Fanatics are unshakeable enthusiasts that just can't get enough. Ben Denkers is fanatical when it comes to his Mitsubishis. He had already owned, totaled or sold three different Evolutions before finally selecting this EVO VIII RS.

Suspension and chassis specialist Robert Fuller of RobiSpec shares a little about his experience with Denkers. “Ben’s first EVO was a IX built up to 500 horsepower with a race-tuned suspension. It was late and Ben was unfamiliar with the new setup. He got overzealous on his test drive and ended up totaling the car. He then found an EVO VIII shell and transferred everything over from the crashed IX. But the extreme winter conditions where he was at prevented him from enjoying the car, so it was sold. He got the itch again in the spring and bought his third EVO. He brought it to me and was ready to begin building it, but I talked him into selling it to build a more serious chassis, an EVO VIII RS.” The pure performance EVO VIII RS features no power windows or locks and has an aluminum roof. A/C and stereo are optional, all in the name of weight savings. This made sense as Ben intended his fourth EVO to be a pure performance machine.

Pick A Purpose

Denkers discussed the future of the RS with RobiSpec and concluded that it would be a streetworthy car capable of attacking circuits in NASA GTA competition in addition to the Limited GT and Street GT classes of various time-attack style events. With an objective in place, work progressed first on the CT9A chassis.

The EVO factory suspension works well for a street application but lacks the adjustability needed by a track car. RobiSpec chromoly suspension links replaced the factory pieces, adding an extra dimension to the range of adjustability at each corner for precise customization of the handling traits. RobiSpec installed its full hard bearing kit, which replaces the rubber bushings at critical pivot points to eliminate deflection and ensure minimal changes to suspension geometry throughout the range of travel. RobiSpec/KW Suspension Group N 3-way adjustable coilovers offer improved dampening and keep the rubber to the road.

A Blade For Speed

Controlling speed when quickly approaching turns requires the surgical precision of a razor in some situations or the raw bite of a machete in others. RobiSpec worked closely with Essex to fit AP Racing 5900 series NASCAR brake calipers inside the factory 17-inch wheels. Robi Spec designed custom brackets for the radial-mount, forged monoblock calipers that put the squeeze on Essex CL8 brake pads and 2-piece 325mm rotors. To balance the improved front brake system, CL6 brake pads apply friction to the stock rear rotors by way of the factory Brembo two-piston calipers. The improved stopping power is transferred to the pavement through 10-inch wide Enkei RPF-1 wheels wrapped with 295/30R18 Toyo R888’s at all four corners.

Shake Up During Shake Down

Once the chassis was prepped, a built 2.0-liter 4G63 making 500 horsepower was dropped into the engine bay. Ben drove the EVO to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway to dial in the suspension and acclimate to his new ride. He managed a best lap of 2:02.200 that day, but was not without mishap. A part of a spark plug tip broke off, causing a valve failure and subsequent engine damage. Ben looked at his damaged engine as an opportunity to take his EVO to an even higher level.

Stage-3 Spooler

Ben turned to EVO/DSM specialist David Buschur for a solution. Given his objectives, David recommended the Buschur Racing stage-3 2.3RPM engine. This specially-prepared engine features Buschur Racing-specific JE Pistons, Manley forged-steel connecting rods and a Manley billet-steel crankshaft. Up top, a Buschur Racing cylinder head complete with stainless-steel valves, valve springs and titanium retainers rely on HKS 280-degree camshafts to provide lift. Lastly, ARP main and head studs keep the longblock and rotating assembly secured together.