We Bought A James May Spec Evo VIII!

A new DriveTribe project car is born! The James May spec Mitsubishi Evo VIII FQ-300! After Martin the Subaru from the Grand Tour took the channel by storm last year, we've decided to bring a fellow super saloon legend to the channel to take on the might WRX STI. Let Mike Fernie introduce you to our new project car.



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00:00 Welcome to our Evo 8!
01:26 What happened to James May's Evo?
02:09 What is an Evo 8?
04:13 What's the plan with our Evo?
07:53 How much power is our car running?
10:06 What is special about the 4G63 engine?
11:30 Smallest Cog inspection

[jonbelknap]

1. James needs to be put in that Evo
2. Race it as is against Martin and see how bad its lacking
3. Mod
4.James and Richard have a showdown after the Evo is built

[tombell]

I have a blob STI. And I adore it.
As a kid I wouldn’t entertain the idea of an evo.
But 20 years later.
I’m so glad to see either a Subaru or an evo.
Both incredible cars.
The likes of which will never be built again!

[eppyz]

Evo guy here after owning 4 of them, Evo 8, 2 Evo 9's and a X. I daily drove my Evo 9 MR since new with 400awhp for 6 yrs before I sold it and had ZERO issues. That was on a stock turbo running E85. I did have Cosworth M3 Cams, and Brian Crower Valve Springs and retainers in the head, and all the other simple bolt on supporting mods, but really not much money to get it to the 400awhp figure. The Subie you guys did was freaking fabulous. Typically, Evo's don't need as much internal mods to make power vs the Subie, but since the Subie is a completely built race motor, to keep it fair, I would go after the same power figures with the same type of build effort as with the Subie. Run separate maps like you did on the Subie as well. Low map on the Evo 400-450awhp high map 500-600awhp then take them to the track. I'm putting my money on the Evo if built to the same standard as the Subie. 👍😎

[Infinite_AM]

As a Subaru owner I have to say Subaru, but I think these EVOs are awesome. It's a shame Mitsubishi isnt making cars like this today.

[smashkh]

Can we get James and richard together in a video?? Been a long time

[davidoram]

I have had a Black Tommi Makinen for 17years. 350bhp. Not a lot gets near it. Absolute weapon.

[lucasfalco]

I'm so happy yall committed to the evo

[AKStovall]

I'm an Evo girl tbf. at one time, that Evo 8 was my dream car. Almost bought one, but being sent abroad stopped me. I've owned a WRX STI before, and I had the dismal Evo X as well (Loved the look, not the drive.)

glad you guys got the Evo. Now the proper play time between them can commence.

[itsnevo]

I owned a BBY 2003 Evo 8 back when it was brand new and kept it a few years until i got a layoff from my job.

I watched that Grand Tour episode and started to really miss my Evo so as soon as I finished watching that Grand Tour episode, I started shopping for another 2003 Evo and bought one almost exactly like my original one. Same Blue By You Blue color, same year, same options and I couldn’t be happier.

I felt bad for James when his Evo was destroyed and I’m glad he will have another one to enjoy

[SuperiorModel]

I have never encountered anyone in the UK who says "MITSUBUSHI".

[dalejenkins]

Definitely team Evo as I own a 05 Evo 8. For building it don't neglect the suspension and transmission/transfer case in the upgrades.

[jake]

4g63 is a closed deck block, its one of the strongest 4-pots you can get

[petem]

Team evo here also a owner of a VI.
440-460hp is a good place to be power wise but saying that i have friends running 600+ and absolutely love it.

[ashleymccarthy]

My childhood friends neighbours had a Sub, and the man over the road had an Evo. When I was growing up, when we played out we used to talk for hours over which car was better while we pedeled around the estate. This content feels very nostalgic and helps me remember better, more honest times. Thank you 👍🏻

[rufnek]

I've got an 8mr fq340 running 1.8 bar around 430bhp with rods changed, perfect at that amount of power as a road car

[MrSatnavatron]

That is the best one, thanks for this DT Team

[kelalkelal]

As a subaru fan boy. I can say. Subarus are quick, and evos are fast .

[ZeeBri]

As the former owner of a 430bhp R32 GTR, it doesn't need any more power. Cars are most enjoyed when you can use the most of their performance. I had more fun in the Clio 182.

[joojoosasa]

Nah, that 4G63 is barely working up a sweat at that power level. Seriously stout little engines, those.

[garycroke]

I brought a wrx bugeye (Impreza) from 219bhp to 269bhp then to 327bhp on stock engine (ej20). Upgraded stock turbo to STI. De catted up pipe and de catted downpipe and a straight through exhaust 2.5 inch. Bit of overspray on the map and it snapped, cracked and popped through the gears. Man oh man that Subaru gurgle!! Never used the radio or mp3. Time of my life (so far) and I bought it for 950 euro at the time (8 years ago) as it had been in crash. Easy fix but Mike! 450 bhp is more than enough mate. 400 bhp would be more than enough. I say that because corners come at you in light speed on country roads. Needs to be drivable.