A Dream Car Build: Varis ASSO Widebody 2dr Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution

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Archie Concon

Varis ASSO Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution

Instagram: @2dr_evo

Team: @teamhybrid

Performance Stats:743 awhp and 600 awtrq

My Journey: From a Kid in the Philippines to Building My Dream Car

Hi, my name is Archie Concon. I’m a proud father of three, happily married to my wife, Mica, and we live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was born in the Philippines in 1979 and moved to the U.S. when I was 16. Cars weren’t always my thing growing up, but that changed when I joined the U.S. Air Force. I started getting into cars in my late teens and early twenties, starting small—changing wheels and lowering my car. From there, the passion just grew.

It all really began in 1999 when I saw Jackie Chan’s movie Who Am I. That white Mitsubishi Evolution he drove caught my attention immediately. I fell in love with it and promised myself I’d own one someday. But when I found out the Evolutions weren’t available in the U.S., I decided to take matters into my own hands. That’s where my “2dr EVO” project started. Mitsubishi never made a 2-door Evolution, so I figured, why not build one myself?

Why the Mirage?

Back then, all my friends were driving Civics, Integras, Sentras, Miatas, Camaros, and Mustangs. I wanted to be different. The Mitsubishi Mirage wasn’t exactly a popular choice, with its base 90 FWHP and 100 FWTRQ. But something about being the underdog appealed to me.

At first, I just planned to make the car look like an Evolution. But as I started working on it, things snowballed. It went from a basic front-wheel-drive automatic Mirage to a fully converted AWD machine with a legit 4G63t motor. Today, it’s putting down 743 AWHP and 600 AWTRQ at 36 PSI of boost on E85.

How I Built My 2dr Evolution

This car has come a long way from what it used to be. To be honest, the only parts left from the original Mirage are the windshield, the doors, and the carpet. Everything else has been modified, upgraded, or replaced. Here’s a breakdown of what went into it:

• Engine: It’s got a fully built 2.1L 4G63 from Trevtec Motorsports with Manley rods and pistons, a CNC race head, and a Xona Rotor 9569s v-band turbo.

• Drivetrain: It’s running a PPG dogbox transmission with a custom driveshaft, upgraded transfer case, and Exedy triple-disc clutch.

• Body: I converted it to the CP9A Evolution body style with OEM parts and added a Varis ASSO widebody kit. The candy paint job by Mad Kustomz makes it stand out even more.

• Interior: I’ve got Tommi Mäkinen Edition Recaro seats, a custom roll cage, and a FuelTech FT600 standalone ECU controlling everything.

• Suspension and Brakes: Öhlins DFV racing coilovers paired with Alcon big brake kits ensure it handles and stops like a dream.

• Wheels and Tires: I’m running Volk Racing CE28n OG bronze wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich G-Force Phenom tires, 275/35/18 all around.

What Makes The Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution

To me, the coolest thing about this build is that it’s the first and only 2-door Mirage rocking a genuine Varis ASSO widebody kit in the world. When I showed it to Mitsubishi North America’s VP and head engineer, they told me, “Mitsubishi should’ve built a 2-door EVO that looked like your car.” That was a proud moment for me.

Let’s face it—most people wouldn’t bother turning a Mirage into something like this. It’s easier to just buy an EVO 8 or 9 and throw some top-shelf parts at it. But I wanted to take a different path. This car gets attention wherever it goes, from car shows to meets, and even random kids and adults just walking by.

Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution Build List: 

Engine Build

• Trevtec Motorsport 2.1L 4G63 EVO 9 block race motor
• Manley Performance billet 94mm crankshaft
• Manley Performance turbo Tuff long Rods
• Manley Performance 10.5:1 Pistons
• ACL Race Bearings
• ARP 625+ aged race head studs
• ARP  625+ main studs
• Balance Shaft Eliminating Kit
• OEM EVO IX Head Gasket
• Headgames Motorworks CNC Race Head
• Ferrea 1mm SS Valves
• Kiggly Race Valve Springs
• Kiggly Titanium Seats and Retainers
• Kiggly HLA
• GSC S3 Race Cams
• Tomei Adjustable Cam Gears
• OEM Mitsubishi EVO IX Timing belt
• Gonzevo Motorsport top mount Turbo Kit
• Gonzevo Motorsport titanium hood exit up pipes
• ETS 4.5" FMIC kit/
• Xona Rotor 9569s vband BB Turbo
• Turbosmart 46mm Wastegate
• Tial 50mm BOV
• TrevTec Motorsports 3" Alluminum Intercooler Pipe
• TrevTec Motorsports Custom oil catch can
• CNC Innovation Bilet Intake manifold
• 82mm Bosch Electronic throtle body
• AMS race oil pan
• CNC Billet valve cover
• Koyo EVO 5 radiator
• Injector Dinamics 2600CC Injectors
• Aeromotive brushless ELIMINATOR Racing Fuel Pump
• Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator
• SS fuel lines
• GTR R35 Ignition coil on plugs
• ARC EVO6 titanium radiator shraud
• Titanium exhaust manifold studs and nuts
• Titanium intake manifold studs and nuts
• Area51 Racecars mil-spec engine wiring harness with quick disconnect

