SP Rides: Youth is Served with a Terminator
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Toby Siu
Age: 21
Occupation: Studying to be an aircraft mechanic
Hobbies: Mustangs, car detailing, playing the ukulele
Year/Make/Model: 2003 Mustang Cobra Terminator
Color: Ebony Clearcoat
Engine: 4.6L 32V Supercharged, Metco Motorsports supercharger pulley, JLT intake, JBA shorty headers, Bassani off-road X pipe, Borla Stinger catback.
Interior: Pioneer double din, dual Aeroforce interceptor gauges, 2 10-inch Rockford P2 subs with Rockford 1,200-watt amp in custom ported box.
Wheels and tires: FR500 wheels (front, 18×9 with 275/35/18 Toyo Proxes; rear, 18×10 with 295/35/18 Nitto Invos).
Back in the early 2000s, members of Ford’s Specialty Vehicle Team got together and really did a number on what originally started out as a standard Mustang. In creating the Terminator, the team unleashed one of the most powerful factory-produced cars on roadways while adding a few simple mods to a machine that already possessed a hand-built factory 32-valve DOHC, a 4.6-liter V8 engine with forged Zolner pistons, and Manley H-beam connecting rods.
In short, this was a highly coveted ride and a force of nature to be reckoned with — particularly when the steering wheel was in the right hands.
So just how did local boy Toby Siu get his hands on such a car when he was just 16 and fresh off of obtaining his driver’s license?
“From my dad,” answered Siu, now 21, when asked how his good fortune came to be. “He wanted to keep his Terminator in the family and I had just recently gotten my driver’s license, so it was a win-win (situation).”
This is a lot of car to handle and the temptation to be a lead foot is always there, but Siu has proven to be just as lucky with this gift of a car as he is responsible and matured as an automobile owner. He’s been taking the time to research and learn the finer points of the Terminator — including the fact that it still has some pretty incredible resale value ($18,000 in the KBB) for what is essentially a 13-year-old automobile. He’s also slowly making the upgrades to bring his pride and joy to its full potential. Of course, he’s had to start off slowly, as much of his time has been spent wrapped up in his studies to become an aircraft mechanic. Nonetheless, the improvements he has made to the car in his spare time have been impressive.
For example, the engine has been upgraded with a Metco Motorsports supercharger pulley and combined with a JLT cold air intake for extra performance and increased air flow. Additionally, Siu’s entire exhaust flow has been modified by a set of JBA shorty headers, a Bassani off-road x-pipe as well as a Borla Stinger catback — allowing for some great gains by using only bolt-on modifications.
And there have been more modifications as the interior hasn’t been ignored. To help monitor performance, Siu has added dual Aeroforce Interceptor gauges to his ride. The gauges are pretty notable because they intellegently allow the display of more than 100 parameters — everything from RPM to 02 Sensor voltage to Engine Load and beyond.
Because this car is a daily driver, Siu wanted a worthwhile stereo system installed so that he could listen to his favorite tunes over the rumbling sounds of the engine. And so, he installed a Pioneer Double Din system that has been hooked up along with a Rockford 1,200-watt amp in a custom ported box featuring 2 10-inch Rockford P2 subs. In short, this system booms, and yet the box leaves plenty of space for storage.
Finally, FR500 wheels now grace the vehicle and look beautiful in chrome. The fronts are 18×9 with 275/35/18 Toyo Proxes, while the rear features 18×10 with 295/35/18 Nitto Invos.
“A lot of people say I’m a spoiled little brat, but I take care of this car,” Siu said. “I wash it, maintain it, and have built it.”
No doubt he has Ford running in his veins.
