Photography by Tharaka Pathirage
4GT: Have you always wanted an early model Evolution?
Trav: Even growing up I really liked the Mitsubishi range, and when the 1993 (Australian delivery) model Lancer GSR (CD5A) and then the CD9A and CE9A Evolution models were released, I decided at that point that I wanted one. I had always had a personal resolution that I would be fortunate enough to be able to meet and own an Evo before I turned thirty, and I got one, this Evolution 2, one month before the big 30.
4GT: Why did you choose the Evo II?
Trav: I really like silver Evolution II's. I like the sleek look as well as the performance out of the box. It is one of those cars that you just want to have, where everything comes together to create this amazing machine that just surpasses everything you could have possibly imagined yourself. The Evolution II is what I consider to be a classic car – one that never seems to age.
4GT: Describe the driving experience with your car.
Trav: It's basically just a matter of point and shoot. It is so spot on when you drive it, doing everything you want, exactly how you want it to - it seems almost effortless.
4GT: What are the negatives about your car, or early model Evo's in general?
Trav: The main problem is that there is no handbrake to speak of when you really need one – this is most obvious when you are on the skidpan. Tyre sizing is also another negative as you cannot put wide tyres nothing greater than 205 without scrubbing. Apart from that I haven't had any major problems with the car or minor one's really, I just maintain the car with servicing etc, and drive and enjoy it whenever I can.
4GT: How long do you plan on keeping the car?
Trav: As long as possible, although my wife likes the new Evolution X. The II is such a good car, I would say it is my favourite to date because it doesn't matter if you are going for a cruise, are on the skidpan or the track, or just driving to a mates place, you relish it and enjoy it no matter what you are doing.
4GT: Did you always plan for your car to turn out the way it has?
Trav: When I bought the car I meant for it to be the car that I didn't have to do any regular major work on. However, as many will know, I am a bit fussy with all my cars, and while I tried to relax and just enjoy the car, I ended up doing a lot of clean up work such as paintwork, new stickers, new factory lip, cleaning up the engine bay etc, to make it look as close to how it would have looked from the factory as possible.
4GT: What was your inspiration behind building your Evolution II and how do you feel it's turned out?
Trav: As previously mentioned, my main goal was to make the car look as close to how it would have looked from the factory as possible. This required the replacement of many factory parts that were weathered or degraded from years of exposure to the elements with new ones, a lot of which had to come across from Japan. It is still a fairly stock car with only minimal upgrades/changes, mainly because the standard package is excellent and pretty much perfect as is. The things that I have changed or upgraded to date seem only to make the car faster and more fun to drive, without having any impact on things like reliability or every-day driveability.
4GT: Next moves for the car?
Trav: My intentions for the car are to fit a Mitsubishi Satellite Navigation system which I have had sitting here for some time now, a bigger dump and front pipe (I'm still using the factory dump and front pipes at the moment), then subsequent to this, have a chip installed in the factory ECU and wind the boost up a little bit. Having said this, this is still the car that I enjoy driving, it’s not a project car so much as it is the car that I can have fun in and take out for a spin whenever I like.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
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OEM EVO 2 BIG16G Turbo
AVO Plumb Back B.O.V
Cusco Catch Can
Cusco Cooling Plate
Ralliart Brake & Clutch Reservoir Socks
Ralliart Oil Cap
Ralliart Engine Mounts
Apexi Panel Filter
NGK Iriduim Plugs
NGK Ignition Leads
Elf Engine Oil
Ralliart Oil Filter
Ralliart Thermostat
Ralliart Radiator Cap
DRIVETRAIN
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Excedy Sports Tuff HD Clutch Kit
PBR Master Cylinder
Goodridge Clutch Line
Ralliart Slave Cylinder
Diaqueen 75W85 gearoil
Diaqueen LSD SAE 90
Diaqueen Friction Modifier
SUSPENSION
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HKS lowered Springs
Camber Kit
Ralliart Strut Tops
CHASSIS
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Cusco Front Strut Bar
Cusco Rear 3-Point Strut Bar
Cusco H Brace
Ralliart Diff Mounts
WHEELS
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Enkei Tarmac EVO 17 x 7
Goodyear Eagle F1 215/35R17
EXHAUST
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HKS Cat-Back 3"inch Exhaust
ELECTRICS
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OEM Evolution 2 ECU
Raybrig White Thunder HID headlight bulbs
BRAKES
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RDA Front Slotted Rotors
EBC Green Stuff Pads
Goodridge Brake lines
RBF 600 Brake Fluid
Cusco Brake Stopper
EXTERIOR
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Ralliart Colt Grille Badge
Body Re-touched in Factory Glazerith Paint
All Decals and Badges Replaced
Dry Carbon Fibre rear number plate garnish
New Genuine OEM Front Lip
OEM Headlight Protectors
INTERIOR
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OEM Recaro front seats
Clarion CD player
Clarion Amplifier
Infinity Front Splits ( 6" speakers)
Polk Audio 10" Sub, Boxed
Ralliart Din Gauges
Lamco Boost Gauge ( from Japan )
Razo Pedal Set
PERFORMANCE
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Power: n/a
1/4 Mile: n/a
Edited by GSRSOL, 01 July 2010 - 02:38 AM.
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