VIDEO: 1974 Galant 2.6 at the 2014 Targa Tasmania

Here is an awesome video of a 1974 Galant racing at the 2014 Targa Tasmania event. This car has a modified Astron 2.6 engine (still naturally aspirated and carburated!):

VIDEO: nice GH Sigma I found on Youtube, big sound system, nice exhaust

Here are a couple of videos I found on Youtube on David Baker's channel (not sure if this Sigma is his, but could be since it's the only thing on his channel). The first video shows a nice new exhaust system and what it sounds like. The second video is of the interior of the car and the sound system.

VIDEO: My 1978 Sigma SE "Sleeper"

So I know I've been away for a few months, but now that winter is over, I decided to take my Sigma out of hibernation. I recently purchased a GoPro camera too, so I thought what better opportunity to try it out and get used to it. So here is a quick little video I made. Please forgive the odd camera angles, shaking and my taste in music, I'm new at this! I would appreciate if you could leave a comment and I'm open to constructive criticism :)

For Sale: 400hp GH Sigma racer!!

Look what I found for sale on Gumtree! A ground-up restored 1980 Sigma with a 400hp turbo engine, lots of racing modifications and still street registered!

According to the ad, the owner has spent over $60,000 on this car and is looking for offers around $22,000.

Modifications include a 5 speed gearbox, adjustable turbo boost, methanol Injection, Koni suspension, V8 brakes, adjustable brake bias, alloy drop tank, roll cage, race seats and harnesses, among many other things.

Original Gumtree ad (including contact details) here: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maroochydore/cars-vans-utes/gc-sigma-turbo-sedan-60-000-spend-awesome-track-targa-car-/1051323005

For sale: first Sigma to ever arrive in Australia, former factory test car!

If you love Sigmas, this is the holy grail, the unicorn version of our beloved car. A 1976 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma that was imported from Japan by Chrysler Australia (that later became Mitsubishi Australia) so they could test the car locally and later on in 1978 start selling them here as a Chrysler Sigma.

So this means this was the very first Sigma in Australia!

After this car had performed all it's testing duties, it was sold to a factory worker who then converted the car to be a rally car and has been racing it ever since.

This car is not street registered, but can still be raced on classic rally races.

It's engine is a highly modified Astron 2.6 with twin Weber carburettors and full roll cage. Here's the link to the original Gumtree Ad (while it's still up for sale): http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/salisbury-east/cars-vans-utes/1976-mitsubishi-sigma-sedan/1043618201

Project update: fixing small rocker cover oil leak and adjusting valve tappets...

So the new high compression engine has been working well and has plenty of power, but there has been a small oil leak from the back of the rocker cover (aka valve cover) and it idles pretty rough too. So I decided to fix the oil leak by applying some silicone gasket maker to the rubber seal. While I had the rocker cover off, I also adjusted the valves/tappets and boy what a difference it made! The engine runs so quiet and smooth now, almost a bit too quiet. But it makes for a perfect "sleeper" as the car sounds stock but goes very hard.

Project update: removing air conditioner compressor and fitting lighter crankshaft pulley...

Sorry everyone for the lack of updates. A few things have changed in my personal life (nothing bad don't worry) and I haven't been able to post on this website as often as I would've liked to. So let's catch up shall we? A while back in January 2014, I had to upgrade the ignition system of my Sigma to better cope with the high compression 2.6 Astron engine. This included fitting a slightly bigger in diameter distributor, which then meant I had to remove the air conditioner compressor that was in the way. The air-con system needed re-gassing anyway so I thought for now I would remove the parts of the system that fit under the bonnet, but leave the rest of the in-cabin system in the car in case I decide to use it again.

So by removing the air-con compressor, hoses, evaporator, etc, we managed to save around 15 to 20 kilos! Yes this old air-con systems are quite bulky.

Another welcome weight saving came with the fitment of a smaller and much lighter crankshaft pulley.

The original pulley/dampner has 3 belt grooves: a small inner one to run a power steering pump, a middle one to run the alternator and water pump and the outer one to run the air-con compressor.

Compared to the original 3 groove pulley, the smaller pulley from the older Astron series 1 engine is about 1.5kgs lighter (3 groove = 2.5kgs, 1 groove = 1kg). This means not only the car has now 1.5kgs less to carry, but also means the engine's rotating mass is also lighter, helping in fuel economy, more usable power getting to the wheels and also helping the engine rev up and down quicker. Plus the engine bay now also looks tidier and less cluttered.

VIDEO: new video found of the ICE-16Z (aka FUK-RTA Sigma) on the dyno:

Here is the full dyno run video I found of what is possibly the world's most powerful Astron powered Sigma:

ICE-16Z Sigma the most powerful 4 cylinder car at Summernats 27, 2014!!

It's official: ICE-16Z (aka FUK-RTA) Sigma is the most powerful 4 cylinder car at Summernats 27, 2014!!

Visitors of our website may remember this beauty as we had three wallpapers of it back in June 2011 (you can find them here).

