2008 Mitsubishi EVO X - Sport Compact Car

It's no secret that import enthusiasts and domestic motorheads get along like skate boarders and security guards, but at the '08 SEMA Show this "continental divide" seemed larger than ever. The domestics were out in full force with Mopar muscle in the form of the Dodge Challenger, while Bow Tie fans had the '11 Camaro to clamor about. On the import front there were a surprising number of Nissan GT-Rs. Despite hitting the pavement a mere two months before the SEMA Show, many of the GT-Rs had substantial performance mods. The stalwart Evo X was again a hot-ticket item on the aisles of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

While some sport compact-oriented manufacturers were missing in action, due to the unruly economic landscape, the editors of Sport Compact Car went all out, grinding the rail and pullin' 720s in the half-pipe to shine the spotlight on a hip, insightful cross-section of parts, cars, glam, and the industry vibe of the '08 SEMA experience.

The Ruthless Cartel Scion from Drag Cartel Industries drops a heavy dose of hip-hop flair on the xD. Drag Cartel's Jeremy Lookofsky started the party with a 4-inch chop on the roof, B-pillar deletion, and a carved-out roof panel to enhance its open-air aura. Jerk Design sprayed the orange graphics and paint, which provide a good contrast for the xD's show-stopping 20x8 Cartel-designed, two-color, 100-spoke wire wheels shod with Toyo Proxes 4 tires. Other cool touches include a Master Image airbag suspension system, low-back buckets, a custom Cartel-fabbed love seat in the back, and Alpine audio gear. Power parts include a TRD intake, TRD muffler, and trick Drag Cartel header system.
The Ruthless Cartel Scion from Drag Cartel Industries drops a heavy dose of hip-hop flair
Nitto Tires was singing the praises of its new NT-05 high-performance tire that features a continuous center rib for maximum grip, and reinforced shoulder tread blocks for added rigidity under g-force. The ASR Engineering GT-R was music to our ears. The Nissan's 3.7L twin turbo V-6 is in full boost-up mode, with a 3-inch cat-less downpipe leading to a massive 4-inch exhaust system. ASR's Abid Siddiqi says the engine is base tuned but plans call for upping the boost and tuning via a Procede ECU and software in an effort to post some really big numbers.
Nitto Tires was singing the praises of its new NT-05 high-performance tire that features a

Gilbert from Arizona's Vivid Racing represented big with this furious green '08 Evo X. Agency Power performance parts dominated the build, accounting for a turbo upgrade kit featuring a twin-scroll Garrett GT35-R turbo and twin wastegates. The engine also features larger injectors, a high-flow intake, an upgraded front-mount intercooler, a 3-inch downpipe, and a 3-inch exhaust. A Valdi Sport test and service body kit is joined by an APR carbon-fiber wing to enhance visual appeal. Hailing in the Toyo booth, the Mitsu was fitted with Toyo Proxes R1Rs anchored by AME Tracers.
Gilbert from Arizona's Vivid Racing represented big with this furious green '08 Evo X. Age

AEM was out in full force with a number of interesting new products in its booth. The new Series 2 EMS features Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) that allows the unit to tune drive-by-wire applications. The AEM ETI cold-air intake uses an interface-plugged inline with the MAF harness to alter signals from the MAF sensor. A big problem with intakes that have large pipes is slowing the air through the system at lower speeds. The voltage transfer function of the MAF can be compromised hindering fuel trim correction factors and possibly tripping a CEL. A new line of sweep-style needle gauges, including AFR, were also unveiled at the show.
AEM was out in full force with a number of interesting new products in its booth. The new
JDM tuning house Mines was in Vegas displaying, along with its JDM-derived lineup of GT-R parts, like a titanium exhaust system, ROM-tuned ECUs, intakes, and various carbon-fiber trim parts.
JDM tuning house Mines was in Vegas displaying, along with its JDM-derived lineup of GT-R

APR Performance shook things up this year by dropping a Ford Mustang GT in its booth. Ford's famous pony car flexes a nine-piece body tuning attack highlighted by muscle-bound fenders. The Blue Oval has a bite to match its bark. SP Engineering installed a Turbonetics T4 60-1 turbo kit that includes a Raptor blow-off valve, Evolution external wastegate, and Spearco front-mount intercooler. The kit generates 550 hp at 8.5 psi, an estimated 250 over stock. Along with its own line of carbon-fiber goodness, APR was displaying dress-up items from Carbign Craft.
APR Performance shook things up this year by dropping a Ford Mustang GT in its booth. Ford

