Baez is currently seeking sponsorship to go racing; although he likes clipping apexes, he doesn't cut corners. Robispec of New Jersey, a giant in the American EVO scene, was approached to rework the suspension. First thing: KW Clubsport rebound- and damping-adjustable coilovers, lowering the car by three inches at each end, stiffening its stance and absorbing imperfections in the driving surface of choice. Next came Cusco 25mm anti-roll bars and strut braces, front and rear, plus bushings from Whiteline; a track-friendly (stiff) set-up, but one still usable on the street.
The car rolls on a set of ultra-light 18x9 Volk Racing RE30 wheels, wearing 255/40 Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tires. Hardly a frugal choice, yet a combination that has proven itself time and again. But here's something unusual: Baez has kept the brake system virtually stock, except for Hawk HPS pads and Stoptech braided stainless steel lines. Those factory-issue Brembos aren't too shabby, it seems.
As the pictures attest, the body didn't get off quite so lightly as the brakes. A carbon fiber front lip from JDP Engineering helps cut drag and increase downforce, while Fiber Images' CF hood and trunk shed weight, as does an AMS CF roof; around the back is a JDM bumper for style.
If you could see past the tinted windows, you'd find a six-point roll cage with swing-outs made by MPH Fabrications of Connecticut. Try not to drool on the black Bride front seats and rear upholstery, or the suede-covered Sparco 383 steering wheel that matches the suede headliner. Yet more props go to AMS for installing the electronics: AEM gauges, Alpine IVA-D310 DVD with GPS headunit, plus one 750-watt stereo amp and a 600-watt mono unit. Speakers are 6.5-inch Boston Acoustics Pro series with a JL Audio 10-inch subwoofer, all wired up with Monster cable. Baez is a sound engineer, remember, so he's probably just as picky on this stuff as he would be with the greasy bits.
It's fair to say that, although his car has some serious kit installed by top-level people, Baez has had a tougher time of it than most. "There are shops out there that just want to take your money and not even do the job right," he says. "One place had my car for over a year--it's been a long road." He regrouped, did the research and settled on reliable, well-known companies. And he's been up and down the Eastern Seaboard as well as over to the Mid-West to have his vision realized.
Behind The Build
Head to the message boards atwww.importtuner.com to chat about this feature vehicle
Name: Steve Baez
Age: 36
Hometown: Palm Springs, FL
Occupation: Sound Engineer
Hobbies: Building Fast Cars And Racing Them
Build time: Three Years
Feedback: sharkbite2000@aol.com
Quote: "This is my first japanese car."
'06 Mitsubishi EVO 9
Output: 728 WHP
Engine: AEM ECU, boost controller; K&N air filter; HKS Carbon-Ti exhaust; AMS VSR twin-rail intake manifold, oil cooler, twin fuel rails, exhaust manifold; Walbro 255 Lph fuel pumps (2); Fuel Lab fuel regulator; Spark Tech spark plugs, ignition system; Precision 850R 6262 turbocharger; TiAL wastegate, BOV; Buschur Racing intercooler; CBRD radiator; Supertech I mm-oversized valves, valve springs, titanium retainers; GSC 274 camshafts; Ross AMS-spec pistons; Oliver E4340 connecting rods
Drivetrain: Tilton rally cerametallic clutch, lightweight billet steel flywheel; Driveshaft Shop Stage Five axles; Quaife limited-slip center diff
Suspension: KW Clubsport coilovers; Cusco 25mm anti-roll bars (front and rear), strut braces (front and rear); Whiteline bushings
Wheels/Tires: Volk RE30 18x9, +35mm offset wheels; Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 255/40 tires
Brakes: Hawk HPS pads; Stoptech braided stainless steel lines
Exterior: JDP Engineering carbon fiber front lip; Fiber Images CF hood, CF trunk; AMS CF roof; JDM rear bumper
Interior: Six-point custom roll cage w/swing-outs; Bride Low Max seats (front), rear upholstery; Sparco steering wheel; suede head liner; AEM gauges; Alpine IVA-D310 DVD, GPS unit, 750-watt stereo amp, 600-watt mono unit; Boston Acoustics 6.5-inch Pro Series speakers; JL Audio 10-inch subwoofer; Monster cable
Gratitude: AMS Performance, Ivey Tune, JDP Engineering, CBRD Speed Factory, Mil Spec, MPH Fabrications, A Spec (source for Volk Racing wheels)