An evolution is any process of growth or development. For Damien Cahill of Columbia, MD, the progression of his 2003 Mitsubishi Evo 8 is definitely a story of survival of the fittest. After purchasing his new Lancer, Damien set out to create a show and go monster that would dominate the street and track food chain.
To be the king of the Maryland concrete jungle, the Evo needed to be a fast, powerful predator, able to overtake and destroy any competitors it might come across. To accomplish this, the OEM turbo setup was replaced and a slew of performance parts were bolted on. Damien opted to use a CBRD custom hybrid turbo sized perfectly for the Evo’s 2.0 liter with AMS exhaust parts to support it. A Turbo XS front mount intercooler with Greddy piping, an SMC alcohol injection kit, APR goodies, and a set of cams from GSC were also used to get the most from the 27 PSI being forced into the motor. To keep track of the happenings under the hood, gauges by Defi and AEM were strategically placed around the Evo’s interior, and a Greddy boost controller and turbo timer were also put into service.
Now that the motor was making sufficient power, the task of ensuring it would be properly utilized was at hand. Damien employed the help of Mitsubishi Guru John Sheperd to help with the all wheel drive reliability issues high horsepower Evos can sometimes encounter. A custom “Shep” built transmission from an Evo 9, an upgraded transfer case, and a Quaiffe differential, coupled with an Exedy Twin Disc clutch and a set of DSS 905 hp axles put the power made by the new setup down to all four wheels efficiently and reliably.
An evolutionary success not only has to be powerful, but must look it was time to personalize the Evo’s appearance, both inside and out. Using JDM Evo exterior parts, carbon fiber accents, a set of Garage HRS wide front fenders, and of course, a custom blended Chameleon paint, the Evo stands out while being subtle, like any true predator. KW coil overs, Work VS Wheels and Yokohama S. Drive 255/35/18 tires were also added to achieve the aggressive stance of the Mitsubishi, but also give it the sure footed nimbleness it needed to put its new found power to use through the corners. Filling the space behind the Work wheels is a Brembo big brake kit in the front and rear, which not only sufficiently halts the Evo, but puts off an air of menace as well. The interior of the sedan is just as impressive, with suede and carbon fiber parts, and Evo 9 front and rear seats.
In the course of evolution, only the exceptional will survive. Damien built his Evo with all the necessary components to ensure it would outperform all the lesser cars in the gene pool. Through the flow of natural selection, this East coast Evo has done exactly that.
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