Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII - Speedy Pizza

Delivery in 9 seconds or less ... Guaranteed!

From the September, 2008 issue of Turbo & High-Tech Performance

By David Tate

Photography by Ben Howard

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Viii Front View

Mitsubishi Evolution Viii
893 WHP
667 LB-FT Of Torque
Imagine the expression you'd have on your face if someone pulled into your driveway in this '03 Evo VIII, stepped out of the car and walked up to your front door with a pepperoni pizza in hand. There isn't a more definitive daily driver than a delivery vehicle, yet this extreme Mitsu actually wears that hat on a regular basis. Let's take a closer look at what makes that so astounding.

Owner Eddie Pagan of Orlando, Fla., had an interesting proposal to make to his family when he decided to build this car. Since they own a local pizzeria, he had the idea to use this car as his advertising. Knowing that the Orlando area is filled with import enthusiasts, it seemed like it would be the perfect company mascot. Being no stranger to fast cars, Eddie believed he had the know-how and the right connections to make this dream a reality. After getting the green light from his wife, he began work on the car. Before long, it became somewhat of an Orlando landmark, with car lovers from all over showing up to check out the car, and staying for a bite to eat.

Although Eddie has done a large portion of the buildup himself, this ride would never have been possible without the help of friends and sponsors. Among the list of those involved are Titan Motorsports, Central Florida Turbo, Florida Performance Machine, Gato Performance, and many others. After years of nonstop wrenching, it's now one of the fastest Evos in the world, and certainly the fastest pizza delivery vehicle. That last comment isn't a joke, Eddie actually still uses this car to deliver food when his regular drivers can't make it.

When it comes time to run down the quarter-mile, Eddie is aware that his pizza-making skills don't necessarily translate into drag-racing skills, and he's grateful to have quick-shifter Oscar Robles at the helm to pilot his car down the track.

With the tireless support of everyone involved in the project, and Oscar behind the wheel, this car has become brutally effective at the dragstrip. At the end of 2006, Eddie and crew say they snatched up the title of fastest street-driven Evo in the world by ripping out a 9.6-second quarter-mile at 146 mph. A month later, they added a 75-shot of nitrous and laid down an astonishing 9.21-second quarter-mile, at 153 mph. At speeds like that, you can bet your pizza will still be steaming when it arrives in this car.

Since a stock Evo is already quite masterful at handling, Eddie has focused primarily on building up the engine. With some of the best minds in the industry helping out, Eddie has built one of the most powerful 4G63's out there, and is capable of putting down 893 hp and 667 lb-ft of torque to the wheels.

The Evo's engine has a stout block to begin with, but for Eddie's needs, he knew he'd need further fortification. He installed forged CP Pistons and balanced Crower rods and ARP bolts, a combination he believed would be able to handle the high-boost environment. Buddy at Florida Performance Machine performed a 0.20 overbore and the stock crankshaft was balanced, micro-polished and knife-edged. This combination brings final compression to 9.1:1, an appropriate ratio to cope with the extreme pressure the turbo system is forcing into the cylinders.

Sporting a GT40R turbo with intake air kept cool by a large Gato Performance intercooler, and a cylinder head thoroughly worked over and machined by Titan Motorsports, this motor is capable of moving copious amounts of air. Excess air is dealt with through a TiAL 44mm external wastegate and atmospheric blow-off valve. The valvetrain is comprised of almost entirely Ferrea parts, including their 1mm over-sized valves, springs, retainers, keepers, and rockers. Keeping these valves moving in time is a pair of custom-spec Cosworth camshafts spun by Fidanza cam gears. Also on the head is a Wilson 80mm throttle body, being force-fed an intense charge of air through the Gato intake manifold.

With a motor now built to a level Eddie was comfortable with, he turned his attention to the rest of the car. Knowing how competent the stock Evo already is, he kept the build for the rest of the car fairly straightforward. The brakes are comprised of a lightweight Wilwood setup from AMS. Up front, this system features floating 11.75-inch vented rotors squeezed by fixed four-piston calipers, floating 11.5-inch rotors in the rear, and stainless steel braided lines.

A set of A'PEXi coilovers suspends the car atop GT7 wheels from Volk Racing, wrapped in BFGoodrich drag radial rubber. The suspension was fine-tuned by Eddie's friends over at Junior Tire & Accessory, and the end result provides stable, composed handling through any tight turns Orlando can throw at it.

If the plethora of graphics and sponsor logos adorning the yellow paint wasn't enough of a clue at this Evo's intentions, a quick peek around back at the Simmons parachute will get the message across. The interior is equally business-oriented, with a monster 10-point rollcage and a pair of Sparco harnesses strapped to the Ultra Shield aluminum seats. All of the safety equipment, including a full Sparco racing suit for the driver, came courtesy of Titan Motorsports. The Momo steering wheel and Auto Meter gauges also help to provide Eddie and Oscar with the right environment and information as they attempt to rewrite the laws of physics each time they mash the loud pedal to the floor.

At this stage you'd imagine Eddie would be satisfied with his car's current tuning level, but he promises much more to come in the not-so-distant future. He and Jonathan Hon at Titan Motorsports have already begun sorting out a turbo swap to a GT42R, and tuning wizard Rolo at Central Florida Turbo is also waiting in the wings, ready to get the new turbo setup running optimally. Eddie believes this is all it will take for his 3,240-pound daily driver to break the 8-second barrier. You can bet we'll be there reporting back to you when it happens. Until then, we recommend anyone stopping through Orlando to swing by Proccolino's Pizza to see this car for yourself, and enjoy a slice while you're there.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Viii Engine Bay

Specs
Engine
Mitsubishi 4G63
GT40R/94R turbocharger (67 trim)
Gato Performance intercooler (24 inches x 12 inches x 4 inches)
TiAL 44mm external wastegate
TiAL atmospheric blow-off valve
APS 3.5-inch downpipe
CP forged pistons
Crower forged rods
ARP L-19 rod bolts
Cosworth camshafts (280-degree duration, 11.5mm lift, intake and exhaust)
Fidanza cam gears
Ferrea valvetrain
Titan Motorsports machined cylinder head (port, polish, C&C, five-angle valve job)
Gato Performance intake manifold
Wilson 80mm throttle body
APS 3.5-inch stainless steel exhaust
Weldon fuel pump
Walbro 255lph in-tank fuel pump
Precision 1,200cc injectors
Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
Titan Motorsports surge tank
Spark Tech ignition system