1996 Mitsubishi Evo IV Forged Engine

Highlights

• Fully forged engine rebuild - circa 400bhp

• Tastefully upgraded

• Long-term ownership

• Specialist maintained

• Extensive restoration in recent years

Overview

Back in the 90s and 00s, you were either team Subaru or team Mitsubishi; team Evo or team Impreza; McRae or Makkinen - few manufacturers have such a legendary rivalry as the two Japanese titans, and that rivalry spawned some truly fantastic machinery, including this - the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV. 

Introduced in 1996, the Evo IV was the first to utilise the redesigned CN9A lancer platform, and as such benefitted from the improved balance and reduced torque steer that came from rotating the drivetrain 180-degrees. 

Available in both stripped-back RS and well-optioned GSR format, this 1996-registered JDM import example is a GSR, featuring air-conditioning, active yaw control (AYC), ABS, two-tone Recaro seats, 16-inch OZ Racing wheels and more. Arguably, unless you’re going racing, the GSR is more desirable for its additional usability and comfort over the RS. 

Imported into the UK and registered here in 2004, this Evo has been in the care of the current owner for 15 years, during which time it has been well maintained and considerably upgraded, including a forged engine build and power boost to 400bhp, along with other supporting modifications. Benefitting from restoration works in the early 2020s, along with a respray in its factory colour and a recent service and cambelt change, this Evo is ready to put to use and enjoyed as Mitsubishi intended.

History and documentation

• Registered 01 Sep 1996

• First registered in the UK 01 Sep 2004

• In the care of the vendor since Oct 2011

• Service invoices as follows: Oct 2012, Oct 2013, Oct 2014, Sep 2016, Oct 2018, Oct 2019, Jul 2025

• Cambelt change invoices as follows: Mar 2014, Feb 2020, Jul 2025

• Collection of other invoices 

• Engine rebuild invoice dated June 2014, with works carried out by specialist Garage Whiffbitz

• Litchfield dyno printout showing a peak engine power figure of 404.5bhp

• An A4 folder full of documentation will accompany the sale of the car

• Extensive restoration works carried out circa three years ago, including replacement of the inner and outer sills on both sides, floor pan restoration, attention to the rear subframe and the boot floor

• Fully resprayed in the original Mitsubishi colour during the aforementioned restoration

• The seller notes that around six years ago, the vehicle had an impact with a deer which necessitated new front end parts, but the impact did not affect the chassis legs

• The invoices for the restoration and front end rebuild are included in the gallery

• Two keys and two TOAD alarm fobs

• Current MOT expires 10 December 2026 with advisories for the car being undersealed, worn rear trailing arm bushes, ‘general corrosion’, a sunstrip and an offside rear oil leak, which the seller notes is the AYC pump

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Original fabric interior

• Roll cage

• Additional Defi monitoring gauges fitted to the cage A-pillar

• HKS Turbo Timer

• Syvecs switchable map controller below the steering wheel

• Original MOMO steering wheel

• Aftermarket Alpine stereo

• Both Recaro front seats exhibit sun fading and heavy wear to the bolsters, but this does not appear to extend to any rips or tears that we can see

• All four door cards show some light wear

• The rear seats look to be in good condition for their age and mileage

• In the rear, the rearmost panel of the boot appears to be missing, and the carpets are heavily stained

• A space-saving spare wheel is located beneath the boot floor

• We’re told that the pump for the air-conditioning system is inoperable, but otherwise all other switches and buttons in the cabin work as they should

Exterior

• Classic Evo IV lines - a nostalgic sight for any 00s-era Gran Turismo, NFS or rally video game players

• Looking at the car head-on from a low angle, some exhaust heat wrap that's come partially undone is visible; the seller advises that it was put on to protect the downpipe due to a steep access lane to their garage

• The front end exhibits a number of stone chips, along with some larger blemishes, most notably above and around the offside fog light

• The lower portion of the front bumper is scuffed/cracked in the centre

• At the rear, the area of bumper around the exhaust tip is typically heat stained/damaged, and there is a cracked corner on the offside rear tail light below the ‘Lancer’ badgen

• There is an area of bubbling around the nearside rear arch, and another on the roof

• Being very particular, the aftermarket wind deflectors are discoloured and aged

• We note that the brake discs are showing a slight lip, but this was not mentioned in the recent MOT exam

• A full set of new (2024-coded) Nexen tyres were recently fitted

• All four alloy wheels would benefit from refurbishment, and exhibit varying degrees of kerb damage

• Overall, an eye-catching example of the 90s homologation hero, that presents well  but leaves room for further fettling and TLC should the next owner wish to do so

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre 4G63T turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 276bhp from the factory

• This example benefits from a forged engine rebuild, including fitment of Manley con-rods, Mahle pistons, ARP head studs, ACL race bearings, an upgraded Evo 9 turbocharger, standalone Syvec ECU with switchable maps, and more 

• Five-speed manual gearbox, sending power to all four wheels

• Upgraded performance clutch

• BC Racing ‘BR’ coilover suspension

• Aftermarket cat-back exhaust system

• Upgraded Walboro fuel pump

• Evo 6 fuel tank

• Aftermarket air intake and turbo blow-off valve

• Under the bonnet, a number of the hoses have been upgraded to blue silicone items

• The suspension strut towers are showing some corrosion on the upper edges within the engine bay

• The seller notes the AYC pump is leaking slightly, there is a whine from the gearbox, and a knocking noise from the rear when going over bumps, believed to be one of the coilovers 

• Other than the above, the car is reported to start and run well, pull through the gears well and give great confidence and satisfaction when out on the road, with no other known mechanical issues to address

Summary

Long-term ownership is always a good sign - these are cars that owners have got to know every nook, cranny and quirk of, and - more often than not - they’ve been maintained well and with love; after all, who keeps a car that gives them more headaches than fun?

This Evo IV benefits from a number of considerate upgrades, including the all-important forged engine rebuild. Whilst it was carried out a number of years ago, the additional strength (not to mention the performance gains) offer peace-of-mind for owners not only looking for additional power, but also better reliability. 

Whilst there are a few areas that the next owner can get stuck in to to take this Evolution up a notch or two, this is a very capable and eye-catching car as it stands, and will no doubt offer up plenty of fun on B roads and in the lanes.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Paulton, Bristol.