So I bought my EVO VIII MR used with a few mods. I got a dealership service history report from my local dealer and was pleased to find out that my car has, or had, and aftermarket lower intercooler pipe on it. The previous owner brought the car to the dealership becuase it wouldn't go past 25mph and the tech notes read... "Customer has installed aftermarket lower intercooler pipe on charge side resulting in that pipe coming seperated from intercooler causing the problem." or something along those lines. So if I get under the car to check it out, is there a way to determine which lower IC pipe is on the car? And distinction between brands? I plan on taking a peek at it tonight. Thanks .

 

It is pretty easy to tell the factory pipe from an aftermarket one. The aftermarket will have a consistent diameter until it gets to the turbo where it will taper to a narrower diameter. The stock one has a ton of bends, is very narrow in some spots and has mounting brackets welded to it.

 

I am not worried about telling the difference between stock & aftermarket, I just want to know if there is a way to tell which aftermarket one I am looking at.

 

my bad i misread that. Unless its got some insignia on it its kinda tough to tell. Good luck, but if it makes a difference, most of the time that the lower pipe blows off its an issue with the silicone couplers and/or clamps. Check to see if it uses t-bolt clamps, that will be much better than the regular worm clamps which are inferior.

 

the only way to tell is by going to every website and looking at their LICP and then compare it to yours.

or take a picture of it and post it on EvoM. we'll tell you in 30 seconds. haha

 

Ok, thanks guys. I will try and remember to snap some pics too.

shiftdsm - Yeah I am sure its not equipped with the t-bolt clamps or was improperly installed before it blew off. I will check that though. Thanks.

 

If its got a licp, its safe to say that the car had a lot of other mods on it that were taken off before tradein. I would be careful and make sure its not tuned for mods it dosent have any longer. As far as the licp, there all pretty much the same thing, so it wont really matter.

 

I don't think they took any of the mods off. It has a cat-back exhaust, intake, shift knob, and apparently a LICP. It wasn't tuned to the best of my knowlege as the rev limiter and the launch control is still set for the OEM tune. If they were to take off mods to sell them, then I think the intake and exhaust would be the first to go.

Personally I think that the previous owner just did your basic bolt ons. Since the car had an Injen CAI, which comes with its own UICP, then the LICP is logically the next step. They they traded it in before getting to the next level of mods. You never know though. Either way, it couldn't have been too crazy because they were still taking it to the dealership for warranty work. And it has a stock clutch in it.

 

So lets say that there is a LICP on there. With the cat-back, intake w/UICP, and nothing else, should I get a tune or is it safe to wait until I get some other stuff done?

 

With those mods, you should double check on the fuel pump. Knowing if it is stock or a higher flowing Walbro is best before thinking about a tune for future mods.

 

Good advice. Thanks. If it is stock, should I upgrade before going for a tune or is that just something that I need to know weather I have or not to get a good tune?

P.S. - Sorry for all of the newb questions. I am new to the EVO.

 

Definatly check to see. If theres not one then get the walbro and tune it. If it is there just tune it. Have fun with her man

 

Thanks again for the advice. I used to think buying a used car with some mods on it was awesome, but it just ends up in more work unless you know the seller lol. Any easy ways to check like a fuel pump hum or anything? Prepare yourself for another newb question.... Is the fuel pump on the EVO in the tank or in-line somewhere?

 

In-tank under the back seat. An upgraded fuel pump will likely whine a little, especially on a hot day with little fuel in the tank.

 

Ok. I hear no whine at all so chances are its stock. Time to start planning on where to go and what steps to take in modding the car.