Turbo Mar. ’08 Featured Article – Kirby Wang’s SC300

Congratulations to Kirby Wang’s Lexus SC300 in a 7 page full feature in Turbo Magazine’s March 2008 issue, pgs 52-58. Kirby is the first SoCal member to be featured in a magazine and also, our team’s second full feature article of the New Year.

Like I said in our members’ section of the forums, the onslaught of magazines in 2008 is coming. Furthermore, in my post on 12-19-2007, 11:19 PM, on the section called “Team Hybrid Media Coverage 2008” in a thread called “Team Hybrid – Import Tuner February 2008,” I said, “…Believe me, 2008 is going to be another outstanding year of Hybrid cars in all the major magazines. Soon, you will see us in Turbo, PAS, Modified, Import Tuner, Super Street, Autoworld and etc. What team out there has a stable of different import cars that will be magazine worthy year after year for the last 12 years. To drill my point ever further, not just make one major brand of a magazine but almost all of them as a feature or Cover!”

NCCA Mar. ’08 Mild Contender – David Huang’s IS300

Congratulations to David Huang’s Lexus IS300 being on National Custom Car Association’s (NCCA) feature “MILD” contender. For more, please visit:

http://www.nationalcustomcarassociat…id_huang.shtml

“Subtlety” is a word that you won’t find in David Huang’s vocabulary. As the owner of the headline vehicle for the 2006 Hot Import Nights tour, David is no stranger to building Lexus IS’s, as he built his IS300 to stand out from the crowd. In June of 2000, the IS300 was purchased with the intent of building a capable street car. For the next 18 months, David enjoyed driving his Lexus after performing the usual bolt-on upgrades. In February of 2002, David became a little too comfortable driving the IS300. On his first canyon racing experience, David lost control and put his IS300 on top of a two-foot retaining wall that kept him and his car from going over the cliff. The car hit with such impact that the bumper, bumper support and radiator were jettisoned down the cliff. Rather than do the sane thing and junk the IS300, David decided to put the IS300 under the knife for some major surgery. Passion took a front seat while reason was put in the back. The frame was pulled back to its original dimensions and the process of rebuilding the IS300 was initiated. His IS300 has been revamped several times to become the top show car it is today. The goal was to build an IS300 that would be the envy of all other IS300 owners. Considering the extent of modifications made to the engine, exterior, interior and electronics, it’s safe to say that David accomplished his goal.

Exterior:

-JDM MAZiORA Andromeda Paint
-JDM HKS D1-spec Front Fanscia
-JDM HK1 D1-spec Side Skirts
-JDM HKS D1-spec Rear Valance
-JDM HKS D1-spec Grill
-JDM HKS Cibie Fog Lights
-JDM HKS Black Chrome Badge
-JDM Shift Sport Carbon Fiber Hood
-JDM Shift Sport Vented Fenders
-JDM TRD 01’ Deck Spoiler
-JDM Altezza Head Lamp
-JDM Altezza Clear Side Marker
-JDM Altezza Rain Visors
-JDM Altezza Carbon Fiber Pillars
-JDM Altezza Rear Badge
-JDM Altezza Carbon Licence Garnish
-JDM Altezza Short Antenna
-JDM Modelista Side Mirrors
-JDM Black Housing Tail Lamps
-JDM Carbon Fiber Antenna base
-HKS High Beam Bulbs
-33% Titanium Reflect tint.

Interior:

-JDM Altezza Steering Wheel
-JDM Altezza Gauge Cluster Face
-JDM Altezza Engine Start Button
-JDM Altezza 2003~up Cup Holder
-JDM Altezza Blank Coin Holder
-JDM Altezza Head Unit Din
-JDM CUSCO 2pts. Harnesses Roll Bar
-JDM HKS DB Chrono Boost Gauge
-JDM HKS DB Chrono EGT Gauge
-JDM HKS DB Chrono Oil Temp Gauge
-JDM RECARO SR-III Top Gun
-JDM RECARO Seat Slider
-JDM RECARO Seat Bracket
-JDM TAKATA 4 points Harnesses
-JDM TAKATA Gel Pads
-TRD Gauge Pod
-TRD Ltuned Floor Mats
-StitchCraft Suede Headliner
-StitchCraft Suede Pillars
-StitchCraft Suede Visors
-StitchCraft Black Leather Handle
-PLP Passenger Aluminum Plate

