Texans like things big. Besides the obvious understatement, Texans also seem to want to prove people wrong, especially if they say that nothing can really be done. For instance, Sabah Albader has a 2000 Mistubishi Eclipse GT. While the aftermarket hasn't jumped all over this car like flies to poo-poo as it has for the previous generation Eclipses, Albader has taken it upon himself to give his Eclipse the customization that it so sorely deserves.
With the stock 3.0-liter V6 SOHC engine, the Eclipse GT pumps out a respectable 205 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque. Of course, Albader wasn't satisfied with the stock figures, so he went ahead and added an HKS Super Megaflow intake and GReddy Evolution cat-back exhaust to free up some trapped horsepower within the engine. Albader informs us that AEM underdrive pulleys are on their way and will be installed shortly upon arrival to squeeze out the extra juice hidden along the Mitsubishi's drive belt.
Now, back to the original statement that Texans like things big. Albader is no exception, as he fitted the Eclipse with a set of 18x8.5-inch Racing Hart Type M5 wheels and covered them with 225/40-18 Yokohama rubber. A Shine Street eight-piece body kit gives the car a more aggressive look to match the 18-inch rims. A set of Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs drops the Mitsu 1.5 inches to give it a more aggressive stance. A set of AEM big rotors are on their way to provide improved stopping power as well.
The body is also adorned with custom graphics, which were skillfully applied by Sign-Banner Zone. In the lighting department, a set of PIAA HID headlights and fog lights provide additional visibility during night driving. The headlights and corner lights also received a custom tint-job in order to make this Eclipse stand out all the more from its peers.
Inside, a red carbon fiber dash kit by Florida Auto Trim makes its home and blends well with the exterior scheme. Of course, we could also tell you about this Texan's installation of in-car entertainment, but it would probably make you cry. Nonetheless, Albader has a Pioneer head unit with an LCD display and in-dash six-disc CD changer. A Bazooka 8-inch tube woofer along with Nakamichi speakers and amp make for an impressive acoustic assault. You're probably saying, "so what, this isn't making me cry," but you haven't seen the centerpiece yet. It's a Sony PlayStation 2. You read it right, Albader has installed a PS2 in his car while many of the rest of us have only been able to play the abused display consoles that they have in the stores. Some guys just have all the luck.
Editor's Note: "Extreme Exposure" will feature 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 and outside details of the car and 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.