HOT IMPORT NIGHTS: MINNEAPOLIS
CANTERBURY PARK
JULY 29, 2017 (4:00 PM - 11:00 PM CDT)
STAGE 1: TOP QUALIFIERS
Voting Polls Open: Jul 27 @ 12:00 PM CDT
Voting Polls Close: Jul 29 @ 10:00 PM CDT
Click Here for Standings
It was a dream to own a Toyota MR2 for Nick Gulbranson after meeting a guy in college that owned one. 6 Years later, Gulbranson could not be happier with his purchase of a 1993 Toyota MR2." I purchased her back in Late August 2011, a '93 MR2 that had an already fitted replica TRD wide body kit," mentions Gulbranson. "As it sat, the car looked pretty good but I knew it would take a lot of effort before having it anywhere close to where I wanted it.
Over the years of changing wheels setups and spoilers, and the addition of more parts, Gulbranson is now happy with overall look and appeal of his Toyota MR2. Nicknamed "Merarri, The Devil", the MR2 has a modified spoiler to look like devil horns, devilish teeth Gulbranson 3D printed and a one-off custom devil-tail show-exhaust. The MR2 sits on a set of Cosmis Racing X5R white wheels, 17x9 in the front and 18x10.5 in the rear, wrapped in Federal 595 RS-R tires, with a set of custom center caps to add to the devil look. With just basic bolt-ons, including an APEXi intake, modified HKS 3-inch exhaust, 3-inch downpipe, ATS Racing CT27 turbo, TCS SMIC kit and TCS dual fan engine lid shroud, 540cc Supra injectors, ported fuel rail, Aeromotive FPR, and a SARD tuned ECU, Gulbranson estimates that the MR2 makes close to 300 rwhp (the MR2 made 263 rwhp on 16lbs on the dyno without the injectors, FPR and ported fuel rail).
"I absolutely love taking 'the devil' out for a drive any chance I get," states Gulbranson, "she always gets attention and a thumbs-up from a stranger! It's a great experience building a mid-engine racecar, and a blast to drive!
Owner: Nick Gulbranson
Location: Richfield, Minnesota
Vehicle: 1993 Toyota MR2
Horsepower: 263-300 (estimated)
SOCIAL
Facebook: Nick Yeaicanfixit Gulbranson
Instagram: @smallzkustomz
Written by Randi Bentia.
Photography by Nick Gulbranson, Zae Thao, TYC Photography.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
3SGTE Rev2 Motor (stock internals)
ATS Racing CT27 Turbo w/stainless braided oil feed/return lines
PTP Turbo Blanket
Supra 540cc injectors with ported fuel rail
Aeromotive Fuel Pressure Regulator
TCS Intercooler with 1-piece hot and cold pipe
TCS Dual fan engine lid shroud with custom marbleized paint job (custom hydraulic prop rod)
APEXi high flow intake
Hot red powder coated valve cover and turbo compressor housing
TRD billet aluminum oil cap
EXHAUST
3-inch open downpipe (cat delete)
3-inch HKS exhaust modified
Custom "Devil Tail" exhaust tip
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS
SARD Tuned ECU
AEM Wideband
AEM TruBoost boost gauge and controller
AEM wideband air/fuel gauge
HKS Type-0 turbo timer
WHEELS & TIRES
Cosmis Racing S5R white wheels - 17x9 (f), 18x10.5 (r)
Federal 595RS-R tires - 215/40/17 (f)), 265/35/18 (r)
VMS Racing red bullet lug nuts
Custom 3D printed Toyota devil center cap emblems
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
BC Racing RM Series inverted coilovers, 6k/9k spring rate
BRAKES
R1 Concepts drilled and slotted rotors
G2 Red painted calipers
Ceramic pads
EXTERIOR
Replica TRD2000GT wide body kit
PPG "Hot Red" paint job
Completely shaved (molded body kit, handles, antenna, moldings)
AutoLoc door poppers
Custom "Devil Wing" spoiler
1994+ Kouki taillight conversion
Tom's style intake roof scoop
Sparco gas cap relocated and powder coated flat black
Custom front license plate bracket with red LED bolts
ST Suspension sway bars (f/r)
LIGHTING
Clear marker lights
Custom retrofitted projector headlights with red LED halo rings
OPT7 LED underglow kit
INTERIOR
Red LED gauge cluster
Custom gauge pod
TRD QuickShift short shifter, with custom lowering plate
Custom center shift bezel, black suede with red stitching shift boot
AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA
Pyle Audio 7-inch LED flip-out DVD/CD/MP3 Player
COMPETITION EVENTS, CLASSES & AWARDS
"I have 10 trophies that vary from 3rd Place to 1st Place in different categories, from Best Toyota, Best Import, Forced Induction, and Foreign."
FAVORITE MODIFICATION
"I would have to say it's either my wheels, which perfectly compliment the style of the car, or my custom "Devil Tail", which I designed, cut, and welded myself!"
FUTURE MODIFICATIONS
"I'm pretty happy with where the car is at the moment, but I think the next modifications will be a stand alone ECU, cams and cam gears, and water meth injection, or a full 800+ hp engine build! Whatever my funds will allow." ;)
SHOPS & MECHANICS
Nick Gulbranson
Friend at Toyota - alignment
