The cockpit is dominated by Sparco gear, namely a pair of Milano 2 buckets with memory-foam, stout bolstering and complete reclinability, a Mugello steering wheel outfitted with Sparco's quick-release system, a shift knob and a four-point sport bar/harness bar.
Mild To Wild Interiors of Burlseson, Texas, did the honors inside the mighty Mitsubishi, creating a custom headliner, wrapping the dash, Momo e-brake handle and steering wheel in blue suede and installing a number of informative electronics. These high-tech gems include Defi daisy chain gauges, featuring oil temperature, boost pressure and exhaust gas temperature, housed in a custom gauge pod, as well as an HKS turbo timer and EVC IV boost controller. When it comes to show success, the previously mentioned mods are the "compulsory mods"-the stuff that all show cars have and a place where you can't really score any points and only lose points for not having the mods. Making an impression inside boils down to I.C.E. In-Car Entertainment is the "bling" for interior makeovers and we have seen some extreme cases. The DVD monitors in the trunk can be used when the car is at rest; we are talking about screens under the hood, molded into the windows and even affixed to the front grille of a car. There is a point where the outlandishness leaves a negative impression with judges. Alex was careful to keep it real. Mild To Wild employed an Alpine head unit with a 7-inch touch screen, two 6.5-inch visor screens and a big 15.6-inch unit in a custom fiberglass enclosure in the trunk. A pair of Kicker 850.4 amps power the mids and high that are encased in custom door panels and the rear deck. Two 2500.1 Kicker amps energize a single 18-inch Solo X subwoofer that is parked in a custom trunk enclosure. When your sub is the same size as your rims, you have one thumpin' system. The main power source is two Stinger 1000 batteries that use Stinger connectors and hardware to make the magic happen.
A build-up of these proportions is a tough battle on many fronts. "The biggest challenge was time, not having enough," says Alex. "We had to get it done for shows to please sponsors. It was especially tough for us when the motor was being built up because there were no parts for the 4G63 back then, they all had to come from Japan. Later, as the Evo market blew up, it was easier to find innovative, fresh products."
"My favorite parts on the car is the huge sub in the back, everyone looks at it and does a double take," says Alex, "and the wide body treatment, it's amazing how it jumps out and grabs you visually."
Is perfection truly attainable? We will happily leave that up to know-it-all philosopher types. Is this Evo totally bad ass? Absolutely, no philosophizing needed.
Behind the Build
Head to the message boards at www.importtuner.com to chat about this feature VehicleName. Alexander WackerAge. Twenty fourHometown. Flower Mound, TexasOccupation. Dog TrainerHobbies. Working on cars, movies, hanging out, clubbingBuild Time. Three years and countingFeedback. Sponsors; APR, Falken Tires, (nick [Mr. Clean] and Greg), GS Motorsports, Kicker, Meguiar's, Stinger, Valvoline, Will's Discount Tires, my club Team 16niss