Custom 840-HP 2005 Mitsubishi Evo: The One That Didn’t Get Away
After giving up on his first Evo due to financial strain, this build serves as a rolling sign of success.
This high-powered 2005 Mitsubishi Evo VIII isn't Saad Ahmad's first encounter with the rally-inspired, AWD, turbocharged sedan. Having picked one up at a young age, he was only able to hold onto it for about four years before being forced to sell due to a lack of funds needed to maintain it.
The Comeback
A common scenario for young enthusiasts, Saad's Evo was eventually replaced by an S14 and some much-needed cash at the time, but he never stopped thinking about that car. "From that moment on, I would always find myself looking at Evos for sale as no car I drove before or after it was as great as my Evo," he says. In 2017, the right deal was presented, and he had enough money saved to get the 2005 model you see pictured. "It only had 89,000 miles on it," he adds. "I could only afford one car back then, so this was my daily for a while."
Almost completely stock when he purchased the car, Saad made minor changes when funds allowed. He also maintained a mental checklist of all the parts he aspired to one day purchase in order to round out his dream build but getting back into the car he loved was one thing, maintaining and upgrading it would all come down to his job.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
"I was still working at a repair shop and the owner was barely surviving—on the verge of bankruptcy," Saad tells us. Rather than waiting for the other shoe to drop, he took the initiative and started his own business. "I was able to open a towing company and six years later, my Evo shows the success of my business as it's no longer just a daily driver," he states proudly.
The road to the big power numbers being produced currently wasn't a smooth one as some catastrophic failures, almost expected when pushing the upper limits of a build, made their presence known. Having made upwards of 450 hp on the factory block, Saad experienced rod failure which prompted a move to a whole new build with RRT Motorsports that, with the help of a 6266 turbo, produced 600 hp.
That is, until the oil pump called it quits during a lapping session at New Jersey Motorsports Park's Thunderbolt track. Making matters worse was Saad's decision to not install an oil pressure gauge to keep tabs on the vitals, but it was a mistake that he learned from.
Starting fresh, Saad and RRT worked together once again, this time using a brand new OEM block and Manley 94 mm crank, rods, and Wiseco pistons to bring displacement up to 2.2L, while upgraded wrist pins and ARP rod bolts added additional security. A complete GSC-equipped valvetrain and S3 cams were installed and the long block mated with L19 head studs.
Power By The Pound
A Precision 6466 is now forward-facing thanks to an Archer Fabrications manifold that's been treated to blue ceramic coating for heat management and fitted with TiAL's MVR 44 mm waste gate. TiAL's blow-off valve sits atop STM charge piping that runs to and from the ETS front-mount intercooler. JD Customs' titanium hardware, radiator stays, oil cap, and carbon fiber coil-on-plug plate dress things up a bit but the main attraction is the 840 hp backed by 616 lb-ft of torque coaxed from the 2.2L with AEM's V2 ECU by friend and tuner Raif of RRT.
With the engine dialed in, Saad made some major changes to the exterior in a bold, carbon fiber-infused two-tone treatment. "I've always been a fan of the exposed carbon look," he says. "Ideally I would love to work with Active Garage in Japan and do the whole car in a blue carbon like they did their R32 GT-R for SEMA last year."
For now, the OEM Electric Blue paint is offset by a Seibon carbon fiber hood, VIS trunk, Victory Function fenders, and Voltex-style rear over fenders with matching side skirts extension. Taking it even further, Carbonetics' front bumper with canards was also added to the updates.
Familiar Volk TE37 that measure 10.5-inches wide were paired with Falken's RT615K in 265/35-18 at all four corners while Fortune Auto 500 series coil overs replace the stock suspension and Whiteline's center roll kit allows for fine tuning. With all the power now on tap, the factory Brembo brakes were outfitted with StopTech pads and rotors, steel braided lines, and high-temp fluid.
Not A One Trick Pony
The carbon-enhanced exterior and powerhouse engine set up scream race car, but Saad was after something that could be dual purpose, adding, "I wanted to build the ultimate street car that once in a while I could take my wife and kid out in, and at the same time, go to the road course or drag strip and be competitive as well, and I was able to do exactly that." All of the interior remains intact, including the factory leather Recaros but there are some changes, including a trio of ever-crucial gauges along the A-pillar and additional vitals relayed through an AEM CD-7 digital cluster.
Having experienced the joy of owning an Evo, only to be forced to give it up before taking it upon himself to make a major life change and get his rematch with the sorely missed chassis, we wanted to know what's next for Saad and his high-powered Evo?
"I'm really pushing the stock drivetrain and will be building the transfer case and rear over the winter," he states. "Having been to the road course multiple times, drag racing is my next avenue as that's how I came into the car scene. I have a dedicated AWD Honda as a drag car but want to get the Evo into the 8-second zone at the drag strip. That's the next goal, then one day I'll compete in drag week—when the time is right."
2005 Mitsubishi Evolution 8 SSL
OwnerSaad Ahmad
Instagram @awd_prince
Enginenew OEM block; Manley 94mm crank, rods; Wiseco 10:1 pistons w/upgraded wrist pins; ARP rod bolts; GSC S3 cams, valves, lifters, valve springs, retainers; L19 head studs; all new OEM gaskets; Archer Fabrications front-facing turbo manifold; blue ceramic coating; Precision 6466 T3 .84ar turbo; TiAL MVR 44mm waste gate, 50mm blow-off valve; Rallyfab 3-inch downpipe, 3.5-inch exhaust; ETS intercooler; STM charge piping; Walbro 450lph fuel pump x2; Fuel Injector Clinic fuel rail; ID2600 injectors; Flexfuel sensor; JDC titanium manifold stud kit, radiator stays, oil cap, carbon fiber coil-on-plug plate; ARP carbon fiber cam cover; AEM V2 ECU, complete engine temp and pressure sensors
DrivetrainExedy triple disk clutch
SuspensionFortune Auto 500 Series coil overs; Whiteline roll center adjuster kit; Megan extended wheel studs
Wheels & TiresVolk Racing TE37SL 18x10.5 +15; Falken Azenis RT615K 265/35
BrakingStopTech rotors, pads; stainless brake lines; high temp Brembo fluid
ExteriorSeibon carbon fiber hood; VIS carbon fiber trunk; Voltex carbon fiber rear diffuser; Carbonetics carbon fiber bumper, canards; Victory Function carbon fiber fenders; Voltex-style rear over fenders, side skirt extensions; JDM rear bumper, headlights, taillights; colormatched rear vortex generator
InteriorOEM SSL leather package Recaro seats; carbon fiber center console and radio bezel; AEM gauges, CD-7 digital cluster; GReddy shift knob
Thank Youto my racing teams, Team Kaos & Team Redline Addiction. Thank you to Raul at Lito Customs on the body work. Thank you to Raif at RRT Motorsports for building and tuning the motor and ECU!