2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 MR

[dingo]

Finally found some time to start this topic, picked the car up my Jap-spec Evo 8 MR on Thursday night. Not officially sold here, the previous owner importing it from Japan himself and getting it complied.

I haven't given it a proper thrashing on backroads yet (Easter weekend means huge fines if caught) but its already evident how much of a step up over the WRX (even a modded one) this is.

A few points:

1. The Recaro seats are just sensational!! I'm in love!
2. Brembo brakes are huge and a big improvement over the Subi 4-pots.
3. Steering is very light and direct.
4. The 6-speed is stunning, very easy to use and has a great feel. The clutch takes some getting used too and heel-and-toeing isn't as easy as in the WRX.
5. HIDs are nice, work well.
6. Great acceleration for a stock car, I reckon it would be pretty even with my WRX given the ratios. Sounds slower though. Despite having a FMIC there is alot less lag (kicks in between 3000-3500), the twin-scroll TD05 turbo helping in this case.
7. Sensational handling, not too hard to get the tail a little light and pretty much no understeer.
8. Hard to see the front of the car since its so short and hard to see out the back with the big cf wing.
9. NEEDS LOWERING ASAP!!!! Too high.

That'll be the first thing I do next week, get some Whiteline Control lowering springs (35mm drop).

Then it'll be a Tomei and Trust exhaust and an ECU retune, which will really get the thing going - will already be quicker than the Rex by that stage.

So all in all I'm in love already and looking forward to the journey of modifying this thing into a beast.

Some quick pics, will take more as I progress.

Custom shot, keys/manual on bonnet

[blinkmeat]

Very cool pickup - was it a straight-up trade?

You love the red cars huh 8) so do i

congrats - i envy u

[MIHALS]

so what happened to the Rex? do you have both - Mitsu and Scooby now?

god I envy you so much ops:

congrats for this new machine in your garage!!!

[dingo]

blinkmeat and MIHALS - I still have the Scooby too for the moment. The WRX is for sale but until its sold I can choose which red beast to drive in the morning.

P.S. Evo is winning that decision so far, took the WRX to the shops just then which is the first time I've driven it since getting the Evo.

Originally Posted by phatbimmer ...I thought Subaru WRX STi came with Brembo's as well?

Yes the STi has brembos, but not the WRX.

[saadie]

looking fabulous!
youre sticking to red eh ...

yep it needs lowering ... thats all you need for the looks .. the rest is all good as stock 8)

[P_Zero_Rosso]

Nice car man, the color suits it well.
Have fun with it!

[TT]

Nice car and nice pics already. As everybody else, I can't wait to see the evolution of this EVO

Will you get rid of the writings on the boot?

[dingo]

Yeah I'll definately remove the "Lancer" badge and the Mitsubishi diamond, but will leave the "Evolution MR" bit so everyone can still tell its a limited-edition special.

[Erez]

congrats dingo! 8) the MR is such a badass 8)

(..waiting new sig.. )

[gis]

i wonder what word you can create with the word evolution to do with a body part,like the ANUS of the impreza? lol

very nice car it is,cant wait to see some more pics and maybe some vids?
congrats on the purchase,let the fun begin

[Pokiou]

Good work ma man ... looks awsome

Pok

[mevistox5]

Congrat's on the car. Sure you'll love it to death....

Why the ECU re-tune? Thought the MR already came with with a ralliart tuned ECU (power output 350'ish HP). Different downpipe and freeflow exhaust (3 inch) do wonders.

Look very well after your brakes. The disks on the EVO are prone to warping. (at least they were on my EVO VI).

Nico

[jorge]

Now that´s something nice, congratulations dingo :good:

[silentm]

congrats on the new car. dunno but somehow the scoobi looks a bit better imo

[dingo]

Originally Posted by silentm congrats on the new car. dunno but somehow the scoobi looks a bit better imo

Hehe, just wait until I've finished with the planned visual mods on the Evo....