Samir Malhotra
Elliot City, Maryland
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
The moral of Samir's story should be, "140 hp is not enough; thank God for turbos." Samir's Eclipse is a special 10th Anniversary edition which came with a Turbo spoiler, white-faced gauges, leather seats, OZ Racing wheels and number of other goodies from the factory. Soon after delivery though, it was obvious Samir's Diamond Star needed some punch but he couldn't find much available for the naturally aspirated GS. Then he heard about Hahn Racecraft's turbo conversion. "I immediately called them and about a month later I ordered the Stage II kit," says Samir. "I got it installed and I love it. Issst was definitely worth every penny and I would encourage other non-turbo Eclipse owners to buy one if they are not pleased with the stock power of their cars."
Once boosted, Samir installed an HKS Super Drager exhaust system to induce spool-up and an ACT clutch to channel the power to the ground. He also added an HKS Twin Power ignition and EVC EZ boost controller.
Samir is considering swapping out the OZs because they are only 16s, but he says he likes the wheels. We say OZ probably makes that wheel in the 17- or 18-inch size. Resale value of the 16s? We are not sure. If there is some kind of 10th Anniversary logo on the wheels they may be worth more. But 16-inch OZs would probably sell on their own merit. Try surfing the net for more info.
Samir says he's about halfway done with his Eclipse (yeah, right) and is currently looking to add a set of RS*R lowering coils, Tokico shocks and a high-flow cat. He adds, "One thing I am definite about is upgrading to the Stage III HRC system. And my New Year's resolution is to get my car down into the 11s or 10s at the strip."
Editor's Note: We have gotten some interesting responses for Extreme Exposure, so keep those entries coming. To refresh your memory Extreme Exposure is the lead-off hitter of "Rides." It features bigger photos, more pages and more exposure than our conventional Rides entry. To attain this high-level of exposure, one must have a worthy car, clean photos (preferably slides) of the inside along with outside details of the car-enough info to make it all happen. We are trying to increase the quality of Rides and this section could easily see a vehicle graduate to full feature status. The most determining factory for such an upgrade is photography. Please don't use disposable cameras. The number and quality of the entries will determine how often Extreme Exposure will appear.
Yamee Cha-Luzon
Stockton, California
1998 Honda Civic
Yamee included a nice letter with her Reader's Ride entry and was quick to point out the ladies are on their way to establishing themselves in the import scene. In building her Civic Yamee said, "I just wanted to show the guys that ladies can deck-up their rides. I'm sick and tired of how guys think we should be dressed in our bikini tops and "Daisy Duke" shorts posing in front of their cars degrading ourselves. We need to show them that we are up on the race and show scene."
Yamee runs with the Lady Prestige club and her Civic can run with the big dogs. The 1.6-liter powerplant has been fortified with a DC Sports ceramic coated header, Tenzo air intake, a custom exhaust system with four-inch Tanabe tip, a pair of Skunk2 adjustable cam sprockets and a polished valve cover from a '95 Si. The suspension has been enhanced with Tenzo race springs and an OBX-R strut tower brace. The Honda rolls on 17-inch Advanti Racing Turismo wheels and Nitto NT-450 rubber. For added visual appeal, Yamee has sculpted the Civic's body with a Wings West Aggressor front clip, Mugen rear wing, Mugen grille insert, color-matched moldings and Lenzo driving lights. The cabin has been spruced up with custom red and white upholstery executed by Yemee's husband Raul. Also on call are a Razo shift knob, custom shifter boot and an Alpine-based stereo system.
Future plans call for an engine swap, more aggressive body armor and some cylinder head mods.
Seok-Woo Choi
Daytona Beach, Florida
1998 Nissan Maxima SE
Seok-Woo has got quite a sleeper in his Max. The Nissan has been powered up with a K&N air filter, Dynomax exhaust with single tip and a 75-shot of laughing gas, compliments of NOS. The suspension has been lowered 1.3 inches with Suspension Techniques springs while road holding has been addressed with Tokico struts and a Stillen strut tower bar. Rolling stock consists of 17-inch Enkei RS-E wheels and Dunlop P9000 rubber. Seok-Woo lists the ground effects as "custom" and the car looks trick.
Indra Mahesa
Phoenix, Arizona
1995 Nissan 200SX
& 1994 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo
This hard-hitting one-two punch belongs to Indra Mahesa. Indra uses one car as a daily driver and the other as a weekend warrior. The Nissan is the daily driver and it flexes a GReddy exhaust, Hot Shot header, K&N intake and Unorthodox Racing pulleys for extra power. The suspension has been upgraded with KYB shocks and Eibach Sport Line springs. Trick 18-inch Axis Touring Cup wheels are fitted with Nitto performance rubber for added grip and style. Since the 200SX commutes 60 miles a day, tunes are of prime concern. Indra has tossed the OE stereo in favor of a system with a Pioneer head unit and components from Polk Audio and JL Audio.
The Supra has been given extra thrust via an Apex GT Spec exhaust, Rod Millen downpipe and a bump in boost. Eibach springs drop the car while a Wings West front lip spoiler adds zest to the Toyota. At Firebird Raceway the Supra blasted a 12.6 at 115 mph on Nitto NT-555 drag radials.
Mark Nakamoto
Concord, California
1992 Nissan 300ZX
Adam Saruwatari's Nissan 300ZX (page 88) illustrates the are plenty of ways to enhance a Z-Car. Mark cut to the chase and took the one-stop route. He went to Stillen to pump up his ride. The Z sports a Stillen intake with K&N filter elements, an ECU upgrade and stainless-steel exhaust system with big 4-inch tips and a highly polished canister. The braking system has been upgraded with Stillen rotors, metallic pads and steel-braided lines. In the cabin are a pillar-mounted boost gauge and a short-throw shifter. The 300ZX rolls on BFGoodrich rubber and 17-inch Works wheels. Look out Adam.