Modified 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: A Proper Porsche Hunter

The owner of this 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 is putting the Germans to shame, thanks to a long list of impressive modifications turning this already rare beast into a true one-of-a-kind Porsche hunter.

You’ve no doubt heard of the Crocodile Hunter and Dog the Bounty Hunter. Well, there’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Warren the Porsche Hunter. I know, it doesn’t conjure up the same type of raw animal power as a croc or a K9, but it takes a bold man with a seriously fast machine to state he likes to go 911 Turbo hunting.

These rear-engine autobahn burners are brutally fast off the line and not too shabby at high speeds, after all. Heck, if it wasn’t for the link between the 911 and the Hitler-designed VW Beetle, we might even consider owning one someday (OK, we’ve already considered it, but can’t afford one).

So what makes the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 a rare & special beast?

For Warren Hoey, Mitsubishi’s high-tech ’90s sports coupe known as the 3000GT VR4 is the perfect weapon for hunting Porsches and anything else that might try to outrun him. “I’ve been drag racing, drifting, winter auto crossing and even drove a chase car during a rally in Ireland,” Warren says. “I’ve owned 29 vehicles of all different shapes and sizes.”

It’s extremely rare and I love driving a car knowing there is basically no chance another ’99 will pull up beside me. Mine is car 271 out of 287 produced.

He continues, “I’ve had Talons, supercharged Mustangs, RX-7s, an Audi S4 — the list goes on. My family is huge into cars, too. Both of my brothers-in-law have some fast machines, one with an 850-whp MKIV Supra and the other with a 650-whp FD RX-7. But for me, the VR4 is special. It’s extremely rare and I love driving a car knowing there is basically no chance another ’99 will pull up beside me. Mine is car 271 out of 287 produced.”

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Photo: Amee Reehal

The Project: Upgrading the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4’s Twin-Turbo

For those of you who aren’t terribly familiar with the 3000GT VR4, these really are some pretty special ’90s-era hot rods. The second-generation model (starting in 1994) was equipped with a 3-liter DOHC twin-turbo V6 that pumped out 320 hp and 315 ft-lbs of torque along with all the high-tech running gear the first generation featured (including full-time AWD, four-wheel steering, active aero and electronically controlled dampers).

It really was a technological tour de force in its day, and for Warren the ’99 model year is the one to own. “Three years ago I had a ’97 3000GT VR4 in olive pearl colour (1 of 7 in that colour),” Warren says. “I decided I couldn’t own that car knowing that there’s a better 3000GT out there: the ’99. This is the flagship year for 3000GT. The revised wing, front end and side sail panels made it a beauty, and the ’99 also has the infamous lifter tick problem rectified.”

Upgrades increasing power to 510 horsepower

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 engine
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Photo: Amee Reehal

As you can see from the spec sheet, Warren’s blacked-out Mitsu has had a few wrenches on it, thanks in large part to his brother-in-law, Rob Sedlak, who’s invested hundreds of man hours over four years into it.

According to Warren, “We built it for driveability without compromising too much of the car’s road-going capabilities. The twin turbos mean there’s almost zero lag, and with 510 awhp [at 21 psi] it can hang with just about anything. The Getrag 6-speed transmission is a great gearbox to row, and the car is capable of 200 mph.”

Warren continues, “Meanwhile, it can also get 700 km [about 434 miles] to a tank on the highway with the air con blowing (or it can really suck back the gas when I’ve got a heavy foot). Methanol injection was a great addition, especially for temperatures. 6G72 motors run quite hot, let alone ones making double the factory horsepower.”

Fine-tuning the ECU

Once Warren and his bro-in-law finished installing all the powertrain upgrades, from the 15g twins to the ARC intercooler and Snow Performance meth injection kit to the SPEC Stage 3 carbon clutch and Fidanza aluminum flywheel, they took it to Marko at ForceFed Performance for some fine-tuning of the Microtech LT16 stand-alone ECU.

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Photo: Amee Reehal

According to Warren, “Marko at ForceFed Performance deserves a huge thumbs up because he really knows these cars. He also holds Supra and RX-7 horsepower records for Canada [Warren lives in Alberta and Forcefed is located one province to the left in Abbotsford, British Columbia]. My VR4 has been flawless since his tune over a year ago. Literally zero issues.”

Improved footwork and handling

To seek and destroy Porsches you obviously need some serious jam under the hood, but you also need a machine that can hang in the corners. To ensure high-speed stability and grip galore, Warren’s Mitsu has been treated to Tein coilovers, 3SX adjustable rear camber arms and a sticky set of BFG g-Force KDWs wrapped around lightweight 5Zigen FNO1R-C gunmetal rims.

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Photo: Amee Reehal

0–60 mph time of 3.4 seconds

And unlike some of today’s top dogs, Warren’s VR4 depends on driver skill rather than launch control, traction/stability control and a flappy paddle gearbox to chase down those pesky P-cars (yeah, R35 owners, we went there). In fact, Warren has clocked a 0–60 mph time of 3.4 seconds without any of these aids, a time that shames even the awesome 997 GT2 and its 3.6-second 0–60 time.

Future plans: twin-turbo upgrades, much more power, and other modifications

With future plans that include upgrading to Evo 16g turbos, cams, additional fuel system upgrades and a target of 750 whp, it seems safe to say that Warren the Porsche Hunter isn’t resting on his laurels.

And it’s a good thing, too, since that pesky sports car maker from Stuttgart has just released a new version of the 911, but somehow we think Warren Hoey’s stealthy ’99 3000GT VR4 has it covered. Once he upgrades the turbos, maybe we’ll have to upgrade him to Warren the Prancing Horse and Raging Bull Hunter.

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Photo: Amee Reehal

Specs for this modified 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

  • 15G TD04 turbos
  • 550cc injectors
  • Walbro fuel pump 255l/min (14V hotwire)
  • stainless steel braided fuel lines
  • FuelLab high flow fuel filter
  • FuelLab FPR
  • FP gauge
  • hard pipe FMIC kit
  • Greddy RS BOV
  • K&N air filter 4” intake
  • ported and polished intake plenums
  • Snow Performance high pressure methanol injection kit
  • Greddy Profec type B boost controller
  • Microtech LT16 ECU standalone
  • NGK performance plugs and wires
  • polyurethane engine transmission mounts
  • MP transfer case brace
  • Spec stage 3 carbon clutch
  • Fidanza aluminum flywheel
  • stainless steel clutch line
  • stainless steel brake lines
  • powder coated calipers
  • full Tein coilovers (lowered)
  • 3SX adjustable rear camber arms
  • full Borla twintip exhaust 3” Stillen downpipe
  • eliminated pre-cats and cat
  • EGR block off plates
  • vacuum reduction
  • PLX wideband digital AFR gauge
  • Autometer AF & boost gauges
  • Greddy EGT gauge
  • 5zigen FNO1R-C 18” gunmetal rims
  • BF Goodrich G-Force 245/45/18
  • 6000k xenon slim digital ballast kit & 4300k high beam
  • stainless engine bay dress up covers
  • aluminum 3SX machined spark plug cover plate
  • battery in the rear (box brackets)
  • RallyArt short-throw shifter

Interior and exterior 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Pictures

Photos: Amee Reehal

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Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.