At the '08 Tokyo Auto Salon, Ark Design debuted its "total vehicle" concept to complement its electronics line. With everything from exhaust systems, aero kits, suspension, brakes, and wheels, Ark has taken its show on the road and is moving into the American market, establishing a U.S. headquarters and showing at SEMA.
At the '08 Tokyo Auto Salon, Ark Design debuted its "total vehicle" concept to complement
Harkening back to post-war hot-rods of the late '40s and early '50s, when speed ruled and the spotlight was focused on salt flats, the Neu-Vintage Scion tC, by Eddie Hahm, combines early World War II aircraft-inspired styling and materials with modern computer precision. Some of the vintage styling cues include the body's bare metal finish, extensive use of real rivets, leather hood straps, and Mooneyes "peep" mirrors. The use of Rally America B52 McLean-style wire wheels and throwback bias-ply tires from Coker seal the deal visually. [Ahhh, hideous! -AH]
Harkening back to post-war hot-rods of the late '40s and early '50s, when speed ruled and

Mackin Industries was representing with a big booth showcasing all of its exclusive lines, like Volk Racing, Yokohama wheels, Espelir, Wheel Mate, ARC, and Project Mu. The ARC twin-cooler, front-mount intercooler setup for the R35 GT-R really caught our eye.
Mackin Industries was representing with a big booth showcasing all of its exclusive lines,
The SX4 Performance Concept car that we blew the pipes off of in testing found a place of honor in Suzuki's booth.
The SX4 Performance Concept car that we blew the pipes off of in testing found a place of

Hondata used the show to introduce its S2000 K-Pro that uses a proprietary dual-adapter harness to split signals with the stock ECU in '04-'06 TSXs and '06 and newer S2000s to work with drive-by-wire systems. Hondata plans to expand its line of DBW applications in the coming months.
Hondata used the show to introduce its S2000 K-Pro that uses a proprietary dual-adapter ha
ERL Performance displayed a number of fortified blocks ready for big boost. This Evo X 4B11 block was joined by a number of Honda offerings, including a K24A. ERL's Superdeck I system replaces the stock cast-iron sleeves with Darton Ductile iron sleeves, and strengthens the block with a fully machined billet aluminum deck support. The Superdeck I deck support constrains the top of the sleeve in an open-deck block to prevent head gasket failure from sleeve movement. ERL machines a recess into the deck and around the sleeves that precisely match the deck support. Superdeck II blocks offer the same machining as Superdeck I blocks but are set up for larger than stock displacement.
ERL Performance displayed a number of fortified blocks ready for big boost. This Evo X 4B1

Put your best foot forward and bury it into the floorboard with slick Piloti driving shoes. With numerous fresh styles, Piloti has evolved far beyond the cockpit because its lineup of kicks can be worn out of the car as well. The Moto 800 [pictured] is one of the many new styles that debuted at SEMA.
Put your best foot forward and bury it into the floorboard with slick Piloti driving shoes
Here we see the last survivor of seven or eight WRX STIs that Subaru provided for the next The Fast and the Furious movie slate, scheduled for a June 2009 release with original stars Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
Here we see the last survivor of seven or eight WRX STIs that Subaru provided for the next

A Halloween leftover? Mishimoto's Jackolantern Orange 240/Silvia conversion was well executed with a properly outfitted SR20DET hunkered in the engine bay and a purpose-built interior. Mishi was also displaying its ever-expanding line of radiator products.
A Halloween leftover? Mishimoto's Jackolantern Orange 240/Silvia conversion was well execu
Elliott Moran's Evo X, dubbed the Blue Devil, graced the carpet in the TEIN booth.
VIP fans unite with Junction Produce, a JDM parts company big in the sedan scene in Japan, which was in the house putting its best foot forward.
VIP fans unite with Junction Produce, a JDM parts company big in the sedan scene in Japan,

Motormusicmag.com used the '08 SEMA Show as a launch pad for its website, which is dedicated to car audio and electronics.
Motormusicmag.com used the '08 SEMA Show as a launch pad for its website, which is dedicat
Tech 2 Motorsports and 2JZswap.com had at least three cars at the show, all displaying the innovation of the sport compact scene. The cars were a Mazda RX-7 with a 2JZ, a 350Z with a RB26DETT, and this well-sorted 350Z with a Supra 2JZ-GTE engine.
Tech 2 Motorsports and 2JZswap.com had at least three cars at the show, all displaying the
This TiTek Innovations GT-R, built by SP Engineering, is rumored to have substantial HKS gear underhood.
This TiTek Innovations GT-R, built by SP Engineering, is rumored to have substantial HKS g