Intro
Born from Mitsubishi’s rally racing pedigree, the Lancer Evolution V emerged in 1998 as the fifth iteration of the legendary EVO lineup. Developed specifically to dominate the World Rally Championship, the EVO V represented a significant evolution with its aggressive styling, wider track, and improved aerodynamics over its predecessors.
In JDM culture, the EVO V holds an exalted position as the perfect fusion of raw performance and everyday usability. Its turbocharged 4G63 engine, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, and rally-bred handling made it an icon among enthusiasts seeking Japanese performance without supercar prices. The EVO’s rivalry with the Subaru WRX STI created one of automotive culture’s most passionate divides, with EVO loyalists championing Mitsubishi’s more mechanical, direct approach to performance.
This particular build stands out for its meticulous balance between period-correct modifications and modern performance enhancements. While preserving the EVO V’s distinctive character, it showcases thoughtful upgrades that amplify the original engineering brilliance without sacrificing the raw, connected driving experience that made these cars legends on both street and track.
Builder Profile
Takeo Nakamura, a 42-year-old former professional drifter turned aerospace engineer, has been modifying Japanese performance cars since his teenage years in Gunma Prefecture. After moving to California in 2004, Nakamura established “Rising Sun Performance,” a boutique tuning shop specializing in EVO builds that blend track functionality with street drivability.
His tuning philosophy centers on what he calls “precision evolution” – making calculated modifications that maintain the EVO’s inherent balance while extracting maximum performance. Unlike shops focused solely on dyno numbers, Nakamura prioritizes chassis dynamics and driver feedback.
A respected figure in both Japanese and American tuning communities, Nakamura regularly competes in time attack events across the western United States and serves as a technical consultant for several grassroots drift competitions. His meticulous attention to detail and engineering background have made him a go-to resource for EVO enthusiasts seeking builds that combine reliability with exhilarating performance.
Why We Love It
The EVO V exists in that perfect nexus where mechanical evolution meets purposeful restraint. Unlike its successors that would eventually succumb to electronic intervention, the fifth-generation Lancer demanded visceral commitment from its pilot. Its 276-horsepower 4G63T engine—an output figure we all recognize as the “gentleman’s agreement” fiction—delivers torque with a distinctive character: boost arrives not as a linear progression but as a determined surge that pins you from 3,500rpm.
What separates the V from lesser Mitsubishis is its unfiltered rally DNA. The Active Yaw Control differential—technology that would influence performance cars for decades—doesn’t sanitize the driving experience but rather amplifies it, allowing rotation that feels telepathic rather than manufactured. The hydraulic steering communicates surface shifts with a clarity lost to modern electric racks.
There’s something magnificent about its CP9A-chassis aggression: the widened track, aluminium hood vents, and that rear wing which functionally reduced lift by 30% over the EVO IV. These weren’t cosmetic flourishes but functional necessities born from Tommi Mäkinen’s WRC campaign requirements.
The V represents the philosophical apex of the EVO lineage—sophisticated enough to be devastatingly effective, yet mechanical enough to demand skill. Its period-defining significance isn’t in being the fastest (it wasn’t) or the most refined (certainly not), but in representing the last gasp of analog performance before the digital revolution would forever change how we interface with performance machinery.
Mods
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
- HKS GT3037S turbocharger upgrade
- ARC titanium front-mount intercooler
- Tomei Expreme Ti titanium exhaust system
- HKS 264° camshafts
- Trust/GReddy oil cooler kit
- Cusco limited-slip front and rear differentials
- Exedy Hyper Single clutch kit
- AEM cold air intake system
- Samco silicone hose kit
- HKS head gasket (1.2mm)
- Apexi Power FC engine management system
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
- TEIN Super Racing coilovers
- Cusco front and rear strut tower bars
- Cusco front and rear sway bars
- Whiteline roll center adjustment kit
- AP Racing 6-pot front brake calipers
- Brembo 4-pot rear brake calipers
- Project Mu HC+ brake pads
- Endless stainless steel brake lines
- CUSCO underbody brace set
WHEELS & TIRES
- Volk Racing CE28N 18×9.5 +22 offset
- Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R (265/35R18)
- Project KICS R40 Neo Chrome lug nuts
- Wheel spacers (15mm front, 20mm rear)
- Muteki SR48 extended wheel studs
EXTERIOR & AERO
- C-West front bumper
- Voltex Type-2 rear wing
- Varis carbon fiber hood
- DAMD side skirts
- APR carbon fiber front lip spoiler
- Ganador super mirrors
- Seibon carbon fiber trunk
- JUN Auto carbon fiber rear diffuser
- HID Xenon headlight conversion
- PIAA Super Smear windshield wipers
INTERIOR
- BRIDE ZETA III driver and passenger seats
- Personal Neo Grinta steering wheel
- NARDI shift knob
- Cusco 6-point roll cage (with harness bar)
- Takata 4-point harnesses
- Defi gauges (boost, oil pressure, oil temp)
- Nardi shift boot
- Cusco aluminum pedal set
- Alpine head unit with JL Audio components
- Zero Sports carbon fiber interior trim panels
ELECTRONICS & ECU
- HKS F-CON V Pro engine management
- Blitz DSBC boost controller
- AEM wideband O2 sensor kit
- Apex’i turbo timer
- HKS EVC boost controller
- Splitfire coil packs
- Power FC commander display
- Omori boost gauge (60mm)
- Innovate MTX-L air/fuel ratio gauge
- Pivot voltage stabilizer
Driving Impression / Build Philosophy
This EVO V build represents a masterful balance of performance modifications working in harmony to create a purposeful street-legal time attack machine. Each modification complements the others in a thoughtfully engineered package rather than a collection of random parts.
