Mitsubishi Evo engines and the work we know inside out
The Lancer Evolution is a focused, hard-working car, and the better you understand it the better you can keep it healthy. Here is some of what we see day to day across the range, and how we look after these engines and drivetrains.
4G63T engine – crankwalk, bearings and belts (Evo I to IX)
The legendary 4G63T turbo four is strong, but it has well-known weak points we keep a close eye on. On seven-bolt blocks we watch for crankwalk, where the thrust bearing wears and the crankshaft moves fore and aft, and for worn or spun rod and main bearings, which are more likely when oil pressure to the bottom end has been compromised. The single most important preventative job is the timing belt, fitted together with the tensioner, idler and water pump at the correct interval, as a snapped belt on this interference engine can be very expensive. We carry out belt and bearing work properly, with the right OE-quality parts and clean assembly.
4B11T engine (Evo X)
The Evo X moved to the alloy 4B11T turbo engine, which uses a timing chain rather than a belt and is generally very robust. The priority here is simple and disciplined care, frequent correct-spec oil services, healthy cooling and attention to the usual turbocharged staples. We keep on top of oil and filter changes, plugs, breather and intake condition, and any valve or timing-related items so the engine stays sweet for the long term.
Forced induction & engine builds (mechanical)
Forced induction and engine building are core to Evo specialism, and we approach them as mechanical and hardware work. That means fitting and servicing turbochargers, intercoolers, hoses and clamps, performance exhausts, clutches and cooling, and building strong bottom ends with uprated rods, bearings, pistons and head studs for owners who use their cars hard. Every build is about mechanical integrity and reliability, assembled correctly and run in on our rolling road.
SST & manual transmissions
The Evo X is offered with either a six-speed SST twin-clutch gearbox or a five-speed manual, and the earlier cars use rugged manual boxes. The SST needs its specific fluid service on schedule to stay healthy and shift cleanly, and we monitor clutch condition as the miles climb. On manual cars we look after the clutch, gearbox oil and linkage so the drivetrain stays tight and positive.
ACD, AYC, brakes & geometry
The Evo’s Active Centre Differential and Active Yaw Control are a big part of how it drives, and they need correct fluids and healthy hydraulics. We service the front transfer case, rear differential and AYC clutch-pack fluids to the right grades, and diagnose the AYC pump, which can corrode and fail with age, especially given its exposed mounting near the rear wheel. Alongside this we look after the Brembo brakes and set up the geometry and corner-weights so the car turns in and puts the power down the way it should.
