As speed climbs over 70mph, aerodynamics starts to play a bigger and bigger role when it comes to cornering grip. To generate downforce and reduce unwanted lift, Philip opted for a C-West front bumper with dual canards, sourced from Options Auto. The design of the front bumper cover, with its integrated splitter and lower air dam, helps the front end of the EVO generate additional grip at high speed, while the Voltex rear carbon diffuser and dual-level rear wing balance out the aero package by generating a complimentary amount of rear downforce. A JDM EVO 9 rear bumper was also sourced from Options Auto, since the Voltex rear lower diffuser is designed to work with the JDM rear bumper cover. The roof-mounted vortex generator also helps smooth airflow to the rear wing, allowing Voltex’s 3D carbon fiber airfoil design to work its magic.
Of course Philip also wanted a bit more power to go with all the added grip, chassis stiffness, and downforce, but he needed the engine to remain bulletproof and for power delivery to be strong in the midrange. For this he turned to Eric and Ken at Cosworth, who recommended their 280 intake and 272 exhaust camshafts, which now call this 4G63 home. Before installing the cams, Eric from Cosworth suggested upgrading to XS Engineering’s front mount intercooler, hard pipe kit, and cat delete. Adding these along with a Tomei turbo manifold, turbine outlet, and dowpipe, FP EVO Green turbo, Cosworth ported head and head gasket, plus a Fujitsubo 80mm Super Ti full titanium exhaust system resulted in a very solid and conservatively tuned 340whp. Tuning was literally completed the day before the car’s debut at the Super Lap Battle finals, held at Buttonwillow Raceway back in November ‘07.
With ace Japanese Time Attack driver Shinichi Kobayashi from MCR behind the wheel, the amazing grip level this EVO generates was obvious. Taking 4th overall in an extremely competitive Street class was no small accomplishment, but as Philip stated, “Not the win I wanted, but a good showing especially considering the car had no testing prior to the finals. All the parts went on in a matter of weeks, and in the end it was a scramble just to get the car up and running.” With some fine-tuning over the summer, there’s no doubt in our minds that Philip Chase’s TEIN USA sponsored EVO 9 will leave the competition wondering how to generate enough grip to keep up with this corner carving Street class monster.
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Vehicle: 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE
Engine: 4G63T 2-liter MIVEC Turbocharged inline-4
Engine Modifications: Cosworth MIVEC complete cylinder head package (1mm oversized valves, dual valve springs, and titanium retainers), 280 intake camshaft, 272 exhaust camshaft, 1.3mm head gasket, and head studs; Tomei Expreme exhaust manifold, turbine outlet pipe, downpipe, and aluminum high flow fuel rail; XS Engineering FMIC, hard pipe kit, dry cell battery kit, and cat delete; K&N intake, Fujitsubo Super Ti exhaust system, RC Engineering 1000cc fuel injectors, Okada Projects plasma direct ignition coils, Koyo aluminum radiator, Samco rad hoses, Alfit competition oil filter and sandwich adapter, Sard FPR, Earl’s stainless braided lines and fittings, and T-Assist engine mounts.
Engine Management: EVO LINK standalone ECU from Cosworth, Innovate wideband o2 sensor.
Drivetrain: Carbonetic twin-plate clutch and lightweight flywheel, 1.5-way carbon front and rear limited slip differentials; T-Assist retuned ACD controller; stainless braided clutch line.
Wheels, Tires & Brakes: ‘F1 Silver’ Volk Racing RE30 18x9.5’’+15 wheels, ARP extended wheel studs, Falken Azenis RT-615 265/35-18 tires, Stoptech 6-piston front brake kit and stainless braided brake lines; Hawk Performance brake pads (f/r).
Suspension & Chassis: TEIN Super Racing coilovers, 14kg/mm (f) and 12kg/mm ® springs, and twin EDFC (f/r); SuperPro complete bushing set, Carbing front tower bar w/ mc stopper, 6-point lower arm bar, floor support bar, rear cross bar, and 4-point trunk brace; J-Speed fender braces.
Exterior: C-West front bumper and canards; JDM EVO IX rear bumper, Voltex rear wide fenders, diffuser and rear wing; Chargespeed front wide fenders, Starshield armor, carbon trunk wing, roof vortex generator, graphics by Euphoric Designs and S&A Designs.
Interior: DEFI Link in Blk - 52mm boost, water temp, oil temp, oil pressure and Link display; Bride GIAS sports seats and Low Down brackets/sliders; Takata 3’’ 6-point harnesses and shoulder pads; M1 Fabrication Harness Bar, Tomei Duracon shift knob, JDM carbon fiber shifter cover, Clarion head unit, nav unit, iPod integration, 6.5’’ component speakers (f/r), and install kit.
Numbers: 340whp on XS Engineering’s Dynojet.
Sponsors: TEIN USA, Carbonetic, Carbing, Fujitsubo, SuperPro, DEFI, Mackin (Volk), Falken, Cosworth, Tomei, XS Engineering, K&N, RC, Koyo, Okada Projects, StopTech, Tee’s (Bride) , Clarion, M1 Fabrication, Takata, Autowerks, Star Shield, JonDemand (Voltex), and Options Auto.
Special Thanks: Nakai and Brian A. of TEIN, James and Nestor of K&N, Eric and Ken of Cosworth, Troy of XS Engineering, Eddie of Mackin, Al of Options Auto, and Shinichi Kobayashi of MCR.