This Sigma had previously competed in the Horsepower Heroes dynamometer competition on Summernats 21, back in 2008. It put out an already impressive 327.6hp at the rear wheels.

This time around with more boost, the car put out an even more impressive 513.4hp at the rear wheels! Not bad for a 2.6 litre Astron four cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft and only 8 valves!

On the last run however, the boost was upped on the search for even more power, but something had to give. The impressive power and torque turned the tailshaft into something that now resambles a twirly!

Video of the tailshaft snapping: http://youtu.be/9lcePUUoN60?t=2m9s

Project update: fuel pump relocated, high energy spark system and cleaning up spark plug wires...

So now the engine is sorted with the new modified and high compression cylinder head, it's time to sort out a few little issues to make the car perfect.

First, I had to fix a couple of small fuel line leaks and also relocate the electric Facet fuel pump to the rear of the car (right next to the fuel tank) to fix an issue with lack of fuel after about 10 minutes of driving the car hard.

I also decided to (finally) update the Sigma's standard electronic ignition with a high energy spark ignition from a later model 1987 Sigma 2.6. This makes the engine easier to start when cold, it revs a little higher and easier. Plus it should give out a couple more horsepower while improving fuel economy quite a bit, since the original system was getting a bit old and had a few small electrical issues. The only obstacle was the air conditioning compressor that was in the way, so I removed it (it was out of gas anyway) and I also removed the condenser in front of the radiator.

I was going to use the old spark plug wires from my blue Sigma but it turns out a few of them had nasty cuts on them. So I looked through my spares and found a really good set of triple shielded Repco 8mm spark plug wires that came in a box of spares I bought a while back from a guy who rally races a blue GE Sigma!

I cleaned up the old spare red wires using WD40 and they came up looking like new!

VIDEO: idle and engine rev of my project Sigma

VIDEO: my project Sigma is alive again! Here is a quick video of the first time I started it.

Project update: it's alive again!!!

I just spent the morning today plugging in and adjusting the last little bits on my project Sigma's new high compression Astron 2.6 engine.

The gloss black rocker cover and chrome air filter look great!

I'm really happy with the power and performance of this new engine configuration. The amount of extra power and torque is very noticeable. Keep an eye out for the videos I'll be posting here soon!

Here are the specs of the new engine configuration: Astron II 2.6 reconditioned block with slightly wider flat top pistons, heavily worked Astron I head with ported and polished ports, angled larger valves, ported polished and port-matched intake manifold, Crow Cams mild camshaft, Weber 34ADM (34/34) carburettor with custom jets, chrome sports air filter and a few more little bits and pieces. Estimated compression ratio is at least 10.5:1 horsepower is around 130hp to 150hp (will know a bit more accurately once I dyno it or run it at the drag strip). Should be even better once I fit the sports exhaust!!

Dodge Colt Wagon in Quicksilver movie (1986)

Here is a shot of a Dodge Colt Wagon starring in the Quicksilver movie, cerca 1986. Taken from the Internet Movie Car Database. Ok, it was only in the movie for a few short moments as a background vehicle, but still!

Dodge Colt Galant Wagon found in Salvage yard...

Here's a sad (rare) sight: a Dodge Colt Wagon in a salvage yard (USA). This one was spotted and posted by a website called Clunkbucket.

For Sale: green 1979 Chrysler Sigma GL automatic sedan

Here's another great Ebay find: a near mint 1979 Chrysler Sigma GL 2 litre automatic.

The body seems to be in pretty good condition on the outside.

The paint is not even faded!

Being just a GL model, there's no tachometer on the dash and looks like it doesn't have the optional cassette tape player either, but it's in good original condition.

The seats are cloth and vinyl and are also in good condition. The floor carpet is a bit faded, but that's very common on these cars.

The engine is the venerable Astron engine and behind it there's a  3 speed automatic transmission.

Here's the link to the Ebay auction, someone please buy and save this great example! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281142761620

For sale: 1978 Dodge Colt Wagon (USA)

Here is another great find (and it's for sale!): a 1978 Dodge Colt Wagon. I found it advertised here. The seller says it's only done 94,000 miles and originally had wood grain stickers on the side (a factory option), which he removed but can refit if wanted. If you live in the US, please buy it and restore it!

Old Dodge Colt Wagon factory photos

Here are some old Dodge Colt Wagon factory photos. These were taken by Dodge's marketing department for use on brochures, posters, etc.

VIDEO: engine transplant was successful! New Astron II 2.6 engine is alive and well!

Here is a short little video of me revving the new Astron II 2.6 engine I just finished fitting to my 1978 project Sigma. This engine makes 83kw in it's stock standard form, but it should be making a bit more with the little modifications I made (insert mad scientist laugh here). Please note that this video was shot with the stock 2 litre (very restrictive) exhaust fitted. More about the new engine on a later post!

VIDEO: Monstabishi's MRSGMA Sigma Turbo running a 12.03 sec @ 113.69 mph

Here's a video of Monstabishi's MRSGMA blue/black Sigma Turbo running a 12.03 sec @ 113.69 mph. Apparently this car was running a modified version of the stock 2 litre Astron Turbo engine!