Rhys Millen Racing and its partners have now completed the necessary work to adapt the Hyundai engine to the HKS five-speed sequential transmission. The Coupe's Lambda engine will initially use stock internals, which will limit its output. Still, Millen reports that at only 9 pounds of boost (probably all it can handle in stock trim) the mill makes 480 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and a staggering 570 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm — at the wheels.
This is less power but more torque than the stroked Nissan mill (560 hp, 542-lb-ft of torque) which used custom internals. The team's advanced engine management ECU can also control the engine's variable valve timing — an advantage not utilized on the Nissan engine.
Drifting is a unique motorsport that allows cars great latitude to compete, so Millen's Frankenstein coupe, while certainly controversial, was never in violation of the rules.
Inside Line says: Tanner Foust makes no apologies for his NASCAR-powered Scion tC, so why should Millen give a rip about a Nissan engine in a Hyundai? — Josh Jacquot, Senior Road Test Editor
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