Photos: Ryan Cabanizas
Guestwriter: Lants Sugiyama

What makes the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series so highly acclaimed? Is it the velcro-like AWD handling? The bulletproof engines that most of the Evo's in the states are equipped with, capable of over 1,000hp? Some people may even cite the Lancer's history in rallying beginning with the humble 1973 Lancer 1600 GSR. For Ramil, it was love at first sight.

Originally driving a 1989 Honda Accord in high school, Ramil found himself stuck in the parking lot after a break down. In the search for a newer and more reliable car, Ramil wandered into the parking lot at Mitsubishi. A Rally Red Evo VIII on the front racks caught his eye and he fell in love. Unfortunately, at the time he didn't have the funds available and Ramil settled for an '04 VW GTI. After a few years of driving the GTI, a new job with the painters union came along and the Lancer tugged at his heartstrings once again, now that he had the income available for it. Again, Ramil found himself at the Mitsubishi sales lot and with very little convincing from the salesman, he became the proud owner of a Rally Red 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX MR.

Wanting a reliable daily driver, Ramil decided to enhance the Evo's phenomenal engine, rather than try to reengineer it and risk turning it into an undrivable and unreliable pig. Under the hood, the best names in the business were tapped. HKS intercooler piping and a limited edition HKS SQV blowoff valve in black, as well as ARC's intake box and radiator cap. Spent exhaust gases are funneled through an RSR downpipe and out through their catback exhaust system. Garage HRS provided heat shielding in the form of their manifold heat shield and radiator cooling plate. To make sure all fluids and gases are kept in their piping, Samco silicon hoses are used on the radiator, as well as the intercooler and intake connectors.

The Evo's footwork consists of Tein Super Street coilovers with EDFC Damper Controller, a GT Spec 4 point ladder brace and what Ramil is especially proud of, 18x9 +29 offset Advan RG2s, custom powdercoated a gloss black. Wrapping the Advans are 235/40/18 Nexen tires for daily driving and Toyo R888, Toyo's top of the line semi-slick race tires are planned for autocross duties.

The interior is treated with a Sparco harness bar, Takata harnesses and an ARC titanium shift knob. To keep an eye on the engine vitals, a Pro Sport gauge pod houses Pro Sport oil pressure, water temperature and boost gauges, while a HKS turbo timer makes sure the Evo's stock TD05H turbo gets ample cooling time. Ramil and his occupants stay comfortable and entertained (if they get tired of listening to the SQV blow off valve) by a 3.5 inch JVC EXAD KD-AVX2 DVD/CD player.

The new trend as far as exterior styling goes, means keeping the car clean with few exterior pieces and lip kits that compliment the factory styling, rather than the loud and flashy body kits of the Fast and the Furious days. Ramil's Evo is no exception. The rear bumper was replaced with a JDM piece, as were the side markers. Rexpeed provided the majority of the carbon fiber via a front lip, rear bumper extensions and the first set of first set of air ducts the company made. Tyrant carbon side spats finished off Ramil's love with the hypnotizing fiber weave. Finally a Perrin stubby antenna finished out the exterior mods.

With a car this clean, what more can be done? Ramil plans to put the emphasis on a suspension build rather than the motor as he wants to put some time behind the wheel at future SCCA events, but for now, he's happy with his newly born baby boy. Maybe it's time for a matching Recaro baby seat?