Every generation of tuner has an entry level vehicle. For many of us, it was the Civic or the Integra, a relatively affordable vehicle to purchase, even new from the factory. The potential for performance wasn’t there to begin with, but with the aftermarket’s support vehicles like the Civic and the Integra has gone down in history as the most popular vehicle ever modified. These days however, tuners have it easy. Manufacturers are almost building their vehicles to cater to the aftermarket and to the tuners out there. The manufacturer making the greatest splash these days has been Scion. Their vehicles are extremely affordable, come loaded with accessory options and carry the reliability and quality that you’d expect from a Toyota brand. In fact, Scion markets their vehicles towards customization and their formula has worked to a perfect balance.
Scion began with the xA and the xB, both sedans with different form. When the tC was introduced sporting two doors and stylish lines, it became an instant hit. Its stock 2.4L from the factory showed extreme potential for horsepower and the aftermarket jumped on it quicker than any other chassis we’ve seen in recent years. ZPI Racing was one of those companies, quickly fabricating, researching, testing and developing a turbo kit for the stock 2.4L. Carefully waiting to see how the general consumer would accept their turbo kit, ZPI Racing sat patiently for their first few orders. When Ben Dellsperger first got his hands on his Scion tC, he was content. But like many of us, he wanted much, much more. He was one of those consumers that jumped straight on the ZPI Racing turbo kit, opting for the Stage 0 option. Plenty of goods supported the now forced induced tC, including a catalog of goods from Agency Power: titanium cat back exhaust, lightweight pulley, and power silicone hose kit. From GReddy is their diversion panel and E-Manage engine management system to help keep the tC fine tuned. As décor in the engine bay, Ben had his valve cover painted gold.
Now that the tC was a whole new animal thanks to the turbo kit, Ben concentrated on the exterior aspects of the car. Loving the stock lines and curves, Ben wanted to accent certain features without going too extreme and making the tC look like an anomaly. A RS1 lip kit was painted and installed along with an M3 style rear lip on the hatch. The exterior modifications were just enough to set it apart from the crowd, but keeping it tastefully done. Lowering the tC on all four corners and giving it a stiffer ride and lowered center of gravity are a set of TEIN S-Tech springs. Tightening up the chassis is a Tanabe front upper strut bar. Ben then lived by the words “wheels make the car.” He researched high and low for something that he had a low chance of seeing on another tC. His search ended with Auto Art and a custom set of 19-inch staggered wheels in a gold finish. These wheels were the first we’ve seen from Auto Art and are the perfect complement to Ben’s tC. In fact, we have to agree, it absolutely makes his car gorgeous! The Auto Art wheels are wrapped with Vredestein’s Ultrac tires.
Ben believes in inner beauty as well. The interior received an overhaul with custom fiber glassed pieces throughout. The B-pillars and stereo is enclosed in custom fiber glass while the seats and headliner received a suede overhaul. The stock seats are now replaced with suede equipped Corbeau A4 seats. The front and rear panels were also rewrapped in a black suede finish. The stereo is powered with a Pioneer AVIC-D2 head unit, DLS UP6 components and a pair of Elemental Designs 16ov.2 subwoofers. Elemental Designs also supplies the amplifying power with their Nine.1 and Nine.2 amps.
Ben’s tC is one of the cleanest we’ve ran across and were extremely excited to get a chance to shoot it. There is nothing better for our industry than a manufacturer creating such a fantastic platform for us to work with. Kudos to both Ben and Scion!
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