Vehicle Features - �ֲ��ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

Exercise in Simplicity – Phil Sohn’s 1993 Mazda RX-7

2026-06-16T15:58:55+00:00

Exercise in Simplicity

Phil Sohn - 1993 Mazda RX-7

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Jeff Boesch (@The.Optical.Prime)

The Mazda RX-7 has always carried a certain weight in tuning circles, and among ’90s JDM enthusiasts. As one of the most recognizable Japanese sports cars of its era, the FD earned a reputation for balance and endless aftermarket support. More than three decades later, it remains a favorite canvas for builders who appreciate both preservation and reinvention. For Phil Sohn—who has been building and organizing within the rotary community for over twenty years—the 1993 RX-7 you see before you represents the culmination of his experiences.

Despite its intricate details and modern technology, Sohn describes the build as an exercise in simplicity. Instead of piling on complexity, he focused on refining each aspect to give the car a more modern feel without compromising its core identity. That philosophy extends right down to the wiring, where the entire factory system was stripped away in favor of a Haltech Nexus R5 paired with a PD16 to manage everything electronically. OEM relays and fuse boxes are gone, replaced with a cleaner, more centralized solution.

Under the hood, Sohn bolstered the 13B with a BorgWarner EFR 9180 turbo paired with a custom V-mount setup, supported by components from Franklin Performance, Radium Engineering, and SamcoSport. The rotary is fueled by dual Injector Dynamics setups with ID1700 and ID1300 injectors, with ignition duties handled by R35 coil packs mounted on a Franklin Performance kit. The result is a powertrain that stays true to the spirit of the FD while leveraging modern electronics for a more refined, responsive package.

The drivetrain features an RZ transmission, a carbon fiber driveshaft from Driveshaft Shop, and a Carbonetic 1.5-way differential, with power delivered through an Exedy Hyper Single clutch. Suspension is equally deliberate, with Tein Flex Z coilovers paired to EDFC Active Pro, a system that automatically adjusts damping based on G-force and speed inputs.

The exterior reflects Sohn’s deep respect for Japan’s tuning culture, particularly Re-Amemiya and Fujita Engineering (FEED). Their influence shows in the N1-02 front bumper with carbon diffuser, FEED fenders and flares, and the distinctive Re-Amemiya powered fender mirrors. RX Lights infinity tails and a SakeBomb Garage swan-neck wing sharpen the rear without taking away from the FD’s unmistakable silhouette. Sohn entrusted the bodywork and paint to one of the country’s top specialists, ensuring every line and reflection matched the precision of his mechanical execution.

Inside, the FD’s cockpit continues the same philosophy. A custom EVOR carbon interior houses Recaro Podium seats, Schroth harnesses, and Mazdaspeed accents throughout. The EDFC Active Pro controller is neatly integrated into a custom speaker pod, while a Haltech iC-7 digital dash framed in a custom bezel keeps the driver’s focus clear. Even the rearview mirror features CarPlay integration, a backup camera, and a dash cam—small touches that seamlessly modernize the classic environment.

The RX-7 platform has seen countless interpretations, but Sohn’s stands out for its restraint. By modernizing the FD without going overboard, he’s created something that feels both familiar and forward-looking—an RX-7 that acknowledges its roots while embracing modern technology. For a chassis that’s often celebrated for how far it can be pushed, Sohn’s approach proves that sometimes the best builds are the ones that know exactly where to stop.

ESSENTIALS

VEHICLE:
1993 Mazda RX-7

LOCATION:
Birmingham, AL

HORSEPOWER:
450 whp

SOCIAL:
IG: @herblenny

ENGINE:
BorgWarner EFR 9180 turbo + Custom V-mount + Davies Craig EWP150 + FEED turbo elbow + SamcoSport camo hoses + Haltech Nexus R5 and PD16 + NGK/NTK R35 coil packs + Injector Dynamics ID1700 and ID1300 injectors + Franklin Performance R35 coil pack mounting kit + Radium Engineering oil catch can and fuel system + Custom wiring harness

EXHAUST:
BNR midpipe + Apexi N1 Dual cat-back exhaust

DRIVETRAIN:
Exedy Hyper Single clutch + RZ transmission + Driveshaft Shop carbon fiber driveshaft + Carbonetic 1.5-way differential

