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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XStage 1 to Stage 4 tuning guide

The Evo X was the last Lancer Evolution. It has the 4B11T, a 2.0 turbocharged four with an aluminium block, rated by Mitsubishi in the US at 291 hp and 300 lb-ft, and all-wheel drive with Super All-Wheel Control. The GSR has a 5-speed manual and the MR a 6-speed twin-clutch TC-SST (Mitsubishi). Which one you have decides how far you can go before the gearbox needs work.

Years
2007–2016
Engine
2.0 4B11T turbo four
Gearbox
5-speed manual (GSR) or 6-speed TC-SST (MR), all-wheel drive
Stock power (US)
291 hp / 300 lb-ft

Updated

Silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR with black wheels at an indoor car show

Power by stage

Stock is Mitsubishi's US figure at the engine. Stage 1 is COBB's peak gain in percent; Stage 2 to 4 are shops' and makers' figures at the wheels, so they read lower than engine power. US 93 octane equals 98 RON, the best fuel sold in Israel.

Stock291 hp
Stage 1+13% hp Stage 2310–390 whp Stage 3420–475 whp Stage 4806 whp

Names with an arrow go straight to that part's product page for this car. Names in a dashed outline are other brands that make the part; exact links for them are being added.

1

Stage 1: Software only

+13%

COBB's Stage 1 map for the Evo X on 93 octane adds a peak of 13% power and 10% torque, and up to 14% torque at some engine speeds (COBB map notes). On the MR, the Accessport also logs the TC-SST gearbox (STM), which matters because the twin-clutch box is the first thing to watch as torque rises.

Typical cost: COBB Accessport V3 $560 (STM) or the Stage 1 Power Package with a high-flow filter $585 (Patterson Performance Parts).List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 1 tunes compared

TuneFuelPeak power gainPeak torque gainNotes
COBB Accessport Stage 193 octane (98 RON)+13%+10% (up to +14%)Off-the-shelf map, stock car; $560 (STM)
COBB Stage 1 Power Package———Accessport V3 with a high-flow filter; $585

Parts list

  • Engine tune required COBB Accessport V3EcuTekTactrix (open-source ROM)

    The Accessport flashes through the OBD port and stores off-the-shelf or custom maps.

  • Air filter optional COBB high-flow filterK&N

    COBB's Stage 1 package adds a drop-in filter for the stock airbox.

Before you buyAsk for logs before and after the tune, and don't run a 93-octane map on 95. Ethanol isn't sold at Israeli filling stations, so read the 93-octane row.
2

Stage 2: Intake, intercooler, downpipe and fuel

310–390 whp

Stage 2 is where the Evo X wakes up. COBB's NexGen Stage 2 package adds an intake and airbox, hard pipes, a front-mount intercooler and a 3-inch downpipe (COBB), and EDO Performance says its own Stage 2 kit makes up to 310 whp on a Dynapack on 91 octane (EDO Performance). With a bigger fuel pump and injectors on the stock turbo and engine, Optimized Performance tuned a 2008 Evo X to 387 whp and 361 lb-ft at the wheels on 91 octane, and 408 whp on E85 (Optimized Performance).

Typical cost: COBB NexGen Stage 2 package $2,595 (COBB), EDO Performance Stage 2 kit $2,396 or an ETS intercooler $759.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 2 results compared

SetupFuelClaimed or measured powerPriceHardware
EDO Performance Stage 291 octane (95 RON)up to 310 whp$2,396Intake, downpipe, test pipe, cat-back, intercooler pipes
Optimized Performance 2008 Evo X91 octane (95 RON)387 whp—361 lb-ft; stock turbo and block, Walbro 255 pump, ID1000 injectors
COBB NexGen Stage 2——$2,595Accessport, intake and airbox, hard pipes, front-mount intercooler, 3-inch downpipe

Parts list

  • Intercooler recommended ETS intercoolerAMSCOBB

    ETS claims +10 to +22 whp over stock, depending on the core; $759.

  • Downpipe recommended COBB 3-inch downpipeETSAMS

    Part of COBB's NexGen Stage 2 package.

  • Fuel system optional WalbroAEMInjector Dynamics

    The 387 whp car has a Walbro 255 pump and ID1000 injectors.

Before you buyA downpipe or test pipe needs approval at Israeli inspection, and without a catalyst the car won't pass it. The 408 whp figure needs E85, which Israeli filling stations don't sell.
3

Stage 3: Bigger turbo on the stock block

420–475 whp

The next step is a bigger turbo. Optimized Performance tuned a 2011 Evo X MR with a MAP EF4 turbo, the stock engine and the stock TC-SST gearbox to 418 whp and 379 lb-ft at the wheels on 93 octane (Optimized Performance). Forced Performance rates its stock-location Green turbo for the Evo X at more than 475 whp (Forced Performance) and its ball-bearing Red at more than 525 whp (MAPerformance). STM warns that the stock rods and the MR's clutch packs are the limits here (STM).

