I know that this has been discussed plenty of times here, but after doing an exhausting search with few and vague results, I decided to post it here for some clarification.

Let's say I have an '04 Ralliart (which I do) and, like a lot of others here can agree to, absolutely hate the shape of the headlights and the tail-lights. The Evo's are simply so much more aesthetically pleasing. What can I do to install them/have them installed?

All the answers I've seen to this question have only served to shoot it down as if it were an impossible feat rather than simply answer it. Well, nothing's impossible to me if it can be welded, molded, or produced with time and money. So here's my educated guess...

For the front, you'd need to replace the two front fenders, the bumper, the hood, the light mounts, and the headlights themselves. For the rear, you'd need to replace both rear fenders, the bumper, maybe the trunk, the mounts, and the lights, etc.

This alone sounds daunting and prohibitively time consuming and expensive. Also, there's the personal-gusto around here about Ralliarts trying to look like Evos, to which I really have no interest in being involved in. I think that argument is entirely moot and an incredible waste of time. If someone wants to do something to their car, it's their business and unless they ask for an opinion on it, there shouldn't be any unwarranted criticisms.

With that said, I understand that if the above changes are made, simply for putting some different lights on an automobile, the Ralliart will appear more like an Evo, since no doubt one would have to put on a "nonfunctional" Evo hood and side skirts to go with the package. Is it because someone wants their Ralliart to look like an Evo? Rather, I think it's because there are no easy aftermarket bolt-ons to accomidate the look, sort of like the stupid bug-eye look for all Impreza models '03 and earlier, and one is forced to spend a whole lot of time and money that involves changing a whole host of parts to the point of dramatically augmenting the overall aesthetic of the vehicle just to change one aspect of it: the lights. It's a shame, but it can't be helped unless you simply want to accept it and settle with it.

I also think it ignorant to suggest that one purchase an Evo if one's going to go through all of the effort just to change the lights. There are several reasons for this. The first and obvious being that maybe one can't afford the price of an Evo as a total package. There are multiple factors involved here, such as credit ratings, monthly payments to make, APR, the price of premium fuel (guilty), daddy paying for the car (guilty), inexperience with turbo cars, or simply personal preference. The second, following upon the first, is that if one can't afford the whole thing off the bat, then who's to say that one can't bring the vehicle up to par or even surpass the Evo part by part, piece by piece? As well, I think that's the heart of tuning and modding. But returning to specifics, it's just ridiculous to have to spend the money on an Evo just for the aesthetic appeal when all we want is the damn lights. :Þ

Okay, I didn't meant for it turned into a sort of dissertation and I may have half-answered my question. As far as I can tell, the vaguities lie in the specifics of process, who to go to or talk to for it (probably dealer since there are no known accomidating kits), whether used parts can be taken into consideration, estimated cost, etc. But by all means, if you know what's involved into performing this sort of modifcation, please answer in detail. I'm starved for knowledge as I'm sure others are regarding this. Thanks, and if you've read through another one of my "lengthy" posts again, you deserve a cookie.

 

I can't believe i read that whole thing. Unfortunately, i don't have much info that will be of much use but i would definetly start with a junk yard. and next stop, a body shop. those are the only places that i can think of that would do you any good.

 

Wow! Dude, what's your major in college, your good with the pen (keyboard), albeit a little lengthy.

I think our tails looks VERY similar to Evo tails already. All you need is EvoDave to mod you some, or do the ES swap.

Now about the front... I'm at a loss here. I mean short of trying to slap on Evo parts or parts of an Evo kit + Evo lights and miraculously making it all fit and look correctly on our car, not to mention paint it, I can't see how it could be done within a reasonable budget!?

I hate to say it, and I know you said not to, but the work and money involved in such a project would easily put you in Evo territory.

Maybe you could convince MTV to pimp your ride?

 

to intal the fronts you will need an evo hood, an evo front bumper, and a pair of evo fenders because the assembly perse is totally diferent...

 

That is exactly what I was thinking. The easiest, cheapest, smart way is go with eyelids up front. All that money you were going to spend on the frontend can be better spent on a body kit, turbo, suspension, you name it.

 

Nobody knows if the Evo bumper/fenders will even bolt up to the Ralliart body, or if the Evo hood can be forcibly made to fit if you manage to get Evo fenders and bumper on there. If they do, then you're stuck with a widebody front end and a regular Lancer rear. Then you're looking at welding in new rear fenders from an Evo. Then you need new wheels to work with the new fenders. Literally, for the amount of money, you could trade in your Ralliart and pick up a used Evo. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth.

 

If you really have your heart set on changing them...go with the '02 front end (if you like it that is). I love the look of my '02, and the front end would bolt up no problem. It would be pretty sweet to have a Ralliart look that way IMO.

 

That is a long post!

 

like "otter" said this is a very big project, even for a licenced body tech like myself is still very expsensive, not that it can't be done, but i did look into this for the fun of it all, and the total cost with paint, your looking in the $10,000 range. so if it was me, i would be using the 10k to put down on a real Evo.

 

110% exactly correct. That is one expensive body kit that will never look as good as a real evo.







lol.