EVO brought to a standstill

A brake upgrade offered by a leading Australian performance specialist has been shown to dramatically improve the capabilities of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.

In tests at Sydney’s Oran Park race circuit, V-Sport Australia’s new Evo IX upgrade reduced fade during repeated heavy braking and shortened the final distance by a stunning 10.3 metres.

On the tenth emergency stop from 110 km/h, the standard Evo IX pulled up in 45.8 metres. With the V-Sport upgrade that distance was reduced to just 35.5 metres.

We are delighted by what we have been able to achieve by carefully selecting and matching proven components,’ says Tony, from V-Sport. ‘It makes a great car even better.’

Few would question the ‘go’ of the Lancer. It is armed with an all-wheel drive system and a 2-litre turbocharged engine producing 206 kW and a torquey 355 Nm. V-Sport mechanics sensed, however, that there was room for improvement in the ‘stop’ department.

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The standard Evo brake set-up is fine for everyday use,’ says Tony, ‘but it is when owners are really pushing hard, such on track days, that the limitations will be apparent.

‘With the upgrade it’s possible to brake harder and later, time after time, which means faster and more consistent laps.

‘And of course, better brakes mean a safer car, on and off the racetrack.’

V-Sport develops very specific brake upgrades for different models. At the heart of the Evo package is an ideal matching of Hawk Performance ceramic brake pads and DBA 4000 series 6x6 Wiper-Slot rotors (as used on the High Performance Australian V8 UTE Racing cars).

The selected Hawk Performance pads give high torque, excellent modulation, consistent pedal feel and good release characteristics. Importantly, the ceramic component gives first rate heat dissipation and the ability to handle temperatures up to 871 degrees Celsius.

As for the rotors, the 4000 Series is DBA’s premium one-piece unit and V-Sport has opted for the 6x6 Wiper Slot version. This unique design provides huge bite and continually clears away gasses, resins and other impurities to give an excellent friction ‘face’.

Its patented Kangaroo Paw ventilation system does away with conventional cooling vanes, instead using a network of 144 precisely positioned pillars. This gives greater strength as well as markedly improved heat handling.

Thermo-graphic paint markings on the edge of the discs allow the owner to monitor the brake temperatures being achieved.

Completing the V-Sport package is AP Racing Dot 5.1 brake fluid, a premium road-and-track formula capable of running much higher temperatures than the OE (‘original equipment’) fluid, plus Goodridge stainless steel braided lines.

Goodridge brake lines are used in Formula One, MotoGP racing, NASCAR and the World Rally Championship. Replacing the Evo’s rubber lines with this proven stainless steel braided product allows higher pressures to be achieved.

‘It took a lot of work to select, test and refine the upgrade,’ says Tony, ‘but the performance speaks for itself. Best of all, the package fits into the V-Sport credo of “track level performance for a street car price”.