"Time is of the essence." We can't tell you how many times we've repeated that phrase in the past month while building a Scion tC for the SEMA International Auto Salon.
As mentioned in last month's "Tech Scene," Turbo worked alongside Performance Dealer Options (PDO) of Irwindale, Calif., to modify the first Scion tC in time for its debut at the IAS show. The only problem: we were given three weeks to complete the transformation.
We took delivery of the tC on March 10, exactly 21 days before roll-in for the IAS show on April 1. The only request Scion had was for it to be painted the same color as the Scion xB and xA we previously modified. As you know, finding a body shop to paint a vehicle inside and out in a short period of time is nearly impossible. Having the shop perform the job in a week so we'd have two weeks to finish the Scion is like asking for a miracle.
Not only did we plan on painting the vehicle, we also wanted to turbocharge it, lower it, add a big brake system, upgrade the interior, add an exhaust system, and install gauges as well as other accents. All of this had to be done in three weeks. And did we mention the tC is a new platform and no companies make parts for the vehicle yet? Unlike the xB and xA, there are no Japanese versions to scavenge J-spec tuning parts.
Day 1: March 11We trek to TEE'S USA for our Bride XAX II seats and to purchase the material we need to restitch the rear seats in the same material as the front seats. But the material for the rear seats won't be available until March 26, five days before roll-in. Then, at A'PEXi USA, Jensen Oda and Lanny Higa help us fabricate a set of seat brackets for the Scion. We finish the bracket at 8:00 p.m.
Day 2: March 12A new day with more work than humanly possible is on the horizon. At the Toyota dealership we purchase an exhaust manifold gasket so we can have a stainless-steel flange made for the turbo system we plan to build.
Fortunately, the gasket is in stock. We go to the local metal yard to pick up stainless-steel flat stock for the flange, then drop off the flange at Sierra Laser Center to have the flange cut. The flange will be done in a week. Then we pick up from Blitz in City of Industry, Calif. the electronics that will monitor the turbo system.
Day 3: March 13We wake up late-hey, it's the weekend. We begin installing the gauges in the tC. Mike from Wilwood comes by to measure the Scion front and rear brake systems so he can start constructing the system for the tC. We start to fabricate a gauge panel for the Blitz SBC I-D boost controller and Power Meter in the factory cup holder slot. Note to self: buy a compass next time.
Day 4: March 14We perform wheel fitments on the tC since the wheels will also be custom pieces from Japan. After several hours of removing the suspension to inspect for wheel travel, we're confident of our wheel fitment selection. We then e-mail Speed Star Wheel in Japan with the fitment sizes. "P.S. Time is of the essence" is typed as an afterthought. The wheels must be done before IAS to give us ample time to mount, balance and install them.
Day 5: March 15The car is supposed to be dropped off at the body shop, but Steve Hatanaka from Toyota calls us saying that one of the press vehicles has a set of Tein coil-overs on it that's ours if we want. After several hours of wrenching at Toyota, the Tein system is installed on our tC and we drop it off at Duran's Body Shop. We tell them, "Time is of the essence."
Day 6-12: March 16-22The crew at Duran performs the miracle we didn't think was possible. On Friday, March 19, the car is painted and they're in the process of putting it back together. They finish the car on Sunday, March 22, and it looks awesome.