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
RAYS Volk Racing CE28 CR2 Black Edition wheels - 18x9.5 +35 front, 18x10.5 +22 rear + Toyo Tires R888R - 255/35R18 front, 295/30R18 rear + SakeBomb Garage Wilwood front BBK and race-spec large rear rotor adapter kit

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Tein Flex Z coilovers with EDFC Active Pro + Adjustable sway bars + Powerflex bushings + Race Shop roll bar

EXTERIOR:
FEED front fenders, rear flares, and side skirts + Re-Amemiya N1-02 front bumper with carbon diffuser, hood, rear diffuser, and powered fender mirrors + SakeBomb Garage swan-neck spoiler + RX Lights infinity tail lights and front signal lights

INTERIOR:
Custom EVOR carbon interior + Greg Thompson iC-7 dash kit + Recaro Podium carbon seats + Race Shop roll bar + Schroth harnesses + Mazdaspeed shift knob, carbon steering wheel by Garage Alpha, and E-brake handle + Custom EDFC Active Pro control pod

AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
CarPlay rearview mirror

SPONSORS:
Haltech + BorgWarner + Exedy + Toyo Tires + Radium Engineering + NGK + RAYS + Davies Craig + SamcoSport + Tein

William Howard’s 2018 Ford Mustang GT Wins Best American at Tuning 365 Englishtown 2025

2026-06-05T21:01:05+00:00

Photos Courtesy of William Howard / �ֲ��ý

Some builds make their point before the spec sheet even gets involved. William Howard’s 2018 Ford Mustang GT brought a clean, aggressive S550 presence to the Tuning 365 Tour stop at Formula Drift Englishtown 2025, combining carbon details, strong wheel fitment, and a carefully sharpened exterior package that earned it Best American honors.

William Howard’s 2018 Ford Mustang GT received the Best American award at the Tuning 365 Tour stop at Formula Drift Englishtown 2025.

Based out of Rahway, New Jersey, Howard’s Mustang GT puts down 465 whp with the help of a Corsa carbon fiber intake, Texas Speed headers, and Wengered tuning. A custom high-flow X-pipe and Borla ATAK axle-back exhaust complete the sound and help give the car the attitude to match its appearance.

The exterior keeps the Mustang’s factory muscle-car identity intact while adding a more purposeful edge. A Mach 1 front bumper, GT500 hood, carbon front lip, carbon deck lid, carbon GT500 spoiler with gurney flap, RTR diffuser, S650 LED headlights, and custom wolf badging all come together to give the car a distinct look without pushing it too far from its performance roots.

GTD wheels sit over Brembo six-piston calipers, while Ford Performance Mag-Ride linear lowering springs bring the stance down. Inside, the car features a GT white shift knob and a Scar custom subwoofer enclosure, adding a few personal touches to the cabin and audio setup.

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #181

Click here to order the 2025 Tuning 365 Tour and Formula Drift Englishtown double issue.

ESSENTIALS

OWNER:
William Howard

VEHICLE:
2018 Ford Mustang GT

LOCATION:
Rahway, NJ

HORSEPOWER:
465 whp

CLUB:
Asphalt Assassins

SOCIAL:
IG: @illwill_s550

ENGINE:
Corsa carbon fiber intake + Texas Speed headers + Wengered Tuned

EXHAUST:
Custom high-flow X-pipe + Borla ATAK axle-back

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
GTD wheels + Brembo 6-piston calipers

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Ford Performance Mag-Ride linear lowering springs

EXTERIOR:
Mach 1 front bumper + GT500 hood + forged carbon/red fender badges + carbon deck lid + carbon front lip + custom wolf badge + carbon GT500 spoiler and gurney flap + custom laser-etched license plate + S650 LED headlights + RTR diffuser

INTERIOR:
GT white shift knob

AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Scar custom subwoofer enclosure

GALLERY

Kijiji to Kaido

2026-06-05T14:35:39+00:00

Gary Zackodnik - 1988 Toyota Soarer

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Rayelin Asselin (@Rayelin__)

Gary Zackodnik didn’t set out to become an old-school rebel in the Alberta car scene, but his 1988 Toyota Soarer made sure he got there. It wasn’t a childhood dream car or a long-time goal—it was just a shot in the dark, a chance to roll alongside a friend’s Z31 after an attempt to get into that platform didn’t work out.

