With the new 4B11 sitting the other way around compared to the 4G63, an extremely long piece of piping brings the compressed charge to the front-mount intercooler. ARC got rid of the stock mesh-sleeved silicone pipe in favor of a slightly smaller diameter titanium pipe. It's then on to the upgraded intercooler, which features a wider main core (plus 30mm) developed especially to accept the higher airflow of a minor boost increase. The intercooler has been engineered around the factory air dam that, as Tanaka-san says, "Is really perfect for providing all the air the intercooler will ever need, lowering intake charge as much as 3 degrees C compared to the stock item." Sitting right next to the intercooler is the ARC oil cooler, which takes advantage of the large side opening to provide the best possible cooling of engine oil. Soon to be released is a larger radiator, which will be fitted to this car, and is already equipped with the polished aluminum overflow tank. For now the ARC high-pressure radiator cap will have to do. A second titanium pipe is used for the recirculation of the air passing through the factory blow-off valve-a little touch that adds to the list of shiny bits underhood. The titanium cat-back exhaust system, which exits with two wide diameter outlets through the rear factory diffuser, does wonders for the engine note, making the car sound as fruity as previous generation Evos. With these improvements the 4B11 in the ARC X cranks out 355 ps and a peak torque of 49.6kgm. The final piece is the front strut bar, which is again made from titanium and features the rainbow-finish titanium when it's heat-treated. This has the job of stiffening the front end of the car while the Zeal Function X dampers take care of the rest.
A great match for the Phantom Black Pearl color are the 18-inch chrome Advan RS wheels with the obligatory set of sticky Advan Neova AD07 tires. Hiding behind the front wheels are the Ogura Racing Clutch brakes featuring four-pot calipers and 355mm two-piece slotted rotors. These provide enough bite to handle the power increase, while the stock rear setup keeps things stabilized at the rear. Open the door and your eyes are torn between the Bride GAIS front seats and the Defi Super Sports Cluster. This is a gadget that will get you all the street-cred you'd ever need in Japan, costing a whopping $2,260 and looking cooler than anything even fitted to a Super GT car! This little beauty consists of a central analog rpm scale reading to 9,000 rpm (a 11,000 rpm scale model is also available as well as a unit for N/A applications) and an analog boost gauge on the left side. Under these is the multi-function LCD screen, which displays data taken from the ECU. It's fully customizable and even comes with an SD card slot so you can download your telemetry. On the lower section of the center console is the Defi control unit for the dash display as well as the ARC downforce meter and the ARC multi-temp meters. The prior measures how many kilograms of downforce the rear spoiler develops while the latter keeps water and oil temperatures under check.
ARC now plans to spend more time developing interesting new products for the Evo X, as well as its long-time arch rival the Impreza WRX STI. Only time will tell, however, if this new breed of cars will offer the limitless tuning possibilities we have become so accustomed to.
Lancer evolution XPower output: 355 ps at 6,530 rpm; torque: 49.6kgm at 4,245 rpmEngineARC Aluminum Induction BoxARC Super IntercoolerARC Titanium Intercooler SprayARC Titanium Intake Piping KitARC Aluminum Radiator Overflow TankARC Titanium Blow-Off Valve Relief PipeARC Oil CoolerARC Super Titanium Silencer Exhaust System
Suspension & BrakesZeal Function X Adjustable Suspension KitARC Front Titanium Strut BraceOgura Racing Clutch Four-Pot Brake Kit With 355mm Two-Piece Rotors (Front)