The powertrain modifications—from the upgraded turbocharger to the reinforced transmission—deliver reliable power that can be fully utilized thanks to complementary suspension and chassis enhancements. The coilover setup with adjustable damping works in concert with the chassis bracing to maintain ideal geometry under load, allowing the driver to exploit the additional horsepower with confidence.
While the aesthetic modifications give this EVO V visual presence, they all serve functional purposes: wider fenders accommodate the aggressive wheel/tire package, the front splitter and rear wing generate meaningful downforce at speed, and the vented hood extracts heat from the high-output 4G63.
This build philosophy prioritizes balanced performance over maximum power figures. The car remains streetable for weekend drives yet is immediately ready for time attack events without compromise. The modifications reflect a deep understanding of the EVO’s inherent strengths, enhancing rather than fundamentally changing the car’s character—creating a harmonious driving experience that rewards precision and commitment.
FAQ
How reliable is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V?
The EVO V is generally reliable when properly maintained. Regular oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles are essential due to its turbocharged nature. Most reliability issues stem from neglected maintenance or aggressive modifications rather than inherent design flaws.
What is the tuning potential of the EVO V?
The 4G63T engine in the EVO V responds exceptionally well to modifications. With appropriate tuning, the stock engine can safely handle 350-400hp. With forged internals and supporting modifications, many owners achieve 500+hp while maintaining reasonable reliability.
What are the common issues with the Lancer EVO V?
Common problems include AYC pump failures, transfer case wear, rusty rear arches, and deteriorating boost control solenoids. The factory clutch tends to slip when additional power is added, and timing belt service is critical at 60,000 miles to prevent catastrophic engine failure.
What are the best first modifications for an EVO V?
The most effective initial modifications include a cat-back exhaust system, high-flow intake, and ECU reflash. These provide meaningful performance gains while maintaining reliability. Upgrading the intercooler and installing a boost controller offers additional performance without stressing the stock internals.
How expensive is EVO V ownership?
Ownership costs exceed those of standard Lancers. Parts are increasingly scarce, commanding premium prices. Insurance is typically high due to performance classification and theft risk. Expect to pay 30-50% more for consumables like brakes and tires compared to standard vehicles.
Is the EVO V suitable as a daily driver?
While technically usable daily, the EVO V’s stiff suspension, high-strung turbo engine, and limited interior refinement make it challenging as an everyday vehicle. Fuel economy is poor (15-20 MPG), and the car demands more frequent maintenance than modern vehicles.
How does the EVO V compare to modern performance cars?
Despite its age, the EVO V remains impressively capable. Its all-wheel-drive system and responsive turbo engine deliver performance that can still challenge newer vehicles. Modern cars offer better refinement, safety, and efficiency, but many enthusiasts prefer the EVO’s raw, mechanical feel and direct driver engagement.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V stands as a testament to Japanese automotive engineering at its zenith. Two decades after its production, the EVO V remains relevant through its perfect blend of everyday usability and track-ready performance—a combination rarely achieved in modern vehicles constrained by emissions regulations and safety requirements.
The EVO V’s continued presence in motorsport heritage, its technological innovations that influenced subsequent performance cars, and its raw, analog driving experience keep it coveted among enthusiasts seeking connection with their machines. In an era of computerized driving aids and electric powertrains, the EVO V represents the mechanical purity that many drivers still yearn for.
Within JDM culture, the EVO V occupies hallowed ground alongside the Skyline GT-R and Supra as defining icons of Japan’s golden age of performance. Its accessibility compared to other JDM legends has created generations of enthusiasts who either owned one or aspired to. The EVO’s appearance in video games, films, and motorsport competitions continues to introduce new admirers to its heritage, ensuring that even as the automotive world evolves, the EVO V remains a benchmark against which modern performance cars are measured—a rally-bred machine whose influence extends far beyond its production years.