SP Rides: Rising Like a Gunmetal Phoenix
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Marcus Sakamoto
Age: 27
Occupation: Heavy equipment mechanic for Oahu Transit Services
Hobbies: Cars, music, art
Year/Make/Model: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
Color: Graphite Gunmetal
Engine: System Upgrade turbo manifold, System Upgrade turbo downpipe, System Upgrade FMIC, Custom 2.5-inch IC piping, Garrett T3/T4 hybrid turbo .43 A/R, 330cc Siemens injectors, Turbosmart External Wastegate @ 8psi, HFP 225LPH Fuel Pump, Apexi Power Filter, Vibrant High Flow Resonator, Koyo Racing aluminum radiator, Mizu Racing slim fans, EES aluminum engine cover, Custom air diverter plate, AEM FI/C 6 Engine Management Unit
Transmission: Spec stage 2 clutch, Spec lightweight flywheel, Torque Solutions delrin shift bushings, Circuit Sport braided clutch line, Exedy clutch slave cylinder
Exterior: Custom Min GT wide-body, Custom front/side/rear air diffuser, Seibon OEM style carbon hood, Tomato A&P rear spoiler, F/L headlight conversion, LEDglow million color underglow kit
Interior/ICE: Custom diamond stitch interior, Red stitch shiftboot/steering wheel, Kamaru carbon floor mats, LEDglow interior light kit, Speedhut triple gauge pod, Streetglow dual needle air gauge, Defi racer series boost gauge, Innovate LC-1 wideband, Pioneer avh-2500bt head unit, Pioneer ts-d1720c component speakers, Pioneer ts-d6902r 2-way speakers, Pioneer ts-sw3001s4 x2 subwoofers, Pioneer gmd9601 amplifier, Custom painted 5-gallon air tank, AVS water traps x2, Viair 380c air compressors x2
Suspension: Ksport Airtech air suspension and management, Whiteline front/rear swaybar endlinks, Ingalls rear control arms, Motors Line front strut brace
Wheels/Brakes: SSR SP1 wheels, Wilwood dynalite front GT BBK, Stoptech rear slotted rotors, Stoptech street brake pads, Stoptech braided brake lines
This 2003 Gunmetal Tiburon has been through quite a stormy existence, thanks to its involvement in three heavy accidents. But those mishaps have also molded this vehicle into one of the most heavily altered Hyundais on Oahu for owner Marcus Sakamoto, 27.
The first accident occurred when the car was t-boned by another vehicle. The damage turned out to be so extensive that Sakamoto was concerned the car would be written off. Instead, he took this as an opportunity to customize the vehicle, scoring a Min GT kit as well as a Seibon carbon fiber hood along the way. Soon, the modifications began to pile up.
The second accident resulted in smashed radiator supports, headlights and more, and the collision prompted Sakamoto to complete a 2003-2005 frontend conversion along with the headlights as well as another carbon fiber hood. He began to take a keen interest in driving safely while taking his work seriously. Sadly, though, he was soon involved in a horrible collision that took the life of a poor pit bull.
The accident left Sakamoto absolutely distraught — both for his car and for the death of the animal. As a result, he decided to build the car bigger and better than before. He sourced 18-inch SSR SP1 wheels that resulted in the wide body modifications and added enormous Stoptech and Wilwood braking components. The wheels were so massively offset that the Min GT kit had to be widened considerably to accommodate the kit. The kit is also graced with a custom front/side/rear diffuser built by Sakamoto, giving the ride an extremely aggressive look. A Tomato A&P rear spoiler was added as well as a LEDglow underglow kit to help light up the night.
The car had some major rubbing issues after the wide body installation, so Sakamoto chose to go with a Ksport Airtech air suspense and management kit with two Viair 380c air compressors and a custom-painted, 5-gallon air tank. Whiteline front/rear swaybar end links are included while Ingalls rear control arms and a Motors Line front strut brace provide solidity.
Both the engine and transmission feature a vast amount of modifications too enormous to list, but include a full-turbo addition at 8 pounds of boost featuring a Garrett T3/T4 hybrid as well as a Spec stage 2 clutch and flywheel. Everything is controlled by an AEM FI/C 6 Engine Management Unit. Likewise, the interior features a custom diamond stitched interior and more glorious additions to make this car the complete package.
This built Tiburon has enormous sentimental value for Marcus. He considers a testament to the hard work and long history they both share. The car has died multiple times, but has always risen like a gunmetal phoenix, dropped low and ready to roll.
