SP Rides: A Sporty Car for a Family Man
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Andy Oshiro
Age: 28
Hobbies: Father, modding, watching movies
Year/Make/Model: 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Color: Rally Red
Engine: Tuned by Anthony Jay Berry (Drunkmann Tuning), Fuel Injector Clinic 1,100cc Injectors (w/Resistor Pack Delete), Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, GSC S1 Cams, Tomei Adjustable Cam Gear, Zaklee Clear Cam Gear Cover, Turbosmart MBC (26-lbs. Boost), APEXi Power Intake, Bee*R Rev Limiter, JM Fab 3-inch Turbo Inlet Pipe, ETS Short Route Upper IC Pipe, ETS LP2 Lower IC Pipe, ETS 3.5-inch Intercooler, Greddy Type S Blow Off Valve, Fujitsubo 3-inch Down Pipe, Blox 3-inch Test Pipe, Blitz Nur Spec 3-inch Exhaust, Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can (Rockstar Edition), Catch Can Bracket (Custom Powder Coated), Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Radiator Hoses (Modified), Killer Glass Upper Radiator Hose, STM Coolant Overflow Tank, Spoolin Up COP w/Carbon Plate, Taylor Battery Box (Relocated to Trunk), Optima Yellow Top Battery, Custom Powder Coated Valve Cover, ARC Ti Gradient Spark Plug Cover, ARC Ti Turbo Manifold Heat Shield, ARC Ti Radiator Diverter Panel, Flossy Short Shifter w/Solid Shifter Bushings, NRG Engine Torque Damper, Dress Up Bolts (Titanium)
Exterior: Seibon OEM Style Carbon Hood, Seibon RA Style Carbon Lip, Rexpeed Carbon Air Ducts, Rexpeed Type, D Trunk Spoiler, Rexpeed Side Skirt Extensions, Rexpeed Carbon Evo IX JDM Rear Bumper Extensions, APR Carbon Bumper Canards, Carbon Fender Vents, VIS V, Mount Carbon Wing, Dress Up Bolts Titanium Hardware (Wing), Rally Armor Mud Flaps, JDM Evo IX Rear Bumper, OEM Evo IX MR Roof Vortex Generator, Mitsubishi Window Visors, 6k HID Headlights, LED Bright White Reverse Lights, LED License Plate Lights
Interior: Planted Technology Seat Brackets, BRIDE Gias II Low Max Seats, BRIDE Seat Protect Pad (Sides), BRIDE Seat Protect Pad (Knees), BRIDE Custom Upholstered Rear Seat (Suede), NRG Harnes Bar (Custom Powder Coated), Takata 4 Point Harnesses, LED Interior Lighting, Rexpeed Triple Dash Pod, AEM Wideband AFR Gauge, APEXi AVC, R (Monitoring), Greddy Informeter Touch (Monitoring), Blox Racing 490 Neo Finish Shift Knob, Broadway Rear View Mirror, 4D Carbon Vinyl Wrapped Dash Pieces
Wheels and Suspension: APEXi N1 Coilovers, WORK Emotion CR2P 18×9.5 +12, WORK Red Center Caps, WORK Red Lugs, Toyo Proxes T1 Sport, Cusco Front Power Brace (Custom Powder Coated), Cusco Type OS Front Strut Tower Bar w/BMC Brace, Cusco Type OS Rear Strut Tower Bar, Cusco Type OS, T Triangle Bar, Beatrush Rear Floor Bar, Swift Rear Sway Bar
ICE: Kenwood KDC X995, Kenwood KSC, WD250 10-inch Sub
A decade ago, Andy Oshiro entered the import scene with the help of his cousin, Scott Oshiro. Back then, the two would hang out every Tuesday evening at Waialae Bowl and admire Scott’s modified 240SX.
“He used to tell me, ‘Jump in, rev the engine!’” recalls Oshiro.
With the push of a pedal, Scott’s obsession became Oshiro’s own as the latter would collect cars such as a Scion TC, a supercharged 350Z and an S14. As Oshiro matured, he decided to step away from all two-door automobiles. Part of that transition could be attributed to his daughter, whose birth convinced Oshiro that a four-door sporty car was required.
He found that car in this week’s featured ride — a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. And although he never intended to modify the automobile beyond some simple upgrades, the incredible tuning potential of the vehicle couldn’t be ignored. With a set of minor mods, Oshiro was content for a few years, but eventually the mod bug hit him hard and he began prepping the car for the show route after his friend, Richard Dzao, moved down from Texas. As president of Team Hi-Def Hawaii, Dzao brought Oshiro into the fold with the creation of Team Hi-Def Hawaii. With no emphasis on street racing, Team Hi-Def Hawaii’s goals were to raise funds for charity while creating a family-friendly and show-focused outfit.
To be honest, there isn’t enough room on these pages to adequately cover all of the Evo’s modifications, but here are the important improvements to remember. The first thing to grab your attention is the visuals. Of special note is the black-on-red theme thanks to the sexy carbon fiber components that have been added, including the canards, Seibon carbon fiber hood, front lip, the Rexpeed carbon air ducts and the massive trunk spoiler. Side skirt and rear bumper extensions help complete the look along with quite a few more carbon fiber pieces.
With the Evo’s rally history, Oshiro wanted to ensure that its street-tuned suspension matched the same pedigree, so he built in APEX N1 Coilovers along with an impressive list of bracing and strut tuning to increase its handling. He also added the WORK Emotion CR2P 18×9.5 with a +12 offset. As for his choice of rubber on the road, it’s none other than Toyo Proxes T1 Sports.
For those in the know, the Evolution has massive tuning potential. The engine is no joke and is able to spit out some decent HP at 26-lbs. of boost — tuning work done courtesy of Anthony Jay Berry of Drunkmann Tuning.
Most importantly, Oshiro is very proud of the detailed work done in getting choice components powder-coated in addition to being able to source the very rare and very expensive ARC components. The interior hasn’t been ignored either and features a very nice selection of BRIDE components, an NRG Harness Bar and a Takata 4-point harness, among other things.
In a league of its own, Oshiro’s ride has to be seen and drooled over to be appreciated.
“This car is my daily driver. It may be a sports car, but it’s also my family car,” he says. “It’s a car that still makes me feel young while taking care of my responsibilities.”
