Molded Widebody 2019 Kia Stinger GT: A Vision Transformed

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Nick Griecos - 2019 Molded Widebody Kia Stinger GT

Instagram: @ngi_performance

www.ngiperformance.com

By Donnie Rochin

Photographer/Author:

Instagram: @r0cean11

Facebook: r0cean11 Photography

Website: r0cean11.com

Listen To The Podcast: Nick Griecos - 2019 Molded Widebody Kia Stinger GTAudi Book

A Love for Cars, Sparked Early

My name is Nick Grieco, and I’m 34 years old, living in Los Angeles with my wife and two kids. By day, I work as a longshore mechanic at the Port of LA, repairing heavy equipment. By night—and on weekends—I’m in the garage, pouring hours of passion into my car builds.

Growing up, my dad was the one who got me into cars and trucks. I spent countless hours watching him work in the garage, helping out whenever I could. Those early experiences planted the seed for my lifelong love of vehicles and set me on the path to creating my own unique builds.

Why the Kia Stinger?

For years, I admired the Porsche Panamera, but it was way beyond my budget. When Kia introduced the Stinger, it felt like the perfect alternative—sleek, powerful, and packed with potential.

Before the Stinger, my driving history revolved around trucks. My first car was a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500, which I later upgraded to a Silverado 2500. For my daily driver, I picked up a Kia Optima—a reliable and efficient car. However, as time went on, I craved more power and personality. That’s when the Stinger caught my eye, and I decided to turn it into something truly one of a kind.

Building a Unique Kia Stinger

The Stinger wasn’t a popular platform when I started, which is part of what drew me to it. I wanted something that would turn heads and keep people guessing. Today, the car is unrecognizable from the factory version. The only thing left that says “Kia” is the key fob!

Every detail of this build was carefully planned, and over the years, it has transformed into a true work of art. Watching people at car shows trying to figure out what kind of car it is never gets old. It’s exactly what I envisioned—a car unlike any other.

Custom Modifications

My Stinger is built for both performance and style, featuring:

• Custom-Molded Widebody Kit: Truly one of a kind.

• 3-Piece Wheels: Designed to stand out and complement the aggressive stance.

• Paint & Body Work: Flawlessly executed by Indy Paints & Collision (@indypaints).

• Performance Upgrades: Installed by Concept 3 Performance (@concept3) and Kia Hyundai Auto Racing (@khartunerz).

The result? A car that commands attention wherever it goes.

2019 Kia Stinger GT Modifications - 

Engine Bay/Performance -  

• NGI engine cover

• NGI carbon fiber radiator sight shield

• NGI checker Carbon vanity covers

• NGI billet dipstick

• BMS billet strut braces

• BMS billet oil cap

• Jonny Tig with large K & N open-face filters

• Custom NGI acrylic clear intake lids

• Lap3 stage 2.5 linear boost ECU

• Lap3 stage 2 TCU

• Lap3 meth controller with snow, performance pump, and fittings

• NGI modified windshield fluid reservoir used for meth tank|

• GFB respons blow off valves with trumpets

• Z spec billet dress-up bolt kit for the entire engine bay

• Diode Dynamics custom engine bay/lower grill lighting kit

• Mishimoto intercooler with an upgraded piping kit

• Custom hood props by D’zign Kulture

Exterior - 

• 1 of 1 custom widebody done by Indy Paints auto collision

• Car is wrapped in Inozetek Wilberry Juice by Ultimate Wrap Shop  

• Originally, a Custom show quality paint job was done in the Audi Daytona Pearl

• Full car wrapped in legend gloss PPF by Ravali Paint protection

• Gtechniq Crystal serum ultra nine-year ceramic coating by Rivali 

• G4werkz custom front lip splitter widened to fit widebody 

• Zest rear diffuser imported from Korea

• SBM custom molded rocker panels

• SBM carbon fiber M-style hood

• Ark carbon fiber duckbill trunk spoiler paint matched

• Suntek ceramic 5% tint all around

• CK71 DRL fog lights

• Baja Designs S2 custom reverse lights

• Porsche 911 style Stinger rear emblem

• Rear quarter reflector delete by Indy paints

• Painted chrome delete by Indy Paints

• One Up Lighting LED chasing under glow kit

• Retrofit headlights with lighting trends DRLs and demon eye kit blacked out side lenses done by Socal retrofit.

