I think there's a small error in the first post -- the 03 and 04 VIII RS models did not come with an aluminum roof. I believe it started with the VIII MR and MR RS specs and all of the IX specs
Also worth noting that the JDM MR DV was not available in 2003 and 2004 Evo VIII and were only available from the VIII MR (and all spec levels) and IX models
As for the 05 MR VIII MR RS (5-speed), it did not come with the 10.5 hotside (HRA105T-16G) but the 0.8 (HRA98T-16G) instead. The 5-speed MR RS also comes with a rear aluminum cross brace in the trunk that was not available in other non-RS models, and the engine internals of the VIII MR RS are of the Evo VIII's not the VIII MR GSR.
"The track-ready Evolution RS also receives one body panel from the MR Edition: its roof, which is made of lightweight aluminum for lower weight and a lower center of gravity. The RS also receives thin trunk-lid sheet metal to decrease weight."
For more info, see
http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/p...detail992.html and
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...15/254011.html
