I'm sorry to bring this thread back to life, but, frankly, I was amazed and extremely disapointed by the amount of hate, ignorance and misinformation displayed in this thread.
Let me start by stating several facts:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser (= the same car - referred to as DSM) is not an import. The car was designed by American engineers and built in American factory by American workers. The car was never imported from overseas (unless someone believes that Normal, IL is in Japan). On the contrary, it was exported to Canada and Europe, but never to Asia.
If someone would like to classify the car as an import just because its engine originated in Japan in the early 80's, Dodge Colt, Dodge Stealth or Ford Probe would fall into the same category as well.
The 100% bone stock 4G63 6-bolt motor is able to safely support 450HP (= good for mid 11's), although a few people ran 10's on the 100% stock internals.
The 4G63 motor has excellent wear characterists. Tests revealed 15% leakdown and perfect (160 psi) compression even on high mileage (100K miles + ) engines.
The 4G63 block is proven to support over 800HP (= 400HP per liter) with forged pistons and rods - and the stock crank.
It does not take 15 grand to run 13's. As a matter of fact, it's been proven on many occassions that the 1st generation (90-94) DSMs are able to run 12-second ETs for less than 800 dollars. Jay Hass ran 12.5 with just K&N air filter ($40), manual boost controller ($50) and exhaust ($600). Nothing else.
The fastest DSM with stock motor and the stock turbo runs high 11's (
http://www.dsmtimes.org/awd.htm ).
The fastest (tube chassis) DSM runs high 7's (7.87 at 170 mph. Yes, with the 2.0L 4G63 with JE pistons, Eagle rods and the stock crank).
The fastest unibody (all steel except for fiberglass hood, all glass, no Lexan) DSM runs high 8's - on street radial tires (
http://www.shepracing.com/pictures/shep8944low.wmv ).
No matter how much one may hate it, those are facts that can't be disproved and ignoring them won't change them. The DSM community has existed since 1990 - long before the existence of aluminum wings, neon shift knobs, 5" fart cannons and ridiculous body kits that may be associated with The Fast And The Furious wanna-be's.
As for the video that started this thread, the guy threw a rod. I'm pretty sure it has happened to a few Chevy, Mopar or Ford engines as well - with the exception of rotary Mazda engines - and hope that many of you have found it equally funny and a reason to immediately insult the Camaro, Charger or Mustang the engine was in or the owners of the cars.
All this comes from an owner of stock-appearing 11-second (91-octane pump gas, street radials) daily driven 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. How many Cobra owners can say that? None.