Back in the Super Street magazine days, finding the perfect project car was always on my mind. From 1992 to 1996, I had already experienced the thrill of turbocharged Dodge vehicles, albeit front-wheel-drive models. Yearning for more power and a different driving experience, in the fall of 1996, I stepped up to a 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo. The Dodge Stealth, especially the RT Twin Turbo variant, had captivated me since its debut. Its specifications were pure 90s supercar gold: twin turbos, a potent 300 horsepower engine, all-wheel drive, and even an adjustable suspension. While it shared its DNA with the Mitsubishi 3000GT, both cars offered compelling performance and striking designs. Even now, decades later, the Dodge Stealth Rt Twin Turbo still holds a special place as a visually stunning piece of automotive history.
Front view of a red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo showcasing its sporty design
The allure of the 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo wasn’t just on paper. Its 300 horsepower output combined with all-wheel drive promised exhilarating performance and confident handling, making it a standout sports car of its era.
I acquired my 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo from a used car dealership in Santa Monica. With 58,000 miles on the odometer and a price tag of $12,000, it seemed like a solid deal for a five-year-old performance machine boasting such impressive technology. However, what I overlooked was a crucial maintenance detail: the Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo requires a timing belt replacement around the 55,000-mile mark. Unfortunately, this service hadn’t been performed on my car, and less than a week into ownership, the timing belt failed catastrophically. The resulting engine damage was severe, with pistons colliding with valves and essentially destroying the engine’s top end.
Rear angled view of a red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo highlighting its rear spoiler and taillights
Despite the initial setback, a stroke of good fortune intervened. In the brief period between purchasing the Stealth and the timing belt failure, I had the foresight to buy a factory Dodge warranty for $1,400. The advanced technology of the Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo had made me slightly apprehensive about potential repair costs, and this warranty proved to be a lifesaver. The Santa Monica Dodge dealership took approximately two months to repair my Stealth. During this extensive service, beyond the engine rebuild covered by the warranty, they also replaced the clutch and addressed suspension components. When I finally got the car back, it felt revitalized, almost brand new. While the clutch and suspension work incurred a cost of around $2,000, the $1,400 warranty undoubtedly saved me a significant amount, easily $4,000 or more in engine repair expenses for the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo.
Red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo driving on a scenic Colorado road during Thanksgiving
For the next couple of years, the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo became my daily driver and a canvas for aftermarket enhancements. Working at Super Street magazine provided the perfect platform to document these modifications, primarily utilizing parts from the HKS catalog. Among the upgrades were a boost controller, a blow-off valve, and other performance enhancements that, in retrospect, have become somewhat hazy in my memory. Everything was progressing smoothly until I decided to install a nitrous oxide kit. Street use of nitrous was limited, but the temptation to unleash its full potential on the track proved irresistible. At an import race event at Famoso Dragstrip near Bakersfield in May 1998, while using nitrous, a piston ring gave way, leading to another engine failure in the Stealth R/T Twin Turbo.
Red 1991 Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo driving in snowy conditions, highlighting its AWD capability
Once again, the factory warranty came to the rescue, covering another engine rebuild. However, this time, the repair process stretched to around six months. By the time the Stealth was back on the road, my professional landscape had shifted. I had moved on from Super Street magazine to a consumer-focused website and had access to a new press car regularly. The Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo, once a daily necessity and project car, became more of a garage ornament and an ongoing insurance expense. Within a few months of its return from the repair shop, I decided to sell it to a buyer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. He flew to LAX, we finalized the transaction at a bank, and he drove his newly acquired Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo back home. He later contacted me, praising the car’s performance and its ability to turn heads. By then, the Stealth was equipped with 18-inch Enkei wheels and Toyo tires, further enhancing its visual appeal.
Looking back, the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo era, along with its Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 counterpart, represents some of the most visually captivating sports cars of the 1990s. However, their substantial weight (around 4,000 pounds) and the increasing complexity of their aging technology did raise valid concerns. My personal experience underscored these concerns, highlighting the potentially significant ownership costs associated with maintaining the advanced systems of a Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo as time takes its toll.
