I don't know, but thank god for the internet. A lot of these comments seem to get dissuaded by limited fitment programs on wheel/tire websites (such as Tire Rack). For instance, the program will allow you to select from a range of wheels diameters (and sometimes even widths and offsets) and complete the process of filtering out what will and won't work with stock equipment efficiently.

Also, people seem to be getting a better idea of the absolute range of options as far as wheel and tire sizing are concerned particular to their vehicles just by browsing specific "Aftermarket Wheel and Tire Galleries" on vehicle specific forums. Hell, that is how I sized out my wheels. I just searched this forum and other Lancer forums to determine what works, what doesn't, and why.

 

Yeah, I'm just frustrated because that misunderstanding has been clarified multiple times, but it just keeps coming back.

 

Welcome to my world.

 

Fixed

 

Also, you wouldn't want the classing penalty that comes with a BBK in autocross.

 

What class would a BBK put you in?

 

has anyone gone out and bought a BBK yet?

 

I think people realized that the process and cost of buying and installing these brakes outweigh the benefit.

Right now it seems it will really only add to cosmetic appearances though overall braking will improve real world applications are minimal for most. But it appears that most modifications to the Ralliart only serves as cometic at the moment and increasing horsepower for straight line shooting is it's only real option with the little aftermarket support for aero and suspension upgrades.

 

up until recently, i would have agreed with you, however, cusco, works, and others like them are finally trying to give the ralliart access to its fullest potential, which includes non-linear performance based upgrades

 

I agree that after-market support and availability has grew and probably continue to do so. It seems that many products offered vary in both quality and price and sometimes availability.

The Ralliart sits in a niche market by itself. While the car shares the underpinnings of a base-Lancer GTS and not the Evolution it seems to be the car's main issue. It's tough not to compare other manufacturers that allow their top end products to share the same underpinnings as their lower end brethren, it makes it extremely difficult for after-market companies to justify R&D, production, and hopefully sales of products to a small audience.

With the Ralliart placing terribly in comparisons and along with poor depreciation it's also becoming harder for car buyers to justify it over the competition. Only brand loyalty and aggressive financing is allowing people to consider the Ralliart.

I couldn't justify one over a Mazdaspeed3 even with the awesome AWD and TC-SST. With nav/Rockford Fosgate/Recaro options I can get something similar in the Mazda for literally $4,000+ less than a fully optioned Ralliart. Though at that price new a base GSR and in some cases a MR used can be had with existing warrantee, which i did until the dealership pulled the rug out from under me by taking away the certified status after I pretty much closed the deal (a threat to call the BBB as well as a lawyer didn't phase them until my bank refused the check I wrote, with the car still and the key I had them begging for the car back in one piece)

There went my dream of owning a X and will only buy from a non-affiliated dealer that doesn't have a Mitsubishi in their network.

Kind of veered from the topic but Mitsubishi isn't what they once were and without the X I don't they would have lasted much longer in the States.

 

i agree. the ralliart is definitely a niche market, and, considering most comparisons by the most popular car evaluation groups, one would think the ralliart would soon fizzle out and die. this, in my experience though, is not the case. the car just catches a bad rep from those groups like edmunds and car & driver and whatnot, but it seems as though nearly every day, i find someone who either had a poor interpretation or has just plain never heard of the ralliart before, and more often than not, they leave the conversation with a better understanding and respect for, if not genuine interest in a ralliart edition lancer.

while it does have flaws, as do all cars, and it may not be the best in all of the comparisons, which it is definitely not, the ralliart really suffers more from lack of exposure than anything else. as has been said before, i think even by amby once or twice, while the car may be able to be considered above average or "good" at most things, it really excels at nothing. but that can be interpreted another way as well: while the car may not have one singular outstanding aspect, the balance of all things combined makes for a great all around package that may not win any one particular category, but will place well in most if not all. with this mindset and understanding of the ralliart, it makes it a lot easier to appreciate what can be achieved with a mid-level car of this caliber

 

EvoIXV2: no offense... do you think you have gone off topic?
the last poster just asked if someone had installed BBK yet.. and not "would a BBK improve drastically the handling performance of the RA.. if so, is it comparable to the Evo"

Back to topic:
The only RAs I've seen with BBK would be MRT's (from Australia i believe)... and the GTS 2.4L from RRM (since we share the same suspension)

as far as EvoM RA Community... I've never seen one ..

