Jerico Samson and Vincent Flores, proprietors of Sleep R Garage, found themselves in possession of a poor sample of this early import performance sports car and knew that they wanted to make something different from it, so far removed from its origins but true to the original turbocharged and wide-bodied spirit of the Starion. Like many of the performance builds then and now, it all started with a new heart.

Brand Collaboration

An experiment in “let’s see what happens” resulted in the duo dropping in a new motivator to replace the aging G54B engine. As the basis for many contemporary FR swaps and conversions, the pair sourced a venerable Honda K24 engine and matched it to an equally stout Toyota W58 transmission. “Originally we just wanted to put the swap in and get it to our local racetrack to see what it could do,” Samson explained. “But then the pandemic hit and that pushed it all back.”

While the bulk of the cornucopia of parts used to complete the swap remain proprietary knowledge, a quick scan under the hood reveals a host of supplementary parts that help the vehicle maintain a stock-looking appearance. An SC Custom aluminum intake manifold fed by a 70mm JIK throttle body feeds into the mostly stock Honda block, clamped together with a set of ARP head studs to prevent cylinder head migration under extreme boost pressures. On the exhaust side, a custom exhaust manifold sends spent exhaust gasses past the turbocharger exhaust turbine and out via the custom downpipe capped o with an N1 SRG exhaust muffler.

Power Up

Many original Starion variants came from the factory turbocharged, the introduction of a modern engine with modern technology such as variable valve timing warranted an upgrade to modern turbocharger technology to complement it. To that end, the Honda engine was matched to an MXR GT3076 turbocharger. This turbocharger is spec’d to take advantage of the K24 engine’s displacement. Complementing the turbocharger is a custom Delta fin front-mounted intercooler core with custom plumbing.

With all the additional air supplied by the GT3076 unit, a corresponding amount of fuel and spark are required to complete a proper, stoichiometric combustion process to properly increase power production. An AEM fuel pump steps in to take that duty and feed fuel to the quartest of Deatchworks 1,000 cc/min injectors. As much of the vehicle’s wiring was well over three decades old, a great deal of it had to be replaced or rewired so that the Hondata Kpro V4 could properly manage engine control duties. In addition to fuel and spark control, the Kpro helps modulate boost via the MAC electronic boost control solenoid.

The true-hybrid Starion is ready to put down big power numbers, literally, as both the factory Mitsubishi and corresponding Honda transmission were cast aside in favor of the tried and true Toyota W58 transmission. Found in the legendary Supra platform, among others, the stout transmission is ready to handle the boosted K24 with a ClutchMasters FX400 clutch and lightened Honda K-series flywheel actuating the driveline. A custom driveshaft and axles, as well as a factory limited-slip differential, complete the driveline accents.

Fashion Icon

Wide fenders may be in vogue now, but the Starion was way ahead of the curve, wearing them o the factory floor as far back as this model year 1986. So, to keep the modern show-and-go crowd guessing, the exterior currently remains mostly showroom stock, with a few add-ons here and there. Custom F1-style mirrors occupy the corners at the doors, while an H4 conversion updates the headlight situation. A Boosted Diamonds fiberglass-reinforced plastic hood now highlights the refreshed paint and the hint of performance via the front grill and intercooler.