I admit that I have a bit of a bias for Hondas. It’s usually the first brand of cars I scope for when there’s a show/meet. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m closed off to non-Honda builds. In an effort to find car designers who love to do what they do to their cars, I reached out to Efren on social media (@effenefren_) to see if he’s be interested in me taking photos of his car. I was pleased to hear that he was more than willing to take time to come out!

Efren’s Toyota GT86 caught my eye at a meet a few years ago when it was still on blue TE37s. I don’t know how much he had done at the time, but the mod list as of this writing is much more extensive than I had expected.

He agreed to a (albeit last minute) photo shoot on a Sunday morning and the setting was pretty good… until the sun decided to rear its bright face right when we get to the spot. Go figure. I never got to formally talk to him before that day, but all in all like many people in the car community, he’s very chill and very humble in his build.

The design of the car he was going for was a street-track spec within the lines of OEM inspired by the infamous Hot Version vids from the 90s-00s. Though a Toyota, he envisioned the car to have a little bit of a Honda vibe since he is a Honda fanatic. One thing I do want to highlight about the car that might go unnoticed is that the engine bay is dressed up with titanium! Design on the outside as well on the inside.

As for future goals? Though he’s satisfied with how the car currently sits, a possibility is to have the car repainted to an OEM S2000 color. He’d like to track this car sometime in the mainland and compete in VTEC Club for fun and for personal satisfaction.

Lastly, a thank you from Efren:

“I want to thank the hands of the folks who’ve put their blood, sweat, and tears into this car over the the past 5~ years of ownership. They know who they are. I’m thankful for you all. Mahalos again!”

Be sure to check out the mod list at the end of the feature! Stay tuned for more car designs in the future. Thank you!

Mod List:

ENGINE BAY/PERFORMANCE MODS

• TRD High Response Muffler (Ver. R)-
• TRD Performance Air Intake
• HKS Equal Length Header
• Renegade Motorsports Polished Finish Coolant Overflow Tank Cap 
• SYMS Racing Team Oil Cap
• TRD Radiator Cap
• Ti Burnt Strut Tower Titanium Nuts
• Chasing J’s Titanium Battery Tie Down Plate/Rods
• Chasing J’s Titanium Engine Bay Hardware Mixed w/ Mazterpiece Automotive Titanium Hardware
• Mazterpiece Automotive Titanium Oil Dipstick
• HPI Clear Cover Set (Fuse Box, Pulley(s))
• SYMS Racing Team Hood Dampers
• GReddy Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
• Project Mu Billet Brake Reservoir Cap
• Project Mu Reservoir Sock-SYMS Racing Team Reservoir Sock

EXTERIOR

• JDM OEM KOUKI TRD Front/Rear Lip w/ Chasing J’s Hardware
• JDM OEM ZENKI TRD Side Skirts w/ Chasing J’s Hardware
• USDM OEM Kouki BRZ Headlights
• GetClears Custom OEM Zenki Taillights
• Craftsquare GT Mirrors, Painted w/ TiBurnt Hardware
• Mazterpiece Automotive Titanium License Plate Hardware (Front/Rear)
• Chasing J’s Titanium Universal Front License Plate Bracket
• JDM OEM TRD Front Fender Garnishes
• JDM OEM TRD Side Stabilizing Covers
• JDM OEM TRD Aero Stabilizing Cover
• Grazio Sportdesign Roof Spoiler
• JDM OEM Side Window Visors
• Valenti Jewel LED Clear Sidemarkers
• Valenti Smoked Reverse Tail Lamps

INTERIOR

• *Gutted Trunk, Rear and Passenger Seat*
• Recaro RS-G ASM IS-11 Single Seat
• ASM Limited Side Protector
• ASM Limited Shoulder Cover
• ASM Limited Seat Back Protector
• Bride Type-FG Seat Rails 
• Cusco D1 4-Point Roll Bar w/ Chasing J’s Titanium Hardware
• Cusco Polished Aluminum Bolt-On Add-On Bar (1), (930mm-1020mm)
• Cusco C-Pillar Power Brace Bar w/ TiBurnt Titanium Hardware
• Phase 2 Motortrend Checkered Floor Mats (Grey)
• SYMS Racing Team Sun Visor Covers from a Subaru Legacy BM/BR
• JDM OEM TRD Inner Door Handles (Red)
• JDM OEM TRD Special Edition Dash Panel
• JDM OEM Black Air Condition Vent Trims
• JDM OEM Black Shifter Trim
• JDM OEM Black M/T Traction Control Buttons
• JDM OEM Black Door Card Handles
• JDM OEM Black Knee Pad Trims
• JDM OEM Black Door Locks/Handles
• JDM OEM TRD Frameless Rear View Mirror
• JDM OEM ZC6 Premium Sport Alcantara Gauge Trim
• Revolution Wide Room Mirror Lens
• Magna Instruments IS-F Style Gauge Cluster Face
• P3 A/C Vent Integrated Multi Gauge
• Works Bell Short Hub
• Works Bell Limited Edition GReddy Rapfix 2 Quick Release Hub
• RenownTime Trial Dark 340mm Steering Wheel w/ Carbon Fiber Eifel Horn Button
• TiBurnt Steering Wheel Hub Titanium Bolts
• Mazterpiece Automotive Titanium Steering Wheel Bolts
• Hybrid Racing 130R Delrin Shift Knob
• WC Lathewerks Titanium Reverse Lockout-WC Lathewerks Titanium E-Brake Button

SUSPENSION

• Cygnus Performance X-1 Classic Edition Coilovers
• ASM Titanium Front Strut Tower Bar
• SPL Titanium Front Lower Control Arms
• SPL Titanium Front Tie Rod Ends
• Voodoo13 Rear Lower Control Arms
• Racer X (+1 to -4) Rear Upper Control Arms
• PBM Rear Toe Arms
• PBM Rear Traction Arms

WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES

• Desmond Regamaster EVO2 Gloss White Wheels 18×9.5 +40 w/ 5mm Spacers Squared
• Advan Apex V601 Tires 265/35/18 Squared
• Chasing J’s Titanium Valve Stem Caps
• Project Mu Floating Lug Nut Ver. 1
• Project Mu SCR Pure Plus6 Green Coated Brake Rotors (Front/Rear)
• Project Mu B Force Brake Pads (Front/Rear)
• Project Mu Teflon Green Brake Lines w/ Stainless Steel Joints (Front/Rear)