He found the Soarer on Kijiji—no pictures, no fanfare, just a listing. The seller was in Calgary, three hours away, so he got his dad to drive him out there. The first impression? Solid enough to seal the deal, but not without the kind of hassle that sets the tone for every good project car story. The battery died before he could even see the headlights in action. Back on the road with a battery two sizes too small, the adventure began.

The car came sitting on HSD coilovers with a set of TOM’S wheels—an unmistakably ’80s touch from one of Toyota’s OG tuners. It was a time capsule, but one that needed a purpose. Gary didn’t just want a car to own; he wanted a car to build, to drive, and to make his own. As he got more involved in the scene, connections started forming, and before long, the Soarer stopped being just a cool old car and started becoming a vision.

That vision? A naturally aspirated, individual-throttle-bodied 2JZ-GE. No boost, no shortcuts—just response, sound, and old-school aggression. The 2JZ itself wasn’t hard to source, but it wasn’t exactly a smooth start either. What was supposed to be a solid engine turned out to be holding water in cylinder four, corroded nearly beyond repair. The road to reliability was a long one—starting with a bottom-end rebuild at Ronin Performance, followed by headwork and finishing fabrication at SSS Motorsports.

But an engine is just a piece of the puzzle. The car had to look and feel like something special. Instead of chasing the typical turbocharged JZ formula, Gary leaned into the roots of street freak and pro-street styling, blending it with influences from classic F1. The Marlboro livery, a nod to Ayrton Senna’s timeless McLaren, became the defining touch. Inside: a Kaido racer-style OBA 280mm wheel, Prisma Lab bucket seats, and Takata harnesses. The old A340E automatic was ditched for a W58 five-speed and a racing clutch, making sure the car’s performance felt as raw and connected as it looked.

By 2023, the Soarer hit the streets and shows, earning its share of attention. Gary didn’t grow up dreaming of a Soarer. He didn’t even know they existed until he found his. Looking at the car now, it’s hard to imagine a better fit. A little bit of ’80s Toyota history, a little bit of classic hot rod mentality, and a whole lot of personal style—it’s a rolling tribute to every influence that shaped it. Whether it’s Kaido racer roots, Ed Roth-inspired hot rod culture, or the irreverent spirit of modern street cars, it all comes together in a build that doesn’t chase trends. It just exists on its own terms. In the end, that’s what makes it fun to drive.

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #180

Click here to order the Toyota/Lexus special issue.

ESSENTIALS

VEHICLE:
1988 Toyota Soarer

LOCATION:
Sunset Point, AB

HORSEPOWER:
187 whp

SOCIAL:
IG: @jzz20.soarer

ENGINE:
2JZ-GE engine swap + EFI Hardware ITBs + Radium fuel rail + ECUMaster Classic + Driftmotion rear sump oil pan + Audi R8 coilpacks + Flying lead harness

EXHAUST:
Custom exhaust + Blast pipes

DRIVETRAIN:
Exedy racing clutch + W58 transmission swap

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Work Emitz II Aerodish wheels

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
HSD coilovers

EXTERIOR:
Custom Marlboro livery

INTERIOR:
NRG Prisma GT seats + OBA steering wheel + Takata harness + Custom seat rails

AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Single-DIN head unit + Pioneer speakers + JDM flashball

GALLERY

It Runs in the Family

2026-06-04T15:42:28+00:00

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Minh Truong (@itsminhty)

The Balthasars’ driveway is probably the most recognizable in their neighborhood. Each member of the family—mother, father, and son—drives a unique widebody Lexus, with a handful of SEMA appearances between them. When our podcast kicked off for reviewing feature vehicle submissions, we started to see the Balthasar name. Then we saw it again, and again. Dana, Giuseppe, and Cassandra Balthasar all found their way into the pages of �ֲ��ý together, making it one of the only triple-features in �ֲ��ý history!

Read the Full Features

Explore each member of the Balthasar family’s Lexus build below.

Form, Elevated

Cassandra Balthasar - 2018 Lexus LC500

Cassandra Balthasar’s LC500 takes one of Lexus’ most striking modern designs and elevates it with Artisan Spirits widebody styling, orange vinyl, Universal Air suspension, and Advan GT Premium wheels.

Read the full feature

Gray Area

Dana Balthasar - 2015 Lexus RC F

Dana Balthasar’s RC F blends molded Pandem widebody styling, custom chalk-gray paint, Work Meister wheels, Recaro seats, an orange roll cage, and tuned V8 performance into a constantly evolving Lexus showpiece.

