Stance focused sites –this one included– often feature many of the same vehicles; a clean Civic, a couple bagged Volkswagens, a few 350zs, a vintage truck, and finally plethora of s2000s.
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with builds on more traditional or accepted platforms the audience of stance focused websites –you included– often ask, or in some cases demand, something different and today’s featured ride is exactly that.
Something different.
These days Probe’s are seldom seen on the road and most that are are either completely stock or desperately holding onto styling cues of yesteryear.
Erik’s ’94 however is one of very few exceptions: It’s low, it’s quick, and most importantly it’s clean.
The first time I saw this car was in 2010 and –Stance Is Everything sticker on the lip aside– the car stood out to me because I honestly couldn’t readily recall the last time I had seen a Probe at a show.
After taking in the build for a few moments I introduced myself to then stranger Erik and now almost three years later I am incredibly glad I did.
Erik is easily one of the nicest enthusiasts I’ve met and is the type of person always willing to help someone out if he is in a position to do so.
It’s through him I met contributing photographer Mike McConnell along with most of the guys in Nine-O-Five Rides, and because of him I got the opportunity to spend an evening with the PFAFF tuning 964.
Simply put Erik is a great guy who loves cars, and that passion for cars has been driving force behind this build.
Erik has had this Probe for nine years and during that time it’s gone through numerous exterior, interior, and power train revisions.
Currently the car is sporting a low mileage KL-DE motor with a custom turbo set-up built around a Turbonetics t3/t4 unit.
Running at 7psi with a mild tune this car puts down roughly 265 to the wheels which is a considerable step up from the 164hp these cars were rated at from the factory.
After making such a considerable change under hood Erik figured he would do an equally significant change to the exterior and said farewell to a kit that had been on his car for several years. Opting to bring back the factory bumpers and side skirts.
Once he acquired OEM replacements he had the car resprayed 2012 Ford Sterling Grey Metallic and installed a Mustang Mach 1 front lip.
The aggressive stance (something that is almost virtually non existent among the Probe community) is the end result of several years worth of trial and error.
The wheels are a square 18×9.5 all around with an offset of +35 up front and +15 in the rear and the low is supplied by K Sport Coils. Helping dial everything in are K Sport Ford Focus Camber plates, King6 adjustable rear lateral arms, and camber bolts.
This combination of parts allows the car to sit considerably lower than stock and position the wheels within the fenders via -1.5 degrees of camber up front and 4.5 degrees out back.
Interior wise Erik has changed everything (including the dash) over to black and added black leather Cobra buckets. Finally A stereo setup comprised of Clarion and Alpine components keeps things lively on long drives and for some personal flare he sticker bombed the center console.
Taking an underdog chassis and running with it while putting up with comments like “It’s still a…. Why Don’t you…. Have you heard this Probe Joke….” isn’t the easiest thing to do but Erik has proven himself more than up to the task.
After every winter I look forward to hearing what Erik has done to his car and look forward to continuing to document it’s progress here on Stance Is Everything.
Modification List
Body/Exterior
- Shaved rear wiper,door locks, rear washer
- 2012 Ford Sterling grey metallic paint
- Quarters and fenders rolled flat
- 96/97 rear bumper and tails
- Mustang mach 1 front lip
Brakes/suspension
- Ksport coils
- Ford focus ksport camber plates
- King6 adjustable rear lateral arms
- Camber bolts
- 626 rear sway bar
- Mazda 6 12″ front brake swap
- Front and rear strut braces
- B pillar floor brace
Wheels/tires
- Fast Mistral wheels
- 18×9.5+35 front
- 18×9.5 +15 rear
- 225/40/18 nankang ns2 tires
Interior
- Black interior swap
- Leather rear seat
- Black Leather Cobra buckets
- Alpine/ Clarion Stereo
- Mx6 steering wheel
Engine/Transmission
- Auto to manual swap
- Centerforce Clutch
- Mx3 flywheel
- Civic EK short shifter
- Lower km KL-DE motor with stock internals
- Turbonetics t3/t4 turbo set
- Millenia S injectors
- Walbro 255 fuel pump
- 2.5″ exhaust
- Poly mounts
- Relocated Battery
- Megasquirt tuned piggyback
Thanks to Erik for letting me feature his car, and Elle Marie Photography for helping with the shoot.
Simply beautiful! The car, the write up, the photos… Everything! Well done Erik and Dave! <3
Dave! thanks man, I love it. I waited forever for this and it was soooooo worth it. Its great!
erik@ your car is awsome man i honistly wasnt expecting to like it but all your tweeks totaly make the car!
thanks dave
I saw a link to this feature. LOVE man! I’ve owned 3 probes (base, SE, and a GT) dating back to my high school days way yonder and had dreams of building it to your current build. Only ever got to a ZE swap and some boltons before I moved on but it’s great to see yours and bring me back to all the things I planned to do to my car!
Very nice car and write up!
Hey man, I was wondering if you could give me the dimensions of the wheels and tyres. Also was the camber required for the rears to fit.
I love my probe but everyone does it wrong, except for you of course. Cheers for the inspiration 🙂
Hi Flash, it’s in the mods list
Fast Mistral wheels
18×9.5+35 front
18×9.5 +15 rear
225/40/18 nankang ns2 tires
Camber however is not which is: 1.5 up front and 4 degrees in the rear.
Hey bro, this is by far one of the cleanest setups I’ve seen on a probe gt! Great job! This is the standard I’m shooting for on my probe gt as well, as far as the clean look and all the sweet little details. I got the boost, just need the rest now 🙂 keep the updates coming!
mad respect for the originality on this build.
This car is awsome and im so glade ive seen it on here becs for a while ive been looking at doing stuff to my 95 probe but wasent shure what to use when it comes to springs and lips and if it was ok to even turbo one but after seening this i know how il most likely do my suspension and just agin what to say how awsome this car really is and that you have done a beautiful job on this car
Honestly the most ideal car when I think of a clean probe. I have a 97 probe gt that I recently bought and its a factory gold color. Ever since I saw this car on google I’ve wanted nothing but to take your car as inspiration to make mine better! Seriously everything with this article is spot on perfect. Congratulations to everyone. Real piece of art you guys have! Looking forward to more pics
My brother had one of these growing up. Ive always loved the probe. Its nice to see it hasnt been completely forgetten.
Thats so clean! I have probe and that car is my icon for doing my car!
So clean!
Great! I`m looking for the Same Bumpers.
best regards from germany