Ground zero of the veloster movement was this scrappy little car that was hiding in a shop in Torrance California. Pierce Motorsports was brewing up something special for a season in Us Touring Car which today is known as IMSA. While everyone was running out to grab a BMW, Porsche, Corvette, etc. Jim Pierce decided on a different approach. What he didnt know, was he was starting a movement and new era of Tuners as we knew it. The birth of the KDM 1.6T craze!
To Date i dont think there has been another Veloster turbo built out to the standards of this beast. This was also the unassuming birth of KDM TUNERS, Evilla Motorsports, Socal Garage Works, TurboSocks, 845 Motorsports, and the likes. During these days everyone mentioned had a small part in getting this car off the ground. The good ole days when just a bunch of boys would show up to the shop with nothing better to do then work on race cars.
Fast forward, This car has been through years of racing, testing, Veloster Challange winner, Pacific Hot Hatch winner, been petitioned out multiple times for different series. This car was also the test mule for just about every part you guys have or will put on your cars. In 2017 the car was retired and sold off. It was a sad day and the thought of every seeing the car again was bleek.
Until one day, at the Kdm Tuners first shop location in Monterey Park California. A car showed up and low and behold a sign from the heavens. The Pierce car had come in for general maintenance. Seven years had gone by and a new era of racing as started. The New owner Dustin Taylor had purchased the car from his mother!! He put a tremendous amount or work in it and wanted us to do our KDM Tuner Magic. We put in a fully built engine which put down 369whp at 25psi! A fantastic number which would keep the car reliable on the track for many seasons. The final touch the car needed all this time!
However, as all things go. Many had seen the car in its new form with a killer engine and immaculate condition. The car was yet again sold to a gentleman out of Florida. Its unlikely we will see this car again, but its was nice to finally put the finishing touches the car needed for all these years. A true closure to an awesome era in Kdm history books. This car fetched a whopping $30,000 sight unseen. Thousands of hours and probably $150,000 went into this car over the years. Do to the age of this car and the pristine condition of the car, the history in this car we feel it couldn’t have ended in a better way. We are KDM TUNERS INC are proud to have been part of such monumental build!