Working at Super Street magazine in the 90s was a gearhead’s dream, and for me, it became the perfect opportunity to dive into a project car: a 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo. Before this beauty, I had daily driven a couple of turbocharged, front-wheel-drive Dodge models, but I was craving more power and a different kind of driving experience. The Dodge Stealth, essentially a re-bodied Mitsubishi 3000GT, had always caught my eye with its impressive specs and sleek design.
Front view of a red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo
The Allure of the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo in the Early 90s
Back in the early 1990s, the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo was a performance benchmark. Boasting a twin-turbocharged engine producing 300 horsepower, coupled with all-wheel drive and an adjustable suspension, it was a technological marvel. Both the Stealth and its Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 sibling offered similar performance figures and shared that iconic 90s sports car silhouette that, even decades later, still turns heads. The aggressive stance and pop-up headlights were hallmarks of the era, and the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo embodied that spirit perfectly.
Rear view of a red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo showcasing its spoiler and taillights
Buying My Stealth R/T and Facing Immediate Engine Trouble
I picked up my 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo from a used car dealership in Santa Monica. With 58,000 miles on the clock and a price tag of $12,000, it seemed like a solid deal for a performance car of that caliber. However, my excitement was short-lived. Unbeknownst to me, the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo requires a timing belt change around the 55,000-mile mark. Mine hadn’t been done, and within a week of purchase, the timing belt failed spectacularly, resulting in pistons colliding with valves and causing significant engine damage.
The Lifesaving Dodge Warranty and Unexpected Repairs
Fortunately, in a moment of foresight (or perhaps paranoia about all that advanced technology), I had purchased a factory Dodge warranty for the Stealth just days before the engine implosion, costing me $1,400. This decision proved to be incredibly wise. The engine rebuild, covered by the warranty, took the Santa Monica Dodge dealer approximately two months. During this extensive service, they also replaced the clutch and addressed suspension work. While the clutch and suspension weren’t warranty items, the $1,400 warranty effectively saved me an estimated $4,000 in engine repair costs alone. When I finally got the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo back, it felt revitalized, almost like a brand new car.
The rear of a red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo driving in snowy conditions, emphasizing its AWD capability
Modifying the Stealth and a Drag Strip Engine Failure
For the next couple of years, the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo became my daily driver and a canvas for aftermarket upgrades. Working at Super Street magazine meant access to the latest performance parts, and I indulged in HKS catalog upgrades, including a boost controller and blow-off valve, among other modifications. It was all running smoothly until I decided to install a nitrous kit. While I only used nitrous sparingly on the street, taking the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo to Famoso Dragstrip for an import race event in 1998 proved to be its undoing. Using nitrous on the track resulted in a blown piston ring, necessitating another engine rebuild.
Once again, the Dodge warranty came to the rescue, although this time the repair process dragged on for six months. By the time the Stealth was back on the road, I had transitioned from Super Street to a consumer website and had access to press cars. The Stealth, now somewhat redundant, became a garage occupant. Eventually, I sold it to an enthusiast from Santa Fe, New Mexico, who was thrilled with its performance and striking aesthetics, especially with the upgraded 18-inch Enkei wheels and Toyo tires that I had added.
Lasting Impressions of the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo
To this day, I consider the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo, along with the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, as some of the most visually appealing supercars from the 1990s. However, their considerable weight (around 4,000 pounds) and the complexities of their advanced technology do raise concerns about long-term ownership costs as these vehicles age. My experiences certainly highlighted both the joys and potential pitfalls of owning a high-performance 90s icon like the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo.
