Words: Warren Sare Photos: Deven Solanki
“Yeah, I guess you could say I’m a bit of a perfectionist,” laughs Sanil Nadan, the 20-year-plus owner of this instantly recognisable Auckland icon that has undergone its own version of Evolution to be in the state it sits today.
Sanil explains, “This was my first Evo and one of the original Boost Like This cars, but over the years, I’ve owned around 10 other early Evos alongside this one. Each time there would be something I liked or found better, so gradually all the best bits have ended up in this one OG chassis. In a way it may never truly be finished, but for now I am happy where it’s at.” Having also owned later model variants, Sanil says it’s the raw and driver-focused feel of the early Evo that kept him on this build path.
Now, for the Evo-nerds (and we know who you are), yes, this is a 1992 Evolution I according to its chassis number, but everything over the years has been swapped to Evolution III or an aftermarket variant following extensive and often patient research by Sanil. Not one to waste money, there are parts sourced from around the world that call RIP U AL home.
In some builds, there is so much going on that it’s hard to know where to focus, or in cases like this, you’ve got an owner who wants to pay homage to or acknowledge particular aspects that are unique. One of the most special parts of this car is its IHI turbo, and that technology is covered in a breakout section, but Sanil wanted to mention that this particular turbo is a legacy gift from Warren, aka HVY W8 (RIP), who gave it to him to run the 10-second pass he never could. Sanil freely admits that he’s been told time and time again the turbo is too big, or there were easier ways to get that 10-second slip, but he wanted to persevere in honour of his friend. So there it sits, in pride of place low down in the engine bay and in your face (or mirrors) as an everlasting memory of another gone too soon for our scene.
“Old school is just how I wanted to do it,” was another key theme of a build discussion that felt like it could go as long as we wanted it to. “Guys like Ronnie Lim, my tuner Dave, Aswad from Atune Mechanical, Dick from Hi-Tech — they were there, lived it, and did it, and they get what these older builds need,” Sanil says with a grin. As soon as the bonnet is opened, you can see where the likes of RSL have worked their magic in integrating the turbo placement, the twin 38mm wastegates, and a custom plenum to accommodate a rare for street setup PWR water-to-air intercooler.
It’s not often an Evo engine bay could be called unique in a street car, but the lack of a giant front mount intercooler, and a customer radiator next to a menacing turbo, really makes you want to take a closer look. Clean use of braid and hidden wiring completes a show car with a purpose vibe. Nothing is stock here, bar the block, and maybe, just maybe a billet block would be nice… or that could go in the “other” car, Sanil hints with that cheeky smile again.
RIP U AL is not that red Evo you are thinking of, and probably humming the song. It’s the other candy red Evo, and this one, given it was painted nearly 20 years ago, is holding up pretty well considering it does get used and abused. Well looked after but just ageing like we all are. Sanil did say that it may be about time for a refresh of the custom candy apple red, but maybe that’s just his perfectionist streak. When the sun hits that candy apple red and gold Work Meister S1 combo, there are few who wouldn’t stop, stare, and admire just how good this looks before perhaps noticing that RIP U AL has had a five-stud hub upgrade over the factory four-stud setup. BC Gold adjustable coilovers set the ride height just right without being too harsh, and now that Sanil is a family man, this car is just as at home nipping down to the shops as it is on a quarter mile or wet skid pan.
The colour palette carries over inside with Recaro Millennium Red SR-3s and matching door trims front and rear, while the pilot is kept safe by a Cusco roll cage for those higher speed missions. The usual array of high-end gauges works in conjunction with the Link G4 ECU to make sure everything is doing what it should. Audio is minimal, but then again, it’s pretty hard to fit subs in when your boot space is taken up by a 40L drop tank with dual pumps.
With multiple awards to its name, there is absolutely no question that RIP U AL sits among the top echelon of all-arounder Evos in NZ. From the streets to the events, to getting a meal with the family, this labour of love may truly be the perfect Evolution. It’s also one of only two original Boost Like This cars still in the family, and it’s easy to see why.
