SP Rides: A Subaru That Stands Out

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By Michael Kitchens

Name: Joel Uganiza
Age: 37
Occupation: Automotive technician
Hobbies: Cars, piano, family, guns
Year/Make/Model: 2007 Subarua STi
Color: Obsidian Black
Engine and Drivetrain Mods: Cobb Acessport V2 EQ Tuned (Dyno Jet# 565 Whp and 546 Torque @25psi E85), Built Short Block (Wiesco pistons, Manley Rods, ACL Bearings, 2011 Nitrated Crank), Built Heads (Port and polish BC 272 Cams BC Valvesprings and Retainers), Blouch Dom3 Xtr (3-inch Inlet), AMR Turbo Inlet, ARP Headstuds, JDM Oil pump, Covert Oil pickup, Perrin Tmic, Perrin Crank Pulley, Custom EQ CAI, Injector Dynamics 2200cc Injectors, Grimmspeed EWG UppipeGrimmspeed 10mm Intake Spacers, Mishimoto Radiator, Moroso Dual AOS
Exterior: Kaminari CF Front Lip, Kaminari CF Front Splitter, Kaminari CF Sideskirt, Kaminari CF Rear Skirt, Voltex Type 2 GT Wing, Voltex 30mm Wing Risers, Voltex Wing Delete, Seibon CF CW Hood, Chargespeed CF Rear Roof Vain, Custom CF Wiper Cover, APR Rear Diffuser, APR CF alt cover, APR Front Canards, JDM Rain Guards
Interior: Sparco R505 Seats, Sparco Baby Seat, Wedge Engineering seat Brackets, Black 05 Wrx Door Panels, Prodrive Collaboration Works Bells Steering Lock, Blox 490 24k Shift Knob, STI Short Shifter, Defi V2 Control Unit, Innovate MTX Wide Band, ATI Triple Clock pod, JDM Hazard Button, Carbon Fiber Sti Door Sills
Wheels/Brakes/Suspension: Advan RS­D 18×10 (Custom Powder coated Lolipop Red), Nitto INVO 255/35 ZR18, Projeck Kics R40 Lugs, DBA 4000 Front Rotors, DBA 4000 Rear Rotors, Goodridge SS Brake Lines, BC Coilovers with Rear Damper Extenders, Perrin Rear 25mm Swaybar, Perrin Rear Endlinks, Cusco Os Front Strut Bar (powder coated ends), Cusco Front Power Brace (powder coated), Carbing Rear Strut Bar, ATE Racing Brake Fluid

Joel Uganiza is an automotive technician by trade and has been one since age 17. Now 37, he’s reached the point where his years in the automotive scene have allowed him to build this monstrous 2007 Subaru STi.

In preparation for next weekend’s MDA Aloha Custom Car Show & Cruise at Aloha Stadium, StreetPulse has been featuring a slate of amazing rides over the past two months, and this STi is a perfect example of what car fanatics can expect to see at the show. The Subaru’s exterior alone sells this ride, thanks to an incredible Kamanari 4-piece carbon fiber body kit and an enormous Voltex Type 2 GT wing. The rest of the exterior has gorgeous levels of detail: Chargespeed CF side mirrors, a sick Seibon CF CW hood and a selection of APR parts that includes a rear diffuser, alt cover and canards.

“This build really started with the engine,” said Joel. While tuning for E85 Ethanol in California, Joel’s engine absolutely ate it. Although prepared externally, the bottom end wasn’t ready for the amount of power coming at it. After relaying the news to his wife, Joel licked his wounds and jumped headfirst into the build.

The 2.5-liter EJ257’s short block was built with Wiseco pistons, Manly rods, ACL bearings, and a 2011-nitrated crank, fitted with build heads featuring port and polished BS 272 cams, BC valve springs and retainers. One look at the rest of the bay reveals the massive number of modifications made. The end result is 565WHP and 546TQ @ 24PSI. Wow!

Within the interior, snugged tightly to a very rare red Cusco 7 point cage, are Sparco R505 seats (with a euro spec baby seat, too) that provide a clear view of the illuminated plethora of Defi gauges as well as a V2 Control Unit, Innovate MTX Wideband, and an ATI triple clock pods and steering pod. A Keys! Racing 350mm suede steering wheel is fitted to a Works Bell short hub and shifts are provided with a STi short shifter with a Blox 490 24k shift knob that just gleams.

The car also features some mega beats Joel wired with an Audio Integrations Sub Box X2 that’s powered by several Eclipse Amps, with MB Quarts front and rear speakers.

The shoes this car is wearing are impressive, highlighted by Advan RS-D 18x10s that have been custom powder coated a Lollipop red. DBA 4000 front and rear rotors provide better stopping power with Nitto INVO 255/35 ZR18s putting rubber to the ground. The suspension has also been modified with a cornucopia of Perrin and Cusco fittings.

Built in California and brought to Hawaii upon Joel’s return to the islands, this Subaru is on a wholly different level. It has an absolutely huge modification list that I can’t even begin to cover. When asked how he was able to achieve this incredible example of tuning, Joel puts it down to age and experience; in fact, he built this car from the ground up with his bare hands.  Now that’s how you do it.

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