Keoni Viernes’ modified and tuned Mitsubishi Evo IX
Show and shine or track time? This is the question that confronts so many petrol heads when embarking on a build. But for Keoni Viernes, the solution was simple; build a car capable of both. “I wanted a car that could perform on the track and then be competitive at a show,” says the 25-year-old Vegas resident.
This concept has been achieved before, but what makes it a little more challenging this time is that Keoni’s local show isn’t one that takes place in the Cock and Badger’s car park every last Sunday of the month. Keoni’s local show is the biggest and best modified car event in the world… SEMA.
SEMA is the Super Bowl of car culture, so Keoni knew he had to bring his A game to the table. Merely fitting designer labels to your motor isn’t good enough to cut it; they need to be combined with clever twists and cool innovations. “I got styling cues from everywhere, then added my own little touches to them,” explains Keoni.
He continues: “Everyone who runs the Voltex bodykit goes for stock paint jobs, so I went for the HOK Sunrise pearl respray – cars from Japan like bright colours!” The colour is taken from his dad’s friend’s VW and certainly helps Keoni’s Evo stand out from the crowd, whether that crowd is on the track or in a show hall.
It has taken four-years of blood, sweat and tears to get to this stage, not to mention a fair bit of pocket money too.
The engine spec is like reading a who’s who of the Japanese tuning world. Keoni has gone for brands like HKS, GReddy, Ralliart and J&E because he wanted reliability to go with the power.
His 4G63 engine now pushes out 425bhp, which is nutty for a daily driver; respectable as a track weapon and mighty impressive for a showcar.
Then there are those Complete Custom Wheels. Keoni has opted for the iconic Classic design, having them made up in an ET12, and beefy 10.5×18-inch then wrapped in Yank, BF Goodrich rubber.
We love CCWs at FC and so does Keoni: “I always wanted a set of these rims and when I finally had a chance to get some, I jumped on them,” he says. The polished 3-piece rims looks lush against the gold paint and show off those stunning, yet functional WP Pro calipers a treat.
The thought of throwing this Evo around a track makes us all wince at the possibility of totaling it, but Keoni doesn’t live by ‘what ifs’, after all he didn’t just build it to look pretty. This stunning Mitsi has definitely got the go to match the show. Sweet.
TECH SPEC
MITSIBISHI EVO IX
TUNING
2.0-litre 4G63, FP Green turbo; GT-Spec tubular manifold; HKS intake, 272 cams; front mount i/c; Hallman boost control; Turbo XS oil catch can; Ingalls Stiffy engine torque dampener; ARP head studs; Ralliart red oil cover; Titek carbon fibre bonnet damper; APR radiator cooling plate; JM spark plug cover; billet battery box; Tanabe Concept G blue turbo back exhaust; GReddy Type RS BOV; Perrin hose kit & engine dress up; MIZU aluminium radiator, slim fan; ETS aluminium radiator hose; BR Spec J&E tough skirt coated forged pistons; Crower rods; BR bronze valve guides, dual stainless steel valve springs, titanium retainers, ported & jet coated 02 housing; Walbro 255 fuel pump; Clutch Master FX700 transmission.
CHASSIS
KBee coilovers; CCW Race 10.5×18 Classics ET12; BF Goodrich KDWll 265/35×18
tyres; RAYS Racing lugnuts; Ichiban +25mm wheel adapter; WP PRO 8-pot front calipers, 6-pot rears with 2-piece discs.
STYLING
Voltex Street Edition front bumper, Street Edition canards, front & rear wide arches, side skirts, rear diffuser, 1500mm wing; window shields; JDM rear Evo IX tail lights; carbon fibre j-panels; carbon fi bre-look vinyl roof; House of Kolor 4-stage Sunrise pearl with ice.
INTERIOR
Recaro seats; 3.0 quick release, deep dish 350mm wheel; B&M short shifter; Cusco 6-point roll-cage painted Camaro green; Apexi auto turbo timer; Gruppe-S 60mm gauge panel; Defi link meter, BF 60mm boost, EGT, and oil pressure gauges, BF 80mm tacho; Takata harnesses.
ICE
Jensen motorized 7-inch touch screen; Infinity tweeters, front & rear speakers, subwoofer.
