2004 Acura TSX

Additions to the outside of the car include various exterior enhancements that were molded especially for this vehicle. Like the turbo system, these are still one-off pieces that may or may not filter down to you, the consumer-but we think there's a pretty good chance that many of them will (just speculation, mind you). One part that is currently available is a factory optional underbody front spoiler kit with integrated fog lamps, available through Acura dealerships, which was integrated with a custom front splitter specially molded by APR. APR also provided the carbon-fiber rear spoiler and side mirrors, while Fiber Images provided a carbon-fiber hood and trunk lid. A liberal coat of eye-scorching Competition Orange paint with a dash of gold pearl and show graphics from Modern Image complete the look.

For the shows, this TSX sports not one but two new sets of wheels from DAZZ, the eight-spoke RH J8 on one side, and the split five-spoke RH J5 on the other. These two designs are part of a new line of RH performance wheels, produced under the Pro Series moniker. For this application, DAZZ went with a sizable 19-in format and wrapped all four rollers in high-dollar Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubbers, sized 235/35R19. A full coilover system from Tanabe, also specially developed for this car, drops the chassis into its street fighting stance.

On the other side of the window glass, alterations to the cabin include a pair of Bride Ergo II competition seats. DAZZ purchased extra upholstery and re-skinned the back seat and portions of the door panels in the same material that skins the Bride buckets. There's also a small array of HKS Chrono series gauges that allow the driver and tuner alike to keep track of conditions inside the engine bay, comprising boost, EGT and fuel pressure, as well as a Type 1 turbo timer to allow the fire-breathing turbo powerplant to safely cool off after an extended run of spirited driving.

As of this writing, a revised stereo system is the only component that's absent from the project. Believe it or not, the dash-mounted and rear flip-down LCD screens, linked to an in-dash DVD head unit, represent another Acura factory option. And with a surround sound system that includes no less than eight speakers mounted in the dash, the doors, and the rear deck, the factory ICE is pretty damn effective. Even so, Ortega confides that an upgraded sound system will be next on his company's list of mods.

Since it would be nearly impossible to recoup the monetary value, both parts and labor, that's been sunk into DAZZ's TSX, the company has no plans to sell the car any time soon. Instead, it'll be making its industry rounds for at least the next couple years. Keep an eye open for it at your favorite event. Chances are good it may change slightly from time to time, but it'll be the same four-door, turbo-snorting monster you saw on the cover of ImportTuner-and the way we see it, it can only get sweeter.