Evo Sapien - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Bigger spark comes courtesy of the XS Engineering Power Pack Ignition Amplifier, which connects to the stock system and boosts the coil input voltage to 20 volts. Fuel sprays by the bucket-full with an upgraded fuel pump and larger injectors, and it's all tied together with an A'PEXi Power FC computer for engine management. An ACT heavy-duty street disc clutch holds the power, and that's it. That's all you need to do to harness more power than you'll ever want to use.
For track duty and time attack combat, the EVO VIII received lots suspension work. Based around a JIC FLTA2 coil-over setup, XS Engineering's recipe included Carbing 27mm anti-sway bars in the front and rear. For the chassis, Carbing subframe connectors were added front and rear, and custom one-off delrin bushings replaced all suspension bushings. A very time-consuming process, producing custom bushings is a non-cost-effective job and one XS Engineering doesn't want to experience again any time soon.
The EVO's already-impressive Brembo brake system was replaced with Brembo's Gran Turismo braking system at all four corners. Calipers are now four-piston billet units with 13.9-inch front rotors, and 12.9-inch rear chunks. Fitted with Pagid brake pads and Brembo brake lines, the EVO was declared ready for road-course duty. Covering those anchors is a set of 18x9-inch Volk Racing GT-7 wheels wrapped in 245/40R-18 Bridgestone RE050 rubber.
Although designed as a track car, who said this EVO can't be both beautiful and fast? (I've known some girls who are all that, and loose too-but that's a story for a different magazine.) The EVO's economy-car roots are hidden away behind a full C-West aero kit, featuring a paint job in the factory silver by P.J. Bonifacio Autobody. Inside rests a pair of Sparco Pro 2000 buckets and an interior redone by Car Craft in custom EVO VIII Recaro upholstery material. A set of Blitz AC gauges (water temp, oil temp, fuel pressure, oil pressure, EGT, boost) help monitor the big power the EVO puts out, and that's it for dress-up time. Simple and effective.
With such outrageous results possible from the EVO VIII, and proven by XS Engineering, it makes you rethink the car market. If a $30,000 family-car rally-box can keep up with any number of $80,000 sports cars right now, what's going to happen in a few years? Will the EVO X be able to travel through time? Perhaps, if the theory of evolution has its way.