Trying to spend less time on the Vegas Speedway
By Dan Frio
Photography by James Tate
Daniel Bajalis is no stranger to fast metal. He's owned an Audi S4, three LT1-powered Camaros and two Subarus (a WRX and a 2.5RS). In his current stable is a 2006 Evo IX, a Ford F-350 for pulling the toys, and this 2003 Evo VIII.
Bajalis's job as branch operations manager of a nationwide home loan lender no doubt allows him the cushion to invest what he approximates is about $50,000 into the build-up of his Evo VIII (note to self: brush up on mortgage industry).
He didn't necessarily intend to swing this deep into the car, but as his small investments began to pay major thrill dividends, he was hooked.
"Originally, I bought the car to replace my Subaru WRX," says Bajalis. "I was going to keep it stock and just enjoy it."
That phase lasted 500 miles. After an exhaust and ECU flash, Bajalis hit the Las Vegas Motor Speedway drag strip and recorded a 12.3-second run at 108mph. Cams, a front-mount intercooler and boost controller followed, leading to an 11.7-second run at 115mph, still on the stock turbo.
Determined to break into the 10s, Bajalis connected with AMS Performance in Arlington Heights, Illinois. AMS has been making the pages of SCC ever since 2005, when they entered a similar 2003 Evo VIII into our Ultimate Street Car Challenge.
"I talked to AMS and learned they were planning on doing a GT35R kit," Bajalis recalls. "I was already sold and wanted to be the first to have one. It didn't take long to hit 10s in full street trim and get into the low 10s on all-season tires."
Bajalis later breached the nine-second mark on a GT37, then resigned himself to a descent into project insanity.
Determined to keep the car's stock simplicity inside and out, Bajalis spent carefully. Aside from an AMS roll cage, Sparco harnesses and a couple of AEM gauges, the interior retains its showroom look. Copy that outside, with just the slight addition of an AMS carbon fiber roof and some custom vinyl graphics.
The underpinnings and ground communication are top-shelf: JIC coilovers and Hoosier Quick Time Pro rubber, wrapped around 16-inch Rota Slipstream wheels--a stylish, if curious, choice.
But underhood, Bajalis turned his 4G63 over to the AMS brain trust, who sent it back with a Cosworth head jammed with JUN cams, Ross pistons, Groden rods, a new 2.1-liter displacement, and a GT42R turbo.
Dual AMS fuel rails host eight 1000cc/min injectors, all run by AEM EMS engine management on an AMS Performance tune. Power transfers through an Exedy triple carbon-plate clutch, CTG carbon fiber driveshaft and Driveshaft Shop Stage V rear axles.
Bajalis is confident that this combo can allow him to achieve his goal of lower single-digit quarter-mile times.
"I'm pretty happy with the power. For now. My goal was 10s, then nines. Now it's eights, and who knows? Maybe sevens next year."