I had a brisk sprint on my stock 03 with a dealer window stickered Nissan Altima 3.5. I was just able to keep up with him, gaining slightly; going from midrange on up. My Evo had a tough time doing it. I see 19.5 psi boost QUICKLY tapering to about 16psi in anger. The thing just feels soft.

I have no other Evo's to test this against, should I be looking for a problem? I have been suspicious of a boost leak for a while, and I think I"m going to break down and make a tester and go on a bug hunt. I can hear the turbo whine oner power, and a big whooshing noise. Nothing to test against so I don't know if that's good or bad, I guess it will pay to know. I have been suspicious of the stock BOV under load ever since I was chasing another problem that I fixed.

I'm planing on a reflash this spring that will make things better. I can't help but wonder if something is messed up.

 

The Altima 3.5 is a quick car, Nissan claims 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. If you had a Turbo-back exhaust, MBC and Flash you would have smoked him.

 

Are you using a mechanical boost controller? If you're using the stock wastegate controls, the boost is automatically tapered to 16psi after a certian period of time. I had the same issue with my '03 when it was stock. After installing a MBC, the boost held 19psi consistantly. I also believe a flash would help with boost taper as well, if your not keen on the MBC. Correct me if I'm wrong guys.

Matt

 

Stock EVOs are slow. Thats a fact. You can get a mail-in flash from Dynoflash with the boost controlling feature and it will hold 19-20psi. Its like $200. Solid 25whp or so! That will make the car feel much better, however, I strongly reccomend a good value exhaust system, your car will be a whole new beast with exhaust/flash!

 

The thing is all too stock.

The Dynoflash is exactly what I had in mind. I don't like how that messes with the rev limiter. I've gone too far once or twice, and that brought it back. I have heard some stories on how flashed cars have gone too high with probable damage. Otherwise it seems like a must have. I just have to figure out how to live without the car for a few days.

I'll keep wishing for the exhaust, getting to go to Jamaica with the mrs instead.

Thanks for the input.

 

The EVO can handle 8000rpm, dont worry. Some guys are going to 8500! All you need is 7500, he will increase it to like 7800, dont worry about it. Its your choice how high you want to rev out.

 

True ... don't expect to blow by cars like the Maxima, Altima, WRXs ... in reality the difference in power only allows us to slowly creep away from them.
BTW, you can also have your car flashed and maintain the same rev limits as stock.

 

Thanks, I'd feel better knowing I'm not going to loose everything due to a slip of the foot. I can live with stock rev's.

When exhause shopping, is it worth it to get the works or is cat back ok? Also, I want to keep the Evo's cool sound and not turn it into something booming and harsh (or a weed whacker). I spent 10 years driving a ragtop Mustang GT with 3" Flowmasters, and probably have some hearing damage. Loud is a deal killer.

 

Definitely get the full exhaust. You can also choose a catback that isnt too loud. Just adding a catback will only add 10-13whp whereas a full exhaust will give you 25whp or so and something like the DC sport downpipe which eliminates the cat too is only $250 shipped most places. Definitely worth that extra 15HP!

 

Works is a safe tune with great low- and mid-range power as well with no need to change to an MBC. You do have to change the boost hose though.

Do the boost leak test. You'll sleep better at night!

Our cars love tunes and exhaust.

 

I have never heard of the Works flash, I need to shop some before I buy. I've also not heard of having to change the boost hose. Either way the flash should be a good start. This morning it felt like the more I pushed, the more it didn't want to go. I tried 80% throttle to see if I could curb the falloff and it wasn't enough. I held it open and waited it out. The Altima did surprise me in another way: it was a dealer guy at the wheel with a Maroni in the window. Makes me wonder what my Evo went through before it left the lot.

I might go cat back at first, then add the downpipe later. The mrs. doesn't understand why I need to spend like this. I have heard some exhausts that I like the sound on.

 

I have a 05' EVO with a flash and it feels slow as crap. It feels good until about 5k then it feels slow I don't even floor it because it's like what's the point. Since I had a Cobra before this and a 11.56@125mph Talon before that I guess it feels about right.

I plan to put on Buschur stage IV package by the end of Feb. and hopefully that will wake it up.

 

get the full tbe exhaust..it's worth it

 

My '03 with just a K&N filter (miniscule difference) and a Works flash was a new beast. Boost leaks testing and repairs have changed my car back into it's old self on 2 occasions. Just do it!

Works is a vendor here with their own section like Dynoflash, AMS, Vishnu, etc. Check 'em. They're more expensive, supply a replacement boost hose, and don't require an MBC. But you'll be shocked what you get low-to-mid and, if you don't drive it any differently, get some mpg back as well.

I'm running a Dynoflash on new mods because Al came to town so I could get a personalized (not off-the-shelf) tune. I'm very happy with that outcome as well.

But a flash does wonders. The next real step is exhaust - if you're going to go 3" TBE tell them when you get the flash - it can be built in to take advantage of it when you do upgrade.

 

Check for boost leaks for sure. It's a good thing to learn to do. As for an exhaust, you can get a nice 3" custom made exhaust from a good muffler shop for less than you'd think.