Giblet's Evo X
Discussion
Following on from my Lexus ISF thread it's time for one for the new steed.
I've wanted an Evo for years having owned several Galant VR4s. I decided the X was the one for me as it's relatively modern with a few creature comforts. I viewed one last year but the boot was too small for my dads wheelchair so I ended up with the ISF.
I still found myself browsing the MLR classifieds and after finding a suitable compact wheelchair I decided to get in touch with the seller of a well specced X. A quick trip down to Cambridgeshire to view it and a deal was done.
I went down two weeks ago with my mate in his lovely S2 Elise SC to collect the Evo.
It's had a good chunk of money chucked at it. It started life as a regular FQ300 but the current spec is as follows -
Engine
Forged BW I beam conrods with ARP bolts
MHI billet turbo
JMF tublar manifold
ID 1000cc fuel injectors
Tomei Extreme wide mouth down pipe
Later modified timing chain
Cosworth 1.3mm head gasket
ETS boost pipes and filter
Miltek backbox with twin 127mm tips
Scorpion decat
Forge alloy intercooler
Forge inlet manifold & turbo oil breather kits
Walbro fuel pump
3 port boost solenoid
Ecutek remap running 476bhp with mild pops n bangs
Transmission & Drivetrain
Dodson clubman 500lbf clutch plates
B.C RM series coil overs with indigo fast road setup
Recent ayc pump with uprated motor and replacement rear diff
Yokohama AD08R tyres
Exterior
Stock wheels powdercoated black
CF bonnet vents
CF wing vents
CF lip spoiler and gurney flap
CF vortex generator
CF spats
Smoked rear lights
Evo X mudflaps
Initial impressions are that it's obviously a less refined car than the ISF but it feels way more focused and frantic. The exhaust note is understandably bland in comparison but that's an expected tradeoff. Sadly it attracts way more attention than the ISF ever did and not all of it is positive. Too many other road users trying to have traffic light gps.
Initial plans are an oil service, raising the suspension by 10-15mm to make it more speed bump friendly along with realignment, some winter tyres (once the ISF sells) and then a quick detail to get it through winter. In spring I'll be looking at upgrading the cams along with supporting headwork and another remap to get it past the 500bhp mark and hopefully improve the spool up time. The exhaust tips will be replaced for smaller ones and I will probably source some unsmoked rear lights.
In the meantime I'll just keep filling it with V Power and getting more familiar with it.
I've wanted an Evo for years having owned several Galant VR4s. I decided the X was the one for me as it's relatively modern with a few creature comforts. I viewed one last year but the boot was too small for my dads wheelchair so I ended up with the ISF.
I still found myself browsing the MLR classifieds and after finding a suitable compact wheelchair I decided to get in touch with the seller of a well specced X. A quick trip down to Cambridgeshire to view it and a deal was done.
I went down two weeks ago with my mate in his lovely S2 Elise SC to collect the Evo.
It's had a good chunk of money chucked at it. It started life as a regular FQ300 but the current spec is as follows -
Engine
Forged BW I beam conrods with ARP bolts
MHI billet turbo
JMF tublar manifold
ID 1000cc fuel injectors
Tomei Extreme wide mouth down pipe
Later modified timing chain
Cosworth 1.3mm head gasket
ETS boost pipes and filter
Miltek backbox with twin 127mm tips
Scorpion decat
Forge alloy intercooler
Forge inlet manifold & turbo oil breather kits
Walbro fuel pump
3 port boost solenoid
Ecutek remap running 476bhp with mild pops n bangs
Transmission & Drivetrain
Dodson clubman 500lbf clutch plates
B.C RM series coil overs with indigo fast road setup
Recent ayc pump with uprated motor and replacement rear diff
Yokohama AD08R tyres
Exterior
Stock wheels powdercoated black
CF bonnet vents
CF wing vents
CF lip spoiler and gurney flap
CF vortex generator
CF spats
Smoked rear lights
Evo X mudflaps
Initial impressions are that it's obviously a less refined car than the ISF but it feels way more focused and frantic. The exhaust note is understandably bland in comparison but that's an expected tradeoff. Sadly it attracts way more attention than the ISF ever did and not all of it is positive. Too many other road users trying to have traffic light gps.
Initial plans are an oil service, raising the suspension by 10-15mm to make it more speed bump friendly along with realignment, some winter tyres (once the ISF sells) and then a quick detail to get it through winter. In spring I'll be looking at upgrading the cams along with supporting headwork and another remap to get it past the 500bhp mark and hopefully improve the spool up time. The exhaust tips will be replaced for smaller ones and I will probably source some unsmoked rear lights.
In the meantime I'll just keep filling it with V Power and getting more familiar with it.
Edited by giblet on Tuesday 22 November 22:56
jamiem555 said:
I like that. Sensible mods you've got planned. It'll be unstoppable on winters if it snows. Proper rally car.
Cheers. I'm hoping it snows heavily once I have fitted winters!roystinho said:
Will keep an eye out for it
Only had one spot in the ISF since I bought in Jan. This stands out a bit though. Had a guy open my passenger door whilst I was waiting for a colleague outside his flat this morning. He asked if I was his Amber taxi
[quote=giblet]
Only had one spot in the ISF since I bought in Jan. This stands out a bit though.
