488 GT3 For The Streets
While this Ferrari 488 looks like a track-only build, it’s actually designed to live on public roads. The man behind the project is TJ Hunt, who explained how the car came together – especially given Ferrari’s strict stance on heavily modified builds – during a conversation with YouTuber and automotive photographer Larry Chen.
The inspiration dates back roughly seven years, when Hunt saw a GT3 widebody build based on a Ferrari 458, the 488’s predecessor. He decided to pursue a similar idea using the 488 and genuine GT3 Evo components, but the process was far from straightforward. These parts are typically reserved for race teams, and GT3 Evo–spec components require extensive bodywork modification because the track-only cars use a longer wheelbase than the road-going model.
Straight From the Circuit
Details surrounding how Hunt acquired the parts remain limited, though he noted that they were sourced from a 488 GT3 race car that won the 24 Hours of Barcelona in 2022. That helps explain why some components, such as the front carbon-fiber splitter, show visible repair marks. The hood vents were also blocked off, a practical decision aimed at protecting the car from weather exposure – after all, the engine no longer requires the same level of cooling it would demand during extended track use.
As for the powertrain, the 488 is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 – the engine that marked the end of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V8 era, last seen in the 458. From the factory, the car produces 660 horsepower, but with upgraded turbos, it reportedly put down high-700 horsepower on a dyno test earlier this year. The car rides on BBS E89 motorsport wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
@tjhunt_ on Instagram
The Cost of Going All In
When Chen asked about the cost of the GT3 Evo parts, Hunt’s response was bleeped out, though his reaction made it clear the number was substantial. A quick scroll through Hunt’s YouTube channel, which boasts around 2.4 million subscribers, eveals a video titled “I Bought a $100,000 Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo Kit,” suggesting the total landed well into six-figure territory.
As for Ferrari’s infamous blacklist, Hunt seemed unsure how the Italian marque views the build, but argued the car doesn’t cross the same lines as some previously banned examples, referencing DJ deadmau5’s heavily wrapped 458 Spider. For now, Hunt gets to enjoy what is likely a unique experience: driving a GT3-based 488 on public roads.
@tjhunt_ on Instagram
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