With the ultimate release of the Evolution VIII on the stateside, it was only a matter of time before owners found a way to build them like none other. This issue’s cover car is one such Evo 8, owned by Andrew Kung and is basically an ideal model of what a plethora of right modifications can do. From the engine all the way to the Advan wheels, this Evo 8 doesn’t skip a beat.
Starting off with the suspension, the stock springs and struts were unbolted and tossed aside for a more flexible set of TEIN coilovers in their FLEX series. The entire chassis has been stiffened some with a Cusco Titanium front strut bar and a Cusco carbon fiber rear strut bar. Body sway has been shoved under control with a pair of Cusco lower sway bars in the front and the rear. In the interior, a custom 6-point weld in roll cage and harness bar was added to keep the chassis safe and secure. With the car buckled down to a comfortable height, Kung bolted on a gold set of Advan TC-II wheels in an 18x8.5 size. Wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza S-03 tires, the TC-II wheels have plenty of protection with 245/40/18 worth of rubber.
Opening the driver and passenger door, our eyes are greeted with a pair of Bride Brix Gradation seats. Along with the custom roll cage and harness bar, a set of Takata 340R harnesses linger off from the harness bar onto the Bride seats. A custom carbon fiber nitrous control panel matches the carbon fiber dual a-pillar pods that house the vital gauges from Defi. From their D-Series line, a pair of Defi gauges displays boost and EGT characteristics and readings.
Checking out to the exterior of the car, Gialla goods can be found throughout the Evo 8. A Gialla front bumper along with a Gialla carbon fiber hood and brake ducts convert the entire front end of the car to something more aggressive and fitting. More carbon fiber goods spread throughout the rest of the chassis with Ganador carbon fiber mirrors and a VIS Racing carbon fiber trunk. Varis carbon fiber b-pillars make a nice amenity to the exterior as well. Back up front, the stock headlights were pulled apart and received a custom black treatment. The more popular JDM Evo MR taillights replaced the stock units in the rear.
The bulk of the goods however are all underneath the hood. The motor was pulled out and rebuilt with Wiseco pistons and Crower rods. In the head, a gathering of Ferrea valvetrain components found their new home: 1mm oversized valves, seat relocators, valve springs, and retainers. While the head was getting redone with the Ferrea valvetrain, the head received a port and polish job with brand new HKS 272/272 cams. The entire motor was put back together with ARP head studs, main bolts and rod bolts.
With the long block back in place, the drivetrain was bullet proofed in preparations to the new heavy horsepower setup. Getting the power to the ground is a Cusco Carbon Facings twin plate clutch along with a Cusco lightweight flywheel. The new set of horsepower comes from a 6.5RS TME Turbo setup along with a Nitrous Expresss EFI Wet System and GenX-2 kit. From the intake out to the exhaust are all HKS goods, including their Carbon-Ti exhaust system. A TiAl blow off valve was added onto the new turbo setup and everything is topped off with an HKS Circle Earth grounding kit and a set of Magnecor 8.5mm spark plug wires. Serving as the radiator and intercooler combo is a PWR aluminum radiator and a Dejon front mount intercooler. Decorations come from an ARC radiator cap and a Ralliart oil cap.
More power equals more fuel and a Walbro 255lph fuel pump along with PTE 650cc fuel injectors handles that. Everything has ease of control and adjustability with an Autronic PnP stand alone engine management and HKS EVC V boost controller.
This is just a fine example of one of the great ways to build the Mitsubishi Evolution monster that’s now available on the stateside. Plenty of horsepower with great looks and a huge intercooler, it’s easy to desire this AWD monster.