Engine:

-Custom 650cc. fuel injectors by RC
-Custom VVTi cam spacer
-Custom port&polish
-Custom 3.1L Stroker kit by JUN
-Custom Carbon driveshaft by JUN
-Custom forged pistons by JUN
-Custom 2mm headgasket by JUN
-Custom forged piston rods by JUN
-Custom braided fuel lines
-Custom oil return line

Under the hood:

-Garrett GT35R Turbo
-D.T. custom Turbo tubular manifold
-D.T. custom down pipe
-D.T. custom Polish piping
-D.T. custom Piping mounts
-Custom Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
-Custom Hood Prop Kit
-JDM Cusco Oil Catch Can
-JDM Blitz Oil cap
-JDM Blitz Radiator cap
-JDM HKS 4” Turbo Funnel
-JDM HKS GT Wastegate
-JDM HKS Spark Plugs
-JDM HKS SQV Blow Off Valve
-JDM HKS S-Type Intercooler
-JDM HKS Metal Flow Intake
-JDM HKS Carbon-Ti exhaust
-JDM HKS Exhaust silencer
-JDM HKS Exhaust Cam 264 degree
-JDM HKS Exhaust Cam Gear 2nd Gen
-JDM HKS Timing Belt
-JDM HKS Circle Earth Ground Wire

Electronic:

-JDM HKS F-conVpro Standalone
-JDM HKS 2JZ-GTE Harness
-JDM HKS EVC-V Boost Controller
-JDM HKS DB Chrono Junction Box
-JDM HKS CAMP Head Unit
-JDM HKS CAMP Junction Box
-JDM HKS CAMP Harness/Sensors
-JDM HKS Type-0 Turbo Timmer
-JDM HKS Twin Power Ignition
-TBKO Shifter Kit

Wheels/Chasis/Suspension:

-JDM Advan Kreuzer V in 19”
-BFGoodrich KDW/TA Tires
-JDM ENDLESS 13.5” Rotors
-JDM ENDLESS 6-Piston Calipers
-JDM ENDLESS Stainless brake lines
-JDM ENDLESS brake pads
-JDM CUSCO Carbon Front Strut Bar
-JDM CUSCO 1.5way LSD
-JDM CUSCO Front Stg1 tie bar
-JDM CUSCO Rear Stg1 tie bar
-JDM CUSCO Rear Stg2 tie bar
-JDM Do Luck Rear Cross Bar
-JDM HKS Kansai Rear Strut Bar
-JDM HKS Hipermax2 Coilovers
-JDM HKS Purple Series Sway Bars
-KAAZ Transmission Fluid
-KAAZ LSD Fluid

I.C.E.:

-Eclipse AVN 2554 Head Unit
-Diamond D7104 Amp X1
-Diamond D7401 Amp X2
-Diamond M6 12” sub X2
-Diamond HEX speakers
-Diamond M series Components (In Car)
-Diamond M series Components (Trunk)
-15” ACCEL LCD Monitor (trunk)
-CAE Power Supply
-CREATiVE Custom Fiberglass Layout
-CREATiVE Custom Acrylic Panels
-CREATiVE Custom Neon-Display
-OPTIMA Blue Top Battery X2
-SONY PS2

NCCA Mar. ’08 Mild Contender – Tim Balay’s Tiburon

Congratulations to Tim Balay’s 2004 Hyundai Tiburon being on National Custom Car Association’s (NCCA) feature “MILD” contender. For more, please visit:

http://www.nationalcustomcarassociat…im_balay.shtml

My name is Timothy Balay. I live in San Diego now. I have been in the army for just about 6 years and have done my time. I am currently a member and co-leader in training for Team Hybrid. I drive a 2004 Widebody Hyundai Tiburon. I am 22 years old and pursuing a degree in Computer Science. I have been building cars since I was 17 years old and continue to love the industry. I will be competing this year with a lot of new parts. I’ll see you guys there!

