While a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly takes less than two weeks, the RX-8's transformation (and Rhee's) took closer to two years.
The RX-8 was supposed to be nothing more than an inexpensive and fun daily driver when he bought it in February 2004, but it was destined to be more. Still not into tuning imports, there was something about this particular one that just screamed out to him "pimp me!" The 2NR bug had bitten him, and the rest is history.
The car's transformation started simply, with the addition of a set of wheels and JIC Magic FL2A coilovers. A more powerful engine is nothing but a liability without any additional stopping power though, so Rhee had the car equipped with a Stoptech big brake kit and sticky BF Goodrich Gforce T/A KDW tires mounted on DP Engineering wheels, measuring 19x9.5 inches up front and 19x10.5 inches out back. With the metamorphosis initiated, there was no turning back.
After keeping the car like this for a few months, he outgrew the mods and the time came for the RX to molt its skin and assume its next form. After doing a little surfing on the web, Rhee found The Hook Up Shop in San Diego, California. It was shop owner Tom Ngo who introduced Rhee to the car club Team Hybrid. At his first import show in 2004, Rhee fell in love with the import scene. Rhee found himself instantly drawn to all the action, saying it was like nothing he had ever seen before. He quickly decided that he would build an award-winning import, which ultimately culminated with the beauty that graces these glossy pages. The 26-year-old Mercedes Benz internet sales manager may be new to the import scene, but he was no stranger to the show circuit. Attending SEMA shows and truck events like Resolutions and Jamborees, Rhee says the transition to the import scene was easy for him. With the goal of tuning the RX in mind, he set about making it a reality.
Rhee says Extreme Dimensions/Carbon Creations in Fullerton, California, was most responsible for the RX's wild exterior. The company used the car for about 6 months; creating the panels that gives the car its almost organic appearance.
The body modifications are all Extreme Dimension's creations, including the orange carbon fiber and Kevlar fenders, hood, bumpers, side skirts and trunklid. The body mods took 6 months, primarily because it was Extreme Dimensions first RX-8 body kit.
While the car was undergoing its exterior mods, Rhee hooked up with Ryan and Lisa Uchida, owners of Creative Car Audio and Motorsports in Santa Fe Springs, California. He says they were responsible for building the entire car, outside of the bodywork.
Crossfire Audio supplied all of the audio equipment, while NESA/VST contributed the 16 monitors that fill the Mazda's interior. Inside the car, judges will find custom-molded door panels, rear seat and trunk area, four Crossfire amps and 22 Crossfire speakers. Rhee debuted the 8's exterior at Extreme Dimension's SEMA booth in 2004, and unveiled the interior and sound system at Crossfire's CES booth in 2005.
So far, the RX has held its own in the tough import scene, collecting wins including July 2005's "First Place 4-Door Mild" at Hot Import Days in San Diego, "First Place Mazda" at Showoff Classic in November 2004 at Pomona, and cleaned up at the February 2006 Hot Import Nights in San Jose; winning "Hottest Mazda Mild," "Hottest Interior," First Place Sound Presentation/Fabrication" and "Fifth Place 4-door Wild."
Transformation is a part of life. Everything must undergo change. Like a fat, juicy larva transforms into a butterfly, John Rhee has evolved from a big-tired truckin'-larvae into an import-tuner butterfly.
Behind The BuildHead to the message boards at www.importtuner.com to chat about this feature Vehicle
Quote. "I built this car to be different and create something original that no one has yet done."
Name. John Min RheeAge. Twenty SixHometown. Palos Verdes, CaliforniaOccupation. Sales ManagerHobbies. Cars, Taking The Boat OutTo The Lake, Riding Dirt BikesBuild Time. Eighteen Months PlusFeedback. hybridmazda@Yahoo.com