Red Light Special

Supras are a dime a dozen, but once in a while you come across that one special car that deserves recognition in an import scene littered with Hondas and Acuras.

Meet San Diego resident and undergrad student at SDSU (a.k.a. party school), Mike La's creation. Mike is no stranger to the Honda/Acura scene, as he previously owned a fully-built, 1996 Integra GS-R. After completion of the Integra, La became complacent with the car's performance and lack of power when confronted against high-power vehicles, namely the Toyota Supra. "All throughout my high school years I had my heart set on getting a Toyota Supra and I told my friends that I would get one, but as the years passed I was still Supra-less and many of my friends began to second guess me," states La. In February of 2001, La made the bold move to begin searching for his ideal Supra, spending just over a year in the process. Ask any Supra owner and they will tell you that finding a twin turbo model in pristine condition, with low mileage is like finding a needle in a haystack--it's just not realistic. La's day had finally arrived when his bread and butter, a 1997 Renaissance Red Twin Turbo Supra, was located at a dealership in Long Beach, Calif. Not exactly the color La had in mind, but he wasn't going to pass up a cherry-condition car and the possibility of another year passing before he found something else.

Like a phoenix reincarnated from its own ashes, La began the long and tedious transformation of creating a Supra that would reflect his own personality. Wasting no time, La drove the car from the dealership straight to SP Engineering located in Industry Hills, Calif., for a full engine buildup. After brainstorming with the Toyota specialists at SP, it was agreed that the Toyota 2JZGTE 3.0-liter twin turbos needed to be scrapped in favor of a single turbo GReddy T88h 34d SPL. The T88h came complete with a 24cm exhaust housing--note this is GReddy's largest turbo, also used on the 8-second Titan Supra. Is turbo lag an issue for some out there? La is one step ahead of the game, using a single fogger Nitrous Express system to increase turbo spool. The slow paced, Bonneville type spool up is a thing of the past. The T88h is mated to a GReddy SUS exhaust manifold with oversized runners, only offered in the "H" turbo kit. Spent gases exit via a GReddy 4-in down pipe and finally out the tail section though a rare GReddy TR Power EVO 2 4-in exhaust system. Ensuring the car is running to its full potential, a gaggle of computers were piggybacked into the 2JZ motor. HKS VPC, HKS GCC, and G-Force race ECU (modified timing and fuel curve, removed rev limiter, and speed governor) programmed by SP Engineering were on hand to battle the electrical gremlins. Fuel is the key when producing ungodly horsepower, and La took this into consideration using a set of Blitz 700cc injectors, HKS fuel rail and fuel pressure regulator combo, dual Supra turbo twin turbo fuel pumps, and Earl's braided lines for added insurance. Adding a menacing demeanor to the face of the Supra is a large HKS front-mount intercooler compressing air into the 2JZGTE head equipped with HKS 264 duration exhaust/intake cams matched to pair of HKS cam sprockets. Boost levels are closely monitored at 19.8 PSI with a Blitz SBC iD boost controller and GReddy Type-C wastegate. Keeping in check with the "bling bling-ness" (Hey, is that a word?), La wanted to add some flair to his engine bay with some chrome components, namely the intake pipes, radiator lines, valve cover and a trick carbon fiber radiator panel. To keep this beast running at optimal operating temperatures, a Fluidyne aluminum radiator and dual FAL electric fans heed the call.

Driving a car that whoops some ass will give you the respect and admiration on the streets, but let's be realistic, who wants to see a quick car that's sporting a ghetto-fabulous exterior? La realized the importance of having his Supra portray speed, as well as looks. The car was delivered to 2020 Autobody in City of Industry, Calif., to provide the custom bodywork and paint transformation for his red monster. Flying through numerous Japanese magazines, La decided on piecing together several body kits to give his car a one-of-a-kind look. Top Secret Japan Type 3 front fascia and side skirts were selected, while a Veilside rear valance and Bomex UAD-149 rear spoiler completed the makeover. With the custom body kit fused onto the car, 2020 Autobody went to work, molding the kit onto the body, accentuating the Supra's natural bodylines. House of Kolors custom Candy Apple Red multi-stage paint with a silver metallic base was generously applied to the Supra's skin. The overall paint effect is a dark red pearl that changes hues under the sunlight (sick!). For all you lamers out there, if you can't read what's on the hood then go back to school! The masterminds behind the graphics scheme are none other than Trap One Vinyl Designs of San Diego, Calif.

