Blue Gem // Didi’s Evolution VIII on Volk Rays
The Evolution. The warrior to the three-diamond-badge’s army of Japanese engineering. Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, Bilstein shocks, Enkei wheels, carbon fibre rear wing. No, these are not the parts that Didi the owner has installed on his ride. Instead, these are the parts that Mitsubishi has given all Evolution VIII owners as its standard package. Fast, nimble and uncompromisable, Mitsubishi has essentially taken its WRC rally car blueprint, infused some convenience features onto it and selling them as production models. Easily matching the lap times of entry level Porsche’s at only a fraction of their price, the Evolution lineups have always provided the best bang-for-the-buck to those who seeks performance above all other features. But what’s even more staggering than the Evolution’s stock performance is its endless number of aftermarket parts available. Essentially opening the gate to the world of supercar-beating performance.
Evolution 6 Tommi Makinen Edition and Evolution 8 MR (the red one in GENESIS trailer) were among the past rides that Didi has owned these past few years. Clearly then, he’s been a fan of the Lancer Evolution lineup, and this is his latest creation: the Daytona Blue Evolution 8 GSR with an approx horsepower figure of 300whp. Oh and by the way, it took the painter some 8 revisions to get this blue shade exactly the way Didi wanted.
Built with a daily-driven performance setup in mind, the Evo VIII has been installed with a plethora of engine and exterior modifications. Engine-wise, almost every aspects have been upgraded to enhance performance whilst still maintaining the car’s reliability. Keeping the safe balance while having a larger horsepower output has always definitely been a challenge. That’s why, almost every aspects of the engine has been upgraded (cooling, fuel systems etc) to keep up with the horsepower increase, done at Excess Motoring.
Exterior wise, a catalogue of Varis carbon parts have been installed throughout the Evolution’s body, enhancing its aerodynamic performance whilst giving a nice contrast to the body’s striking blue color. Evolution MR lamps have also been installed to equip the GSR with a fresher look and better night visibility.
Wheels of choice came down to this set of lightweight 10-spokes Volk Rays CE28. Forged under one of the best forging machines in the world, these one-piece wheels do look as tough as it performs. Wrapped with sticky 245/40 Toyo R888 tires, such setup allows the GSR to put all those horsepowers effectively to the ground. Turning numbers into real breath-taking accelerations.
Being an all-around daily driven machine, Didi made sure that every other aspects of the car can keep up with the horsepower increase. Among the supporting mods is this gorgeous set of silver Alcon big brake kit. The 6-pot calipers and 365mm rotors are distinctive and yet very functional in keeping braking distances short.
What’s most interesting from this car is the fact that most of the larger mods done are the ones that you can’t really immediately see. From upgraded camshafts to whiteline handling kits, all these have contributed greatly to the Evo’s street performance despite being hidden away under a pile of sleek body panels and seductive carbons.
What’s next? Obviously for Didi it’s no other than a turbo upgrade. The kind of mod that will turn the nimble Evo into a manic horsepower churner beast. Hopefully we’ll see that one soon enough.
Modification Specs
COSWORTH CAMSHAFTS (272 IN. / 272 EXH.)
COSWORTH VALVE SPRINGS + RETAINERS
TOMEI FREE ADJUSTABLE CAM PULLEY
COSWORTH REINFORCE HEAD BOLTS
COSWORTH REINFORCE MAIN BOLTS
ARP FLYWHEEL BOLT
ACL MAIN & ROD RACE BEARINGS
PORTED & POLISHED HEAD W/PORT MATCHED INTAKE MANIFOLD
COSWORTH HEAD GASKET
COSWORTH TIMING BELT
COSWORTH BALANCER BELT
NGK RACING IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS
TIAL BLOW OFF
FQ-SERIES HI-FLOW TURBO
FULL RACE TITANIUM COATED EXHAUST MANIFOLD
INTAKE & EXHAUST
GRUPPE M CARBON INTAKE KIT
FULL RACE EXHAUST MANIFOLD
XS 3 INCH STAINLESS DOWN PIPE + CENTER PIPES
HKS RACING SPEC TITANIUM EXHAUST
COOLING
KOYORAD FULL ALMUNIUM TRIPLE-FIN RADIATOR
RALLIART LOW TEMP THERMOSTAT
RALLIART LOW TEMP THERMO SWITCH
SAMCO SPORT HOSES
ALMUNIUM PIPING INTERCOOLERS
FUELING SYSTEMS
INLINE FUEL FILTER
WALBRO FUEL PUMP
SARD FUEL PRESS REGULATOR
SKUNK2 CARBON BLACK FUEL RAIL
HYBRID RACING FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE
ELECTRONICS
APEXI POWER FC + COMMANDER
AEM AFR GAUGE
APEXI TURBO TIMER
APEXI AVCR BOOST CONTROLLER
OTHERS
ATS TWIN PLATE CLUTCH
GREDDY RADIATOR CAP
TOMEI OIL CAP
TOMEI COIL COVER
TOMEI CAM GEAR COVER
RALLIART MAGNETIC OIL DRAIN PLUG
XS OIL CATCH TANK CUSTOM
XS VACUUM BOX CUSTOM
BRAIDED LINES
AEROQUIP HOSE ENDS
AEROQUIP HEX FINISHERS
REDLINE 5W40 ENGINE OIL
ROYAL PURPLE SYNCROMAX TRANSMISSION OIL
REDLINE POWER STEERING FLUIDS
REDLINE WATER WETTER
XS UNDER PANEL
VOLK RAYS CE28 18×9 TITANIUM GREY
TOYO R888 245/40/18
ARAGOSTA FULL ADJUSTABLE COILOVERS
WHITELINE FRONT + REAR SWAYBARS
WHITELINE FRONT + REAR BUSHINGS
WHITELINE FRONT BUMB STEER CORRECTION
WHITELINE FRONT CASTER CORRECTION
WHITELINE FRONT RACK STEER BUSHING
WHITELINE REAR STRUTBAR
ALCON RACING BRAKES 6POT WITH J-HOOK ROTOR 365mm
ALCON BRAKE LINES
ALCON REAR BRAKE PADS
MOTUL RBF 600 BRAKE FLUIDS
VOLK RAYS RACING LUG NUTS
ARP WHEEL BOLTS
CARBING FRONT UNDERBRACE
VARIS CARBON HOOD VENT
VARIS CARBON BUMPER VENT
VARIS CARBON LIPS SPOILER
VARIS CARBON SIDE SKIRT ADD ON
VARIS CARBON REAR BUMPER ADD ON
VARIS CARBON REAR EXHAUST SHIELD
DAYTONA BLUE PAINT
EVO 9 MR FRONT LAMP
EVO 8 MR REAR LAMP
3M WINDOWS FILM
INTERIOR
RECARO SR4 EVO
VARIS CARBON PANEL STEERING
TOMEI SHIFT KNOB
RECOMMENDED OIL
TOP 1 Synthetic Oil
Additional Infos
Photography by:
Winston J
Mobile: +6281932092426
Email: winston_jaury@hotmail.com