Drivetrain:

• DBtrans PPG dogbox built transmission with Mfactory 4.31 final drive, Billet output shaft 1-4 striaght cut gears etc
• JDM EVO 5 Tranfer Case with Stage 3 Sheppard Racing Upgrade
• Quaife transfer case EVO 8 LSD
• DSS Custom 2-piece Driveshaft
• DSS stage 2 JDM EVO 5 Front Axles
• Exedy HD TRIPLE Disc Clutch Kit
• TRE built EVO 8 rear differential with LSD
• JDM EVO 5 K-frame

Exterior:

• Matrix FX Custom Kandy Deep Oak Burgandy mixed with Kandy apple red and Kandy Gold by Ahmad Peters at Mad Kustomz
• Varis cf hood
• Varis cf trunk
• Full JDM EVOLUTION V/VI front end conversion
• JDM EVOLUTION V/VI Stanley tail lights w/ inserts
• JDM EVOLUTION V/VI Stanley headlights
• Varis ASSO version front bumper
• Varis ASSO CF v2 front under diffuser
• Varis ASSO CF front canards
• Varis ASSO GT fenders with CF canards
• Varis ASSO rear fenders overlay
• Varis ASSO CF Vortex Generator
• Varis ASSO CF rear Diffuser
• Voltex 1700mm Type 4 CF Wing
• Carbon fiber GT mirrors

Interior:

• Takata 4-Point cam lock Harnesses
• Takata Shoulder Pads
• Takata Racing Harness/ Reinforcement Plates
• Takata Racing Harness Eyebolts
• Works Bell Boss Short Steering Hub
• Works Bell quick tilt
• OMP Tommi Makenin Limited Edition Racing Steering Wheel
• Custom weld in 4 point Roll cage with Harness bar (ceramic coated)
• Custom Trunk cage and support bars (ceramic coated)
• Custom upholstery suede
• Recaro Tommi Makenin Edition racing seat
• Recaro racing seat brackets and rails
• Insulated Cabin With Dynomat
• Detailed by Panem Carbon Fiber door cards/inserts
• FuelTech FT600 touch screen display
• FuelTech FT600 ECU

Brakes and Suspesion:

• Alcon Big Brake Kit 6 pot in Front 4 pot in Rear
• Alcon Braided brake lines
• ÖHLINS DFV Coilovers for EVO 5-6
• Polished Rear Upper and Front Lower Control Arms
• DM EVO 5 Front Upper Control Arm
• JDM EVO 5 Knuckles
• JDM EVO 5 Rear Upper Arm Bushings
• JDM EVO 5 Front Lower Arm Bushings
• JDM EVO 5 Tie Rods
• JDM EVO 5 Trailing Arms
• JDM EVO 5 Lower Control Arms (Rear)
• JDM EVO 5 Differential Mount
• JDM EVO 5 Differential Brace
• JDM EVO 5 Transmission Brace
• Whiteline Complete bushing kit
• Whiteline 26mm rear swaybar
• HKS front and rear strut bars
• Diamondcar Racing chromoly rear subframe

Wheels and Tires:

• VOLKS CE28n OG bronze with caps 18x10.5 +18 offset (Front and Rear)
• BFGoodrich G-Force Phenom tires 275/35/18 (Front and Rear)

Audio:

• Kenwood 6.5" dvd dash player
• JL Audio tweeters
• JL Audio Reference component speakers
• JL Audio amps
• Antigravity ATX30 racing mini Battery
• Cusco Battery quick shutoff

Who Helped Build The Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some amazing people and companies:

• Trevor at Trevtec Motorsports built and tuned the engine.

• Ahmad Peters at Mad Kustomz handled the body and paint.

• BecomeLegendaryPH designed the livery, which Paul at Grafik Impact brought to life.

• Omar Crispo and his team at Area51 Racecars built the custom mil-spec harness.

As for the wheels, suspension, and interior, I installed all that myself.

Future Plans For The Mitsubishi Mirage Evolution

It feels like a project like this is never truly done. I’d love to take the car to some track events and more shows. I’m also thinking about upgrading to a carbon fiber driveshaft and maybe getting new wheels down the line. Who knows? There’s always something to improve—hahaha.

Shoutouts

I couldn’t have done this without my wife and family. Thanks for putting up with me and supporting my passion. A big shoutout to James Lin, the founder of Team Hybrid, all my teammates and friends, and my sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires, Zeitronix Electronics, Amsoil, Koyo Radiator, Trevtec Motorsports, Area51 Racecars, FuelTech USA, Antigravity, Whiteline Suspension, BecomeLegendaryPH, and Grafik Impact.

My Dream Car

People always ask me what my dream car is. Honestly, I’m driving it.

Call to Action

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