About that perfectionist thing… What do you do when you decide you want to go fast and you don’t want to wreck the all-rounder? Well, you begin building a drag car, but that’s a story for another day.
SPEC LIST
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution I (CD9A)
Heart
ENGINE: 4G63, 2000cc four-cylinder
BLOCK: 4G63 block, CP rods, Wiseco pistons, Eagle crankshaft, ATI crankshaft Super Damper, Kiggly Racing crank trigger sensor, Darton sleeves
HEAD: Kelford TX280 cams, Kelford cam gears, Kelford Beehive valve springs, Kelford titanium retainers, Ferrea Racing valves, Kiggly Racing oil pressure regulator, ARP 207 head studs, copper head gasket, ported and polished
INTAKE: RSL platinum plenum and throttle body
EXHAUST: RSL front-facing turbo manifold, custom three-inch straight-pipe exhaust system
TURBO: Steve Murch IHI XR8
WASTEGATE: Twin TiAL 38mm
BOV: GReddy Type-R
FUEL: Aeromotive twin Phantom Series 2000hp in-tank fuel pump, Bosch 1650cc injectors, 40L drop tank in-boot, SX Performance fuel pressure regulator, Speedflow fittings and fuel lines
IGNITION: Haltech coil packs, Eagle 10.5mm spark plug leads
ECU: Link G4
COOLING: PWR water to air intercooler, custom ice blocks, PWR custom radiator, twin Davies Craig fans
Drive
GEARBOX: Evo I RS five-speed LSD gearbox
CLUTCH: Twin plate Competition
FLYWHEEL: Lightened flywheel
DIFF: Evo I RS LSD
EXTRA: Evo I RS transfer case
Support
STRUTS: BC Gold adjustable coilovers BRAKES: (F) Evo IV callipers and rotors, Pagid Racing pads (R) Evo IV callipers and rotors, Pagid Racing pads ARMS/KNUCKLES: Hardrace camber arms, Hardrace toe arms EXTRA: Cusco front and rear strut braces, Cusco full roll cage, five-stud conversion, Cusco engine mounts
Shoes
WHEELS: (F) 18×8.5 (+32) Work Meister S1 3P (R) 18×8.5 (+32) Work Meister S1 3P
TYRES: (F) 215/35R18 Falken FK 452 (R) 215/35R18 Falken FK 452
Exterior:
PAINT: Custom candy apple red with black base
ENHANCEMENTS: Evo III front bumper, sideskirts and rear bumper, Evo III rear spoiler, Ganador Super mirrors, Evo III fog lights, ceramic coated
Interior
SEATS: Recaro Millennium Red SR-3 front, custom Recaro stitching rear
STEERING WHEEL: MOMO Racing
INSTRUMENTATION: Defi gauges, Ralliart shift knob
EXTRAS: Reupholstered door cards, Sony headunit, Xplod speakers all round
Performance:
POWER: 380kW
BOOST: 30psi
FUEL TYPE: Flex fuel (BP98 & C16)
TUNER: Dave from Tune Technic and Aswad from Atune Mechanical LTD
Driver Profile:
DRIVER/OWNER: Sanil Nadan (President of Boost Like This Performance – Car Club)
AGE: 40
LOCATION: West Auckland
OCCUPATION: Project manager
BUILD TIME: 20 years
LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP: 20 years
THANKS: Ronnie from RSL Performance, Dave from TuneTechnic and Aswad from Atune Mechanical Ltd, Ifraaz from NZ Pro Detailing Ltd, Aveendra from Forged Automotive, Dick from Hytech Engines, Dave from Work Wheels NZ, friends and family from Hard N Fast, my brother Suresh Nadan, my family from Boost Like This Performance, and lastly, my family and friends who have contributed to the build and have provided support and encouragement over the years. Chonee Hakim, Daimon from Auckland, Manual transmission, Shane Lomu (Platinum Autoworx), and Anilesk Karan (Sparky).
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This article originally appeared in New Zealand Performance Car issue 316