Read the full feature

The Artisan’s Touch

Giuseppe Balthasar - 2023 Lexus IS 500

Giuseppe Balthasar’s IS 500 carries the family’s Lexus tradition forward with Artisan Spirits widebody styling, Inozetek Ruby Star vinyl, Advan RS-DF wheels, Seibon Carbon upgrades, and a Toyo Treadpass debut.

Read the full feature

GALLERY

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #180

Click here to order the Toyota/Lexus special issue.

The Artisan’s Touch

2026-06-04T13:28:22+00:00

Giuseppe Balthasar - 2023 Lexus IS 500

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Minh Truong (@itsminhty)

Giuseppe Balthasar didn’t set out to build a Lexus IS 500, but when opportunity knocks—and the right partners are on board—you answer. Sometimes, that answer turns into a debut build at the Toyo Treadpass inside the SEMA Show.

The 2023 IS 500 started as a blank slate, but with help from Toyo Tires, Artisan Spirits, and Advan, Giuseppe turned it into something much louder. Dertywerks Garage handled the hands-on work, including installation of the widebody kit and those not-so-small finishing touches that bring a project together.

What sets this Lexus apart is that it’s the first Artisan Spirits widebody IS 500 in North America. Wrapped in Inozetek’s Ruby Star—a bold shift from typical monochrome automotive trends—the car strikes a balance between contemporary aggression and refined Lexus styling. Advan’s then-new RS-DF wheels in titanium black add depth under the arches, surrounded by Toyo Proxes Sport 2 rubber for a street-ready statement.

Giuseppe didn’t just slap a kit on and call it done. Under the hood sits an APEXi air intake, letting the 5.0-liter V8 breathe with a bit more response, while the Artisan dual exhaust opens up the flow out back. The carbon hood and trunk from Seibon cut some weight and bring a textured contrast to the slick wrap. Inside, the factory luxury is traded in for something more driver-centric: Recaro Sportster GT seats and a Zestek steering wheel.

Giuseppe is no stranger to modified Lexus platforms—it runs in the family. As the son of two familiar names—Cassandra and Dana Balthasar, both of whom drive custom Lexus builds of their own—he’s carrying forward a tradition that values clean presentation, smart choices, and brand loyalty without sacrificing personal taste. The result isn’t loud for the sake of it. It’s purposeful, measured, and surprisingly restrained despite its bold color and widebody posture. For a build that wasn’t expected, it looks at home on the industry’s biggest stage.

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #180

Click here to order the Toyota/Lexus special issue.

ESSENTIALS

VEHICLE:
2023 Lexus IS 500

LOCATION:
Lake Forest, CA

HORSEPOWER:
465 hp est.

CLUB:
Team GarageLife

SOCIAL:
IG: @iknowseppe

ENGINE:
APEXi air intake

EXHAUST:
Artisan dual stainless exhaust

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Advan RS-DF wheels + Toyo Tires Proxes Sport 2 tires

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Universal air suspension

EXTERIOR:
Artisan Spirits widebody kit + Inozetek Ruby Star vinyl wrap + Seibon Carbon trunk and hood

INTERIOR:
Recaro Sportster GT seats + Zestek steering wheel

SPONSORS:
Toyo Tires, Artisan Spirits, Zestek, Yokohama Wheels

GALLERY

Gray Area

2026-06-03T19:59:42+00:00

Dana Balthasar - 2015 Lexus RC F

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Minh Truong (@itsminhty)

Dana Balthasar’s 2015 Lexus RC F has been through more than most show cars will ever see. Picked up in 2017, the RC F was quickly transformed into a Toyo Treadpass feature vehicle at SEMA that same year, followed by an appearance at the LA Auto Show—not bad for a car that hadn’t even had time to sit in its own garage. Since then, it’s been a constantly evolving project, shifting from deadline-driven showpiece to a personal expression of craftsmanship. Dana refers to the build as an ongoing adventure.

Visually, the RC F isn’t trying to blend in. A fully molded Pandem widebody kit stretches the factory lines into something more aggressive, while the custom chalk-gray paint brings a subtle contrast to the aggressive stance. Inside, the details get more personal. A six-point orange roll cage splits the rear view, wrapping around Recaro Sportster GT seats finished in distressed gray leather and Alcantara. The door cards carry the same finish, while a carbon digital steering wheel and custom shift knob add tactile reminders of the build’s purpose beyond turning heads at shows.

