Throughout history, when a king got out of line or a government pissed off the people, a group would step up and overthrow the reigning power. The French called this a coup d'ftat, or overthrow of the state.
Recently, Vivid Racing in Tempe, Ariz., was the site of such an uprising. It seems the company's blue WRX project car was getting a little too big for its britches, strutting around the shop and keeping too much of Vivid's resources for itself. The decision was made to knock it off the throne, and this tweaked '04 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution became the weapon of choice.
The project's parameters were set before Dan Murmelstein and Rob Rohn, head dudes of Vivid Racing (www.vividracing.com), even had a car. The EVO would have to do everything well, from setting fast lap times and low e.t.s to winning show trophies and handling the daily commute. And, of course, it had to do it all better than the aforementioned WRX.
But Mitsubishi was dragging its feet with the EVO VIII, and Dan and Rob grew impatient. The two had even begun the process of buying an EVO VII when they got the fateful call that would change the power structure at Vivid Racing forever. On March 6, 2003, they took delivery of the Weightless White EVO VIII and immediately got to work with help from the crews at Garage Life and Function Garage, and friends J-Boog, Loraina, Bronco, '80s Mike, Bull Fighter, Cheeks and Vitek. (Where's Beetlejuice?)
The already pumped up 4G63 received a HKS Kansais carbon-fiber air box, RMR filter kit, Vivid Racing fuel rail, and Ralliart intake and intercooler pipes. A JIC header, Monster Sport downpipe, Perrin cat delete pipe and JIC titanium cat-back exhaust system provide a smoother escape for the exhaust and give the EVO a more intimidating sound. A PWR radiator keeps the whole shebang cool, and for maximum engine control, a Blitz FATT Turbo Timer, HKS EVC V, and A'PEXi S-AFC are utilized. For style, the 4G63 was dressed up with an RMR carbon-fiber valve cover, Samco radiator hoses, Monster Sport radiator cap and JUN oil cap.
Backing the engine, which Vivid estimates at 325 wheel hp, is the stock robust transmission and all-wheel-drive system. In fact, the only drivetrain modification is a B&M short shifter topped with a Ralliart shift knob for shorter throws and a more precise feel. So far so good, as the Mitsu's drivetrain seems to have shrugged off the car's increased power, although the stock clutch has become a problem. Shock.