Blast from the Past
An old school Starlet is revived with a heart transplant and a lots of cosmetic surgery.

I have always fancied compact cars with a great ability to tackle corners with ease and enough torque and power to generate envy from other boy racers. The added bonus is a compact cars ability to park in really tight spaces, a common problem in today's overcrowded shopping malls and car parks. Its size helps shave not just weight, but also precious seconds of your lap times at the circuit All hail the inventor of compact cars design and the auto manufacturers who keep it alive!

So you fancy old school cars? Here's one for you. Transplanted heart? Yes. Modded transplanted heart? Yes. Fast? ABSOLUTELY!

The KP61 Toyota Starlet has always been a favorite of mine, despite the tough egg shaped body which always reminded me of what Humpty Dumpty would look like on four wheels. But, don't ever look down on these classic hatchbacks. They had heaps of aftermarket support during its hey-day in the late 70's and there was even a N2 series cup race for these cars and the KP61 is still occasionally used as a race platform in today's day and age.

Alvin, an employee of Toyota in Kuching, proves his loyalty to the Toyota brand with his track spec KP61 Starlet. The old 3K engine had reached the end of its service life and a more powerful 20 valve 4A-GE was chosen as the ailing 3K's replacement. Now with that he had an engine worth working on, Alvin decided to bring his new, stock 4A engine to a new level of performance with a host of performance parts.

The MAF sensor or Mass Air Flow sensor was replaced by a MAP or Manfold Absolute Pressure sensor, enabling him to remove the intake plenum and bolt on a set of velocity stacks or trumpets, which add performance and enable the little Starlet to “roar” on the road. There isn't much on the road that can beat the gurgling roar of four, open independent throttle bodies as they suck in copious amount of air.

A Toda Racing exhaust cam pulley allows Alvin to play with the engine power band. An adjustable cam pulley is only required on the exhaust side, because the intake cam is already self adjusting, hence the VVT-i tag. In the ignition department, a MSD ignition coil provides the all important spark to Nology plug cable. Controlling the air/fuel and ignition timing is GReddy E-manage piggyback ECU, which helps Alvin to maximize the most of his mods to the 4A-GE.

A RS*R 4-1 exhaust manifold which was specially made for rear wheel drive, 4A-GE 20V conversions channels the exhaust gasses from the combustion chambers to stainless steel piping and finally to a HKS Silent Power Muffler. The fuel system was upgraded with a custom made racing fuel tank which is now mounted in the boot. An Aisan 220 lph fuel pump provides consistent fuel delivery to the injectors.

To bring the chassis into the 21st century, Alvin has fitted an adjustable coilover kit, as well as Cusco strut tower bars at the front and rear.

Alvin hasn't neglected the interior either. Instead of going through the painstaking task of replacing each and every interior trim panel, he's decided to strip out most of it, making his Starlet a true street/track car. Alvin steers with a Nardi Torino Classic steering wheel while sitting in a Bride bucket seat. Sabelt 4-point harnesses keep Alvin and his passenger firmly strapped and Alvin changes gears with a TRD gearknob.

There you go. A glimpse of what the guys in East Malaysia are up too. I believe that there is more to come and hope that East Malaysian modified cars will be a common feature in Hypertune. As for Alvin's ride, small cars with big powerful engines are a perfect blend for those thrill seekers and speed addicts, two traits which Alvin possesses.

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