Description
2003 Mitsubishi Evo VIII – UK Car #014 – Forged Engine – 390bhp – 5 Speed Conversion
95, 000 miles | A31 Cool Silver | Fresh MOT
A UK Evo VIII, car #014, finished in A31 Cool Silver. I’ve owned the car for around 10 years, during which time it has been well maintained, improved and properly looked after.
The car has a forged engine, Evo 9 turbo and 5-speed gearbox conversion, mapped by MAC Motorsport with high and low boost settings. High boost produces circa 390bhp.
It’s a very strong, mechanically well built Evo that drives exactly as it should and pulls extremely well.
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Engine & Build
During the 5-speed gearbox conversion in 2022, the engine was removed and inspected.
The bottom end was found to be in excellent condition, having previously been rebuilt and forged earlier in my ownership of the car. The cylinder head however had developed cracking around the waterways, so a replacement head was sourced and fitted, along with uprated cams and supporting parts.
Forged Engine Specification
• Wiseco pistons
• Bridgeway rods
• ACL race bearings
• ARP head & girdle bolts
• Balance shaft delete
• Gates timing belt kit
• New tensioner pulley
• New idler pulley
• Evo 9 turbo
• HKS hardpipe kit
• HKS mushroom filter
• HKS adjustable cam pulleys
• HKS 264 cams
• RC Engineering 1000cc injectors
• Forge actuator (red spring)
• Silicone hoses throughout
• Apexi AVCR boost controller
• Fuelab 515 fuel pressure regulator
• SAS removed
• 4” alloy intercooler
• Alloy radiator
• Slimline fan
• COP conversion with Toyota Denso coils
• HKS Super Dragger exhaust
• M2 Motorsport decat
Mapped by MAC Motorsport with high / low boost maps. High boost produces around 390bhp.
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Drivetrain & Running Gear
• 5-speed gearbox conversion
• ACT Streetlite flywheel
• ACT XT Street clutch kit
• Godspeed J-Hook discs
• PBS Pro Race front pads
• Performance Friction . 11 rear pads
• Meister-R ZetaCRD+ coilovers
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Chassis & Structural Work
In 2022 the rear of the car was stripped back from the fuel tank.
The tank was dropped to access the rear chassis legs and any corrosion was properly cut out and new metal welded in. The bottom arch corners were repaired at the same time.
All repaired areas were seam sealed and treated properly, finished with Raptor paint. with suspension arms replaced and hardware refurbished:
• Rear Arms replaced
• Parts powder coated
• Bolts zinc plated
• New filler neck fitted
• Brake lines replaced front to rear
This work was done correctly rather than patched over the top of the rot.
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Exterior & Styling
• Vortex generator
• Roof wrapped black
• AMS carbon gear knob
• Beatrush front number plate holder
• Freshly refurbished OEM Enkei alloys
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Condition
This is a very solid mechanically built Evo, but I prefer to be transparent about the cosmetic items.
• AYC light currently on – likely pump or solenoid
• Rust bubbling on rear arch and under the boot spoiler
• Typical Evo corrosion starting in the engine bay around the front panel
• Carbon spoiler lacquer peel
From the fuel tank forward the underside hasn’t been restored, but has had a protective layer of underseal put on, as the decision was taken to focus on the rear at the time, having already rebuilt the top end and converted the gearbox. The front underside may benefit from attention in the future.
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£18’500ono
No tyre kickers, no group viewings, and no test pilots. Ownership & Use
I’ve owned the car for around 10 years.
Earlier in my ownership it was used daily and for a few track days, and in recent years it has become more of a nice-weather/ weekend car, covering around 1, 500 miles per year.
It’s now time for someone else to enjoy it.
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Summary
A mechanically strong, properly built Evo VIII with forged internals, a strong gearbox setup and excellent supporting modifications.
With the AYC sorted and some cosmetic tidying, it would make an excellent fast road or track Evo. The engine and setup would also comfortably support a larger turbo and more power if desired.
