CRESSIDA MAKEOVER
Grassroots is where all good things start, especially for Lucas Burborough of West Auckland who had the opportunity of getting his hands on a 1989 Toyota Cressida MX83 that was originally assembled in Thames (support your local!) The story goes that an old fella brought the Cressida into a close friend’s workshop, realising it was time to part ways with it.
The Cressida’s original three-litre DOHC 7MGE was pretty far from its ‘prime’. It suffered from the notorious blown head gasket issue that these engines were infamously known for. Lucas ditched the 7M-GE and picked up a 1JZ-GTE Non VVTi paired with a Link G4 Storm ECU off a close friend which came out of a Z20 Soarer.
He also decided to go down the single turbo route, rocking Pulsar Turbos GTX3076r with a .62 housing and 45mm TurboSmart wastegate. Behind the 1JZ he’s hooked up the mighty W58 gearbox and went all out with 1050cc injectors, Audi coil packs, HKS blow-off valve, and a full custom stainless 3-inch exhaust fabricated by his good mate Kyle (@nizspeed_nz).
Steering and suspension? Nah, the stock set-up just didn’t cut it for Lucas. He chucked it all out and replaced it with BC coilovers, a full Keto lock kit, extended LCAs, extended tie rods, and adjustable arms in the rear.
But here’s the kicker — this incredible transformation didn’t happen overnight. With the helping hands of Leon and Anil from @soarer_ garage, the swap journey took a solid year from engine extraction to that glorious first startup, just before the infamous lockdown hit. Currently, the Cressida is revving and ready for its tune-up. Lucas is counting down the seconds until he can hand it over to the wizard, James at JT Performance, who will work his magic!
His goal is to push out anywhere above 300kW which is more than enough to send this beauty sideways in style. From there it’s pretty much cosmetic stuff to sort out and an order of fresh rubber before its debut drift event!
Lucas’ inspiration for this build has come from the electrifying atmosphere of Drift Matsuri events, soaking up the great vibes that Chris and his team have created. They’ve cultivated a thriving community for ‘up and comers’ like Lucas, and he’s ready to dive headfirst into the world of drifting.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere with this car without my mates. A huge thank you to Connor, Leon, Anil.”
Y’all are legends!” Check out Lucas’ build on Instagram at @lucas.burborough and @jzx83_
Ah, behold the mighty Toyota Hilux, a true legendary icon that has stood the test of time, forging an unbreakable bond with us Kiwis. It’s like an enduring love story of New Zealand and the Hilux — romantic, reliable, and tougher than a rugby player at breakfast. If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that these utes are the backbone of the country for carrying our dreams and heavy loads. But let’s talk about Kristian Terry-Stewart, a man on a mission to take his beloved Hilux to new V8powered heights. He’s decided to put his own touch on it by throwing in a Holden 253ci for its heart. As a young kid, he dreamt of owning a V8 powered car, and what better steed to fulfil that dream than his trusty old Hilux?
With all parts being genuine only, he’s improved the old girl in lots of ways on his journey to getting the V8 motor swapped in and all certified. Although genuine parts come at a cost, they are undoubtedly worth it in the end. But, hey, it’s still got some good Toyota bones. He decided to pair the V8 with a Toyota W50 five-speed gearbox and a concentric clutch slave, and a ¾-inch bore clutch master cylinder. Additionally, he has made modifications to the drive-shaft and added custom hoops for safety and certification purposes, ensuring the car can move smoothly.
The interior is equipped with the iconic Recaro Fishnet bucket seats, an OG Sportline steering wheel dating back to October 1999, and a genuine Momo/Toyota horn button for those flex points. Currently, his attention is also focused on enhancing the car’s overall performance. By further lowering the suspension and improving the set-up, he aims to enhance its handling capabilities. Five years in the making, this project is Kristian’s passionate pursuit, a labour of love that will surely leave his mates in awe.