Photography by David Green / Words by Dylan Evans & David Green
“It was my crack and I couldn’t get enough.” That’s what Mike, owner of this ’93 Mazda MX6, told me when I asked him why he put so much work into it. Mike bought the car bone-stock in 2006 from the original owner. With only 49k miles on the clock, the car was in pristine condition, especially considering it was already thirteen years old.
Mike bought the car with the intention of building a clean MX6 his way, no compromises to please anyone else, and it shows.
“Most MX6′s look whack, with ugly fast and furious bodykits and unneccesary amounts of money in the wrong places. Call me a hater but that’s my opinion. The majority of MX6 owners hate my car. The more I build it my way, the more they hate it. Fuck the purists. My car is a driver’s car. It’s raw and minimal. I love smashing around and bombing back roads when I can. I got the luxury of a heater and that’s enough for me.”
Mike has literally put over a thousand hours of work into a platform that many people see as a waste. “There are much better platforms out there, true, but the amount of believers I have made from this car alone has been worth all the time, money, and hard work.” I’ve never seen an MX6 that made me look twice until I saw Mike’s, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I never saw another. So I think it’s safe to say he’s made a believer out of me and I’m sure there will be more believers to come.
Engine mods:
- Custom CAI setup w/ HKS filter and external feed (heat wrapped)
- Battery relocated
- Outlaw Pheno spacers
- Oil catch can
- PA headers
- AC removed (short belt)
- AWR Motor mounts
- Clutch Masters clutch
- Aasco 9lb flywheel
- Magnaflow 2.5″ exhaust (no cat)
- NGK plugs/wires
- SS clutch line
- CC removed
- Grounding kit
- Redline MT90 gear oil
- Waterwetter w/70-30 coolant
- Redline PS fluid
- Partial wire tuck
- Bracket removal
- AC fan removed, etc.
Brakes, Wheels, Tires:
- EBC rotors all around
- Hawk HP + pads
- SS brake lines
- ATE DOT 4 fluid
- Enkei RPF1 17×9 +22
- BFGoodrich T/A KDWs 235/40/17
- Buddy club P1 race nuts
Suspension:
- AWR custom valved Coilover setup (Bilstein P30s/Hypercoil springs) 325fr/425rr
- AWR front camber plates
- AWR rear 19mm sway bar
- AWR front and rear sway links
- AWR trailing arms
- New OEM control arms/tie rods/ends
- Front and rear strut tower braces
- Auto Power 4-point race roll bar
Exterior:
- Original Paint
- OEM mudflap valances w/RallyArmor flaps
- Lamin X headlight film
- M-edition taillights
- GTS bug deflector
- SPA design dry carbon mirrors
- Longacre External battery terminals
- Front bumper support removed
- Debadged/ shaved/ camo’d trunk
- VIS OEM CF hood
- Custom Carbon Fiber front lip
- JDM LSi side pods
- RE Amemiya GT300 Diffuser
- JSP CF diffuser add ons
- Origin Lab CF GT Wing (not in pics)
Interior:
- Fully gutted
- Sound deadening removed (sanded/ painted)
- Rear speaker deck cutout
- Sunroof removed
- Rear harness tuck
- Longacre push start in cf panel
- AMS quick release steering
- Sparco wheel
- Sparco seat
- Takata 4-point harness
- JDM stainless door sills
- Braille 11lb race battery
- Kill switch
- Hello Kitty Floormat
Bonus Interview!
Driver Info: Mike Gayvoronskiy
Car Info: 1993 Mazda MX-6
What is your favorite thing about the car?
The controversy it causes.
What is your least favorite thing about the car?
The negative attention it gets. A lot of people underestimate it and assume it’s all show and no go.
What is the funnest thing you’ve ever done in this car?
Doing Lap Attack at PGP and Mt. Baker runs.
Any future plans for the car?
I don’t want to sell it. I always find little stuff that I want to upgrade. Limited Slip and bigger, better front brakes.
If your car had a motto, what would it be?
Fuck it, do the thing.
If you had to name your car, what would you name it?
Anastasia.
What was your previous project?
Mazda 626
What is your next project?
Mazda RX-7 FD
What one word best describes your car?
Beast-mode
Who has been your biggest critic of this project?
Myself
What do your family and friends say about this car?
My Dad says it’s a piece of shit.
What is your most memorable moment with this car?
I was parked at Dick’s Drive-In and the car started to roll. I had to jump in the driver’s side window and press down the brake with my hand.
Has this car competed in any events?
PGP Lap Attack
What is your favorite place to drive this car?
520 floating bridge and Mt. Baker
What is your ideal day with this car?
Get some coffee in the early morning and drive Mt. Baker.
Who gets to drive this car?
Me and people I trust.
Who helped you build this car?
My best friend Dennis, Paul.
What makes your car special?
It’s a fuckin’ MX-6. You don’t ever see those. People don’t know what it is.
Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car?
Video Option. JDM time attack videos. Those guys are raw as shit. Bruce with the purple FD.
What was your biggest obstacle in building this car?
Time.
What would you change if you could?
RWD. Eh, fuck that just get an FD.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project?
9
What would you do to the car if money were no object?
Buy an FD.
