car [Mitsubishi Evo 8 RaceCar]

A-Spec Products in El Monte, California has brought many of their own adaptations of vehicles to the automotive scene and have done a great job at doing so. That is why a few months ago we featured their Gram Lights rendition of their 2003 Mitsubishi Evo 8.

This month we are featuring another 2003 Evo 8, only this time built solely for race purposes. Originally the plan was to take a Skyline GT-R and make it their ultimate race car, but due to them not being readily available A-Spec had to choose a different platform. “So we picked the next best thing! That and we didn’t think a 240SX would be competitive enough”, says the team at A-Spec

This blue dream machine is flossing a Gram Lights front bumper, APR carbon side mirrors and GT wing, A-Spec wide fenders, and Seibon hood, and trunk. A front splitter was used but became the primary problem for the company. The splitter was causing too much downforce and actually flew off three times before A-Spec finally decided to leave it off.

Building a race car means going on the Nicole Richie diet and stripping the entire interior and using only what’s needed. A Recaro ProRacer SPG bucket seat holds the driver in place while he pilots the beast with the Nardi wheel and titanium shift knob. A custom welded roll-cage and rear firewall ensure that the driver is completely safe when putting the pedal to the metal.

Endless/Zeal Function X dampers keep this all wheel drive beast in control, while Swift sway bars and an ARC front strut bar structures the chassis more sternly.

With all the wheels out on the market it’s hard to find the correct wheel for performance as well as a wheel that hasn’t been played out yet. The Volk Racing RE30’s were selected to do the job. Constructed to be more rigid than the CE28N’s and weighing somewhere between the CE28 and TE37’s, this wheel was the perfect choice for racing. Peering through wheels you will find the Project Mu 4pot big brake kit ready for action.

The most impressive piece on this car is the actual powerhouse. Built by Cosworth USA, this 4G63 motor has been balanced, blueprinted, and assembled to successfully take out any competition. The internals were beefed up with aftermarket valves, valvesprings, cams, pistons, connecting rods, and cam gears to work more efficiently. The turbo was also upgraded to an ATP/Garrett 3071R dual ball bearing turbine with an ATP proprietary turbine housing. A-Spec provided their Evo with their very own intake, turbo manifold, and exhaust system. A Quaife LSD and Exedy Twin Plate clutch put all 485 plus estimated horses to the wheels.

A-Spec has once again brought our viewers’ one of the illest race cars on the track. With numerous achievements attained before, this is just one more notch under their belt. From distributing some of the greatest brands known to man, to producing their own outstanding products, to building great cars…A-Spec Products has made sure they covered all aspects of the industry.