Had a guy open my passenger door whilst I was waiting for a colleague outside his flat this morning. He asked if I was his Amber taxi[/qu
I had one of these for a bit in Colorado. With falken snow tires it was unstoppable. Not once did it get stuck in deep snow. I always felt the car was half finished from Mitsubishi. The dashboard and gauges seemed like an afterthought.
Then there was the 5 speed gsr box at 70mph. It really needed the 6 speed from the Evo IV MR. Other than that, it was fantastic.
Only had one spot in the ISF since I bought in Jan. This stands out a bit though.
Had a guy open my passenger door whilst I was waiting for a colleague outside his flat this morning. He asked if I was his Amber taxi
[/quI had one of these for a bit in Colorado. With falken snow tires it was unstoppable. Not once did it get stuck in deep snow. I always felt the car was half finished from Mitsubishi. The dashboard and gauges seemed like an afterthought.
Then there was the 5 speed gsr box at 70mph. It really needed the 6 speed from the Evo IV MR. Other than that, it was fantastic.
5ohmustang said:
I had one of these for a bit in Colorado. With falken snow tires it was unstoppable. Not once did it get stuck in deep snow. I always felt the car was half finished from Mitsubishi. The dashboard and gauges seemed like an afterthought.
Then there was the 5 speed gsr box at 70mph. It really needed the 6 speed from the Evo IV MR. Other than that, it was fantastic.
Nice, I have always liked Lightning Blue. I was after one in either that or Phantom Black but this one turned up instead. The dash is basic but I guess you buy a car like this for the engine and drivetrain. Then there was the 5 speed gsr box at 70mph. It really needed the 6 speed from the Evo IV MR. Other than that, it was fantastic.
KarlMac said:
Didn't realise this was yours, I was looking for the ISF at Ginetta 
Looked fantastic, not normally a fan of later evo's but this looked good.
Cheers. It was raining so made sense to take this! Looked fantastic, not normally a fan of later evo's but this looked good.
MrMoonyMan said:
Those planned upgrades sound good.
If the lights are just tinted can you not just try cleaning off/ stripping the tint?
Also looking forward to white Evo in snow up some far flung track type pictures.
They are aftermarket lights, not sure if the plastic itself is darker or if they have applied a tint over the top. They look a lot better when lit up. I'll do some research into the tint. If the lights are just tinted can you not just try cleaning off/ stripping the tint?
Also looking forward to white Evo in snow up some far flung track type pictures.
ali_XFR said:
Looks like it has a giant plug socket on the bonnet. Cannot unsee. Interior is much less plasticky than I expected and the ride isn't as crashy as I expected it to be. I'd have kept the Lexus myself. Because V8
High praise indeed from you. The interior is about as plasticky as your rep spec XE. Lexus isn't suitable for next years track days. Because bent valves. My mate is partly responsible for me buying this. The trader he bought his Elise SC from also had this in stock -
A FQ440, the last run out special for the Evo X. I ended up having a look around it when we went to collect the Elise and it reignited my want for an X. The 440 has a cracking spec but the price tag is silly.
The first mod for the Evo was to remove a questionable sticker on the back. I grew up watching the F&F franchise and was sad when Paul Walker died but the sticker seemed a bit much.
Not easy in the cold November rain
All done. Much better.
These custom domed CF badges arrived recently via a seller on the MLR. Can't fit them until I reach the 500 mark.
Toying with the FQ400 front bumper next to go with the engine mods. Something a little different and less ott than the full 400 kit. Found these pics from someone who installed the full kit in stages.
A FQ440, the last run out special for the Evo X. I ended up having a look around it when we went to collect the Elise and it reignited my want for an X. The 440 has a cracking spec but the price tag is silly.
The first mod for the Evo was to remove a questionable sticker on the back. I grew up watching the F&F franchise and was sad when Paul Walker died but the sticker seemed a bit much.
Not easy in the cold November rain
All done. Much better.
These custom domed CF badges arrived recently via a seller on the MLR. Can't fit them until I reach the 500 mark.
Toying with the FQ400 front bumper next to go with the engine mods. Something a little different and less ott than the full 400 kit. Found these pics from someone who installed the full kit in stages.
That fq400 body kit is insanely expensive. I'm not sure if Mitsubishi UK sold this, but in the U.S. there was an OEM ground effects kit that looked good and was much cheaper.
Check this.
http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...
Check this.
http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...
GrumpyTwig said:
As you know the ISF is much more my taste but I can't blame you, sounds like it'll be fun. The 'issues' with slightly shouty cars can get tedious though.
I know what you mean. I love the car but not the attention. The ISF was perfect for relative anonymity. Did you find one to buy?5ohmustang said:
That fq400 body kit is insanely expensive. I'm not sure if Mitsubishi UK sold this, but in the U.S. there was an OEM ground effects kit that looked good and was much cheaper.
Check this.
http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...
I don't think that kit was available over here. The front bumper with lip is around £1300 + paint. Check this.
http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...
giblet said:
GrumpyTwig said:
As you know the ISF is much more my taste but I can't blame you, sounds like it'll be fun. The 'issues' with slightly shouty cars can get tedious though.
I know what you mean. I love the car but not the attention. The ISF was perfect for relative anonymity. Did you find one to buy?GrumpyTwig said:
Moving house for the moment, still looking out for the ISFs but going to sort the house move out then try find one. I need to scratch the V8 itch as I have a feeling it'll get prohibitively more difficult or expensive to own one as time goes by.
Mine is still for sale. Happy to do a deal for a fellow PHer 
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