Owner: Mark Abate
Year/Vehicle/Model: 1990 VW Cabriolet
Engine Block/cylinder head: 1.8L 8V block/1.8 20V head
Internal Mods: Stroked 2.1L, forged pistons & rods, ported and polished head, o-ringed head, custom exhaust manifold (almost everything else.)
External Mods: T4 turbo, water-to-air intercooler, aluminum fuel cell, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel injectors.
Engine management mods: Electromotive Tech 3, AVCR boost controller (Apex) turbo timer. There should be 500 hp at the wheels.
Transmission (type and modifications): 5 speed, hardened gears, posi-differential, lightened flywheel, race clutch, short shifter and weighted linkage.
Suspension mods: Weitec full race coilovers, roll cage, upper and lower tie bars, sway bars.
Brake system mods: Wilwood 4-piston calipers, big brakes with cross-drilled rotors, rear cross-drilled rotors and stainless steel brake lines.
Wheel and tires: 15" Koenig "subzero" (drag slicks,) 15" Koenig "Traffic" (autocross tires,) and 18" forged Aero wheels.
Tell us why your car should be in the Challenge: I have a lot more body and engine mods done that wouldn't fit on here. This is the fastest and best front drive convertible ever. I love to beat the hell out of it.