Aggressive wheels, shiny red paint, a meticulously detailed engine bay, and a hood-exit exhaust are all good things, and at a large-scale car show like Spocom they're not at all uncommon. Shuffle down a few rows of a show this big, and you'll run into a few of the above-mentioned attributes on dozens of builds. However, the execution and level of attention to detail, not to mention the effectiveness of the parts combination, can elevate a build above others in attendance and have onlookers coming back for more.
Midway through our initial event walk through and we came across the CSF Radiators booth, which featured Ravi's Evo X that we spotlighted at SEMA '17 before the doors to the show even opened. Right next to the spotless white X sat Sergio Miranda's bright red Evo 9 and, try as we might, we couldn't recall ever seeing the car at any prior events.
That's probably because, according to Sergio, the car's been down for quite some time. He states, "It took a long time because I wanted it to come out as clean as possible, and since I do everything in my garage, the list of parts wouldn't stop and I just kept going on and on. I wanted to come out with a BANG." Based on the reception at Spocom, he did just that.
The boxy, rather brolic feel of the Evo 9 is still present, and that's because the original bodylines haven't been disfigured. Behind and far above the rear deck, a shadow isn't cast by an enormous rear wing, but instead a DoLuck carbon fiber trunk lid with integrated lip sits above a Varis rear carbon diffuser.
Move to the car's flanks and in the rear, the CCW D110s wrapped in Falken's new RT615K+ threaten the factory quarter panel fender lip, while up front additional breathing room is afforded by a set of vented Charge Speed fenders.
A few steps toward the front of the car is where you're greeted by a Deck Mechanical front lip, a pair of carbon fiber ducts, and in between those you'll find that familiar, leg-day skipping Sheep logo. Which leads you to arguably the best part of the build—the bay.
That sheep logo, branded of course by Sheepey Race, can be found on a few other parts like the forward facing turbo manifold that's mated to a Precision 6266 ball bearing turbo which peers through the front grill. Part of the waiting downtime on this build is attributed to Sergio forgoing his original Sheepey Race top mount set up in lieu of this one. The titanium intercooler piping and up pipes that caught your eye? Those also came out of the Sheepey camp. Continuing the titanium theme are Ebb Fab bits and pieces like the upper radiator pipe and reservoir along with the coil pack plate and cam sensor heat shield.
But it goes beyond quality fabrication and lightweight components as Sergio's added a Magnus intake manifold (another item he had to waiting patiently for), GSC S3 billet cams and 1,800cc FIC injectors feed the beast. And obviously, cooling duties are well taken care of by a CSF radiator.
Step inside the cabin, take a seat in the Status GTX Ring bucket seat, and you're surrounded by a six-point Autopower roll cage and not much else. Though the OEM panels and plastics both front and rear are still intact, the rear seats have been replaced by a Beatrush seat delete. Turn your head back toward the windshield and the suede Momo Monte Carlo delivers a stiff uppercut due to being mounted to a Rapfix GTC that allows for ease of entry and exit. On the electronics side, an Innovate AFR and Prosport boost gauge help Sergio keep tabs on the nicely modded 4G63.
Being that it was a show and we try to gather as much content as possible in an incredibly short timeframe, we bid Sergio and his car farewell, but don't worry. We plan to meet up sometime in the very near future to get a full photo shoot and feature on his one-of-a-kind Evo build.