Shelby Shadow CSX modified by Chrysler's Direct Connection
"The Direct Connection Shadow
"And if you're wondering what happens when we dress up a Shadow Turbo in a DC, well...it is a pretty sight."
- Direct Connection ad
During mid-1985 the Direct Connection staff was given one of the new P-bodies to play with. Many of their improvements were incorporated into the CSX.
The brakes were upgraded with better calipers and rotors from the Daytona, better linings, and a prototype rear brake setup.
Of further interest was the use of a Bendix electric master cylinder. The suspension was upgraded with better bushings, 1.25-inch anti-sway bars, lowered springs, and DC hi-performance struts. Handling was further enhanced by the use of a quick-ratio rack, which was shimmed up 0.2 inches for better geometry, and by using minivan steering knuckles, which further altered the steering ratio.
A stock blueprinted short block was used. The cylinder head choice was the always-popular DC race-ported head with oversize valves and a stock camshaft. The intake and intercooler were straight out of the DC parts book. This car used a prototype header that was announced but never sold, reportedly because there were too many problems with cracking. The turbo was probably the DC "plus" unit, the one with a larger turbine housing. Also used was a prototype five-speed transaxle, possibly an A555 pre-production unit. The package made 180 bhp at 11 psi and 210 ft-lbs of torque."
