Back to back BFG Garage articles! This time it’s Corey’s Kia.
Corey’s 2013 Kia Optima
Build
Editor’s note: As a marque, Kia is synonymous with a lot of things. “Excitement” usually isn’t one of them. But Corey McKinney doesn’t care. He’s taken his 2013 Kia Optima family sedan and turned it into a mean, clean, two-toned street machine.
When I was growing up, I always enjoyed going to races and checking out all of the cars and trucks in the race and on display. I turned into a desert rat and loved pre-runners. My first truck was a 2000 Ford Ranger, and the first thing I did was put a 5.5” lift on it, new gears, a skid plate, stabilizer bars, BFGoodrich® All-Terrains, and took it to the sand.
The tuner car scene is new for me. I just got into it about 2 years ago. I went to a car show, and I said, “That’s what I want to do now.” Luckily, my wife and I were in the market for a new car. We needed a family car, but I wanted something that was still fun. We’d seen the Kia Optima for a couple years and felt that it was a sexy looking sedan. However, I wanted to keep my options open and look around. We went and test drove the Optima first, then several other cars in its class.
After we car shopped, we decided to wait and discuss it before we made a purchase. We left town on vacation and couldn’t stop talking about the car. The excitement of a new car was taking over our vacation. I went online and started looking at what was available for the Optima, and I was amazed at all the aftermarket cosmetic and performance parts that were available. I decided this was going to be the car that I got into the tuner scene with. I called the dealership while we were still out of town. When we returned, they had the car with our color and options reserved for us.
Then in June 2016, I went on a KDM cruise with my son. At the meet-up spot, there were more than a hundred different KDM cars there and a couple that really stood out were from Team Hybrid. I had seen the Team Hybrid name around, but I wasn’t really familiar with who they were or what they were actually about. I spoke to them for a few minutes, and they were really cool to talk to, but then we had to get going on the cruise.
A couple months later, I went to a charity car show and ended up parking next to a group of Team Hybrid cars from the Oxnard Chapter. They were extremely friendly, asked me about my car and were very open to discussing their builds. Throughout the show, I talked on and off with the Oxnard Chapter Director, Sergio. He told me to go on their website, and check it out. As I was sitting at the car show, I logged into the website and read all about the team. I decided it was something I wanted to be a part of, so I filled out an application online and submitted pictures of my car. Later that evening, the Recruiting Director called me and I ended up becoming a probationary member that night. Now, my son Camden is also a member of Team Hybrid, and he has a project car we are working on together.
Hybrid luv to our Founder/President, James Lin, Hybrid Management of Co-Leaders, Hybrid Hunnuyz and of course, the Team Hybrid Family. Lastly, huge thank you to our team title sponsors, BFGoodrich, Meguiar’s, AMSOIL, Mishimoto, K&N Filters, AEM Intakes, NRG Innovations, Password JDM and Whiteline.
Here’s a list of the modifications Corey has made to his Optima.
Engine and Performance:
- LAP3 Stage 1.5+ HFC Tune
- Blended Fuel (85% 91 / 15% E85)
- HKS M45XL plugs
- Injen Intake System w/ Red Hydroshield
- HKS SSQV IV Blow Off Valve
- Driven Fabrication PCV Delete
- KSR Performance Baffled VTA Catch Can
- Vibrant Braided Hoses w/ JEGS Fittings
- K5OS Red Anodized Dress Up Bolts
- KSR Performance V1 Custom Single Piece Charge Pipe
- K5OS CANBUS Module (auto start, turbo timer, hands-free proximity locking, remote sunroof, auto mirrors, auto battery recharge)
- CX Racing Catback Exhaust
- Dual SickSpeed Horns
- Mishimoto Radiator Cap
- SickSpeed Red Aluminum Spiked Oil Cap
- Custom Painted Engine Bay
Suspension and Traction:
- BFGoodrich® G-Force Comp-2 A/S 245/35ZR19 Tires
- Ultra Racing Front Strut Tower Bar
- Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs
- Drag DR-37 19×8 wheels
- SickSpeed Red Aluminum Spiked Lug Nuts
- SickSpeed Red Aluminum Spiked Center Caps
Exterior:
- Seibon Carbon Fiber TS Hood
- Roadruns V2 Grille
- Art X Spoiler
- Custom Headlights by Garrett Dolphin
- Morimoto RGB LED Side Indicator Upgrade
- K5OS 2-in-1 LED Fog Lights + RGB Demon Eyes
- Safe Motors Smoked DoorVisors
- Safe Motors Rear Window Visor
- K5OS Kia 3.0 White Carbon Fiber / Black Emblems
- K5OS K5 Emblem
- Kia OEM 2014/15 Turbo FenderÂÂÂ Vents
- K5OS Turbo Trunk Badge
- K5OS LED kit (License Plate, Reverse)
ÂÂÂ Interior:
- K5OS Complete LED kit (Domes, Maps, Vanities, Glove Box, Trunk)
- Tri-pod Gauge Pillar w/ GlowShift Gauges
- Carbon Fiber Wrapped Interior
- K5OS Kia 3.0 Steering Wheel Emblem
- Manicci Custom Leather Diamond Stitched Floor Mats
