Japanese Cars online publications

Words Rob McIlroy
Ignition Magazine

Make Mitsubishi Model Lancer GSR Year 1993 Owner Matt Sealy

Since the dawn of time, man has sought perfection in every facet of life, from the most perfect painting, to the perfect body, or the on going struggle to find the perfect wife. Ok, some goals are more pipe dreams or simply the delusions of mad men.

One man that is consumed by such a quest for perfection is Matt Sealy; he has come as close as any on two fronts. The first of which is the immaculate Mitsubishi, dubbed EVLGSR, you see before you, the second is his girlfriend that actually understands and condones his obsession with the first.

However, Matt wouldn’t let us take pictures of his girlfriend so we better focus on the car. Like any build, Matt’s plans started off modest… a lick of paint here…a bit of power there… hell, maybe a new stereo… Of course the ‘modest’ part of the plan went out the window very quickly.

First off, the standard GSR curves were deemed a little too placid/flaccid, especially for this likes of this Evil GSR, and were binned in favor of the more aggressive evo 3 style. This included the fitment of the evo 3 front bumper, bonnet and rear wing, with the side skirts and rear end caps finishing the combo off. However, a keen eye will spot a number of areas have received a bit of “attention”, with the ‘EVOLUTION III’ imprint usually found on the side skirts being completely smoothed over and the likes of the side indicators and rear aerial being removed altogether.

Matt decided the factory paint job was not up to the task of highlighting the cars new look so off to Street FX it went to be decked out from end to end in a coat of candy blue paint. In the mean time Matt found himself being convinced (with little or no effort) to give the interior a “spruce up”. This “spruce up” very quickly escalated to a full blown “make over”, which included the addition of WRX bucket seats, neon lit Perspex windows in the floor and the best of Momo accessories.

When one realizes they are going to have to endure such an escalating build a number of sacrifices have to be made, whether it be money, time or in this case; a farms worth of pure bred Friesian cows! These heifers donated their pampered hides so Matt’s entire cabin could be retrimed in Champagne Palomar leather. This leather also found its way into the boot to finish off the sound and visual install, which includes a set of Sony Xplode 12” subs, a pair of Sony Xplode amplifiers and a 13” LCD screen.

Once the paint fumes had settled and last thread sewn, Matt was fairly happy with what EVLGSR had evolved to: a stand out car in the ever growing evo/gsr scene, while also a new place to host the most prestigious of dinner parties. However, after finding himself in the runners up position at the Wellington Autosalon, thanks to another popular GSR of the green kind, Matt’s contentment started to waver. Plans were made, bank balances were emptied and Matt’s friends were called in for countless hours of slavery.

Throughout the show season this EVLGSR was primped, prodded and modded, with each show displaying something new and awe inspiring. Thanks to Matt’s obsession with perfection, anything that could be changed was changed! This included that candy blue paint finding its way around every corner of the car otherwise untouched, only being halted at the suspension setup which was decked out in contrasting chrome gold.

Nothing was left untouched, including the engine bay, which not only received a coat in the same candy blue as the exterior, but a completely new power plant. Now residing under the bonnet is a 4G63 from a VR4, sporting a rather large Garret T3/T4 turbo thanks to an impressive new exhaust manifold. The turbo is positioned off to the side of the performance Metalworks radiator, which via an intake scoop mounted on the inside of the front grill, sucks copious amounts of fresh air from the front of the car. This air is then processed by the huge bar and plate intercooler, which swaps hot for cold and allows the forced 02 to continue on to the custom intake plenum. This has been designed to allow for perfect flow as well as even distribution into the head. Once again, this is thanks to Performance Metalworks, which with the addition of oil catch can, radiator reservoir and of course the full 3” exhaust system, venting spent gases, wraps up the Performance Metalworks shopping list. Jono at Performance Metalworks has passed on his thanks to Matt, as this has ensured he will be able to give his children a university education.

Although these VR4 engines are renowned for there strength, Matt’s need for perfection and excitement at the possibilities with such a turbo, meant he could not leave the engine alone. The block was treated to a set of CP forged pistons and Eagle H-beam rods, while ARP head studs keep the cosmetic head gaskets firmly in place under the head, making sure the engine could handle whatever the turbo would force into it.

With such a large turbo and a forged engine to match, the GSR fuel system started to look a little inadequate, now no man likes to feel inadequate, so to remedy this, Matt has fitted a Bosch fuel pump to give force to the go juice via braided lines, while an SX fuel pressure regulator makes sure the flow to the GReddy 660cc injectors is always at a premium.

This considerable forced induction package has been combined with the tried and tested Autronic SMC and a Blitz SSBC boost controller, which was then put in the feminine, yet capable hands of Andre at Speedtech, who managed to pump out an impressive 276kw, making sure that car goes as good as it looks.

Of course all that power is of little use unless it put to the ground in a timely fashion, which is a rather big ask when 18” Lensos with Falken rubber are Matt’s wheel of choice. So to ensure a direct power transfer the wheel arches are home to a set of Cusco coil overs, while the entire suspension setup has been fitted with replacement Noltec and Nolathane bushes.

