Extreme (ik strem) adj. [< l. Exterus, outer] 1. Farthest away, utmost 2. Very great excessive 3. Unconventional or radical, as in politics (or tuning) 4. Harsh; drastic.
Extreme is a words that really packs a punch and it ably describes this wicked EVO VIII. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII really packs a punch right out of the box and its 4G63 engine is a well-known entity in America from its days powering Eclipse/Talons. As good as any factory turbo engine is, there are always enthusiasts poised to boost it up.
George Marinov of Boost Solutions in Suwanee, Ga., is just such a soul. He personifies extreme and threw the sizing chart out the window as he set off to fit the biggest HKS turbo to the Mitsubishi's diminutive 2.0-liter engine, add humongous 1680cc injectors, get the thing to idle, and live at full boost.
The turbo in question is HKS's intimidating T51R SPL with a ball-bearing center section. The T51R sports a huge 102.2mm compressor wheel and an 82mm turbine wheel in a 1.00 A/R housing. Boost Solutions had to manipulate the HKS exhaust manifold to coax the large-frame turbo in the crevice between the engine and the radiator.
"The bigger, the better!" touts Marinov. "The HKS T51R SPL is the biggest turbo HKS makes. It's a common turbo for Skylines and Supras. On the 4G63, it spools faster than we expected. It barely fits in the bay, since we're keeping the power steering and the stock radiator. If we get a different radiator, then the car will get an Innovative GT88 dual ball-bearing or similar."
The remainder of the turbo system is made up of an HKS Racing S/S wastegate, twin SSQV blow-off valves, custom four-inch intake piping, an 80mm Accufab throtlebody and a four-row GReddy front-mount intercooler.
The next big hurdle was fueling the Godzilla-like hairdryer. A custom fuel rail fitted with -8 AN fittings was fabricated to supply the monstrous 1680cc Bosch fuel injectors. A Weldon 2035 fuel pump, rated at 220 gph, feeds the system, which is commanded by an AEM EMS.
 |  The Mitsubishi 4G63 was stroked...  The Mitsubishi 4G63 was stroked to 2.3 liters by filling the block with custom Pauter rods, Ross forged pistons and a custom-built crankshaft of a secret identity. The reciprocating assembly was balanced and blueprinted. Key components were cryo-treated for enhanced durability. |  A pair of HKS Super Sequential...  A pair of HKS Super Sequential blow-off valves relieve the pressure between shifts. The T51R produces such a large volume of air Boost Solutions employed two valves to ensure the job gets done right. |
The EMS controls all aspects of engine operation from boost to fuel to ignition. Marinov credits the system for achieving acceptable idle characteristics and civil driveability until the hammer is dropped. A 5-bar MAP sensor and AEM UEGO controller ensure proper metering and a healthy air/fuel ratio.