>> Under the hood, 530whp is made possible by means of a Forced Performance turbo, a 2.4L stroker and 1,000cc/min AMS injectors, all tuned with the help of AEM’s Series 2 management.
which is to go a whole lot faster than what Mitsubishi’s accountants and engineers thought he should. By all accounts, 530whp was quite tolerable, but the road-going suspension left Zhang for want: “The handling was no good,” he says bluntly, “so I asked some friends and shops what to do.” All of that advice led to a completely revised suspension that’s based upon TEIN Super Racing coilovers and the company’s EDFC electronic damping control system. Front and rear sway bars from Whiteline were also added, as was just about every bushing the company’s ever made for the Evo chassis. It didn’t happen right away, but the suspension was ultimately dialed in, eventually meeting Zhang’s approval. The Evo’s stopping prowess was equally addressed, fitted with an AP Racing kit and Project Mu pads at each corner. All of this is recessed behind a set of WedsSport SA-60M wheels dutifully wrapped with Nitto NT01 rubber. Zhang has since transplanted himself from Seattle to Shanghai, but his Evo remains stateside waiting for its owner’s return. As it turns out, though, Zhang doesn’t have the sort of patience his Evo does and has already embarked on an entirely new project. “I came back to China, but I hated to part with my Banana Voltex Evo,” he says. “So, I built another [one], this time a Green Apple Voltex Evo.” Zhang goes on to explain how the new car will be even more powerful, more aggressive, and that once completed, will make up a small part of his newlyestablished, Shanghai-based race team, LC Motorsport. “I’ve already ordered the engine and the car is almost done,” he says of what he believes will result in the fastest Evo in China. “Building something like this is like [taking care] of a baby; you’ve got to be careful with every detail, and have a whole lot of money.” Must be nice, right? But we have to give Zhang props for having great taste and the ambition to build two track-ready Evos. Now, he just needs to either fly us out to Seattle or China so we can drive ‘em. Preferably China, Mr. Zhang…
58 SUPER STREET AUGUST 2014
[TUNING MENU]
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
OWNER YAQI ZHANG HOMETOWN SEATTLE, WA/SHANGHAI, CHINA POWER 530whp ENGINE 2.4 liter 4G63 with 9.0:1 Wiseco pistons; R&R connecting rods; K1 Technologies stroker crankshaft; ACL bearings; AMS seals, head gasket, head studs, oil pan, timing belt, water pump, air filter, spark plugs and 1,000cc injectors; GSC valves and S1 cams; AEM cam gears, Series 2 engine management and boost control solenoid; Gates accessory belt; Forced Performance ball bearing turbo; Extreme Turbo Systems intercooler, downpipe and battery; HKS SQV3 blowoff valve; custom intercooler piping, oil catch can and boost controller; JDL Auto Design O2 dumptube; Tomei exhaust system; Walbro 255lph fuel pump; Koyo aluminum radiator; Samco Sport radiator hoses; ARC titanium spark plug cover DRIVETRAIN twin-place clutch; strengthened gears FOOTWORK & CHASSIS TEIN Super Racing coilovers and EDFC; Whiteline sway bars, bushings and roll center correction kit; Cusco front bar; Tanabe front lower under bar BRAKES AP Racing big brake kit; Project Mu pads and lines; ARP extended studs WHEELS & TIRES 18x10" +20 WedsSport SA-60M wheels; 275/35R18 Nitto NT01 tires; Project Kics Neo Chrome lug nuts EXTERIOR Voltex Cyber Version widebody aero, dry carbonfiber canards, front spoiler, front diffuser, rear diffuser and rear spoiler; JDM Evo IX rear bumper; Seibon carbon-fiber hood, trunk, shark fin and antenna; 3M carbon-fiber roof wrap; Gandor carbon-fiber mirrors; Lamborghini Giallo Orion Mic Yellow paint INTERIOR Bride Vios III Low Max seats and rails; Sparco harnesses and harness bar; Key!s Racing steering wheel; NRG quick-release hub and short hub adapter; ARC titanium shift knob; custom carbon-fiber center console; Defi gauges and OLED link display; AEM UEGO wideband controller; Eclipse audio system; Focal speakers THANKS YOU English Racing for my motor and tuning; Kansai Motorsport for the kit; JSM Auto Sport for my upgraded arms; Carrozzeria Motorsport for service and parts WWW forcedperformance.net; tein.com; aemelectronics.com; nittotire.com
