The Ultimate EVO Suspension, Project EVO IX Part 3
by Mike Kojima
We have covered typical suspension build ups in the past with our EVO VIII but this time we have decided to try something special. This time we have decided to build the ultimate no holds barred suspension for the EVO CT9A chassis, money not being an object, the only caveat being that it had to remain streetable and not be so stiff that it needed a roll cage to function properly. We are attempting to build the ultimate suspension set up for Time Attack in the Limited or Street Modified Classes.
When attempting a bold endeavor it is best to consult with those who have been there before. Fortunately for us, the EVO is such a popular and flexible platform that there are many companies who specialize in getting them to stick like glue to the pavement. We called upon Robert Fuller, or Robi for short, for much needed advice. We have always wanted to work with Robi on some project. At the track Robi has always been a big help, instantly springing through the garage door, tools in hand whenever a loud crash or a burst of foul language was heard. Despite being a fierce competitor Robi has always been there to help out from simple advice to all out wrenching at the track, even when we were out to beat him.
This sprit has always earned our respect and we have wanted to pick his mind directly on a project, but we have never had one that matched his specialty, making EVO’s and Subaru’s corner like Velcro on Velcro through his suspension tuning company Robispec. That all changed when South Coast Mitsubishi made us an offer on a brand new EVO IV that we could not refuse and we found ourselves taking one home to keep. Within days we found ourselves calling Robi and finally initiating that project. Robi was an instrumental adviser for all aspects of our build. Although we mostly sourced our own parts for this build, Robispec stocks and recommends nearly all of the parts we used.
With deadlines depressingly close and an injured back aching, we had to enlist the help of some competent professionals to slap our EVO’s suspension together. As we have many times in the past, we called upon Howard and Ritchie Watanabe of Technosqaure to help us with our install in record time. Technosquare is a race prep shop located in Torrance and the Watanabe brothers have many years of experience in getting SCCA, NASA road race, pro rally and drift cars working fast. Technosquare really is the best damn garage in town and the bros are capable of lightning fast, high quality work. We thank them for accommodating us on such a short notice and for working late into the night to help us get this article out.
 |
| Moton Motorsports 3-way adjustable dampers, Eibach ERS Main and Tender springs, Ground Control camber/caster plates and Works pillow ball mounts are a combination that is tough to beat. The exceedingly sophisticated Moton dampers cost 1/4 the price of our entire car but their superior damping at low shock shaft speeds allows a racing shock with racing levels of damping and spring rate to ride smoother than the stock suspension! |
The basis of any suspension build up revolves around the dampers or shock absorbers. Good dampers can make or break a car’s handling and are often overlooked or maladjusted by the inexperienced. For our dampers we got our inspiration not from the streets of Tokyo, or any street for that matter, but from the paddocks of SCCA Speedworld Challenge and Grand Am Cup races. While walking pit row at these events, we noticed that many of the top cars had one thing in common, Moton dampers. Moton is a Dutch company but they have a North American operation that supports their products. Motons are very technically advanced dampers and we opted for their 3-way adjustable Motorsports units, cost being no object.
 |
| The front Moton strut housings uses these plates with holes of various offsets to locate the upper bolt where it connects to the spindle to rough adjust negative camber and steering axis inclination angle. |
 |
| You can see where the plate attaches to the strut here. |
