by Michael GolubiewskiProduction Editor
This shark has horsepower
The Hyundai Coupe — aka Hyundai Tiburon in the United States — was in production from 1996 through 2008. This week’s ride is a 2001 Hyundai Tiburon owned by Robert Reneski of Berwick.
The Tiburon was created to compete with two more upscale compact cars: the Acura Integra and the Toyota Celica. Reneski took his Tiburon from stock to special with a few modifications. The engine is a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engines. (The base model Tiburon came with a 1.8L, 130 horsepower engine that also powers the Hyundai Elantra). Reneski improved the engine with a new oil pan, bearings, oil pump and crank. But, he also has plans for a new motor with a supercharger.
“Hopefully by next spring I’ll have the new engine in,” he says. “The horsepower now is about 150, I guess, I hope to take it up to 200 or 225 or so.”
The car has an acceleration of 0-60 miles per hour in about 9.2 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 130 miles per hour. Some other changes Reneski made include an H&R coil over suspension, an H&R rear sway bar, an Autometer triple gauge pod, a water temperature gauge, an air/fuel meter, a new intake cam and an oil pressure gauge.
“A lot of my focus so far has been the stereo system,” Reneski says. “Now that I’ve got that done, I can focus on the motor and things like that.”
The stereo system Reneski speaks of includes a Clarion Pro-Audio 7-inch flip-out monitor, Pro-Audio rear speakers, Pro-Audio DXP 1001.2 1000 watt amp and a Pro-Audio AXP 401.4 400 watt amp, plus two Clarion Pro-Audio 10-inch Subwoofers and Sirius Satellite Radio.
“I also installed a Playstation 2 with a 19-inch screen,” Reneski adds.
The only exterior modification Reneski made was adding a black carbon fiber hood.
“The car was in great shape when I bought it back in 2004 and I just keep it washed, waxed and detailed,” he explains.
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