With five months in the body shop, La had plenty of time to plan and conceive the Supra's interior buildup. When we asked why he decided to re-upholster the entire interior, La best summed it up with a smirk and a laugh. "Shit Scott. Are you kidding me? The ugly beige interior just wasn't cutting it for me." Well said Mike, well said. It's hard to argue that European cars are on top of their game when it comes to luxury. La implemented some Euro influence into his car by re-skinning the seats and reupholstering the carpet. A complete makeover of the factory seats in BMW dove-gray leather replaced the shoddy factory beige interior. Mercedes-Benz sandstone plush carpet not only looks good, but makes La want to drive barefoot, and on occasion he does. A pair of Sparco Torino seats replaces the stock units while a set of Sparco Harnesses keeps La firmly planted in his seat. The HKS family is in full swing with a 60mm boost gauge, EGT, and electric fuel pressure gauge keeping the red beast's vitals in close check. Lotec A pillar column, and Momo Race steering wheel keeps the car parallel to the roads while cruising the occasional Oceanside strip.

"After my initial engine install, I smoked my clutch so bad, it wasn't funny," said La. There's a saying in the automotive world: If you're not breaking enough parts, your not making enough horsepower. With La's clutch not up to the task of transferring horsepower to the rear wheels, a Blitz Active Twin Disk clutch was purchased to replace the old unit. Applying the horsepower to the ground is a whole different issue. Racing Hart M5 18x9s in the front and 18x10s in the rear and wrapped in Kumho tires provide the deadly bite to evenly distribute power on the tarmac. On all four corners, GAB adjustable shocks, coupled with Eibach springs, enable the Supra to fly down the streets with full confidence. TRD sway bars and Cusco front and rear strut tower bars add rigidity to the frame, ensuring tight cornering and maneuverability through the twisty San Diego mountains. Project Mu B-Force brake pads, TRD braided brake lines, and powerslot rotors ensure the high-horsepower beast can stop when the heavy foot is applied.

When the constant sounds of turbo spooling and monotonous exhaust humming takes a toll on the psyche, the need for a killer audio system is just what the doctor prescribes. La personally installed a complete audio makeover in his Supra, starting with an Alpine CVA-1005 flip screen monitor. PPI Power class 2400 and 2300 chrome amplifiers, Eclipse coaxial speakers, Eclipse crossovers and Boston Acoustic mids and highs. Eclipse aluminum 12-in subwoofer sealed in a custom trunk enclosure provides the deep roar. During those arduous drives to car shows and weekend rendezvous, La relies on an Alpine 12-disc changer and Sony Playstation 2 to keep him and his passengers entertained throughout the trip. Recently, La implemented two 5-in Audiobahn monitors in the trunk as icing on the cake, thus completing his ICE package. Mike wont lie. He confesses his car is a complete chick magnet and often uses the Supra to pick up dates. La confesses, never on the first date. "I try to pimp it in my daily driver Honda Odyssey when I meet someone new. My motto is if you can't love me for my Odyssey, then you can't love me at all!" Two years in the making and over $80,000 dollars of hard earned cash invested into the Supra, most people would be hesitant to drive such a treasure on the road, but La refuses to call his Supra a trailer queen. "I feel that a car should be driven, and rest assured, my Supra sees the streets of southern California and not the trailer in back of my Odyssey. I've got the State Referee tickets to show for it!" In fact, just two months ago, driving home from a car show in Del Mar, La was pulled over by San Diego's finest. Eager to test out his new turbo setup, La had done his best impression of Germany's autobahn down the 5 freeway, unaware three police cruisers were in pursuit of his Supra in the dark. La continued to coast down the freeway without a care in the world. "They tried to keep up with my 65-150+ mph run to try and pull me over and cite me for speeding but they couldn't keep up! When they did finally manage to pull me over, the officer asked me to pop my hood." (Keep in mind, San Diego police are notorious for pulling over modified vehicles and even have a task force dedicated to street racing) It was that moment when La's heart dropped to the ground as the disgruntled police popped the hood. You could say it was the beginning of the end for Mike and his Supra. Imagine a long Christmas wish list given to Santa from a five-year-old boy. Now picture the citation ticket being the same length as that wish list. Pondering the subject, La smiles and unenthusiastically says, "Oh well, I look back at it and laugh (noticing the fake smile). I tried to use the infamous excuse: 'But officer, I really need to pee!'" The officer ripped him a new one, replying, "Go take a piss on the road then, cause you're getting this ticket!" Mike said, "I believe that was the biggest problem I encountered owning this car; trying to stay away from the authorities. But hey, I still 'Back the Badge.'" Sure you do, Mike. We all do.

Mike would like to thank Dennis from Import Culture, SP Engineering, 2020 Autobody, Trap one and especially his "homies" for helping to create the beast he calls his own. Most importantly he thanks his parents; without them none of this would have been possible.

Text and photos courtesy of Turbo Magazine