Typical cost: Forced Performance Green turbo $2,249, Red ball-bearing $3,249 (MAPerformance) or the ETS turbo kit $5,545.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Turbo builds compared

BuildFuelClaimed or measured powerPriceNotes
MAP EF4, stock engine and TC-SST93 octane (98 RON)418 whp—379 lb-ft; AEM pump, FIC 1650 injectors
Forced Performance Green—more than 475 whp$2,249Stock-location journal-bearing turbo
Forced Performance Red (ball bearing)—more than 525 whp$3,249Stock-location ball-bearing turbo

Parts list

  • Upgraded turbo required Forced Performance GreenForced Performance RedMAPGarrett

    A stock-location turbo keeps the factory manifold and downpipe.

  • Fuel system required AEMWalbroInjector DynamicsFIC

    A bigger pump and injectors; the 418 whp car has 1650 cc injectors.

  • Clutch recommended ACTExedy

    On the GSR, ask the shop whether the stock clutch will hold this torque.

Before you buyBudget for the turbo, fuel system, clutch and a custom tune together. On the MR, ask whether the shop tunes the TC-SST as well. A changed turbo isn't road-legal in Israel without approval.
4

Stage 4: Built short block and big turbo

up to 806 whp

Past roughly 600 whp, the 4B11T needs a built short block with forged pistons and rods, and STM says the biggest builds also need sleeves and E85 (STM). MAP's Stage 2 built short block uses Wiseco forged pistons, Manley rods, ARP main studs and dry sleeves (MAPerformance). ETS sells a T4 twin-scroll turbo kit and shows an Evo X with a Precision 6765 at 806 whp, from the same kit it used for what it calls the only Evo X in the 9s (ETS). Forced Performance rates its Black turbo at more than 575 whp (Forced Performance).

Typical cost: MAP Stage 2 built short block $9,749 and the ETS T4 twin-scroll turbo kit $6,324.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Big-turbo builds compared

BuildFuelClaimed or measured powerPriceNotes
ETS T4 twin-scroll kit + Precision 6765—806 whp$6,324ETS doesn't list the engine build or fuel
Forced Performance Black—more than 575 whp$2,349Stock-location journal-bearing turbo
MAP Stage 2 built short block——$9,749Wiseco pistons, Manley rods, ARP studs, dry sleeves

Parts list

  • Built short block required MAP Stage 2 short blockAMSManleyWiseco

    Forged pistons and rods, and sleeves for the biggest builds.

  • Big turbo kit required ETS T4 twin-scroll kitETS turbo kitAMSPrecisionGarrett

    ETS's kits come with two TiAL wastegates; the standard kit is $5,545.

  • Fuel and gearbox required Injector DynamicsAEM

    A fuel system sized for E85, and a clutch or TC-SST work to match the torque.

Before you buyStage 4 is an engine build, not a bolt-on: choose one shop to build, tune and stand behind the whole package. The biggest figures usually need ethanol or race fuel, which aren't sold at Israeli filling stations.

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Quick answers

How much horsepower does a stock Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X have?
291 hp from the factory.
How much hp does a Stage 1 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X make?
Tuners claim +13% hp at Stage 1, up from 291 hp stock (Stage 1 options).
How much hp does a Stage 2 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X make?
Tuners claim 310–390 whp with a Stage 2 file and the parts it needs (parts list).
How much hp does a Stage 3 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X make?
Tuners claim 420–475 whp at Stage 3: bigger turbo on the stock block (Stage 3 parts).
How much hp does a Stage 4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X make?
Stage 4 is the top of the ladder for this car: built short block and big turbo. The biggest builds claim 806 whp. Check which fuel each figure needs: Israel sells 95 and 98 octane only (Stage 4).
How much does a Stage 1 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X cost?
List prices: COBB Accessport V3 $560 (STM) or the Stage 1 Power Package with a high-flow filter $585 (Patterson Performance Parts).

Questions to ask the shop

  1. Is my car a GSR with the 5-speed manual or an MR with the TC-SST, and what torque will my gearbox take?
  2. Will you log knock before and after the tune, and is the file written for 98 octane?
  3. At what power do you require forged rods and pistons on the 4B11T?
  4. Do you tune the TC-SST's clutch pressures as well as the engine?
  5. At what torque do you insist on an uprated clutch on the GSR?
  6. Does the setup keep a catalyst, so the car passes inspection?

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