This much power needs a tough clutch. A 7.25-inch Tilton carbon twin disc clutch was chosen, along with a lightweight chromoly flywheel and hydraulic release bearing. With this set-up, the revs can rise at a quicker rate, making high power while guaranteeing a clean disengagement above 8,000 rpm-and no slipping. Slipping of a different kind is where Skunk2's background and fresh thinking really came into play. S2's engineers have seen plenty of EVOs understeering on the track and their experience with racing front-wheel-drive Hondas had this result: Rather than seeing the EVO as an all-wheel-drive vehicle, they decided to tackle it as a front-wheel-drive car with rear assist.
Using this approach, an arrangement was soon reached that improved the car's turn-in qualities and its ability to rotate. Integral parts include custom-made camber/caster plates mounted to modified and reinforced upper strut towers. A set of custom-valved Skunk2 Pro-C 12-point adjustable shock absorbers were also called into duty, along with H&R antiroll bars, front and rear.
Once attention was turned to the brakes, a six-piston Brembo GT system with 14-inch slotted rotors replaced the standard four-piston set-up, providing better pedal feel and plenty of room for modulation. The tires are (surprise, surprise) BFGoodrich's R1 285/35 racing rubber, mounted on ultra-strong and super-light Volk RE-30 forged racing wheels measuring 18x10.5 on all fours. Although the components of this brake/wheel/tire combo are bigger than the stock items, the materials used make them much lighter than OE.
The EVIL-R EVO IX widebody kit worn by S2R1 is one of the first off APR's production line. It's around 3 inches broader than stock, so it can accommodate those larger tires. A carbon-fiber GT300-style wing from APR adds more downforce. In an effort to keep weight to a minimum, Seibon carbon-fiber doors (front and rear), hood and trunk lid have also been installed. With painstaking care, Jerry Choo of Kosmo Motorsports did the bodywork and applied the stealth black paint. The graphics came from Pit Crew Motorsports/Gen X Graphics.
For the TV show, Skunk2 went with a simpler, more streetable interior. Having had a long and fruitful relationship with Sparco, S2 asked the company to fit its lightweight Pro2000 seats and seat brackets up front, cool black racing harnesses and harness bar plus its steering wheel and a one-of-kind quick-release steering wheel hub adapter. Sparco also reupholstered and embroidered the rear seats to match the front and covered the headliner, pillars and rear shelf in black suede.
Sony provided an 800watt Xplod audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, two Xplod slimline amplifiers, front and rear speakers and a 12-inch subwoofer. But Street Tuner Challenge had a stipulation: A large part of the system must come out quickly and easily. With this in mind, Auto Media & Tint in Corona, Calif. carried out the installation, mounting the amps directly to the subwoofer enclosure, ensuring that the lightweight assembly could be removed in seconds.
With 'phase one' complete, the S2R1 was ready for its close-up, seeing if it was deal or no deal at the Willow Springs track, deep in the Mojave Desert. The TV crew captured it rolling off the trailer, firing up and posting a lap time of 1:25-with little tuning, the boost set low and full interior and sound system on board-a time three seconds better than the winner of the last time attack event held at the circuit.
Applause...cut to team high-fiving and proud and tearful grandmothers, roll the credits, and we're out