Ken Tan is one lucky fella, 'cos he owns and drives one of the rare rally-inspired Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions that never officially made it here to Australian shores. Sure, we tasted the qualities of the all-wheel-drive 1.8 litre turbo GSR with its 145kW, but never the purpose-built rally hottie.
But now - a few years down the track - some of these scorching Japanese race machines are leaking their way through to Australia via the import scene. Ken's black beauty is one of the first in the Evolution series (they're up to Evo 6 now!), and looks more like the conventional GSR Lancer than the later model Evolutions. The main reason is because it doesn't quite have the monstrous wings, flared guards and spoilers that are now the flave.
Ken scored this car back in April 1998 when it was still in stock trim - but all that soon changed!
To kick it off, a Japanese A'PEXi N1 3 inch mandrel exhaust system was hung under the floorplan - and with only a cat and straight-through rear muffler, we're told it's virtually impossible for rear passengers to have a conversation on the highway! At about the same time, the suspension was moved up a level with GAB adjustable struts and a GAB front strut bar (the rear already comes with a factory bar). The standard turbo was then dumped in favour of a big IHI ball-bearing unit that's used to pump in a conservative (near-standard) boost level.
Another improvement to the turbo system included fitting in a Trust Type R blow-off valve on the way back from the standard Evo front-mounted air-to-air intercooler. This positively large core also has an automatic water spray that can be overridden inside the cabin. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a K&N filter and cold air intake - a mod that goes unnoticed when you pop the lid.
The chance of engine damage caused by detonation is reduced by the removal of the standard Japanese computer (that's suited to 100 RON fuel, remember) and wiring in a Microtech Digi programmable ECU. Flow through the standard injectors is further increased by a rising rate fuel pressure regulator, with the rest of the fuel system rounded out by a surge tank and a VL Turbo pump to the engine. With these engine mods, the bottom line is now a measured 180kW at the wheels on BGT's all-wheel chassis dyno. And that's on standard boost!
Working down to the driveline, a close-ratio 5 speed Ralliart gearbox is in service with a C's short shifter and an AVO button clutch added for fast and positive gear engagement. There's no lost time in a charge up through the cogs - that's for sure. And to slow it all back to a more manageable speed, Ken's also made the effective move to AP brake fluid, Endless NA-S pads and braided brake lines.
As we mentioned a little earlier, the body of the Evo 1 looks much tamer than that of the Evo 3 onwards. But it does score a little more attitude with an aluminium vented bonnet, rear wing, spot-light equipped "high flow" bumper and GSR Evo stickers on the rear doors. Oh, and the rear window wiper is a dead give away that this is a Japanese-spec car.
Racing Fear 17 inch rims wearing 205/45 Bridgestone S01s sure ain't run-of-the-mill-Mitsubishi-production though.
Inside it's obvious this is the luxury version of the Evo, with full Recaro seating, digital climate control, additional gauges and a flash Momo wheel. But add to this a Sony CD sound system with single 10 and 12inch subs, white-faced dials, an A'PEXi rev/speed meter, VDO boost gauge, drilled pedals and a turbo timer and it's obvious one of the young hoons has gotten into the thing.
Ken says that yet to come is an Evo 3 body kit, extra injector, aftermarket calipers and a new boost control system. That'll be the next in the on-going Evolution!
Contacts:
AVO (Advanced Vehicle Operations)
+61 3 9584 4499
BGT Performance Centre
+61 3 9882 0700
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