Bisimoto Engineering Turns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata into an 888 Horsepower SEMA Sensation

Bisimoto Engineering Turns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata into an 888 Horsepower SEMA Sensation

– by James Hamel

“A true genius does not compare him or herself nor is in competition with anyone else. They are merely themselves.” 

–Dr. Emesaie e. Ezerioha (Father of Bisi Ezerioha, Founder of Bisimoto Engineering) 

For the past three months or so ever since Hyundai delivered a showroom fresh 2015 Hyundai Sonata to the workshop in Ontario, California used by Bisimoto Engineering we at WhyThisRide.com have been following its progress as it transformed into an 888 horsepower SEMA scene stealer. We were also the very last people to drive the original 2015 Sonata priced just over $20,000 according to the window sticker in its original, unaltered form so to say the end result was shocking to us is quite the understatement.

And that held true even though we at first visited every couple of weeks culminating in us going to visit Bisi Ezerioha and his crew five days in a row right before the SEMA show got started. They worked all through the night and all day getting very little sleep but all involved were totally devoted and driven to create something utterly unique that would turn the tuning world on its head, again. You, of course, can’t forget their past stars such as the 1,000 horsepower Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the 1,000 horsepower plus Honda Odyssey minivan featured on Top Gear U.S.A. and the list goes on and on.

There was one individual who was always there at Bisimoto Headquarters each and every day, no matter how late it got and we are pretty sure he wasn’t getting paid to work such long hours. It was, of course, Bisi Ezerioha’s sternly proud father who each year flies out from their native Nigeria to oversee the last minute SEMA build madness, to be there whenever Bisi and anyone around needed an uplifting story or explanation as to why putting in more effort and time would always turn out best in the end. Oh, and he shared plenty of semi-embarrassing stories about Bisi’s rise to prominence which we won’t share here. Or should we say, yet.

Mainly though, as we saw the Bisimoto Engineering Hyundai Sonata take shape before our eyes we realized it was going to be something truly special for SEMA attendees to see. And Hyundai, thankfully seeing the brilliant minds at Bisimoto Engineering called upon him for a third year to create another showstopper. It’s too bad, though, that in most of the mainstream automotive media no one heard to quote taken from a conversation with Bisi’s dad weeks ago. Bisi may have a certain level of expectation set upon him but having seen him and his crew work, what is expected is simply never good enough. He must exceed not other’s expectations but those he sets on himself. This is what makes him a genius.

So, come the time that the Bisimoto Hyundai Sonata was unveiled, most media outlets lazily quoted an old estimated power figure of 708 horsepower which was only a guidepost set so he would be sure to top the power output of the Dodge Hellcat twins. Well, with a final power reading of 888 horsepower/580 lb. feet of torque all expectations were easily surpassed with the engine mods designed by Bisimoto Engineering. Also, the Hellcat has a passenger seat and a back seat both of which the Bisimoto Sonata do not as a weight saving measure for racing. Not really a comparison then with the Heck Kitten then.

And not only was Bisi Ezerioha on hand to answer any questions any journalists may have had, Hyundai also had a copy of the updated Dyno readings on the dash of the car clearly marked for anyone to read. It appears only a few talked to Bisi and saw the Dyno readout (or checked with Hyundai), with Keith Griffin of Yahoo! Autos and a number of other sites proving to have been the most conscientious by managing to post the correct info numerous places and publishing a nicely informative interview with Bisi.

Now, every journalist in their career makes mistakes because they are human. That is understandable. But the point here is that to compare a creation that springs from the mind of Bisi Ezerioha to something that came before it is to not understand the depth of brilliance we witnessed as we watched this car come together. It truly was an honor watching a genius seemingly chisel and hammer a work of art simply with the power of his mind. Just wait until you see it drive.

 

Parts list, provided by Bisi Ezerioha:

Powertrain Modifications: 

Bisimoto built 2.4L “Theta-II” engine

Bisimoto turbo kit, and intake gasket

Web level 2.4 camshafts

Deatschwerks 2200cc Injectors

R&R steel connecting rods

Arias 9:1 forged pistons

AEM Infinity 6 ECU

NGK Iridium spark plugs

PurOl Elite Synthetic Oils

Turbonetics BTX7265 turbocharger, blow-off, wastegate

Spearco intercooler

Golden Eagle sleeved block, and intake manifold

Griffin Radiator

Supertech valvetrain

Vibrant Vanjen clamps and stainless hardware

Magnafuel 750 fuel pump

ARP head studs

Portflow custom headwork

VP E85R

Kinsler fuel filters

 

Chassis/Suspension Modifications: 

Bisimoto roll cage

Bisimoto solid engine mounts

Progress coilover suspension and sway bar

Fifteen52 18×9 Turbomac aluminum wheels

ARP Wheel studs

Spec Sintered Iron Clutch

 

Exterior Modifications:  

Extreme Autowerks custom laminated body wrap

Type 2 graphics

APR carbon fiber wing, and Aero Package

Bisimoto Wing and Diffuser mounts

Denmatic design scheme

Burns Stainless muffler and hardware

Rhythms Powder Coating

 

Interior Modifications: 

Bisimoto 6 speed manual conversion

Buddy Club P1 racing seats

Crow racing seat belts

Bisimoto reservoir socks

Racepack IQ3 dash

Odyssey ER-25MJ dry cell battery

Rogue racing mil-spec harness

G&J braided lines

EK Autoworx interior paint

Allucam Camera system