Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

See My Evo IX.

The following websites and online communities have a wealth of information related to the Evo IX.

• Evolution Oz - good Australian based Evo site with forums
  • Evolution Oz Forums
• evolutionm.net - international EVO site
  • evolutionm.net Forums
  • evolutionmn.net Australian Forum
  • evolutionm.net - Project Evo
• Mitsubishi GSR/EVO Club
• Ralliart Australia - Mitsubishi Australia's official website about the EVO

Reviews of the Mitsubishi Evo IX. All are very favourable.

• Car and Driver: 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
• Drive.com.au: EVO IX review
• Sport Compact Car: Mitsubishi EVO IX Road Test
• Gizmag: New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
• Inside Line: 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX vs. 2006 Subaru WRX STI
• Scooby Blog: 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX vs 2006 Subaru WRX STI
• RSportsCars.com - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR

The general consenus seems to be:

Pros:

• Excellent handling
• Strong engine
• One of the best driver's cars for under $100k

Cons:

• Harsh ride
• Other cars for the same price have better interiors and comfort

The optional BBS wheels for the Evo IX are 17” x 8” and offset 38. The tyres are 235/45/17.

Weight is said to be 1470kg to 1490kg.

The following websites detail performance parts and tuning packages for the Mitsubishi Evo IX.

• AMS Performance: Evolution
  • AMS Performance: AMS Evolution Stages
• Vishnu Performance: Mitsubishi Evo
• Vivid Racing: EVO IX Performance Center
• Mauro Motosports: Evolution IX

Also, the For Sale section of the Evolution Oz forums often has good stuff.

To get the Evo IX up to around 400HP (at the engine), the following mods are recommended:

• Full exhaust system and downpipe
• Electronic boost controller
• Cams
• Retuned or programmable ECU

Apparently the stock intercooler, turbo, and fuel system can be retained for this level of power.

See this thread on the MRT Performance forums for details of the progress on their own Evo IX. They have created a PDF document on their power-up kit for the Evo IX.

See this thread on Evolution Oz for information about cam selection for the 4G63 engine. Apparently to get decent benefits from cams on the 4G63 you need more lift, not duration. This means that the HKS cams are not going to do much. The Piper, JUN, and Tomei kits have higher lift cams and so require the springs and retainers to also be changed, but this results in more power gains.

Plazmaman are said to make really high quality intercooler kits. They have an online shop, and they are currently developing an Evo IX intercooler kit.

See this thread about exhausts for the EVO IX. See this thread on evolutionm.net for a review of the Fujitsubo RM01A, and this thread for a review of the Tanabe Medallion Touring (both on Evo IXs).

Exhausts that were recommended to give decent power while not being too loud include:

• HKS Silent Power system
• Tanabe Medallion Touring
• Fujitsubo Legalis R

The HKS Silent Hi Power is available from Vision R.

Motec make a plug-in ECU board for the Evo IX, based on the M800. Autronic will also be releasing a plug-in ECU board based on the SM4. It should be available around September 2006. In the US, people have had success with a mail-in ECU reflash. AMS also reflash ECUs. A'PEXi has not released a Power FC for the Evo IX and probably never will (although there is a Power FC for the EVO VII and an adapter which allows you to use it with the EVO VIII too).

See this thread on EvolutionOz forums about where to get an Autronic installed in Perth, WA.

The user scott1600 on EvolutionOz forums works for Haltech. On 6 July 2006 he said:

Haltech will have a release of the E8 full plugin kit for the EVO9 in the next 3-4 weeks.
Cost on the full kit will be AUD$1750.00, incuding a base map to run the car just like factory. 

Several workshops offer staged modification packages for the Evo IX. Here are the details of some of them.

The AMS stages leading up to the turbo kit include the following parts. Prices in US dollars.

AMS Stage 1

• K&N Cone with MAF Adaptor
• AMS Stainless Steel Cat Back Exhaust
• Walbro 255 lph High Pressure Pump
• Autometer Boost Gauge with Carbon Fiber Gauge Cup
• AMS In-House ECU Flash
• (optional) AMS Spark Plug Cover $99.95
• (optional) Greddy Profec B Spec-II $290.00
• (optional) AMS MBC $60.00
• (optional) HALLMAN Evolution RX MBC Kit $169.96

AMS Stage 2

• AMS Upgraded front mount intercooler upgrade
• Smooth flow lower I/C piping
• AMS 3” full stainless downpipe
• AMS 3” Stainless Steel Testpipe
• NGK BPR7ES Spark Plugs x 4
• (optional) AMS 3” High Flow Cat +$100.00
• (optional) Exedy Single Plate Organic Clutch +$500.00

AMS Stage 3

• HKS Cams any combination
• ARP Head Studs
• Either 680cc or 780cc Injectors
• (optional) AMS Fuel Rail - $140.00
• (optional) Cam Gears (HKS $385.00/pair or Fidanza $215.00/pair)

The Vishnu Evo IX Stage One is supposed to achieve 400bhp. It includes:

• XFlash Reprogrammed ECU
• Passive Boost Solenoid Emulator
• Standard Series Downpipe
• Standard Series High-Flow Catalyst
• Standard Series Catback

Buschur Racing offers staged upgrades for the Evo IX.