Exterior
Custom Lamborghini Nova Blue Paint
M&S Carart Korea Emblem Rear Badges
M&S Carart Korea Warrior 8 Piece Wide-body kit
VIS Vented Carbon Fiber Hood (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)
APR Carbon Fiber Drag Wing (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)
Black Housing Tail Lights
Clear Cornered, Black Housed Tail Lights
19×8.5 Work VS-KF (Front)
BFGoodrich T/A KDW2 Tires 235/35ZR/19XL (Front)
19×9.5 Work VS-KF (Rear)
BFGoodrich T/A KDW2 Tires 255/35ZR/19XL (Rear)
AeroCatch Hood locks
Carbon Fiber A Pillar (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)
Carbon Fiber C Pillar (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)
C Pillar Center M&S Badges (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)
8000K HID Headlights

Suspension
Road Race Motorsports Front Supercharged Fit Strut Bar
Road Race Motorsports Rear Strut Bar
ARK DT-P Fully Adjustable Coilovers

Engine
Injen Cold Air Intake
Injen Oil Cap
ARK KDM N1 Dual Catback exhaust
ARK KDM Stainless Steel Headers With Test Pipe
Raizen Pivot Grounding Volt Stabilizer Kit
Magnecor 8MM Spark Plug Wires
NGK 1 Step Colder Spark Plugs

Interior
M&S Carart Korea Center Guage Cluster Pod (Custom Painted Laborghini Nova Blue)
KDM Tuscani Door Sills
KDM F/L Aluminum Center Console
KDM F/L Aluminum Window Switches
KDM F/L Aluminum Door Handles
ARK KDM Aluminum A/C vents
ARK KDM Aluminum Center Ring Key
ARK KDM Aluminum A/C Controls
Blue/Green Indiglo Reverse Glow Guages
KDM HID LED Dome Lights
Aluminum Diamond Floor Mats
Carbon Fiber E brake cover (Kustom Kandy Blue Accents)

I.C.E
Clarion VRX-675 7’’ Fully Motorized Touch Screen In-Dash DVD Player
30 GB Video IPOD
Polk Momo MMC 6500 6.5’’ Component set with 1” Tweeders (Front)
Polk Momo 6×9 Coaxial Speakers (Rear)
2 12’’ Cerwin Vega VMAX Competition Subwoofers in Custom Trunk Box
Pioneer PDX 1.1000 Class D Mono-block Amp
Audiobahn 400w Class A/B Amp
Audiobahn 1 Farad Digital Capacitor
M/A Audio 4 Guage Speaker Wire Set
M/A Audio 8 Guage Speaker Wire Set

Super Street Mar. ’08 Cover Feature – Team Hybrid 1st Place SEMA Scion xD

Congratulations to Project Director, James Lin and Project Manager, David Huang’s 2008 Scion xD in a 6 page COVER feature in Super Street Magazine’s Mach 2008 issue, pgs 054-060. This was an article w/ Super Street that I worked out that had to be kept top secret from the public and now, here it is for all to witness. Making COVER is also another major milestone achievement for Team Hybrid. We continue to be unstoppable. Senior Editor, Terence Patrick, wrote as the cover story heading, “JAMES LIN OF TEAM HYBRID TALKS ABOUT BEING THE KING OF SCION TUNERS.”

At the moment, I cannot copy and past the whole article, but here are a few key quotes that I am taking from the article to share with all of you.

Super Street Quote #1, “Build a winning show car once and consider yourself lucky. Build a winning show car two years in a row and you’re James Lin, Founder of Team Hybrid, who’s won back-to-back Scion Tuner Challenges, defeating three other teams in the invitation-only competition.

Super Street Quote #2, “Another obstacle was the fact that Team Hybrid is purely a car club and not a pro-level shop with a garage available 24/7 or warehouse full of inventory…the problem was solved by outsourcing the development of parts as one-off pieces and relying on loyal sponsors who were eager to jump aboard the proven winner’s ship”

Super Street Quote #3, “The foundation for the design process was Team Hybrid’s philosophy of building clean, innovative cars that can win at the race, street, track, or show. James attributes this multi-disciplinary approach as the primary reason Team Hybrid has become legendary in the tuning industry.”