A number of cows and close friends have died or been injured to allow Matt and his EVIL GSR to become a stand out attraction at both the 4 and Rotors and the Autosalons. Not only becoming a favorite with the crowds but the judges as well. It has picked up every feasible award from ‘best illumination’ to ‘God of Autosalon’ and it is not difficult to see why with such flawless build quality and original innovation. If your thinking Matt’s quest for perfection has come to an end, you’d be wrong… keep an eye out, he’s not quite done.

EVLGSR

Driver Profile

Matt Sealy

Location

Auckland

Previous Cars

Mazda SOHC Turbo, Mazda DOHC Turbo, FXGT, Integra, Mazda AZ3, Civic

Thanks

Onboost Build Crew: Caro, Lorry, Ryan, Big Phil, Squid
All these guys who helped build the car: Ricky, Barry, Big Phil, Squid, Sven, Scott, Tim, Stew, Gaz, Andy, Taz, Tina, Crazy Ray.
Interior Retrimming: Elroy at Incar Upholstery
Panel and Paint: Abbo at StreetFX / Prima Panel & Paint
Fabrication: Jono at Performance Metalworks
Coating: Martyn at Custom Coating Services
Airbrushing: AJ at Whenuapai Auto Refinishers
Audio: Mark from Sony NZ
Audio Installation: Peter at PK Auto Electrical
Nolathane Supply: Chris at Suspension Tech
Tuning: Andre at Speedtech Motorsport
Mags and Accessories: Mag N Turbo and Performance Wheels

Specifications

Engine

4G63 VR4 Transplant
CP Forged Pistons
Eagle Conrods
Cometic Head Gasket
ARP Head Studs
ARP 2000 Rod Bolts
Garrett T3/T4 Turbocharger
Custom Bar and Plate Intercooler
GReddy 660cc Injectors
Turbosmart 45mm Pro-gate
Turbosmart Blowoff Valve
Bosch Fuel Pump
SX Fuel Pressure Regulator
Serck Oil Cooler
Lexus V8 Throttle Body
Kevlar / Ceramic Paddle Clutch
Performance Metalworks Exhaust Manifold
Performance Metalworks Intake Manifold
Performance Metalworks Oil Catch Can
Performance Metalworks Radiator Reservoir
Performance Metalworks Intake Scoop
Samco Hoses
Braided Lines
De-loomed Engine Bay
Nolathane Engine Mounts
Autronic SMC Management
Performance Metalworks 3” Stainless Steel Exhaust

Driveline

All Standard
Custom Coated Gearbox
Teflon Coated Drive Shafts

Suspension

Cusco Coil Over Suspension
Painted Undercarriage
Full Noltec and Nolathane Replacement Bushes + Suspension Components Custom made in Blue
Inner Guard Mounted Flood Lighting
Custom coated Suspension
Lower Arms and Sub Frames in Colour-Chrome Gold
Ralliart Strut Bracing

Wheels and Tyres

Lenso 18 x 8” Mean 6 Alloys
Falken 215-35-18

Exterior

Evolution 3 Bodykit
Evolution 3 Bonnet
Shaved Front Indicators
Smoothed Side Skirts
Smoothed Front Bumper
Shaved Aerial Mount
Modified Tail Lights with LCD Mounted Panels
Painted in Candy Blue by Abbo @ StreetFX

Interior

Full retrim in Champagne Paloma Leather by Incar Upholstery
Retrimmed Roof Lining
Retrimmed False Floor with Perspex and Neon Lighting
Retrimmed Boot with custom paneling and boot lid cover
WRX Bucket Seats
Evo 4 Rear Seat
Momo Steering Wheel
Momo Gear Knob
Carbon Fibre Pedals
Sard Boost Gauge
Blitz SSBC Boost Controller
Gizzmo Launch Controller and Shift Light

ICE

Sony CDX-7800 MP3/VCD/CD Head Unit
Sony XSHT170 Front Components
Sony XSHT170 Rear Components
2 x Sony XSLD125P5 12” Sub Woofers
XM4060 Component Amplifier
2 x Sony XMD500 D-Class Amplifiers
5.6” TV mounted in glove box
13” LCD TV/Monitor mounted in boot
Twin 6” LCD Screens mounted in Taillights
Odyssey Drycell Battery

Brakes

Evolution 3 Twin Pot Front Calipers airbrushed by WAR
Evo 4 Front Rotors
Custom Razor Rear Rotors
Ferodo brake pads

¼ Mile Time

Meremere 12.8 @ 103

Stereo SPL

134db – Autosalon 04

Show Awards

Autosalon Awards:
6 @ Wellington 04
7 @ Auckland 04
8 @ Christchurch 04
11 @ Final Battle 04

National Awards:
Best Mitsi, 05 & 06
Best Interior 06
Best 4 Cylinder 06