[Editor’s Note: This story originally ran in the August 2016 issue of Grassroots Motorsports.]
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Robert Bowen
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When Mitsubishi launched the Evo X in 2007, it was phenomenally dangerous timing: The automotive market mainly collapsed six months later, and fuel costs skyrocketed. The brand new automotive was an enormous enchancment over the earlier model, nevertheless it was heavier and bigger. It additionally lacked a number of the uncooked sense of urgency that earlier Evos had. The 2008 automotive bought so poorly, there was no 2009 mannequin yr. After that the automotive modified little or no from 2010 to 2015, so store extra on situation than yr.
Mitsubishi mainly provided two variations of the Evo. The Evo MR was geared up solely with the six-speed, twin-clutch transmission, Enkei solid wheels, and a extra refined Bilstein suspension. The Evo GSR had a standard– and really robust–handbook transmission. Each shared the identical Brembo braking system, athough the MR had two-piece rotors. The MR is quicker in inventory and maybe a more sensible choice for a every day driver, however the GSR is the pure selection for a hotrodder.
True to its humble origins as a four-door financial system automotive, many components of the Evo’s inside will not be of the very best high quality. Rattles, squeaks and damaged clips are widespread, however happily simply repaired. The manufacturing facility Recaro seats are wonderful, however not everybody can slot in them.
The Evo is heavy, highly effective and quick. It devours tires like few different vehicles–be ready to purchase a set at the very least yearly or 10,000 miles, relying on how exhausting you drive. Don’t be tempted to low cost out, both–the Evo likes sticky tires.
Regardless of what you will have heard, the Evo X has a stellar fame for reliability. The inventory aluminum 4B11T engine can simply deal with 400-plus horsepower with a larger-than-stock turbo and first rate tune. Non-modified vehicles will soldier on nicely previous 100,000 miles with solely minimal upkeep–and plenty of new tires.
Talking of modifications, if there may be one factor that may spoil an Evo X, it’s poor modifications. Typically talking, move on any automotive that has been modified except you understand the store or person who did the work and you understand the motive force. Even then we might in all probability move–the danger is just too nice that one thing was accomplished incorrectly or the automotive was beat on.
The Lively Yaw Management pump–it additionally offers stress for the lively heart differential–is understood to be a weak spot on vehicles which have been pushed on salted roads, however Mitsubishi prolonged the guarantee for this half to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Substitute pumps and rebuild kits can be found for DIYers.
Rigorously look at all panels for straight gaps. It’s good recommendation on any automotive, however all of the extra essential for one that pulls the form of drivers that need an Evo. The paint on the aluminum hood chips simply and shouldn’t be a concern.
If you happen to can’t resist the urge to tinker, the 4B11T responds nicely to modifications. A cat-back exhaust will decide up a little bit of energy and make the automotive sound higher–a inventory Evo has a reasonably innocuous exhaust word. An ECU reflash with the inventory turbo and gas system will take you as much as, and considerably previous, 300 horsepower on the wheels.
Huge energy–350-plus–requires a larger-than-stock turbo, bigger injectors and maybe some totally different intercooler piping to remove the inventory restrictions. Many tuners arrange their vehicles for E85, which requires a lot bigger injectors and pump, however the payoff is in increased energy and a extra forgiving tune.
The inventory suspension is about pretty much as good because it will get for a street automotive, however once more, in case you can’t resist the urge to tinker, the manufacturing facility GSR struts are a bit under-damped for top velocity monitor utilization. The inventory MR Bilsteins are wonderful, and Bilstein will even re-valve and rebuild as wanted for put on, or to accommodate totally different springs. If you happen to desire a automotive that rotates extra readily, the inventory entrance sway bar may be supplemented by a bigger rear one.
