Unleashing a Dream: Michael Burrell’s 1,500 HP Toyota Supra Turbo
When it comes to passion for cars, few can match Michael Burrell from Mesa, Arizona. His love for the Toyota Supra has been unwavering since his youth, and today, he owns one of the most impressive street Supras you'll ever see. From his childhood fascination with Hot Wheels to building a 1,500-horsepower beast, Michael's journey is a testament to his dedication to the automotive world.
A Lifelong Love for Cars
Michael's passion for cars started early. He still owns Hot Wheels from his childhood, but his love for imports took hold when a classmate brought a red 1993 Toyota Supra to school in 1999. The release of The Fast and the Furious in 2001 solidified his focus, and from then on, Michael was hooked on cars—especially the Supra. Growing up in Phoenix, he watched some of the best Supras race in Friday night drags, deepening his connection to the local car culture.
Working at Toyota for over a decade has also kept Michael closely tied to the vehicles he’s passionate about. But his connection with Supras runs even deeper, having owned ten MKIV Supras, along with a MKIII and a MKV for his wife. His current pride and joy, a 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo, is his dream car brought to life.
The Ultimate Supra: A 1994 Turbo Legend
Michael’s Supra is a 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo 6-speed, finished in the original 1A1 paint. He purchased the car in 2015 from a friend on the original Supra forums, just after selling his 2012 Cadillac CTS-V. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Why a Supra? For Michael, it’s simple—there’s no other car like it. He has always admired the Supra’s unique mix of performance, style, and legacy. And with ten MKIVs in his past, this particular one is the culmination of everything he loves about the car.
Modification Details: A True Beast
Michael’s Supra is far from stock. With extensive modifications, it's built to be both a street monster and a show-stopper. Under the hood, you’ll find a Real Street RS1600 3.4L stroker engine, paired with a HeadGames full race head and GSC R2 cams. Power delivery comes from a Precision 8685 Turbo, which is supported by a Hypertune dual rail intake manifold, Powerhouse Racing S45 exhaust manifold, and a custom-built Samsonas RS90 Sequential Transmission.
The engine bay is dressed to impress with every Powerhouse Racing engine bay dress-up part you can imagine—valve covers, pulleys, a mechanical fuel pump, and more. It's a meticulous build where every detail matters, crafted with the highest attention to detail.
Power Output? A jaw-dropping 1504 horsepower and 1127 lb-ft of torque, as recorded on a Mainline hub dyno. The car runs on Supra spec CCW Classics wheels, with 18x10 fronts and 15-inch beadlock rears fitted with Mickey Thompson radial pro tires. It’s a true powerhouse capable of mind-blowing performance.
Perhaps the most standout feature is the custom Samsonas Sequential Transmission, which helped Michael hit 209.1 mph in a standing half-mile at Omega Motorsports’ No Fly Zone event. The build is packed with custom one-off parts, from fabrication and wiring to transmission and even a custom Motec C1212 screen mount.
Track, Street, and Show Queen
Michael’s Supra is truly a versatile build. It’s not just a garage queen; it’s driven to events, raced at the track, and polished for car shows. In full street form, Michael’s best quarter-mile time is 8.74 seconds at 172 mph—and yes, he drives it to and from the track. The build strikes the perfect balance between a weekend warrior and a half-mile tyrant while still earning its place as a car show queen.
The Supra Community: Friends and Inspiration
Throughout the years, Michael has built lasting friendships and connections in the Supra community, many of which have helped shape his build. He credits Steven Reedholm of State 48 Performance and SR Fab, as well as Chris Boone from Real Street, Sam from Powerhouse Racing, and Tony Szirka from UMS Tuning, as key contributors to his success. It’s a community where sharing ideas and collaborating with like-minded enthusiasts has been instrumental in creating one of the best street Supras out there.
Mod List
- Engine: Real Street RS1600 3.4L
- Head: HeadGames race head with GSC R2 cams
- Cam Gears: PHR Black Edition
- Turbo: Precision 8685 Gen2
- Cooling: PHR radiator
- Engine: PHR oil cooler
- Valve Covers: PHR Billet Flex Non VVT-i
- Catch Can: PHR
- Oil Filter Relocation Kit: Powerhouse Racing
- Exhaust: PHR full titanium
- Fuel: PHR Mechanical Bracket
Future Plans: Taking the Supra to the Next Level
The Supra isn’t done evolving. Michael is now working on a new phase for his build, which includes a Mazworx RS1600 billet 3.4L wet block, a Powerhouse Racing dry sump, and a Next Gen Precision 8685 Turbo. With this next chapter, Michael’s dream Supra will be pushing even more power and performance, ready to take on the streets, tracks, and shows.
Michael’s Advice to Aspiring Builders
When asked what advice he would give to others starting their own build, Michael emphasizes the importance of patience and quality: “Pay attention to the details. Cheap isn’t fast, and fast isn’t cheap. Take your time and do it right the first time.”
Follow Michael’s Journey
Want to follow more of Michael’s Supra build? You can find him on Instagram at @AZ_1A1Supra and follow the work done at State 48 Performance and Fabrication.
