Photography by RACETAPE
4GT: So! Genuine Evolution III!? How long did you wait to have the chance to purchase this highly sought after model, and how did it come to fruition?
Dom: It's got to be fate! I have always wanted an Evolution III ever since I got my first Lancer which was a 1.8ltr GSR with fiberglass evo 3 kit but could never justify owning another car that was very similar (Although the GSR and EVO are very different, but I didn't know that at the time). So after selling my GSR I wasn't sure what to get, I missed my little Lancer ALOT. Lucky for me I didn't wait long to come across a stock standard black evolution III in South Australia. I decided to act and fly me and a mate down to look at the car to see if this was a real deal! The whole trip was torcher thinking I would hate to have spent money on flights only to find out the car wasn't genuine!!! Lucky for me the paper work and CE9A VIN number matched up thankfully the car was in mint condition. It would have been crazy for me to miss out on buying a clean example of an Evolution III so I got it sent up to the Gold Coast and haven't regretted it since.
4GT: What made you hold out for the real deal, and why didn't you go the CP9A or CT9A route?
Dom: I'm not sure what it is but the Evolution III's really catch my eye, possibly one of my most favorite cars. After selling my GSR I was looking at getting an earlier evo like a 6 but after seeing the stock evolution III for sale I just couldn't let it go!
4GT: Describe the driving experience with your car.
Dom: The car just feels like its driving on rails, the aftermarket suspension and braces really help it out around the hilly roads. It's a good feeling driving such a sort after car around town, gets few looks.
4GT: What are the negatives about your car, or early model Evo's in general?
Dom: to be honest I can only name a couple negatives about the early evo's and that would be the transfer case, crank walk and the squashed seat bolsters mainly on the driver side. It might just be my bad luck but I have had 5mm crank walk before my rebuild and a shot transfer case not long after I got it back. I would say the negative thing about my car will be its not where I want it yet lol still so much to do!
4GT: How long do you plan on keeping the car?
Dom: As long as I can, I haven't got any need or want to part with the car at any stage. Its nice knowing you have a classic car with such a great heritage and cult following. It�s always garaged and only taken out for cruises, events and sometimes my weekends so it's not in the way or a pain to keep clean as it's always under cover.
4GT: Did you always plan for your car to turn out the way it has?
Dom: Honestly no, I was going to keep it fairly stock but as always the power bug gets you. I wasn't expecting to have a rebuild done so soon after buying it, but seeing as though the motor is now strong I have started bolting more and more aftermarket performance parts onto it.
4GT: What was your inspiration behind building your Evolution III and how do you feel it's turned out?
Dom: The build process was a long and costly experience, but I have lately decided on a new motto - Do things Right, Do it once! so everything from here on will be done right and done once, so far the evo has turned out great! Couldn't be happier with it, apart from the other things I want to do to it down the track like power etc... I have had the car featured in fast fours this month which has made me pretty happy.
4GT: Best time down the 1/4 or around the local circuit? and how much power is the car putting out in its current spec?
Dom: The car is capable for a really decent time, it's a shame the operator behind the wheel isn't a good enough driver to get it there haha, so far the car has done a 12.5 @ 110mph with a 2.2 60ft which is a terrible launch! The car was tuned at CNJ Motor sports in Brisbane and has put out 210KW @ wheels on 20 psi, any more boost and the turbo is just feeding hot air.
4GT: What's next on the mod list? There's always something!
Dom: Yep, there is always something alright! I'm looking at getting the following for my next stage of upgrades:
Forced Performance HTA82 turbocharger
GSC S2 camshafts
Custom exhaust manifold & dump pipe
Tial 44mm wastegate
Bosch 044 external fuel pump
Swirl pot in the boot
Relocating battery to boot
Braided hoses & AN fittings
Bigger intercooler
Custom intercooler piping
Hypertune intake manifold & throttle body
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
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New OEM Mitsubishi crank
CP forged pistons
Eagle forged rods
ARP main studs
ARP head studs
ACL race bearings
Ported and polished head
Cometic head gasket
Beehive valve springs
Stainless steel valves
Titanium valve spring retainers
Gates racing timing belt
TD06SL2-18G turbo
HKS 272/272 camshafts
JH billet adjustable cam gears
OEM Evolution 8 MR BOV
Seimens 880cc injectors
Tomei fuel pressure regulator
Silk Road exhaust manifold
Custom intake pipe
Custom airbox
Apexi pod filter
Iridium Spark plugs
TopGun Leads
PWR intercooler
Meek Automotive polished alloy 2.5" intercooler piping Kit
PWR alloy radiator
Bosch in-tank fuel pump
DRIVETRAIN
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Standard Evolution III with:
NPC custom twin plate clutch
Lightened flywheel
SUSPENSION
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Tein Super Street coilovers
CHASSIS
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Front upper strut brace
Centre strut brace
Rear upper strut brace
WHEELS
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Gramlights 57F 16 X 7 +42 Wheels
Toyo tyres 215/45r16
EXHAUST
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Custom 3" exhaust
Custom twin dump pipe
4.5" Xforce muffler
ELECTRICS
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Autronic SMC plug 'n' play ECU
Factory loom
HKS turbo timer
Apexi AVC-R boost controller
Gauges: Boost / Air Fuel Ratio / Oil temp / Oil pressure
BRAKES
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Bendix Rear Pads
ElIG front pads
DBA slotted front rotors
RDA slotted rear rotors
Goodridge braided brake lines
EXTERIOR
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OEM Evolution III
INTERIOR
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JVC stereo head unit
Momo steering wheel
Ralliart gear knob
Race harnesses
hand break cover
PERFORMANCE
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Power: 210KW @ wheels on 20psi
1/4 Mile: 12.5 - 2.2 60ft
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, I can stop looking at it
- there might be a 12 flat left in her yet
