So what's the verdict? Is Micah nuts for tarting up a Saturn, much less thinking he can make a living doing the same for others, or does his performance vision for cars other than you-know-whose open up the possibilities for the slew of car fans left out of the march toward single-marque dominance? Do you tut-tut the underdog for fighting a seemingly hopeless battle, or do you root for him despite the odds, because this is the American way?
Fast FactsOwner Micah BurpoHometown Downey, CARide1997 Saturn SC2Daily Grind Makes stuff for his Saturn (yours too)
Under the Hood Injen air intake kit with K&N filter, K&N crankcase vent filter, CWC big-bore (52mm) throttle body, CWC ported and polished DOHC cylinder head and performance-ported intake manifold, '91-syle flat head valves with 6-angle valve job, stock '91 valve springs, Stillen Fuel pressure regulator, JE pistons (10.5:1 compression) Crower aluminum rods, ceramic-coated Hotshot exhaust header (1 71/48 primary, 2 11/44 collector), 2 11/44-inch Apexi exhaust and muffler, MSD 8.5mm spark plug wires, Nology Beru Silverstone plugs, CenterForce dual-friction clutch, Fidanza lightweight (7.4-lb.) flywheel CWC-cut and machined short-throw shifter, Hose Techniques Saturn hose dress-up kit. Rated at 185 hp at 6200 rpm at the wheels
Stiff Stuff CWC coilover kit, front 33mm and rear 16.5mm adjustable sway bar, Sprint springs and strut tower brace, stiffened motor mounts (from 350 to 400 Newtons)
Rollers 19x8 AXIS Se7en rims, 225/35ZR19 Toyo Proxes FZ4 tires
Stoppers 9-inch PowerSlot slotted front brake rotors PowerSlot Powerpads, Carbotech rear brake shoes shown;
Outside Wings West W-Type body kit and Commando GTR wing, CWC grille, PIAA Xtra Super White headlight bulbs (130-watt hi-beam/110-watt low-beam) and 1100X driving lights, headlight covers, HyperWhite blinker bulbs, modern Image graphics
Inside Sparco Torino seats with StitchCraft upholstery, Sparco aluminum shift knob and pedals, APC gauge faces and aluminum dash trim
ICE Eclipse ES5303 head unit/CD player, Alpine V12 amps, four 6 1/2-inch Alpine speakers, Rockford Fosgate 10-inch subs
Mad Props my girlfriend Jennifer, Crucified Car Club, James and Tavis at AXIS, Jeff at Pro-Motion Distributing, Tom at Toyo Tires, Robert at modern Image, Saturn of Whittier, Mike at Sparco, Eddie at Spring Springs, hose Techniques, Meguiar's