X-Rated - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

If you're reading this magazine, you're well familiar with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and its outrageous potential. The 10th and latest iteration, known as the Evo X, is the first gen-eration to truly feature a full ground-up redesign, not to mention the first to stray from the Mitsubishi power standard--its tried-and-true workhorse 4G63 engine. It's also the first generation to be sold in the states with Mitsubishi's brilliant Yaw Control System, now part of its Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The Evo X is available in two trims, GSR and MR, and neither one is short on performance. While the MR offers more modern trickery, like the amazing dual-clutch paddle-shift transmission (DC-SST), it also carries a touch more weight and certainly a heavier price tag than the GSR. For many performance buffs, the GSR, with its traditional clutch and shifter, will be the way to go, especially since it still has the same S-AWC.

When this car was introduced, there was an ever-so-brief moment of peace as the car world simply sat back and enjoyed what Mitsubishi had created. However, it was inevitable that the tuner crowd would quickly become antsy and begin modifying them. Here's the story of one of the first examples to wear the crown of "fastest Evo X."

The white Evo shown here belongs to Victor Caputis, owner of Big Valley Performance (BVP) in Orlando, Fla. Like quite a few tuner shops in Florida, BVP got its start offshore in Puerto Rico, an island that has certainly had its share of some seriously speedy cars over the years. Having already snagged the title of the fastest U.S.-spec STI in the world, Caputis and the team at BVP were anxious to spread their name further and make some waves in the Evo community. What better platform to start with than with the brand-new Evo X?

When he and the team at BVP began this project, there was practically no aftermarket support to speak of for the new model. They were breaking new ground and things could go very wrong for them if they weren't careful. There were no plug-and-play products, nor years worth of R&D to fall back on. On the plus side, the new platform also worked as a clean slate for them, and made customizing parts seem more worthwhile and exciting. Crossing their fingers, they threw their Evo on the dyno, so new it still had the factory paper floor mats and window stickers.

They began trying to crack the 300whp mark with basic tweaks and adjustments and were eventually able to pull it off after adding a custom-fabricating cold-air intake. They knew this setup had its dangers though, and although they were concerned that there was still no form of engine management controlling everything, they just had to see what they had created so far. The next day, after a night of almost no sleep, they asked friend and well-known Florida dragger, Rolando Resto, to pilot their Evo X down the quarter-mile. To everyone's excitement, the car ripped its way down the track, laying down an 11.80 at 114 mph. After this, they knew they were well on their way. In fact, they say that this run alone was quick enough to make it the fastest Evo X at the time.