Subaru WRX - Axis Power

Beneath the Sube's formidable sheet metal, a full set of high-tech JIC coil-overs replaces the stock springs and dampers. This setup is complimented by a sturdy JIC strut tower bar bolted inside the engine bay. While he was knocking around underneath the car, Dick decided it would be a good idea to upgrade his brakes, so the assemblies at all four corners were enhanced with equipment from Wilwood. The front rotors measure 13 in across and are gripped by track-bred, six-piston calipers, while the rears measure about 12.2 in and use four-piston binders to drag them to a halt.

Under the hood, the induction system has had its breathing passages widened for optimal performance. HKS up- and downpipes replace the restrictive factory piping, and a full Bullet titanium exhaust pipes gases out the rear canister. AEM lightened pulleys reduce parasitic accessory drag. The aforementioned intercooler setup is from XS Engineering, and a Blitz blow-off valve was grafted into the cool side of things to provide the soundtrack to Dick's heated driving sessions. For extra laughs, a JG Edelbrock nitrous system has been incorporated with the intake for a 75 or so hp boost when it's needed.

The interior has been reworked in a decidedly Sparco-oriented theme-Sparco Torino buckets reside in both the front locations for driver and passenger. World-famous upholsterers, Stitchcraft, reupholstered the back seats using the same unique Jacquard material found on the Torinos. They even incorporated a custom baby seat for Bray's four-year-old daughter. The tiller has also been replaced with a three-spoke Sparco Lap 5 steering wheel, and the shifter is topped with a Sparco Globe X knob. Phaze II in Lakewood, Calif., was employed to mastermind the audio system. It is comprised mainly of Eclipse equipment, and the install is so clean you'd be hard pressed to realize there's an aftermarket stereo present. The only thing we saw was what looked like an amplifier mounted to the back of the rear seats.

The aftermarket mods present on this car are used sparingly, to be sure, but the sum of the parts is a clean, thoroughly docile street performer that can get its owner to and from his destinations in style. For those who believe more is better, stage two of this project is now officially underway. Bray tells us Maverick Motorsports currently has the car and will be performing a comprehensive overhaul of the motor and turbo systems.