OTR Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo X

The Evo's pedigree was set in production racing and rallying, so when the homologation requirements dried up at the end of the Evo IX's run, Mitsubishi struck fear into the militant Evo fanboys' hearts by hinting they were going to build a softer, more street-oriented model for the tenth-generation. There was even talk of a - gasp - dual-clutch auto transmission option!

When the CZ-generation Evo X finally dropped in 2007, there was indeed a dual-clutch six-speed auto (in the range-topping MR), but the GSR maintained a trusty five-speed manual. The old 4G63 had finally been pensioned off and a new 4B11T motor fitted to the larger, wider and generally softer Evo X.

All in all, it was a brave new world and it took the tuners a little while to work out how to get the best from the new platform. But when they did, all complaints about the X not being as hardcore as the IX quickly died off. Melbourne's OTR (On The Run) Motorsports built this striking blue monster using only bolt-on parts as a testament to just how potent the final Lancer Evo is.

"We have been playing with Evos for a long time," says Roy of OTR. "They are great out of the box but, like our example here, we have shown our customers how much more you can get out of it. There are heaps of quality aftermarket parts for Evos, as well as the factory backed Ralliart division and this is what makes them so appealing in the modifying scene.

"We always put the products we sell to the test before we sell them to our customers, and this Evo GSR was built to showcase OTR and what we are capable off. We have taken a stock car and modified it to a street/show/track car with the use of high quality bolt-on components."

While some will decry the OTR machine as "just another bolt-on bandit", that's selling the car very short, as knowing which parts to include in the overall recipe can make or break the result. And, with 265kW at all four wheels, OTR aren't playing tiddlywinks.

"We previously had an Evo VII MR, then moved to an Evo IX that we are developing into a full blown time attack car," explains Roy. "With the Evo X, we didn't want to take it too far, it's at the limit now for the street, the next thing would be to cage it, but that is not what we were trying to showcase with this project."

The standard 4B11T motor wasn't broken down too far, but there was work performed in the cylinder head to improve breathing. The big news is the large Forced Performance (FP) Green-spec turbocharger, paired to a swag of Tomei parts, including Pro-spec camshafts, titanium valve springs and dump pipe.

OTR then fabbed up a custom three-inch exhaust that mates to a South Australian-made Willall Racing titanium cat-back exhaust that weighs a scant 7.2kg! There would be no point doing all that work if you didn't handle the charge air with similar care, so a Password JDM intake, ARC intercooler core and GReddy front-mount intercooler pipes were fitted, while the Grimspeed 3-port boost controller keeps the FP Green steady on 24psi.

The stock fuel system would've given up the ghost trying to run such a set-up, so OTR fitted an HKS fuel rail fitted with ID1000 1000cc injectors, providing BP Ultimate 98RON pump juice by a Deutschworks 430L/hour fuel pump. The engine was filled up with Motul 8100 5W40 oil before Matt Lowth at ATP tuned it, recording a peak of 265kW at all four wheels.

An OS Giken twin-plate clutch was fitted to handle the increased power and torque and still provide good feel and weighting in Melbourne's traffic. The brakes have also been treated to some work, with Exzess called on to supply two-piece slotted rotors for the front and braided lines all 'round. They're matched to the stock Brembo four-piston/two-piston calipers that bite on the Project Mu HC+ brake pads.

Suspension-wise, there are KW Clubsport coilovers fitted to drop the ride height and improve damping rates above the Evo's more sedate standard set-up. Those shock rates are vital to help get the best from the trick, electronically-operated Active Yaw Control and Active Centre Diff, along with a pair of Whiteline 27mm swaybars, a roll-centre adjuster and bump-steer kits (to counter negative effects of lowering the car as far as OTR have).

The rear guards were rolled to provide clearance for the fat 18x10.5-inch Volk Racing CE28 Genesis wheels. Very light, strong and expensive, they're perfect for the Evo's dual street/track sensibilities. OTR also doubled-down their odds when it came to tyres, wrapping the CE28s with Achilles 265/35 for the street, but swapping them out for super-fat 285/30 Yokohama A050 semi-slicks for track work.

The bodykit, from OTR's stock, is a slick, Japanese-made Varis carbon fibre set, that combined with the Charge Speed bonnet scoop (also from OTR), is stylish enough to set this Evo apart from all the other models prowling Melbourne's streets. Vincent, from Motorware in Clayton South, fitted the new parts and laid down the Evo's distinctive Lightning Blue paint. OTR's finishing touch is a pair of 2010-model Evo taillights that give a fresher, more modern look.

The cabin wasn't left alone, either. A Bride driver's seat keeps the helmsman in place on the track. Defi BF Advance gauges (monitoring boost & oil pressure, oil & water temp) keep an eye on the engine's vital signs and Sparco carbon racing pedals make sure the feet never fly off in the heat of battle.

So, by carefully selecting just the right mix of parts, OTR have built a turbocharged rocket sled that'll keep any supercar in check on the track but won't punish passengers on the street. Sounds pretty sweet, right? Roy certainly thinks so.

"It is great fun on the tight Winton circuit with street semi-slicks and the 265kw at the wheels on pump 98. But we are actually selling this, so it could be yours!"

This isn't the end of the Evo adventures for OTR, though. As mentioned near the top of this article, a Time Attack-spec Evo IX is under development. Currently putting out 365kW ATW, the IX has also run a best lap of 1:31.01 on Winton's long circuit. OTR says improvements to both these figures will come as they develop this beast further.

OTR Motorsports - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer CZ4A Evolution X GSR - basic specifications

Engine: 4B11T 2.0L turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Modifications: FP Green turbo, Tomei Pro cams, Tomei titanium valve springs, Tomei dump pipe, Custom 3" exhaust with 100-cell cat, Willall titanium cat-back exhaust, Grimspeed 3port boost controller, ARC intercooler core, GReddy front-mount intercooler piping kit and racing BOV, Password JDM carbon engine bay dress kit and air intake, HKS fuel rail, ID1000 fuel injectors, Deutsch Works 430L/hour fuel pump, custom oil catch can
Power: 265kW @ wheels
Tuner: Matt Lowth at ATP
Fuel: BP 98RON pump
Clutch: OS Giken twin-plate clutch
Struts: KW Clubsport coilovers & front adjustable camber tops
Swaybars: Whiteline 27mm

Other modifications: Whiteline roll centre adjusters & bump steer kit, Carbing front strut bar
Brakes: Exzess two-piece brake rotors (front) and braided brake lines (all 'round), aftermarket clutch master cylinder w/braided line, Project Mu HC+ brake pads

Bodywork: Varis full carbon bodykit, incl. Varis carbon canards, Varis carbon pillar covers, 2010 Evo X update taillights, ChargeSpeed bonnet scoop, rear guards rolled

Wheels: Volk Racing CE28 Genesis 18x10.5-inch
Street Tyres: Achilles 265/35
Track Tyres: Yokohama A050 285/30 semi-slicks

Interior: Defi BF Advance gauges (boost & oil pressure, oil & water temp), Kenwood DVD head unit, Sparco carbon racing pedals

For more details on the services offered by OTR Motorsports, call (03) 9547 8100 or go to: www.ontherunmotorsports.com

Words: Frank Slacks    Photos: Luke Oxley