Stage 0

• Evolution Air Filter Kit
• Evolution Stainless Steel 2.5” Downpipe
• Evolution Stainless Steel 2.5” Axle Back Exhaust
• Boost Gauge w/ Column Mount Gauge Pod
• Buschur Racing Manual Boost Controller
• Buschur Flash ECU Tuning (the SAFC II may be substitued also).

Stage 1

• AIR FILTER KIT
• BR EVOLUTION 3” STAINLESS STEEL DOWNPIPE
• 3” HIGHFLOW CATALYTIC CONVERTER
• BR EVOLUTION 3” STAINLESS STEEL CATBACK W/ A BUSCHUR RACING STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLER
• BR MANUAL BOOST CONTROLLER
• BUSCHUR FLASH ( SAFC II W/ BR SPECIFIC SETTINGS CAN BE SUBSTITUTED FOR FLASH)
• AUTOMETER 30-0-30 BOOST GAUGE
• COLUMN MOUNT GAUGE POD

See this thread on EvolutionOz forums about a member's feedback on the upgrade packages offered by MRT Performance. His car is their test car.

MRT have some info about it here. PDF documents containing information on car-specific upgrade packages can be download from this page.

AMS Performance apparently make excellent turbo kits for the Evo VIII and Evo IX. Guys in the USA have been getting excellent results with the AMS 50R turbo kit which is supposed to be the best one for pump fuel. See this thread on evolutionm.net for a review. The AMS 50R turbo kit contains:

• AMS 304 SS Thick Wall Tubular header
• Garrett 50R Ball Bearing Turbocharger
• SS 3” Tubular O2 housing
• SS 3” Downpipe
• Tial 38mm Wastegate (circulated back into the downpipe to keep the volume toned down)
• Lightweight 3” or 4” intake pipe with K&N cone filter for either MAF or standalone ECU applications
• Lightweight Aluminum Lower Intercooler Pipe
• Braided SS Oil Feed and Return Lines
• Braided Silicone Coolant Lines
• Slim line fan
• All necessary hardware and gaskets

On the EvolutionOz forums, the seller Just JDM is selling turbo kits for the Evo IX. The kit costs AU$3990 and is said to be good for ~300kW at the wheels. It includes the following parts:

• GT30 turbo (500hp oil & water cooled ball-bearing)
• Tial Wastegate 32mm
• Manifold to suit
• Dump pipe
• All oil lines and fittings gaskets

See this thread on EvolutionOz forums about lowering an Evo IX.

Whiteline make a whole range of stuff for the Evo IX.

The Handling Pack (part number KLAN03H) consists of:

• Swaybar, front, 26mm fixed
• Swaybar, rear, 24mm blade adjustable
• Front steering precision kit (JDM right hand drive)
• Rear bump steer correction kit

Costs $536.04.

The Sports Pack (part number 1K4029C) consists of:

• Whiteline Group 4 height adjustable coilovers, circuit spec (4)

Costs $3809.09.

The Works (part number KLAN03X) consists of everything in the handling pack and sports pack combined. Costs $3981.82.

Other parts available include:

• Springs, front, control low (part number 73240) $158.18
• Springs, rear, control low (part number 73241) $158.18
• Rear upper alloy strut brace with quick release (part number KSB628Q) $200.00
• A variety of bushes.

See the Evo Show & Shine forum on evolutionm.net for lots of pics and threads related to aesthetics. See this thread for lots of pics of Evo IXs. Also see this thread for some pics of a really nice white Evo IX and a black WRX STi.

Some of my favourite combos include:

• Black, gunmetal 5-spoke wheels such as Rays Gram Lights, lowered, dark tint
• White, carbon fibre front lip, gunmetal wheels, lowered, dark tint
• White, carbon fibre front lip, black wheels with polished rim, lowered, dark tint
• Silver, bronze wheels, lowered, dark tint

In June 2006 JUN released a new Evo IX bodykit here. See JUN's aero parts for the Evo IX.

C-West also make a kit.

See this thread on the EvolutionOz forums about window tinting. Apparently the optional window tinting that Mitsubishi can do from the factory is not very dark at all. Better to get it done yourself. Some people recommended Tech9Tyres in Myaree.

See this guide on evolutionmn.net. samson8088 on EvolutionOz forums followed these instructions for his white Evo IX and talks about it here.

See Paceway Mitsubishi in Osbourne Park. Linsday Chambers is the Ralliart representative there Phone (08) 9492 9492. Address is 334 Scarborough Beach Rd, Osbourne Park.

Models built in 2005 are slightly discounted.

Here are some second hand Evos for sale:

• 2006 EVO IX, blue, 7000kms (on Carsales)
• 2006 EVO IX, demonstrator, blue, 300kms (on Carsales)
• 2004 Evolution VIII - black, Australian delivered, 48,400kms, modified, $48900
• Blue 2006 EVO IX - see here or here on EvolutionOz forums - 6,200kms, Bi xenon, Kings Spring, Ralliart airfilter, DEFI boost gauge, Vortex, $53,990. $58,990 inc 19×8.5 TE37 Forged Volk Racing.