Photography by Tarmac Functions.
William Chang is no stranger to building cars. Having spent a large portion of his life building JDM, Euro, and American cars, he decided that it was time to venture into something to represent the KDM scene.
At his shop, Concept-3, they hadn’t worked on any serious Kia aftermarket, as the aftermarket support was almost non-existent in 2012 when he first picked up his 2013 Kia Optima SX. This would be their first experiment on KDM modifications.
In its initial stages, as with most Korean car builds in and around that time, the biggest challenge was finding aftermarket parts to support the build in the United States.
After getting some support from sponsors like R1 Concepts, the build began to pick up momentum.
Anyone who immediately wrote them off as a joke for building a Hyundai would soon stop laughing as the KDM sedan went from your average commuter to a full blow daily driven show car.
William Chang's Kia Optima is spotlighted in PASMAG #149.
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ESSENTIALS
Owner: William Chang
Location: Brea, CA
Vehicle: 2013 Kia Optima SX
Horsepower: 295hp, 290ft/lbs torque
Club: Concept Nation
Facebook: William Chang
Instagram: @concept3
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
- Upgraded front-mount intercooler
- HKS SSQV4 blow off valve
- K&N air filter
- Torque Solution throttle body spacer
- HKS M45XL spark plugs
- Custom powder coated hardware
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS
- Racepak IQ3S
- AEM boost gauge
EXHAUST
- JUN B.L. exhaust
- Megan Racing downpipe
WHEELS/TIRES
- Avant Garde F431 wheels - 20x9.5 +42 (f), 20x10.5 +37 (r)
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires - 225/35/20 (f), 245/35/20 (r)
BRAKES
- R1 Concepts 8-piston calipers, 2pc 380mm drilled rotors (f); 6-piston calipers, 2pc 365mm drilled rotors (r); ceramic pads
- Motul 660 fluid
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
- Air Force air suspension
- Neo Tech sway bars (f/r)
- Luxon front strut bar, custom-chromed
- Neo Tech camber arms (r)
EXTERIOR
- Garcia Factory lip kit
- Seibon hood, trunk
- MyRide roof spoiler
- Concept-3 rear diffuser
- KeenDesign trunk spoiler
- Gp_Grahpics roll call and decals
- Indy Paints front emblem shave
LIGHTING
- KDM headlights with FlyRyde demon eyes
- Ex-Led taillight blinker with dual reverse light modification with smoke out inserts (Gp_Graphics), interior LED kit
- Titan RGB underglow
- Sylvania RGB trunk lighting
- Center console LED panels
INTERIOR
- New-Face shift knob
- Recaro Sportster CS w/heard option
- KDM dual layer floor mats
- Cyphier harness bar
- Kia Mobis KDM center console
- Hyundai Mobis folding mirror module
- Hyundai Mobis K5 door sills
SPONSORS
- R1 Concepts
- Ultra Dash
- Killerwaxx
- Jun B.L.
- Gp_Graphics
- Recaro
- Michelin
SHOPS
- Rob Soto @ Star Automotive, Brea, CA
- Andy Romero @ Firestone La Habra, CA
