HELP! Need proof EVO 3 came with Enkei 16x6.5" wheel option

[EVO-00X]

Hi guys
After speaking to a well respected RTA engineer in my region about engineering my 17x7.5" wheels on the CC EVO1-3 he had given me this feedback:

The rules on wheels and tyres specify that for FWD and "four wheel drive vehicles with constant front wheel drive", the front rim width is only allowed to increase by 1" over the original widest option, even with an engineering certificate. That's hidden in a section titled "Front wheel drive vehicles" at the bottom of page 3 of VSI 9.
However, the starting point in this case would be the widest original rims fitted to a vehicle of the AWD spec. If the FIA homolgated model with 6.5" wide rims was ever officially a "standard" production vehicle (whether from Mitsubishi, Ralliart or someone else) that was complianced and road legal anywhere in the world, then we can certify the 7.5" rims provided that they meet all the criteria specified in the COP / VSI 9. Note that if the tyre diameter is more than 15mm different to the original ones for the drivetrain installed, you'll also need to re-calibrate the speedo drive to compensate.
If you need to compare tyre diameters, this link is very useful, as it gives the same results as digging the numbers out of standards manuals: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html . Click on the "metric" box and select the 2 tyre sizes and it'll provide the diameters, % different, etc..

Now I know he is 100% correct in saying what he does as I pretty much suspected as much after reading up on it.
Problem is, from a scan of the FIA homologation papers on the EVO 3, and from heresay over the years, the EVO 3 DID come out with 16" Enkei wheels at some stage (were 16"x6.5") . Problem is, where????? and who sold it??? Was it Ralliart only in England? Was it in Europe? In Japan? I am desperately counting on you guys to help me track down the info, or someone who will know for sure (ie someone who has been in the rally or Mitsu/Ralliart biz since the EVO's were introduced in the early 90's). This would assist all EVO I-III owners for engineering larger wheels and would be good to confirm a little bit of history. Please find below a scan of the FIA Homologation page for the EVO clearly showing a 16" wheel.


Thanks guys.
Rob

 

[steve]

What kind of documentation does he require to prove it was sold somewhere in the world with 16" wheels as an option?

 

[EVO-00X]

I think he would want a brochure or written proof/letter from Mitsubishi/Ralliart stating that it was available as an option on the production model in a certain country.

If the Enkei WRC Tarmac EVO wheels were an option overseas you would think it would have had to have been on a limited number of EVO III's during the time it was most successful in the mid 90's? Possibly a special limited promotional Ralliart models or something? Something like the TME or Ralliart Magna and Colts we have had here in Australia?

Heres a couple of pics of the Enkei WRC Tarmac EVO wheels

 

[Liberoz]

Rob there would have to be a FIA doc for the 17" wheels also as that was the tarmac rally spec CE9A were running, I wonder weather Bell End can be assed looking into it for us!

Also I'll ask Bob R when i speak with him on Friday! Surely someone has to have this info.

Great to have but My Engineering cert will be done with 15's and will just swap out to my 17" at the track so not really that bothered by it, maybe when the big brake upgrade happens it may be an issue as the Lib would be running around with 17's every day!

 

[DOUGMO]

the fia papers you have dont state width?that might be an issue

as john said rob,get some papers from ralliart.

 

[steve]

Wasn't the E1-3 only ever sold as a production model in Japan too?

 

[EVO-00X]

I wonder weather Bell End can be assed looking into it for us! Also I'll ask Bob R when i speak with him on Friday! Surely someone has to have this info.

Thanks John, would be great if you can look into it for us by asking the appropriate people. The info would benefit all GSR/ EVO I-III owners in the long run so we can step up to a 7.5" width wheel, otherwise under the current legislation we will be limited to 7". Its not a bad thing, but having the scope to step up to a wider rim does have its advantages.

 

[DOUGMO]

rob,

i have spoken to a guy i know from mits and he believes the only place you will get this info is from ralliart direct(aka:bellend)

or as john said bob riely would also probably know but may not have any paperwork as such(but you never know)

 

[DOUGMO]

i just spoke to steve bell and he has confirmed that there was only a 15" wheel available on evo 3s. he said you would not get a confirmation from mitsubishi as early evos were never sold in oz.

the only wheel listed by them is the 15"....also he believes that you wont be able use homogation papers (for race cars) as they dont apply to road cars...so in the end you wont get support from mits.

im wondering if there is anything on caps? i have heard not but i havent checked


rob, i would try and use the fia papers if you can but the only problem is that there is no listing of width

 

[brisvr4]

Does this help at all Rob?
http://www.lancerregister.com/mlr_showmodel.php?=Compare&id1=2&id2=6
http://www.lancerregister.com/mlr_brevo3.php#/

 

[josh_tsv]

Just photo shop the FIA papers to say what ever width you please

 

[SIVART]

I sure 100% Dougmo is right

Ive seen accesories pages and it shows mats, boost gauge etc, but no upgrade wheels

you could have asked the dealer to order them in for you when you bought the car new

 

[Velocity Racing]

my FIA homologation papers for Evo 1-3 only states a 15" wheel as an option.

 

[DOUGMO]

does it state width also lewis?

 

[doommachine]

Maybe you can get someone to contact Mitsubishi in japan? Since they made/sold it, surely they have documentation for everything...

 

[Liberoz]

I've spoken to BR and he has no official documentation of 16" rims as an option for ce9a's ect. to support the cause either but he said he will have a word to some old Ralliart Japan works team contacts in jap land. fingers crossed hey

 

[EVO-00X]

Cheers Jon... crossing fingers.