The 900+ Horsepower JDM Mitsubishi Evo Wagon Grocery Getter

Jul 28, 2023

Related Video

There are five incoming emails from Jeffrey Velazquez, an enthusiast entirely obsessed with Mitsubishi's multi-generational AWD, turbocharged 4-cylinder Evo. Each of his email attachments are full of images of his previous builds and are verifiable proof of his affinity for the iconic performance sedan. Sifting through the heavily modified cars on his resume puts his mile-long spec sheet into perspective.

If you spot an Evo IX wagon these days, chances are its owner has no interest in selling. Praised for its power potential, tenacious grip, and unrivaled fun factor, those that get their hands on one are typically in it for the long haul. Jeffrey on the other hand has gone through several before landing this very limited GT wagon. With only 2,500 projected for production back in 2005, somewhere closer to 2,900 are believed to have been built for the Japanese market and imported to other countries nowhere near the U.S.

Jeffrey picked up this 2005 model about three years ago with plans to put together a very basic engine setup and convert it from automatic to manual. Based on his lengthy trail of previous Evos, some of which featured hood-exit exhaust systems, forward facing turbo positioning, and more, the chances of this staying "basic" weren't very likely. He adds, "It just turned into a full-blown build. Anything and everything we could replace, we did."

If you've got a free weekend, spend the majority of it perusing Jeffrey's engine specs list and understand that it's essentially a brand-new engine with every conceivable weak point addressed and rectified in anticipation of huge power output. The original 2.0L is now a 2.2L, armed to the teeth with a 94mm billet crank, Manley rods and pistons, and ARP studs.

Any chance of valvetrain failure was fortified with Ferrea Competition Plus valves and seals, and Kiggly Racing beehive springs. Headgames provided the intricate CNC port work before the top end was fitted with GSC Power Division R2 cams and cinched in place. BS Fab's top mount turbo kit supports a Xona Rotor 9569s backed by a TiAL 44mm MVR gate and Sport Q blow-off valve. Having dirtied his hands on so many prior Evo projects, the execution on the wagon's bay is top notch. The layout is well-planned and there are no signs of tossing in anything unnecessary as everything here serves a purpose.

Hitting big power numbers and maintaining recession-friendly MPG don't go hand in hand, and Jeffrey's fueling system is as greedy and unforgiving as you might imagine with dual 525lph pumps and ID2600s making sure of that. MotionWorks' ethanol sensor bypass is at play and to be safe, the original fuel tank was completely replaced with a brand-new OEM unit. Controlling all of the action is a bevy of Motec goodies including their M150 management and their PDM30 system which does away with conventional fuses and breakers in lieu of electronically switched power.

On the rollers, the wagon did not disappoint, laying down a remarkable 918hp and over 600 lb-ft. of torque to its four wheels. Speaking of those wheels, the originals were pulled in favor of the ever-popular Volk TE37 SL, this set in 15x8 to allow enough room for bulbous 245/55 M&H Race Master drag radials all around. We'd never refer to an Evo as a sleeper, especially one that's clearly been modified and is sporting M&H meats, but it's doubtful that would be challengers are expecting almost 1,000hp out of a wagon

You've seen enough high-powered build ups with the only suspension changes being a set of questionable coilovers, but in Jeffrey's case, controlling the car was crucial and he had no thoughts of taking any shortcuts. From the Ohlins coilovers, to the tubular front and rear subframes and cross-member, upgraded control arms, sway bars, and fresh bushings, the 17-year-old chassis is now on a whole new level regarding its handling.

An affinity for forged carbon fiber led to some one-off additions throughout the wagon. A Carbonetics forged carbon drag lip was added up front, with their vented fenders and rear bumper and side skirt extensions bolted in place to match. The shiny textured fiber is also found inside with Carbonetics providing their dash trim, console, and arm rest pieces as well as formed backing covers for the Recaro Sportster seats.

The custom touches inside the cabin are welcome, but chances are your attention is going to be on the massive Motec C1212 that takes over the original gauge cluster. The full color display relays everything Jeffrey needs to know about what's happening under the hood, while also giving him the ability to data log.

