Competitors
Kevin Knops had owned his 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 for a couple of years before tragedy struck, and the engine spun a bearing. That was when the build truly started for him. Knops decided he was going to build the engine and make his Mazdaspeed3 a real one-of-a-kind build.
Owner: Kevin Knops
Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN
Vehicle: 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Horsepower: N/A
Club: N/A
SOCIAL:
Facebook: Kevin Christopher
Instagram: @bluems3mn
Photography by Kevin Knops.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE:
Arias pistons 87.5
Manley I-beam rods
Keyed crank from SPEEDPERFORMANCE
Extensive wire tuck
Racethetix coil harness kit/bracket
Custom Crower 272/272 cams
Clevite rod and main bearings
Balance shaft delete
Titanium valve springs/retainers
Magnese valve guides
Sodium nitride intake and exhaust valves
Ported manifolds
NGK 6510 spark plugs
Precision 6766 DBB Gen 2 Turbo
Top mount exhaust manifold, Clutchmasters TD7R twin disk, Cometic head gasket
Jmf v2 with port injection
In-tank 450 pump and a surge tank with a 450 pump
4-inch intake
Vented oil cap
Dual damond catch cans, route 2 setup with 2 check valves and the PCV valve
TIAL Q BOV
Custom under-routed 3-inch intercooler piping,
Custom 3-inch downpipe
Precision 46mm wastegate with dump tube
EXHAUST:
Custom single exit exhaust with a Magnaflow resonator and a 4.5-inch burnt tip muffler
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS:
Apexi turbo timer,
Glowshift oil pressure gauge, Grimmspeed ebcs
COBB accessport (tuned by Justin Brasil at Freektune)
DRIVETRAIN:
DSS axles
Clutchmasters Twin Disk TD7R
WHEELS & TIRES:
Varrstoen ES6 wheels - 18x9.5 +30 (f), 18x9.5 +22 (r)
Nitto NT555 G2 tires - 255/35/18 (f/r)
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION:
BC coilovers
Whiteline sway bars
BRAKES:
Drilled/slotted rotors
EXTERIOR:
Aftermarket grille
Painted rear valence
Black wrapped roof and mirrors
Color matched spoiler lip
Tinted taillights
27% tint
Rear diffuser
LIGHTING:
Innovited 55W 5k HID kit
Samsung LED side marker lights, reverse lights and taillights
INTERIOR:
NRG quick-release
NRG steering wheel
Turbo timer
Glowshift oil pressure gauge
COBB accessport
Black painted interior and black wrapped ceiling
Carbon fiber ebrake handle
Custom heavy weight shift knob
TWM short shifter full assembly
AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA:
Eonon touchscreen 8-inch head unit
Kicker speakers
COMPETITION EVENTS, CLASSES & AWARDS:
Hot Import Nights 2018 MPLS - 2nd Hottest Mazda
FAVORITE MODIFICATION:
"My favorite modification has to be my turbo location on the engine. I love the way it looks!"
SHOPS/MECHANICS:
Darton East
Rotatin Performance
Kelley's Automotive
Freektune
Subcategories
2018 AutoShow
Registered Tuner Battlegrounds #TBGLIVE competitors for the 2018 Canadian International Autoshow. Those interested have until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2018, to enter. Then, all competitors will battle it out over six stages to be crowned the 2018 Tuner Battlegrounds' AutoShow Champion.
In Stage 1, which ends at midnight Jan 18, all except the top 32 vote earners will be eliminated. Stage 2, which ends Jan. 25, will see another 16 entries gone in head-to-head battles. From then until the last day of the AutoShow, Feb. 25, four more eliminations will determine one Grand Champion.
All voting will be done online until only the final eight remain. The finalists’ cars will be on display at the AutoShow, beginning on opening day, Feb. 16, and everyone - the automobile enthusiast community, car fans, show-goers and friends and families of the contestants - will be able to vote for their favourite.