Civic. Eclipse. Corolla? One of these kids is not like the other. Three guesses which one.
The Toyota Corolla Type S is not a platform you normally see at shows. For an adventurous Corolla owner, like 22-year-old Rothy Ly, that's a distinct advantage. With the proper install, you're bound to stand out. And that's exactly what her Corolla does.
The road from stock to show began simply enough. Rothy approached Thai Nguyen at Serenity Sound & Performance in Fountain Valley, CA about some performance modifications. Modified Corollas are harder to find than a vegan at Black Angus, but Thai knew that, if approached properly, this Type S could be a real winner. An AEM cold air intake and Progress Competition lowering springs got the ball rolling. A 5Zigen Fireball Exhaust, AEM Big Brakes, Progress Competition 22mm rear anti-roll bar, and TRD oil and radiator caps would soon round out the performance.
Audio
After a generous application of Dynamat was applied throughout the vehicle, the audio system was brought to life. A Panasonic DFQ903U head unit was chosen for its host of features, as well as its 3-D dot matrix display, and placed in an available pocket below the HVAC controls. The factory radio location was reserved for video -- more on that a little later. A Metra wiring harness and dash kit were used to ease the installation while giving the car a clean factory look.
A set of Arc Audio Kar 265 6.5" two-way separates was used in the factory door location, with the silk dome tweeters placed high on the door for better stage height. The silk tweeters provide the smooth high notes and the 6.5's, with their molded poly cone and rubber surround, provide excellent midrange and mid-bass. An Arc Audio Kar 400.2 amplifier was chosen to breathe a healthy 100 watts x 2 into the front stage and a Kar 900.1D to bring the low end to life with a modest 900 watts. A remote level control was installed to the left of the steering column so Rothy can crank up the bass if she is feeling the groove. Both amps use variable 12dB crossovers, adjusted for a smooth transition. Tsunami 4-guage and 8-guage wires and interconnect were employed throughout. A Tsunami 3 gang power block was used as added protection for both the Arc Audio amplifiers and audio accessories.
Bass
The goal for the bass was more SQ than SPL, with an emphasis on tightness and accuracy. To bring the low end, the spare tire was ditched to make room for a fiberglass tub to enclose the two Arc Audio ARC 12D-2's. Using 3/4-inch MDF a frame was built for the enclosure. Giving the enclosure some contour, two MDF rings were set at different angles on the tub, and fleece material was stretched over it and reinforced with resin and matting to enhance rigidity. Next came the amprack. The amps were offset in a tub in the trunk for the sub box. Both of the tubs were then painted Lunar Mist Metallic to match the exterior of the car. To finish off the trunk, a false floor was made with cut-outs to show off the equipment.
Video
No show car is complete without video. Discuss. OK, this show car was incomplete without video. An Icon-TV DV7RK fold-out unit was placed in the factory head unit location (with a little help from a Metra dash kit). For the rear passengers, an Icon-TV F70IR 7-inch fold-down monitor was installed in the ceiling. Built-in dome lights replaced the ones that needed to be removed for the install. A Sony PlayStation 2, chosen for economical reasons, pulls double duty as DVD and game system. It was placed under the passenger seat and Velcro'ed in place. The power inverter was hidden in the center console.
Rothy's dedication has more than paid off. Her Type S has taken home numerous first- and second-place trophies. In line for the future are a TRD supercharger and body kit, a little nitrous oxide, and a carbon fiber hood for aesthetic oomph. And, of course, more trophies.
DRIVER PROFILE
As befitting its manufacturer's original intent, Rothy Ly's Corolla Type S remains a daily driver. Despite its show-worthy status, the Toyota gets Long Beach, CA-based Rothy to her job of medical assistant/office manager, as well to play. And why not? When your vehicle sounds better than your home theater (as Rothy's does), you're going to want to spend as much time as possible in it. Hip-hop and R&B top Rothy's list of favorites to jam but all genres of music get represented in the Type S. "The car has endless musical joys for any kind of music," Rothy enthuses, "and I couldn't go back to any factory stereo ever again. Just call me spoiled." Rothy would like to thank Serenity Sound and her boyfriend, Chuck.
TECHBOX
Wheels/Size: 5Zigen Heidfeld Mesh Hyper Black 18x7.5
Tires/Size: Hankook 225-40-18 Ventus
Suspension: Progess Technology 2-inch Lowering Springs, 22mm Rear Sway
Bar; TRD Front Strut Bar; AEM Front Big Brake System
Engine: Inline 1.8L Modifications: AEM Cold Air Intake, 5Zigen Fireball Exhaust