Performance hasn’t been ignored. Under the hood, a Takeda air intake and PPE unequal-length headers feed into an Armytrix stainless exhaust system, all tied together with a Stage 2 tune from Delious. The setup doesn’t just sound good on paper—it gives the RC F the powerband and response Dana wanted, all without overcomplicating the formula. In the trunk, a custom audio setup adds just enough tech to round out the build for a perfect street cruiser. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t need to try overly hard to get your attention—you just need to take a second look.

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #180

Click here to order the Toyota/Lexus special issue.

ESSENTIALS

VEHICLE:
2015 Lexus RC F

LOCATION:
Lake Forest, CA

HORSEPOWER:
565 whp

CLUB:
Team GarageLife

SOCIAL:
IG: @socaldana_rcf

ENGINE:
PPE unequal length headers + Delious Stage 2 tune + Takeda air intake

EXHAUST:
Armytrix stainless steel exhaust

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Work Meister L1 wheels – 19x10.5 -37 (f), 19x13 -50 (r) + Toyo Proxes Sport tires

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Air Runner custom air suspension

EXTERIOR:
Pandem molded widebody kit + Custom Chalk paint

INTERIOR:
6-point roll cage + Recaro Sportster GT seats + Custom door cards + Carbon digital steering wheel + Custom shift knob

AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Custom trunk audio setup

SPONSORS:
Toyo Tires, Work Wheels, Hi Rev Sports, Password JDM

GALLERY

Form, Elevated

2026-06-03T18:43:34+00:00

Form, Elevated

Cassandra Balthasar - 2018 Lexus LC500

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Minh Truong (@itsminhty)

The Lexus LC500 is arguably one of the most visually stunning and beautiful vehicles of the modern era, and Cassandra Balthasar tends to agree. For her, modifying a 2018 LC500 wasn’t about “breaking the internet,” smashing lap times, or going after Best in Show awards across the country—it was an exercise in taking that magnitude of automotive beauty to the next level.

The first step to emphasizing the beauty of the LC500 was an Artisan Spirits widebody kit, custom-modified to fit the car body flawlessly, with a custom dual center-exit exhaust in the specially modified rear bumper. Balthasar used a modified Universal Air suspension setup to drop the body of the Lexus perfectly over the stunning 21-inch Advan GT Premium wheels, giving the silhouette of the car some proper Japanese sports car aesthetics. Finishing it off is a stunning shade of orange vinyl to really turn heads.

After submitting her car to the �ֲ��ý podcast, the team determined it was worthy of an appearance in print based on the craftsmanship to present it so beautifully in all aspects. We’ve seen the photos, we’ve heard the story—now we’re just waiting to catch it rolling by in real life.

Originally featured in �ֲ��ý Issue #180

Click here to order the Toyota/Lexus special issue.

ESSENTIALS

VEHICLE:
2018 Lexus LC500

LOCATION:
Lake Forest, CA

HORSEPOWER:
456 hp est.

CLUB:
Team GarageLife

SOCIAL:
IG: @mrs.socal

EXHAUST:
Artisan Spirits exhaust

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Advan GT Premium wheels - 21x10.5 +24 front, 21x12 +20 rear + Toyo Tires Proxes Sport Max tires - 295/35R21 front, 325/30R21 rear

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Custom Universal Air suspension system

EXTERIOR:
Artisan Spirits widebody kit + Orange vinyl wrap

INTERIOR:
Zestek steering wheel

SPONSORS:
Yokohama Wheels + Toyo Tires + Artisan Spirits + Aeroworks + Zestek + Golden Wrench

Vehicle Features - �ֲ���ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

Exercise in Simplicity – Phil Sohn’s 1993 Mazda RX-7

Exercise in Simplicity

ESSENTIALS

William Howard’s 2018 Ford Mustang GT Wins Best American at Tuning 365 Englishtown 2025

ESSENTIALS

GALLERY

Kijiji to Kaido

ESSENTIALS

GALLERY

It Runs in the Family

Read the Full Features

Form, Elevated

Gray Area

The Artisan’s Touch

GALLERY

The Artisan’s Touch

ESSENTIALS

GALLERY

Gray Area

ESSENTIALS

GALLERY

Form, Elevated

Form, Elevated

ESSENTIALS

GALLERY

Vehicle Features - �ֲ��ý is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999