Out of the Box: Michael Laurent’s 1991 Toyota Cressida

Photography by Valters Boze, Michael Laurent.

Michael Laurent was stationed in Japan for three years, which is where he originally fell in love with the JZX100 platforms like the Mark2 and Chaser. When he came back to America, a Toyota Cressida was the closest thing he could get to those JDM platforms, so he decided to build one for himself. Inspired by hard driving and Japanese styling, modification to the Cressida often took some out-of-the-box thinking because of the slim aftermarket. A combination of custom fabrication, JZX chassis parts, and some cross-referenced parts that seem to work has led Laurent to build his perfect show and track car all in one.

Michael Laurent's 1991 Toyota Cressida is featured in PASMAG Tuning Essentials: Performance Vol. 7. CLICK HERE to order.

ESSENTIALS

Owner: Michael Laurent
Location: Thornton, CO
Vehicle: 1991 Toyota Cressida
Engine: Toyota 1JZ-GTE 2.5L I6
Horsepower: 335 whp
Club: YANKIIZOKU

SOCIAL

Facebook: /michael.laurent.77
Instagram: @itsuki_mike_yankiizoku

ENGINE

• Toyota 1JZ-GTE VVTI engine swap
• Garrett GTX3076r turbocharger
• CX Racing “thick” top-mount manifold
• Xcessive engine mounts
• Mishimoto radiator
• MissileWorks LLC custom triple-pass radiator modification

EXHAUST

• MissileWorks LLC (custom 4-inch to 3-inch downpipe, custom 3-inch V-band straight-pipe exhaust)

DRIVETRAIN

• R154 transmission
• ACT 6-puck unsprung HD clutch kit
• Xcessive one-piece steel driveshaft
• Toyota Supra Mk3 LSD
• Weird stage 2 differential shim kit

WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES

• Rays Gram Lights 57DR wheels - 18x9.5 +12 (f/r)
• Hawk street pads

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION

• MissileWorks LLC (6-point roll cage, star gussets, reinforced subframe, front wheel wells, modded knuckles, custom tension rods, custom rear subframe bushings, rear arms and knuckle bushings)
• Stance SSD coilovers (12k/10k spring rates)
• Xcessive (front LCAs, extended tie rod ends)
• Serial 9 (rear tension rods, rear LCAs, rear toe arms)

EXTERIOR

• Custom paint by B-rods Auto Body
• BN Sports JZX100 Chaser hood
• JZX100 Mark 2 (headlights, corner lights)
• Joe’s Aero planet scraper body kit
• 326 Power rear spoiler

INTERIOR

• Dyed black interior
• Flocked dash
• Gauges (oil pressure, oil temp, boost, water temp, EGT)
• Bride Zeta III driver seat
• Memory Fab passenger seat
• NRG Innovations (steering wheel, quick-release

PHOTO GALLERY

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