1992 model year. If you factor build date into the equation it is 1 of 9 cars for the 1992 model year.

AS: Are you planning any future mods or are you done?

Phil: Future mods are: upgraded intercoolers, more polishing under the hood, sway bars, coil over springs and possibly a big brake upgrade.

AS: Anyone you wish to give thanks to?

Phil: Mark G. for submitting my car to you guys for consideration and all of the people in Texas 3S. They are a goofy bunch of folks but they are good people and we have lots of fun. Also, www.3si.org and www.stealth316.com for the knowledge I have gained from those web sites. If there is anything you want to know about the 3000GT/Stealth platform you can find it on those 2 web sites.

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