Building Our Dream Mitsubishi Evo X, Part 3: Wheels, Tires, Coilovers, Carbon Fiber & More!

Episode 3: Transforming the Evo X With Coilovers, Carbon, and a Full Wrap

Welcome back to the Evo X Build Series! In Episode 2, we tackled a bunch of performance upgrades under the hood—brakes, engine tweaks, and more. But in Episode 3, we’re diving into the visual and functional transformation of our Evo X. 

From premium coilovers to a carbon APR wing, a front lip, diffuser, and even a full wrap reveal—this episode is packed, and it ends with the Evo X looking like a car we've only ever seen in our dreams. We can't wait to show it to you, so let’s get into it.

Click To See Part 1 and Part 2 Of Our Evo Build

Öhlins Coilovers: The Perfect Starting Point

We kicked things off with a set of Öhlins coilovers, which are known for their premium build quality and track-proven damping. These are some of the most refined coilovers you can get for an Evo X—offering adjustability without overcomplicating things. Right out of the box, the preload and ride height were dialed in, which shows just how well-engineered these are. They strike the perfect balance for the Evo between street comfort and track-ready stiffness.

Wheels & Fitment: Gram Lights 57NR

Next up: wheels. We threw on a set of Gram Lights 57NRin 18x9.5 +22, wrapped in 265/35 tires. This is a tried-and-true fitment for the Evo X platform, offering a flush stance without aggressive rubbing or the need for heavy fender mods. 

The 57NR is a lightweight, flow-formed wheel with a motorsport-inspired look—making it ideal for Evo builds that blend function with form. You could go wider or tweak the offset, but this setup is the gold standard for a clean, aggressive fit - the size we picked is the sweet spot for the Evo X platform.

APR Carbon Wing: Aggressive Looks, OEM Mounts

For aero, we added an APR carbon fiber GT wing, and it instantly elevated the rear-end profile of the Evo. The best part? It uses factory mounting points, making the install super straightforward. APR’s craftsmanship is on point—the carbon weave is flawless, the finish is clean, and the size is aggressive without going overboard. On the Evo X, a wing like this adds downforce at speed and blends seamlessly with the factory body lines.

Seibon Carbon Hood + Lip: Matching Style and Substance

Next, we unboxed and installed a Seibon carbon fiber hood and front lip—both designed for tight fitment and subtle aggression. The hood’s weave looks great even before polishing, and the lip fits snug against the front bumper, unlike cheaper options that leave awkward gaps. These pieces aren’t just for looks either—the lighter hood reduces front-end weight and improves airflow, while the lip adds a hint of front-end downforce and better ground effect.

Carbon Rear Diffuser: A Subtle Flex

We followed up with a carbon rear diffuser, another underrated piece that ties the build together. It’s subtle but makes a big difference once you catch it in the light. On the Evo X, a diffuser isn’t just aesthetic—it helps manage airflow exiting the underbody, which is crucial for stability. Paired with the wing and lip, it brings the whole aero package full circle.

Evo X Catch Can & Coolant Overflow Combo

Under the hood, we installed our custom coolant overflow/catch can combo, designed specifically for the Evo X. This replaces the massive, unsightly OEM overflow bottle with a compact, dual-function unit. Space in the Evo’s engine bay is tight, and this piece optimizes it perfectly. Plus, it features a drain accessible from underneath—making oil changes and maintenance much easier. It’s a functional, clean, and space-saving upgrade.

Torque Solutions Shifter Upgrade

Interior feel matters—so we addressed one of the Evo’s biggest complaints: the vague OEM shifter. No shade to Mitsubishi, but the shifter is the source of some pretty big complaints on the Evo - it's just not constructed as well as competitors from Honda, Toyota and others. 

So, we swapped in a Torque Solutions short shifter with aluminum bushings, instantly tightening up throw distance and shift feel. From the factory, the Evo’s shifter feels soft and floaty, but this upgrade adds mechanical precision. For anyone tracking their Evo or just wanting a more connected drive, this mod is a must.

Under-Hood Shifter Bushings: The Final Touch

To complete the shifter feel, we replaced the soft rubber under-hood shifter bushings with Delrin units. This removed even more slop from the shift linkage. It’s a subtle change, but it compounds with the interior bushings to create a precise, race-car-like feel when rowing through gears. Again, a small piece with a big impact on the driving experience.

AeroCatch Hood Latches: Security Meets Style

With a Seibon carbon hood installed, securing it became top priority. We added AeroCatch hood latches, which not only keep the hood planted at speed but also add a tough, motorsport-inspired look. They use a flush-mounted design and are built to handle track abuse. 

This isn’t just a style piece—it’s functional safety. Latches are a big time addition that we'd recommend for any aftermarket hoods on your car; the one you get on the part itself isn't high-quality enough to keep locked by itself in many cases, and that could end up not only with the hood flying up on the road (and you getting a heart attack), but you could also lose a windshield in the process. So don’t risk your carbon hood flying open. Just don’t.

Valve Cover, Cooling Panel & Final Engine Bay Details

We added some final dress-up parts to the engine bay—a powder coated OEM aluminum valve cover, matching spark plug cover, and a carbon APR radiator cooling shroud. These pieces all matched the red and black color scheme while enhancing airflow and cooling efficiency. It’s a classic Evo combo, and the subtle polish ties the whole bay together. Plus, we made a small mod to accommodate our blow-off valve setup for a perfect fit.

Wrap Reveal: FX Window Tinting Delivers

Finally, the cherry on top—a full custom vinyl wrap installed by our friends at FX Window Tinting. We didn’t reveal the wrap to them until the last second, and they absolutely killed it. These guys do everything from tint and wraps to graphics and lift kits. The wrap completely transformed the Evo, turning heads and sealing the visual impact of this build. Their work speaks for itself—seriously, hit them up.

Shop All Evo X Parts

What’s Next For Our Evo X Build?

That’s a wrap (pun intended) for Episode 3. We’ve made huge progress—coilovers, wheels and tires, carbon upgrades, shifter mods, and the full wrap—but there’s more on the way. Next up is the tune, and we’re heading to one of the best Mitsubishi tuning shops in the country—possibly the world.

Make sure to keep it locked here so you don’t miss Episode 4 of the Evo 10 Build Series - we'll have it on our blog as soon as you see it on YouTube!