2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - Castrol Syntec Top Car Challenge

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Front View

Castrol Syntec has long since thrown the gauntlet to their Top Car Challenge--the Battle Royale among major automotive enthusiast magazines that pits their readers' most potent rides amongst each others' in performance competitions, to ultimately determine which one, well . . . stands at the top of the pack. As the months unfold, you'll hear tales of 900whp S4s, blown 5.0 Mustangs, time-attack winning 350Zs, and probably even a bagged '68 Caprice (don't ask) that all the other mags are betting will take home the gold. We wish them good luck. Because to do it, they'll have to take it from us--more specifically, from Ryan Gates and his '08 EVO X.

We introduced you to Ryan last month, and as much of a likeable guy as he is, this month we're showing you the real reason he's gracing our pages: the sharply dualistic time attack machine/daily driven street car he's built his EVO X to be. This month, we disclose exactly what heat this beast is packing, and the advantages its major modifications bring. As always, visit SyntecTopCarChallenge.com to see all the specifics . . . right down to its titanium lug nuts.

Though it looks on the mild side, Gates' EVO is more than capable of producing over 500 whp with what you see here. Hiding beneath its equal-length manifold is a Forced Performance FP Red turbo, large enough to deliver high horsepower and torque (other FP Red Mitsu users have gone as fast as 9.87@145 in the quarter, without nitrous), but small enough to make a lot of it across a broad portion of the EVO's usable powerband, meaning very little lag coming into throttle--practical in a street car, and vital to a competition car. AMS goodies and tuning are second to none in the EVO market, keeping this monster making big, reliable power while the other guys try not to blow up.
Though it looks on the mild side, Gates' EVO is more than capable of producing over 500 wh
Equally as important to a road-race or time-attack car are its footworks. Ryan's EVO is fitted with only the best: race-proven Girodisc brakes and JRZ three-way adjustable coilovers at each corner, allowing ride height, high- and low-speed compression dampening, and overall rebound adjustability. Lightweight and high strength, these will allow fine tuning of the EVO's suspension across a variety of terrain and dampening demands. See those red cylinders clamped to the strut bar? Those are remote reservoirs, and they relocate damper fluid away from hot brakes, ensuring more consistent dampening and cutting corner weight. As for the brakes, they were designed by a former Porsche-turned-aerospace engineer, and have proved to be consistently badass--need we say more?
Equally as important to a road-race or time-attack car are its footworks. Ryan's EVO is fi

'08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Output 500whp

Engine Mitsubishi 4B11; AMS Intake, front-mount intercooler and piping, surge tank, exhaust; Forced Performance FP Red Turbo; EcuTek-reflashed ECU, tuned by AMS

Drivetrain Carbonetic Triple Carbon clutch; Cusco 1.5-way Rear limited slip differential (LSD)

Suspension JRZ Race TA three-way adjustable coilovers; AMS toe links; Whiteline Roll Center adjusters, 27mm rear sway bar

Wheels/Tires 18x10.5 +15 offset Volk TE37 wheels; 275/35-18 Nitto NT01 tires

Brakes Girodisc two-piece front and rear rotors; AMS stainless steel-braided brake lines;

Exterior AMS front lip splitter, wickerbill, carbon/Kevlar roof; Seibon dry carbon hood trunk, carbon fiber doors

Interior Recaro Pro Racer HANS seat; Takata five-point harness, AMS custom roll bar; race day weight reduction

Electronics AEM & Stri Gauges

Interior modifications made to Ryan's EVO look pretty crazy, but this is only because it's being prepped for an upcoming Super Lap Battle qualifying round. "During the week," explains Ryan, "Most of the interior goes back in around the cage, and I set another matching Recaro in for a front passenger. Even the seatbelts can go back in." Note the factory dash and steering wheel. The airbag is disconnected for competition (when deployment can be fatal to helmeted drivers), but remains operational for street driving--a very, very smart move for a street-driven race car.
Interior modifications made to Ryan's EVO look pretty crazy, but this is only because it's
Here's something the other guys will definitely not have! With a project car track record consisting of four-digit hp Skyline GT-Rs, 10-second drag Civics, JGTC Supras, 700whp RSXs, and what's currently in our garages, 2NR has held it down over the years better than anyone. And we're not about to stop adding more to our list!
Here's something the other guys will definitely not have! With a project car track record