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Nov 18, 2023

This 1,000+ HP Toyota Supra Represents a Delicate Balance of Life vs. Project Car

Chances are, the fact that you clicked into this story means you're probably

Chances are, the fact that you clicked into this story means you're probably obsessed with cars and especially those with myriad of custom touches. But does your automotive obsession pull you away from some of life's most important elements? Hubert Barnum, owner and builder of this incredible 1993 Toyota Supra, asked himself that question years ago.

A veteran builder, Barnum's automotive resume began with a Honda CRX before moving on to an eclectic series of builds that included a Scion xB, Subaru STI, and BMW E39 M5; all of which he says were modified to various degrees. Today, this fourth-generation Supra is his main focus, though he tells us he's also started tinkering with a Harley-Davidson that he picked up last year.

The car's seen a number of changes since he purchased his MkIV six years ago, but its most recent layout is by far the most auspicious and includes an engine build that took over two years to complete. That might sound far-fetched, even with its impressive power numbers and pristine appearance under the hood, but there was good reason for the delayed build up. "To be completely honest with you, it took two years because of money," he says. "Everything for this car and engine is so expensive. I didn't want to put cheaper parts on the build and regret that later on down the road. I figured, do it right the first time and have less of a headache in the end."

Add up the expense of a high-powered engine build with a custom engine bay, bodywork, paint, and the sourcing of the exterior pieces you see pictured, and the heavy financial burden is undeniable—but there's more to it than just money. "Another thing was just simply the fact that I was enjoying life, and spending time with friends and family. I always knew the Supra would be finished at some point, but more important to me was the memories I'd have with my loved ones."

Finding the proper build and life balance can be frustrating for the automotive obsessed, but Barnum prioritized and maintained a level of patience most can't relate to. That wait was well worth it, with the end result a tasteful, powerful take on one of the most highly desired chassis in the import community.

Barnum's 2JZ was completely torn down, its original bottom end fitted with forged internals that included CP Carillo pistons and rods, Real Street main caps, and ARP fasteners. The top end features familiar names like GSC with their S2 cams, conical valve springs and retainers, and Ferrea valve seals and guides. The original turbo duo was substituted with a single Precision 7685 with a massive five-inch intake built by Gorilla Garage, who also took care of the intercooler piping and four-inch downpipe that leads to a titanium HKS exhaust system.

The PHR S45 twin scroll manifold hangs a pair of Turbosmart 45mm Hypergates, while on the other side of the billet valve covers sits a Hypertune intake manifold fed by a 102mm throttle body. The resprayed Anthracite engine bay shines and flows with the dark powder-coated and anodized pieces with vivid pops of green and gold provided by costly motorsport-level XRP lines and fittings applied to the coolant, fuel, waste gates, and catch can. Show quality in appearance, the dizzying combination of go-fast goods push horsepower and torque well into four-digit territory with tuning handled by an Emtron KV8 ECU custom tailored by Bend Calibration.

If you're the type to doubt what you see or read, you're likely thinking that there's no way that sort of power is useable, but Barnum addressed the inherent traction issues with meaty Mickey Thompsons in the rear, wrapped around 15-inch Volk TE37, with 18-inch versions mounted up front. Also, it's not the stoplight drag car that you're dreaming about, as Barnum unleashes the power of his Supra during organized half-mile racing where the gross display of raw power shines.

While the engine build and bay were slowly progressing over that two-year period, Barnum was in search of an exterior makeover. He states, "I didn't want a cookie cutter Supra look. I found this person making a TRD-style kit, but for a non-widebody car. I took a chance on placing an order with him and it worked out very well in my opinion."

Sticking with Toyota's original hips and shoulders and applying the TRD-esque IBS 3000GT Zero aero treatment and hood, along with Ganador Super Mirrors, streamlined the car's appearance. The bronze Volks are a natural fit for the car's original paint color (a rarity for a hardtop 6-speed model), and Barnum entrusted Strasse Sport to correct any body issues before they performed a complete respray.

Behind the wheel, adventures take place in Recaro SR3 with a Titan Motorsports roll bar just behind. The original steering wheel, pedals, and shifter remain, as do all of the factory interior pieces which appear to be in excellent condition. Rather than a slew of gauges taking up dash space, a single 4.3-inch BTI touch screen display, which cleverly bolts into the factory digital clock space on the center stack was added to relay engine info.

