According to Long Tran, the formula for fun is as follows: Fun = All-wheel drive + Manual transmission + Boost. It’s hard to argue with that kind of math. Using that formula, it becomes clear why Tran’s vehicular history consists of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX, a 2002 Audi S4, and a 2002 Subaru WRX wagon. All of his previous builds led to where he is today - behind the wheel of a 2011 Subaru WRX hatchback.
Tran cites his biggest challenge when putting the car together as being able to make the build unique. With the platform already being around for eight years before he got his hands on it, he had to think outside the box in order to do something new and fresh. This is what led him to design and wrap the WRX himself!
After buying his first piece of carbon fiber from Seibon Carbon, the addiction took hold, and he started acquiring as much as possible. He also sourced some awesome 18-inch Advan RGIII wheels, a JDM version of his front grille and power folding mirrors, and a ton of other mods to set his car’s style apart.
Under the hood, a Grimmspeed intake and top-mount intercooler keep air flowing, and a Tial 38mm lets him bump the boost to go with his Reese Tuning tune, making a respectable 290 wheel horsepower. Utilizing a bunch of dress-up pieces, the quality of the engine bay echoes the overall show-readiness of the build just as well.
Long Tran and his 2011 Subaru WRX are featured in PASMAG #161. Click Here to order.
Photography by Ronald Trinh (@bfr.media), Don Evans III (@_misterdon)
ESSENTIALS
Owner: Long Tran
Location: San Diego, CA
Vehicle: 2011 Subaru WRX
Engine: Subaru EJ207 2.0L Turbocharged H4
Horsepower: 290 whp
Club: San Diego Subies
SOCIAL
Facebook: /marktran95
Instagram: @braa_psh
Tuner Battlegrounds Award Winner
Event: Tuned In Tokyo
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Popular Vote: 49%
ENGINE
- GrimmSpeed (Top-mount intercooler, intake)
- Tial 38mm external wastegate
- Custom intercooler shroud
- JDM Subaru (ABS cover, battery cover)
- Cobb (turbo heat shield, Accessport)
- Gladfab (alternator cover, radiator plate, fuse box cover)
- Kartboy pitch mount stop
- Circuit Motorsports clutch master cylinder brace
- IAG air-oil separator
- Reese Tuning stage 2 tune
EXHAUST
- GrimmSpeed (downpipe, cross-pipe, up-pipe)
- Nameless Performance cat-back exhaust
DRIVETRAIN
- Kartboy (short shifter, shifter bushings)
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES
- Yokohama Advan Racing RGIII wheels - 18x9.5 +45 (f/r)
- 265/35/18 tires (f/r)
- Subaru STI Brembo calipers
- DBA 4000 rotors
- StopTech stainless steel brake lines
- GrimmSpeed master cylinder brace
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
- ISC Suspension (N1 coilovers w/ air cup kit and rear damping extenders, rear lower control arms)
- Whiteline front and rear sway bars
- Kartboy end links
- Cusco (Type OS rear strut tower bar, power brace rear member, lower rear power brace)
EXTERIOR
- Custom orange camo vinyl wrap
- Seibon (OEM-style carbon fiber wing, carbon fiber fender caps)
- VIS Racing (carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber hatch)
- Carbon fiber (front lip, bumper vents, side skirt extensions, mirror covers)
- RPG carbon fiber (gas door, rear diffuser)
- Strafe Design (front splitter w/ Fully Torqued Racing carbon fiber rods, side skirt extensions, rear diffuser)
- JDM Subaru (power folding side mirrors, underbody tray, front grille)
- Subaru STI (mirror caps, LED blinkers)
- Rear wiper delete
- 30% window tint
INTERIOR
- Custom orange carbon fiber interior trim
- Subaru STI black interior w/ suede headliner and power sun visors
- Damd D-shape steering wheel
- WC Lathe Werks shift knobs
- SMY Alcantara dual cluster pod
- Podi gauges (boost, oil pressure)
- Alcantara (STI armrest cover, shift boot, E-brake boot)
- VIAIR onboard air kit
- JDM Subaru dual console cubby
- Subaru STI console swap w/ retractable cover
- Subaru (illumination kit, Homelink mirror w/ compass)
- SolidMod vent pod w/ SMY Accessport V3 holder
- Full sound deadening
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS
- Subaru CP635U1 head unit
- Audio Integrations subwoofer
- RE Audio (SRX10D4 subwoofer, XTX-1500.1 amplifier)
- Back-up camera
SPONSORS
- GrimmSpeed
- Reese Tuning
- ISC Suspension
- Strafe Design
- RPG Carbon
- SuperStick
- SubieApparel
- Limitless Car Care
PHOTO GALLERY
Related Articles
PAS365 #Rally2FD - Toronto to Englishtown
MCP Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber Spoiler for Tesla Model 3/Model S
OPTIMA Brings Expanded High-Performance Action To The 2022 SEMA Show
The Open Country R/T Trail is an All-New On- and Off-Road Rugged Terrain Tire from Toyo Tires®
2022 Tuner Evolution: Chicago, IL
2022 Tuning 365 Tour Award Winners at Formula DRIFT Salt Lake City
