1/17/11

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

Cars Mania Blog
Auto Car | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ix Front
You should already be familiar with this, but in case you're not, we're going to go over it once more. In addition to the email addresses we have set up for your tech questions (p. 26), automotive photography submissions (p. 98), rants and raves (p. 16), and Carter fan mail (p. 10), we have another: rides@importtuner.com. 
 
It's the first place we look for feature cars. And we'll be honest-nine submissions out of ten are along the lines of Big Dogg's Civic back on page 16, only way worse: usually some kind of J-body domestic with Altezza-style Supra taillights (for headlights) and fluorescent paint. But hidden amongst every few hundred rocks, there is always a gem.

And then sometimes there's a diamond. Take Vi To's EVO, for example, which was first pitched to us via email by one his homies. The majority of us here at 2NR would sell a kidney to drive something along the lines of that Pentroof R34 or David's Civic to work everyday, but it ain't gonna happen. SoCal's law enforcement, thieves, and poor roads would probably keep them locked in the garage. But Vi's EVO is different. It's attainable and driveable. With proper planning and some wise managing of money, and with no sponsored help to speak of, Vi's proven that having a 600whp, 10-second, show-winning circuit monster is within reach for most of us.

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ix Apr Spoiler
Of course, it all hinges on starting with the right platform. When Mitsubishi first homologated a turbocharged, AWD version of their small-frame Lancer to take the reigns of the successful Galant in WRC competition, they had created a monster in terms of performance for a road-going vehicle. Eight evolutions later, and the EVO IX was running 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.4-besting the performance of cars like the BMW M3, C5 Corvette, and Porsche Boxter, for about half the price and with every bit the reliability.

Vi's bought his EVO one year old in 2007. Its classification as a used car brought the cost down considerably, and the fact that one little old guy putted it around town for all of 20K miles made it a steal. With a generous down payment courtesy of the Civic Vi had built over the preceding years and parted out, his monthly installments were less than most of us pay for utilities, cable, and insurance. And it still had a warranty. "I voided the warranty the day after I bought the car," Vi says, regarding the Greddy Profec-B boost controller that became his first mod. Function/Form coilovers, and APR and EM Racing three-point strut bracing went on next, followed by a set of wheels. While friends building other makes were battling problems, Vi drove his car for months, eventually growing tired of its estimated 340 whp. A turbo upgrade was in order, and while you'll have to ask him what brand and size it was, we'll tell you that it blew apart after only a few hundred miles installed, taking much of the engine's cylinder head and intercooling system with it.

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ix Kritical Go Wet
Vi picked up a beater car and got to work tearing into the EVO. The 4G63's bottom end was left stock, but the damaged head was rebuilt with a full Cosworth valvetrain and sealed down with ARP studs. To it was bolted an RnR exhaust manifold supporting a Garrett GT35R turbo and Tial 50mm wastegate. A Blitz front-mount intercooler replaced the damaged stock unit and Blitz intercooler piping was massaged to accept a Tial 38mm blow-off valve.
 
Vi had a homie fab up an intake and trick upper radiator hard pipe (with Samco silicone elsewhere). Rather than reflash his factory ECU, Vi opted for an AEM EMS to help the EVO IX play nice with its massive 1,050cc Rochester injectors and MAP sensor that allowed the production of much more boost and power. And once that became too mundane for Vi, he tacked on a 100-shot NOS kit and purge.

Source : www.importtuner.com

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