If you have the means, building the car you've been dreaming about as quickly as possible is usually the route most take. For Hubert Barnum, a slow and steady pace meant that he was able to choose high quality parts and piece his Supra together gradually without missing some of life's most important moments with loved ones. It's not a complicated time management formula but one that's tough to grasp when you're caught up in the lure of finishing a project.

As for what's next, he tells us, "I'd like to continue racing at half-mile events and just use it as a weekend car. I'm very happy with the power and how the car looks right now, so I won't be changing anything from there."

1993 Toyota Supra Turbo

Owner Hubert Barnum

Instagram @phaze2hubert

Engine TRD engine mounts; 10:1 CP Carillo pistons, wrist pins, rods, rod bolts; Clevite H Rod and main bearings, thrust washers; Real Street billet main caps; ARP head studs, cam gear bolts; Fruidamper crank pulley; GReddy oil cooler; GSC S2 cams, conical valve springs/retainers; Ferrea valve seals, valve guides; Titan Motorsports cam gears, intercooler; Precision 7685 turbo; PHR S45 twin scroll turbo manifold; DEI titanium turbo blanket; custom 5-inch Gorilla Garage intake, 4-inch downpipe, intercooler piping; Hypertune intake manifold, 102mm throttle body; Turbosmart PowerPort blow-off valve, dual Hypergate 45mm wastegates; HKS titanium race exhaust; R35 GT-R ignition coils; Platinum Racing Products coil kit; Rad Industries 160 amp alternator; Radium triple pump fuel hanger; Hellcat Fuel pump x3; Hypertune fuel rail; Injector Dynamics 2000cc; XRP HS79 feed/return lines, fittings, brackets; 1UP Fabrication oil catch can; Night Run Garage coolant overflow tank; PHR Power Steering Reservoir tank; llanboyzwiring Emtron KV8 ECU tuned by Bend Calibration

Power Over 1,000hp and torque

Drivetrain Clutchmasters FX1000; TRD LSD; PHR 1-piece aluminum driveshaft, solid shifter bushings; Battle Version rear solid differential bushings

Suspension Revel coil overs; Titan Motorsports sway bars, roll bar

Braking Endless 6-pot big brake kit; Evolution 8 rear calipers

Wheels & Tires Volk Racing TE37 18-inch front, 15-inch rear; Toyo R888R 265/35-18 front; Mickey Thompson ET 275/60-15 rear

Exterior Body work and complete Anthracite respray by Strasse Sport; IBS 3000 GT Zero kit, hood; Ganador Super Mirrors; OEM Toyota window visors, Series 2 OEM headlights, taillights

Interior Recaro SR3 seats w/original A8 fabric; Element E50 fire extinguisher w/roll bar mount; BTI 4.3-inch integrated touch screen display

Thank You I'd like to say thank you to all the people and shops that have made this dream build of mine come to reality. Jose Recinos at Gorilla Garage (IG: @mr.gorilla_garage) for the custom fabrication and his 2jz knowledge. Tho Nguyen (IG: @ttinmysoup) for guiding me throughout this build and sacrificing his time to always lend a hand. Kyle Scott at Titan Motorsports (IG: @titanmotorsports) for always sourcing me the best parts and supporting me in my financial mistakes. Kenji Sumino at Greddy Performance (IG: @Greddyperformance)for always willing to help and support this Supra build. Ivan Madrigal at Strasse Sport (IG: @strassesport) for his attention to detail on paint and bodywork. The crew at IBS (IG: @trd3000gt_r) for taking a chance on me and letting me have their first production kit. Ian at Bend Calibration (IG: @bendcalibration) for fine tuning my engine and giving me a reliable yet strong motor with no issues. Daniel Carlos at Powder Coat Industries (IG: @powdercoatindustries) for the quick turnaround on the color and the quality of work. Ilanboyzwiring (IG: @Ilanboyzwiring) for working after hours with me about questions I had with anything related to the wiring. Noel Barnum (IG: @phaze2noel) and Daniel Navarro (IG: @d_nav89) for always reminding me to not give up on the car. And last but not least, my Phaze2 family for the continued support! Thank you to all who helped me. I'm blessed and thankful to have great friends who have turned into family.