Super Street Quote #4, “Hopefully James and Team Hybrid will have more time and resources when they go for the three-peat at SEMA later this year.”

There is so much more to the article that you must just wait till you get your copy in the mail, go purchase it or wait till I post up the complete article. Super Street usually does not shoot cover cars like ours in a professional studio unless you’re like HKS USA, but since they did, it shows the level of respect and luv we have from our industry insiders. Team Hybrid is now 13+ years old and going stronger than ever. Remember, there will always be people out there talking negative about our team and etc., but let them because that is all they will and can ever do. Let them talk all they want while we solidify our legendary status in the import industry. Our team resume continues to show why we are the oldest, finest and most innovative team in import history.

ps. What is even more incredible is our very own www.HybridHunnyz.com discoveries, Elle Navarro and Leanne Bell, also made the cover on the top right hand corner. Hybrid is everywhere.

Forsage Tuning Auto (Russia) Feb. ’08 Cover Feature – Billy Johnson’s WRX

Congratulations to Billy Johnson’s Subaru WRX making a 7 page COVER of the Russian magazine Forsage Tuning Auto, February 2008, Issue 42, pgs 032-038. This is the 2nd cover of the year for us and believe me, there will be more covers coming. Who would of thought a team that started out in Oxnard, California thirteen years ago would be seen worldwide. Team Hybrid has now been published and documented in Russia. Thanks again to our member, Eric Lam and the great Russian photographer, Paul Aerodeck. It is the Year of the Hybridz.

Meguiar’s Feb. ’08 – Car Club Central Newsletter

Congratulations. We have been selected to be Meguiar’s Car Club Central Newsletter Feb 2008 featured Car Club.

80+ Members
Established January 7, 1995
Located in Southern California, Northern California and Las Vegas
Ultimate Quik Detailer® is Team Hybrid’s Favorite Product

High Profile vehicles of Team Hybrid:
13+ years of building cars so there are just too many to list
Recently, Team Hybrid won the Scion Team Tuner Challenge for the 2nd year in a row

They built (as seen in pictures) Team Hybrid’s Gold 2006 xA @ SEMA 2006 and Green 2008 xD @ SEMA 2007. Team Hybrid President & Founder James Lin says that car clubs mean family, community, excellence, innovation, exposure, comradery, sponsorships and love or as we call it “Hybrid luv.”

Team Hybrid would like to thank: Meguiar’s, (No, Thank-you) BF Goodrich, Michelin and all the Team Hybrid co-leaders, members, Hunnyz and probies who have made Team Hybrid a legendary import team. May our tradition continue making history…

HCI Feb. ’08 Cameo Feature – 1st Place Scion Tuner Challenge, SEMA 2007 Plaque

In HCI 2008 issue, pg 011, there is an article about Scion Tuner Challenge. There is an event picture of our 1st place Scion Tuner Challenge, SEMA 2007 plaque and part of the article states, “For the past three years, Scion has enlisted three top tuners and/or teams to compete in its SEMA show buildoff. With each team given a car of Scion’s choice to start their project, along with a budget of $15,000 that cannot be exceeded. The teams are given 10 weeks to put together what they believe will top their efforts of the other two teams. As was the case last year, 2007 contest had three teams going head-to-head for the top prize: Team Koshak/All Star, Auto Concept and Team Hybrid…..After the drama-filled round of judging, Team Hybrid came out on top, followed by Team Koshak/All Star and Auto Concept, respectively.”

Super Street Feb. ’08 Cameo Feature – Team Hybrid 1st Place SEMA Scion xD

In Super Street February 2008 issue, pg 068, there is an article about SEMA 2007, Lav Vegas Convention Center, October 30th-November 2, 2007. There is an event picture of our 1st place Scion Team Tuner Challenge Hybrid xD, David and caption which states, Scion Tuner Challenge. Scion brought back the Scion Tuner Challenge to SEMA, pitting three of SoCal’s top car builders against one another; each team received a new ’08 xD and a budget of $15k, with which they could do whatever they pleased to the cars. Team Hybrid, represented by David Huang, came back to defend last year’s win against Team Auto Concept Elite and Team Koshak, and came through once again with flying colors with their bright green xD.”