 

Not like other conversations I had with other owners, most seem very defensive and protective of the brand as if there is someone out there who can change other's minds about a particular car. There are aspects to the Ralliart I do like, such as the AWD, while missing such tech as S-AWC and especially S-AYC, I believe should be reserved for Evolutions. Though a complete IX AWD system would have been more appropriate (not sure if it has all the tech as the US-spec '06) including S-AWC.

The TC-SST is a superb transmission, though a little weak and too complicated for a mid-range car. A 5-speed should have been offered, though the price would be greatly reduced and might push it out of the segment or a real bargain.

The issue is of course the suspension and brakes, stamped steel is a horrible design choice though I believe is a direct result of the available transmission. If a simple 5 speed was offered more attention could have been made as far as material and design. Now that almost every car now offers 4 wheel disc brakes, larger calipers and discs should be available, though Mitsubishi has commissioned Brembo for their larger brakes, leaving the Ralliart an inability to share with other platforms.

Seems the only argument that can be made when comparing cars is usually made if a long list of upgrades is allowed for the Ralliart. This in part is true, the Ralliart is a true contender if the motor is paired with Evo parts and upgraded wheels and tires were allowed.

Like I said before if the Ralliart was to share the same underpinnings as the Evolution, such as roof, fenders and bumpers I would definitely entertain purchasing a Ralliart. Even if it offered the current brakes, transmission, and motor, though a cheaper faster car could be made that betters a Evolution. Subaru has done it and so has other car manufacturers, though the Evo crowd always wants exclusivity with their cars and with the Ralliart so behind, they can rest safe knowing that the Ralliart will largely stay where it is at.

Back on topic: I think the main reason for the lack of BBKs is due to the factory stock wheels available. Brake manufacturers cannot assume people will replace their wheels nor ask them to to fit a wheel for their own kit's proper fitment.

A custom brake kit is probably the best way to go, though some modifications must be made, I don't that it shouldn't be too difficult to fit larger brakes.

 

When I saw the stopping performance of the RA vs WRX, I really wanted to get a bbk and better tires. Those two upgrades alone could put the ra much closer in standing with thw wrx. If mitsubishi could address these issues in the next gen, they'd have a real wrx contender.

I agree the ra stands on its own at the back of the pack as a result. I might have bought a sube if we didn't have just one sube dealership in 500 miles and they abuse that power.

 

once again, agreed. the similar weight without similar performance to the evo and other such cars definitely leaves much to be desired with the ralliart in stock trim, but i'm personally proud of how far my little under-achiever has come with, what i consider, minor modification.

that being said, the ams kit seems like a great option for someone who is wanting to go all out with the ralliart in a road-course type of setting like the autobahn or vir or something along those lines, but as otter said, the consequence in classing for autox, for a car that sits pretty much middle of the road in performance without major modification, is pretty much not even worth the expense of the kit. surely it would yield the best results available for the time being, but a pad/rotor/ss line/fluid upgrade would be a far more sensible option to keep the car in a class where it at least has somewhat of a chance to contend with others.

i went to an autox event, not even thinking about the fact that i had my hks ssqv on the car still from the last show i had gone to, and was classed in open SM class and took dead last place because of it. a full 6 seconds behind 1st place with a 50sec run time. definitely not worth it when an evox valve would hold the same boost and keep me in SPC. i can imagine the same, or at least similar, results would occur with an undermodified car boasting a bbk and little else