This may appear to be an unusual request, but consider some of the muscle cars builds you've seen over the years. You know the type: an old American car with a calm exterior save for some wide tires outback or a blower protruding from the hood, but more horsepower than you can handle. It's no secret that a lot of powerful JDM Cars guys aren't lovers of our scene, thanks to some of the flashy, body-kit-clad, neon-colored imports made back when the first Fast & Furious movies were released. For the most part, these old-school bikes stick to a modest outward design, focusing their time and efforts on the powertrain under the hood.
Believe it or not, the owner and visionary of this stunning Supra were on the verge of switching from import tuning to muscle cars. Though Christopher Ocampo had previously built Japanese automobiles, the emphasis was usually on modifications that were more appropriate for a car display than a dragstrip. Chris was drawn to Detroit muscle after years of wrenching on Japanese platforms because of the raw power the cars provide, all while lurking behind a sleek and rather plain appearance.
“I fell in love with the Supra's black contours the moment I saw them. Not only did it have aggressive lines and a sleek appearance, but the power and sound it made had me sold right away, “Chris reminisces. He wasn't driving home in his very own Japanese muscle car for long. Chris didn't realize that he would spend many hours with his car crew, Chii Racing Culture, for several years, transforming his new ride into a high-speed street vehicle.
Though it may appear to be a stretch, Chris' Supra's theme contains many elements of a successful muscle car build. The car's appearance is the most visible of these characteristics at first glance. Don't be deceived by the fact that things have been kept relatively mild compared to the path Chris could have gone in—this is one terrible Supra. The badges, rear hatch spoiler, rear wiper, and radio antenna have all been shaved and smoothed from the car's exterior. When the massive factory spoiler is removed, the Supra has a tough and distinct muscle car posture. A-Wings West front lip and a Top Secret rear diffuser give modest tweaks to the car's design without being overly obtrusive or bizarre. A big intake duct carved into the unique Dark Alley Designz headlamps is the sole hint of what lies beneath the hood.
The beast's heart is on the opposite side of that headlight duct. As you might anticipate, Chris' Supra is powered by the 2JZGTE, the mother of all Toyota engines. A substantially larger Garrett GT42-76R single turbocharger has been installed in place of the stock dual turbocharger system. To guarantee that everything holds together with the additional jam caused by the larger snail, the engine's top-end has been touched over with a bevy of components from Apex and Brian Crower. Because the 2JZ is recognized for its robust bottom end, the work on the top end has plenty of room for huge numbers.
With such a large turbo attached to the engine, the exhaust and fuel systems require all the assistance they can get to keep up. The turbo is supplied by a large 4-inch intake pipe that connects to the previously described headlight duct. An SP 4-inch downpipe, mid-pipe, and after-cat exhaust system drive spent gases out of the turbo. Dual 255-lph Walbro fuel pumps, an SP fuel rail, and Precision 1,000cc fuel injectors have been added to the fuel system to fulfill demand. An AEM standalone engine management system keeps track of all metrics and tuning requirements. A number of factory and aftermarket components have been polished to give the motor a hot rod–like appearance in the engine bay.
The factory drivetrain needed modification now that the inline six-cylinder was putting down enormous power. Chris went with a TSI custom reverse pattern TH400 automatic transmission for his project, in true muscle car form. Even if you believe it's a cop-out, let's face it: Supras with 6-speed manual transmissions aren't known for their spectacular quarter-mile times, even when they're making 1,000 horsepower. The automatic transmission enables more efficient and consistent power delivery. The last drivetrain components required to keep this Supra indestructible are a Precision 5000 torque converter and a Suburban heavy-duty driveshaft.
A large factory interior with the addition of a few minor race car comforts is hidden below the dark limo-tinted windows. Because most dragstrips won't let a car this fast run without a roll cage, Chris enlisted the help of CMJ Racing to TIG-weld an S&W eight-point roll cage into the cockpit. The ‘cage has been painted black and coated in protective padding to preserve it streetable. During a rush down 1320, a pair of red Sparco racing seats and six-point racing harnesses keep the driver and a presumably terrified passenger safely in place. Finally, a Pioneer in-dash DVD player was installed to keep your eyes and ears entertained if the 2JZ's hum becomes too much to bear.
With such a large design, the wheel and tire setup must match the power and killer looks. A pair of three-piece SSR Professor SP1 wheels with unique black powder-coated centers were used in a double-staggered layout, measuring 18×8.5 up front and a wild 19×11.5 out back—talk about a hot-rod–inspired posture! Massive 305/30/19 Continental drag radials let this Supra put as much power down as possible. Combining KYB AGX adjustable struts and Eibach Pro-Kit springs is ideal for drag racing while also providing a modest drop.
Finally, Chris's desire to build a high-powered American muscle vehicle has turned this Supra into a fantastic illustration of what can be accomplished with a bit of creative thought.