It's safe to say that this is truly a one-of-a-kind build based on a very limited production chassis and if you're shaking your head at the thought of the dollars and cents invested, look up just a few of the electronics bits and that head movement is indeed warranted. Three years to turn a sporty Japanese commuter wagon into a lethal performer seems reasonable but Jeffrey says he would've had it finished much sooner. "The long wait was because all the parts I got were either special order or custom, so obviously there's a wait time with them," he notes. "At the end of the day, it was all worth it to have a build that's unique and 1-of-1 out there."

Car 2005 Mitsubishi Evolution GT

Owner Jeffrey Velazquez

Instagram @Jeffs_Evo

Engine RPM Spec 2.2L long-rod engine, turbo oil and coolant lines hard lines; Torque Solution engine mounts; Manley 9:1 pistons, 156mm I-Beam rods, 625 rod bolts, 94mm billet crankshaft; ACL race main, rod, thrust bearings; ARP main stud kit, aged head studs; Headgames CNC port job, custom valve guides; Ferrera Competition Plus exhaust/intake valves, valve seals; Kiggly Racing beehive spring set, HLA oil pressure regulator; GSC Power Division R2 cams, zero tick lifters; AEM intake cam gear; Evospec Billet reverse adjustable cam sensor housings, underdrive water pump pulley, idler pulley; Custom BS Fab top-mount turbo kit, titanium catch can, power steering reservoir; Xona Rotor 9569s w/X4C compressor housing, TiAL 44mm MVR wastegate, Sport Q blow-off valve; full titanium upper and lower intercooler piping; Vibrant HD clamps; ETS 6-inch intercooler; Frontline Fab billet valve cover, ball-bearing oil pump; Hypertune intake manifold; Bosch DBW 84mm throttle body; Dyme PSI vacuum plumbing; Injector Dynamics 2600cc; Billet Bulletproof Racing double pumper, dual 525 fuel pumps; Aeromotive 10 micron fuel filter, custom RPM trans bracket; MotionWorks ethanol sensor bypass; new OEM fuel tank; CSF slim radiator; Spal 12-inch fan; BS Fab titanium radiator piping; STM billet radiator brackets; Motec M150 management, PDM30, IGN-1A Smart Ignition Coils, CAN converter, boost controller; Raceart boost controller bracket; Arizona Wiring Specialties engine and chassis harness

Drivetrain Tilton carbon ceramic twin-disk clutch, hydraulic throwout bearing; Drenth 5-speed sequential; TRE race-prepped transfer case with billet Brena Corsa ring and pinion, transfer case cooler; upgraded bolts; Wavetrac differential; Frontline Fab billet differential cover; Cryo-treated transmission and transfer case shafts; Torque Solution trans mounts; Pro Bearing ceramic wheel bearings; Driveshaft Shop carbon driveshafts, 900hp front axles, 1,200hp rear axles, hub kit

Suspension Robi Spec Ohlins coilovers; Diamond Racing tubular front/rear subframes; Buschur front tubular cross-member; Cusco titanium front shock tower bar; Whiteline Racing front/rear sway bars, roll center bump steer correction kit, front control arm kit, caster correction it, rear essential bushing kit; Billet BWR rear control arms

Braking STM lightweight front/rear drag brake kits; RPM spec Finishing Line brake line kit, custom staging brake kit; Evo RS master cylinder

Wheels & Tires 15x8 +32 Volk TE37 SL; 245/55 M&H Race Master drag radials; ARP extended studs

Exterior Carbonetics forged carbon drag lip, vented fenders, side skirt extensions, rear bumper extensions, RPM forged custom drag wing; JDM gloss headlights, amber/black ring side markers

Interior Recaro Sportster GT w/heated option; Carbonetics Recaro Sportster GT forged carbon backings, dash trim, center console, arm rest, e-brake handle; Motec C1212 dash display, 15 position CAN keypad, Lamda to CAN converter, bullet rear camera

Thank You Shout out to everyone that's helped me with the build, especially my wife Sarai, my friends Martin Enriquez, Jacob Profeta and Leif Bergerson, and my main sponsors Carbonetics, Raw Powder Coating, Horns Collision Center, and 323 Single Cab Detailing & Cali PDR