Oh-So-Fine MR2

I was like, say what? I told him that I heard rumors the car was locked up as an exclusive for another magazine. Hill said,  Hell, no. That is incorrect information, Mr. Tjin. I told him to hold on for a second as I went back to Killeen and asked him if he was up for one more photo shoot. I explained the story … and 30 minutes later we were shooting our poster car for this issue!

Funny how life throws you a bone every once in a while. Just like I told Hill, you never know how things are going to turn out in life. Luckily for him and us it all worked out just right.

As I checked out Hills modification list, I found myself feeling a little overwhelmed. I had no clue that you could put so much stuff into such a little car. Where do we begin? The killer motor setup? How about the sleek, highly modified interior and ICE? Or do we start with the sweet-looking, flared exterior?

Like any decent show car, the exterior is what catches most peoples’ attention first. This is how things work with Hills MR2 only it’s not just the exterior, but also the incredible motor that draws spectators, enthusiasts and magazine editors. Even though the exterior is incredibly hot, I think the motor may have it beat (which I say with some hesitancy since I’m usually a diehard show guy).

The MR2 engine compartment has it going on and that can very easily be taken as an understatement. Not only are there some seriously powerful parts under the carbon fiber rear treatment, but also some seriously high-end components. The engine modification list reads of like a Who’s Who in the performance world: APEXi, GReddy, HKS, TRD and NX are just some of the companies involved.

However, once Hill had all these parts sitting pretty in his hands, there was one problem: who could he trust to install such wonderful gadgets? After doing some research, he found Finishline Motorsports in Marietta, Georgia. APEXi had supplied a power intake and a Super AFC; also installed were a set of ARP head studs, GReddy intercooler, Permacool 8-inch intercooler fan, custom intercooler fan shroud and a Garage Fukui 85mm exhaust. Sound hot? That’s just for starters.

Finish line also went to work and had the motor outfitted with HKS SSQ blow-off valve, JDM CT-20b Turbo, JUN lightweight flywheel, NX single-fogger setup, NX N-tercooler chiller kit and a Shem’s Garage downpipe.

Hill also had Finish line install a B&M short shifter, 94 Toyota LSD, TRD head gasket, oil cap, radiator cap, Turbo Hoses intake pipe and silicone hose kit, a set of polished shot-peened rods and Venolia forged pistons to complete the engine buildup. For show points, he had the heat shield, valve cover and intercooler pipes chromed and a custom carbon fiber shield with dual fans made to keep his motor nice and cool. As for cool gadgets, his APEXi Super AFC is kept company by a GReddy PRofec boost controller, turbo timer, electronic boost gauge and an exhaust temperature gauge.