Mark's 92 Diamante

18 year old Mark Carrancho certainly has an interesting ride in this 1992 Mitsubishi Diamante. Since buying the car in 1999 he has modified it both visually and mechanically.

The 3L in this car is the first generation (SOHC) of V6’s that Mitsubishi dropped into the Diamante/Magna – which in stock form puts out 175hp (approx 130kw). Mark believes that his V6 is probably now putting out around 200hp. A K+N pod filter has replaced the stock airbox. This set-up was installed with the help of two items intended for other cars – the adaptor was made for a Mitsubishi Eclipse (95-99) while the polished intake pipe was originally intended for a Civic. There is no cold air induction system, but Mark has bypassed the coolant tubes running to the throttle body (“all they do is warm it up”).

The exhaust system consists of 2.5” mandrel-bent pipe that ends with a Hayame Type 5 muffler. Mark also uses something called a ‘test pipe’ for non-street use (street-illegal due to emission and noise standards) – apparently this replaces the catalytic convertor. The car now has a loud and very deep note – Mark says that above 4000rpm the car sounds “just plain mean!” With the cat off and the ‘test pipe’ on, there is a very noticeable horsepower and torque gain.


Now to that bodykit – the front end is CARisma Street Fyghter kit made for 94-7 Honda Accord! It took a bit of work - it had to be extended to fit and the front half of the Diamante bar was integrated into the new end.
The rear piece is a home-made custom job – from stock Diamante parts found at a junkyard (now that’s one solution to the lack of available after-market kits). The side skirts are Black Widow pieces by Ground Designs– once again, originally intended for another vehicle – in this case, the 98-00 Honda Accord (4 door). They had to be cut and extended about 1.5” to match the Diamante. Mark and his father did all the bodywork themselves.

The stock 15" rims have also been turfed. The Diamante looks much better now with a set of 18" Volk Racing AV3 wheels.

The suspension has been lowered, which compliments the bodykit well - the car has been dropped 2.5” at the front and 2.25” at the rear using Eibach 3000GT/GTO springs. KYB struts complete the suspension set-up.

The interior has not been missed in the modification process. The first thing you’ll notice are the gauges – air/fuel ratio, oil pressure, volt meter and a Monster Tacho. Why so many gauges? They hint at Mark’s future 'aspirations' – nitrous or a custom turbo set-up. One definite benefit is the ‘scare value’ they instil in anyone who pulls up next to the Diamante at the traffic lights. Mark has replaced the stock pedals with a set of Razo titanium pedals. A titanium shift knob is also in place, also from the Razo catalogue. One very odd addition is the SPW Run-About Adjustable Flasher – a device which allows Mark to adjust the speed of his indicators. He has also rewired the reverse lights, so they flash back and forth, instead of coming on simultaneously.

Postscript: The car was written-off in May 2001 (no fault of Mark). RIP to one very nice Diamante...