Interior -

• Custom Napa leather seat replacements are front and rear with a perforated quilted design and a custom NGI embroidered headrest made of Alea leather.

• Custom checker carbon fiber steering wheel with carbon extended paddle shifters by G4werkz

• Custom checker carbon fiber dash

• Custom checker carbon fiber Korean spec center console with checker carbon shifter handle

• Custom checker Carbon fiber center armrest

• Custom checker carbon fiber front and rear door panel trim pieces

• Custom checker carbon fiber front driver and passenger seatbacks

• Custom Airlift controller mount molded into upper map light panel done by Fitted Customs

• Upgraded 8-inch factory head unit screen from Kia

• Korean spec E airbag replacement

• TuxMat front and rear floor mats

Wheels/Tires/Brakes - 

• One-off custom designed 9 spoke three-piece 19-inch wheels done by Triumph Performance Forged Wheels

• Front 19 x 10, Rear 19 x 11

• Hidden blind bolt hardware

• Matte Graphite grey faces and gloss black inner barrels

• Custom checker carbon outer lips

• Michelin pilot sport 4S Performance tires

• Front 245/35/19, Rear 255/35/19

• Fella big break kit imported directly from Korea

• 6-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers

• Two-piece lightweight 380 mm rotors

• Stainless steel brake line upgrade kit by concept 3 performance
  
  

Trunk/Air Suspension/Audio - 

• 1 of 1 custom trunk set up done by CEEJ Customs

• All 3/8 polished hard lines

• Custom drop-down floor with manifold and dual Viar 444c air compressors                      

• mounted on top of the checker Carbon fiber base

• Custom LED lighting with three Bluetooth controllers controlled via an app

• Custom acrylic viewing window with quilted black vinyl floor

• Custom dual 2-gallon tanks by seamless tanks in custom checker carbon fiber

• Stainless swaglok fittings throughout

• NGI floating tank mounts

• Antigravity lithium battery with built-in jumper button with remote

• NGI battery terminal lugs relocation kit mounted under trunk well

• AirLift Performance 3P threaded manifold and management 

• AirBFT Airbag suspension front and rear imported directly from Korea 

• Rockford Fosgate Audio installed by Bob’s Car Audio

• Customer fiberglass subwoofer pod enclosures in the trunk

• Dual 10” 4ohm power series subwoofers

• 1000 watt power series amplifier powering subwoofers

• 600-watt power series amplifier powering all 6.5” door speaker

• Kicker series Hi/Low line out converter

• Kicker RCA cables

• Copper 1/0 power and ground cables with fuse block

Challenges and Hard Work

This car didn’t build itself. It’s the product of long nights in the garage and countless hours of effort. Alongside my personal work on the car, I’ve built my business, NGI Performance, which provides high-quality parts and accessories for the Stinger community.

I’ve been fortunate to have support from local shops and collaborators, who have helped bring my vision to life when the work exceeded my garage’s capabilities.

The Present and the Future

Right now, I’m taking a step back from modifying the car. After years of changes and upgrades, I’ve finally reached a point where I’m happy with how it looks and performs. My focus now is on enjoying the car and showcasing it at shows.

The car show scene has been a fantastic experience. It’s given me the opportunity to network, build business relationships, and make lasting friendships with others who share the same passion for cars.

Dreaming Big

While the Stinger has been my labor of love, my dream car is the Audi R8. Maybe one day, if I hit the lottery, I’ll have the chance to make that dream a reality. Until then, I’ll keep enjoying the fruits of my hard work with my Stinger and supporting the car community.

Words to Live By

“Hard work pays off.”

This build didn’t happen overnight. It’s a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a vision that refused to settle for anything less than extraordinary.

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