Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR - Down on all fours
Brian Filoteo of Oxnard, Calif., is a JDM junkie. Even if it comes in green, red, blue, pink, or whatever other effervescent hue that the Japanese decide to produce go-fast parts in. If it works and fits right, Filoteo will have it. A member of the Southern California wrecking crew known as Team Auto Concept, Filoteo previously built a 2003 Acura RSX Type-S that was infused with C-West bodywork, Project Mu brakes, Volk Racing wheels, blue Integra Type-R interior, TEIN suspension, ARC intake and TODA camshafts. The Acura looked good and was a great performer, but looking back now, it was no Evo.
Front-wheel drive, an open differential, a strut-type front suspension, and a very responsive K-series engine meant that the RSX always had a problem in one area, putting down the power. When you’re driving on a racetrack with a front-wheel drive car, you’re asking the front wheels to steer and power the car at the same time. This can often lead to overworking of the front end, and a general lack of happiness on the part of the driver. There is hope though, and a front-wheel drive car can be properly setup to go like stink, but not everybody has the time or money to develop a car during their own free time. Sometimes, it’s just easier to start with a car that’s already been fully developed. Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution is a nameplate that is synonymous with rallying, catching air over hills, amazing handling, turbocharged power, and in more recent years, electronic gadgetry and incredible stability. A bone stock Evo is an amazing machine, able to stir a driver’s mind, yet forgiving enough to make anybody look like they’re a WRC champion. BMW M3’s, Porsche 911’s, and Chevy Corvette’s be damned, the Evo will stand its ground.
So with a growing interest in attending track days and events, Filoteo picked up this 2005 Lancer Evolution VIII and proceeded to build himself a time attack car. With a “big difference in performance” out of the box compared to the RSX, this Evo sat quietly as a daily driver for about seven months. Then, with the traditional SoCal Nisei Showoff looming in about one month, Filoteo began the build. As an employee of High End Performance, located in Ventura, Calif., Filoteo had access to the entire catalog of high quality, JDM parts that High End distributes.
Sun Automobile was tapped first for the Cyber Speed grounding cables, Hot Inzama voltage system, Cyber Speed shift knob, and Cyber Speed pedals. The turbocharger on this Mitsubishi remains factory stock, but the 3-inch downpipe and titanium exhaust are JIC Magic pieces, with a Helix test pipe in between. The current setup is far lighter than the stock exhaust tract, but the difference in noise level is huge. This car is loud. On the intake side, air comes clean courtesy of a Samco Sport induction hose and an induction box made by notoriously expensive JDM parts manufacturer, ARC. The front-mount intercooler kit was also changed out for an ARC unit, with HKS upper intercooler piping and an HKS SSQ Ver. 2 blow-off valve nestled in. Support mods include the ARC oil catch can and Samco Sport radiator hose, with an ARC oil cap, titanium spark plug cover, and exhaust manifold shield for engine bay dress-up purposes. With an engine bay clean enough to eat sushi off of, Filoteo’s Evo is producing more power with just a few simple bolt-ons than any naturally aspirated RSX could hope to push.
With all-wheel drive power distribution and grip, putting down horsepower is not a problem for any Evo. But the driver is a whole different story. The Evo 8 comes standard with a set of incredible, reclining Recaro seats, but they weren’t enough for Filoteo’s build. A set of red JIC Magic reclining bucket seats was installed on top of JIC Magic seat rails. Paired with Takata harnesses, the sporty seats give maximum grip and strength, even during unfortunate situations where the six-point Cusco rollcage has to be used. The steering wheel is a Nardi sport unit with red stitching, held on by a Nardi ring adaptor and Splash short steering wheel hub. In plain view from the JIC buckets, a Power Enterprise combination boost controller and gauge keeps Filoteo aware of how much force feeding his Evo is experiencing. Beyond all those driver support and management modifications, the only bow to luxury inside is the touch screen capable Pioneer AVIC-N1 CD/DVD/MP3/navigation head unit. Trust us, once you have a navigation unit inside your car keeping you from ever getting lost again, you’ll wonder how you drove without one.
Keeping with his intended time attack car motif, Filoteo didn’t fill the car with excess stereo equipment or heavy bondo-filled bodywork. Everything on the car is fully functional and made for a purpose. The exterior cladding on this Evo is reminiscent of the monstrous Cyber Evo, and was installed mainly to allow wider rubber at all the corners. The front bumper is by C-West, fit with Chargespeed wide fenders and side steps, which make room for some 18x9 Advan Racing RS wheels with 235/40/18 Advan A048 tires. The A048 tires provide near race tire quality and grip, and there is plenty more room for even wider tires later on. A Seibon Gialla-style carbon-fiber hood and carbon trunk were installed to shed a few pounds from the Evo, but the rear wing remains stock. A Voltex Type V rear wing is in Filoteo’s possession, but has not yet been installed.
Upgrading the Evo’s underpinnings in anticipation of hitting the track, Filoteo fit the Mitsubishi with JIC Magic’s finest FLTA2 fully adjustable monotube coilovers. Installed and setup in-house at High End Performance, the coilovers are one of the keys to the capability of this particular Evo. The other key is the monstrous Project Mu forged brake calipers, two-piece SRC-Pro brake rotors, Teflon brake lines, and high performance brake pads. Replacing the already capable stock Brembo pieces, the Project Mu setup provides even higher limits of braking power and heat retention.
Plugging away at this Evo in a frenzied rush during the month prior to Nisei Showoff, Filoteo could be found taking bets on whether he’d finish building the car at all. Much to his unexpected happiness, he not only finished the car, but Filoteo ended up taking home the 1st Place honors in his class. Since then, this Evo has taken home three more 1st Place Best Mitsubishi awards, and was soon representing Advan Racing in the Mackin Industries SEMA booth. Not too bad for a car originally picked up only as a performance upgrade.
Import Tuner Mag
Last edited by DragRace_Ray; 02-24-2007 at 07:50 PM.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR - Down on all fours
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR - Down on all fours
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