After reading around for quite some time in EVO M, (only joining recently) I've decided to mod the RA with reliablity at the top of the improvement priority list and with adding speed as last... ANYBODY chime in if my list is wrong or if I'm forgetting something. Opinions also welcome:

Renforcement Mod list:
-Upgrade tranny cooler
-Upgrade clutches (lookin' at SSP)
-Uprade FMIC and upper and lower piping (lookin' at AMS)
-Upgrade plastic BOV
-Upgrade Dampeners (looking if CBRD comes through), already have swift springs
-Ugrade to lighter/stronger wheels (currently have Konig Backbones) and with a better stance
-Better ECU tune (Currently on Cobb Stage 1 for 93 Octane)

Questionable Mods that might just be me Wanting appearance/performance:
-Aftermarket exhaust (lookin' at DC Sports dual exit)
-Aftermarket air intake
-Aftermarket downpipe
-Full body repaint (thinking dark green, something not OEM)

*Working towards upgrading the turbo with CBRD way, way into the future with the warranty GONE.

I'm in it for the long haul, guys. I'm determined to see my daughter drive this car (she's a year and two months old). So basically, I'll be having this RA even when the warranty's up. I found my DD that keeps me smiling as a driver and with room for a family to boot. I may get a better/faster vehicle in the future but the RA is staying in the stable through it all

 

Well most of these upgrades will void the warranty once installed. If anything when you install the parts if you have a warranty issue you'll need to remove most thigs before going into the dealer. Also some of the parts will require a tune immediately like the intake.

 

^I expected all my reinforment mods would void the warranty since it's directly messing with the engine components.

I'm just compiling a list of bullet-proofing the engine before adding HP/Torque to rediculous numbers.

I might even just gather all these parts for installation in the future (after warranty dies). I know I'll be like a kid needing to pee with all these parts in my garage but I'm trying to mod in an order which I won't abandon the car in the long run...

Like most older civics you see on the streets with a loud exhaust, perfomance wheels, a body kit... and then the driver is like an 80 year old woman.... you know somebody gave up and just traded that car in.

I figure with the warranty gone (even killed due to modding), upping your OEM parts with aftemarket components designed to take more abuse than mitsubishi ever dreamed of would just make me completely unafraid to drive this car like I stole it (track or empty dirt roads) or mod it to a much faster beast.

 

Really, warranty depends on your dealer in most ways. My local Mitsu dealer manager told me flat out, if you upgrade your exhaust, it will only void your exhaust warranty. But in term of reliability, we don;t often hear of the OEM exhaust system failing.

I think it becomes pretty clear, that your warranty manual and all informed discussions about this topic indicate ECU changes can generally have the most risk. But if you are seriously looking past having a warranty, the tranny would be the first thing to add to my list for upgrades, and the SSP larger capacity tray would be high on my list. It adds more fluid, and that would seem a common sense mod that would have to help her keep cool, and stay happy.

Personally if I wanted to keep the car as reliable as possible, I would also change the oil more frequently than the mainteance guide with good synthetic oil, change the tranny fluid and filter ahead of schedule, and keep all the other maintenance items atleast on the Mitsu schedule. Oh and I would drive it to have fun (of course) but not abuse it, like a few on this board might possibly have done.

Cheers and best of luck.

 

Concord mitsu is, if you don't mess with the ECU or use custom fabrications (i.e. bolt on), they will honor the warranty. I have heard that south coast honors warranty even if you do tune your car up...and considering how much of a tune friendly shop they are, I'm likely to believe it. Best thing, talk with the local dealers and see what they will and will not cover.

 

Yea that's what the dude told me.

makes these cars knowing what people will do to them.

To bad they will not be around to much longer.

 

^Thanks for all the helpful info, everyone.

I got alot of thinking to do about the fate of this RA. Like I said, this one is going to be my keeper DD...

Warranty or not, I WON'T be able to avoid the urge of modding forever, especially on such a capable platform.

Opinion wise, what are our weakest points that you guys would change out first (please disregard our need for more power for now)?

I know our tires/wheels/suspension from the factory kept our handling abilities mediocre (got that all upgraded already).

 

intercooler system. the stock one is extremely efficient at being inefficient

pick up a whole used Evo X set if you're limited on budget; bolts up no problem, no fuss

 

You might want to look at a new intercooler. The pipes could afford to be replaced, as well.

 

Exyia/NFS, thanks... definitely going to research aftermarket FMIC for the RA with the upper and lower piping.

BTW, NFS, how's the brake upgrades? I'm eyeing that as another mod after the FMIC.

Trust me, I appreciate the help, I have a spread sheet of mods in a priority list and I have all the major brands (along with cheaper alternatives)/effects/pricing... I know it's **** but it'll keep me on track with money.

 

Which way is this?

 

I misspoke. A local tuner has said that this is possible. I haven't actually had this done on my car, yet.

 

I have the larger kit completed. The 6/4 piston upgrade is on the car.

The smaller kit has had some problems along the way, but I feel like everything that could possible have gone wrong already has.

 

Ok, just FYI, if it's the same method I know about, there are some serious drawbacks, depending on the strategy while doing it.

 

I haven't spoken to him directly regarding any issues with the process or end result. He seemed pretty excited about it, so I assume that he has found a way to make it work. Either way, the number of cars with this kind of re-tuning is small.