Weekend Warrior: getting to know Charlie Lam’s 1998 Mitsubishi Evo V

We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified daily drivers get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about it, modify it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.

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Name: Charlie Lam
Location: Auckland
Occupation: Broker support at Crombie Lockwood
Make/model: 1998 Mitsubishi Evo V
Engine: Mitsubishi 4G63, 1000CC injectors, rebuilt TD05 turbo with TD06 core
HKS cam gears, HKS timing belt, HKS SSQV blow-off valve, HKS turbo down pipe, HKS silent hi-power exhaust system, Link G4 ECU, oil catch can, Walbro fuel pump, Turbosmart internal wastegate actuator, front-mounted intercooler
Drivetrain: Exedy sports clutch, Exedy lightweight flywheel
Interior: Genuine Bride Zeta III FRP driver seat, Takata harness, Momo Nero steering wheel, DKM fabrication half cage, Turbosmart boost gauge
Exterior: Varis carbon boot, carbon GT wing
Suspension: Cusco front and rear strut brace, HSD coilovers, Hard Race rear adjustable arms, and rear toe arms
Wheels/tyres: 17×9-inch Work CR Kai, 235/40R17 Nitto NTO5

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NZPC: Hey Charlie, well done on building such a tough-looking weekend warrior. What was your inspiration for starting the build?

Charlie: Hey guys, thank you. I never expected to build this car when I first bought it, however, after seeing many modified time-attack Evos in various time-attack challenges, I gathered what I liked from both the super-low Evos in Japan and the time attack ones in Sydney to create something unique.

Why an Evo over something rear- or front-wheel drive?

I’ve owned my fair share of rear- and front-wheel-drive cars in the past, but never found them as exciting as Evos due to how hard the Mitsis pull, and their instant torque. I wanted something different from the regular, something that could stand out in terms of performance as well as shows. I haven’t seen any with sunroofs either. I think they handle brilliantly, being all-wheel drive, and it definitely feels much sturdier.

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Did you have a vision of where you wanted the Evo to end up, or did you build it as parts became available over time? 

After completing my first track day, I made a complete list of what I wanted to do to it, and the list has been steadily growing. Meanwhile I continued to attend track days and drags to see what else could be improved on the car. I wanted to keep the Evo with a stock engine, and show what a stock engine could do without any big modifications done to it.

Take us through the engine set-up you’re running, and is there more to come in terms of power? 

Currently it’s running a stock 4G63 with 1000cc injectors and a rebuilt TD05 to push it that little bit more. It’s only making 270kW at present, which is far from where I would like it. In terms of what I have planned, I would ideally like to push it past 350kW, but what’s involved with that will have to be a secret for now.

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How is the Evo best enjoyed? 

With a nice chicken burger (she laughs), just kidding — the easy answer would definitely be on the track. There isn’t a day that goes by that I wouldn’t rather be out at Hampton Downs Raceway, but I do enjoy my Sunday drives to Oporto.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, we wish you all the best with your build, and in the hunt for more performance.