Evo viii vs. Evo ix
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Laguna Hills
the main difference between the 8 and 9 are, the 8 has a stronger tranny and can take more abuse over the 9. ive seen people take it up to 600+ hp on stock driveline. the evo 9: the 9 does come with more HP and TQ then the 8, but has a weak 6 speed but does have a bigger turbo and mivec which makes it alot torqier then the 8. but you cant put big cams you might break the mivec part. the 9 also has the ACD which is sensitive to traction loss and will break. I dont think its worth the extra money IMO. but the only real weak point in both evos is the transfercase. IMO i would just go with the 8, it will last longer in the end.
I have the torch fired up and ready to go for this.
the ACD or Active Center Differential is what makes an evo an Evo.
If anything your "03 8" is a dumbed down version of ct9a AND cp9a.
to the OP, it dosnt matter, comes down to your likes.
However ACD is a huge advantage and is run successfully all over the world, and for crash reasons was omitted from 03 and 04 evos
Do some research please...Wikipedia is a good place to start.
Dhbamby....Get a TBE from AMS. i love my exhaust and it sounds great and check it out from www.maperformance.com 
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: lancaster PA
Dhbamby....Get a TBE from AMS. i love my exhaust and it sounds great and check it out from www.maperformance.com
Evolving Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Oxnard
The only thing I regret about my 8 is the open front LSD, cost me 1150 for a LSD + install fees.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: lancaster PA
Were you being limited that much by the open diff that u had to replace it? Or did it break? Also what year did the LSD come standard
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Evolving Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 380
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From: Oxnard
Did not break it, just replaced it for hard launches. Front LSD + solid engine mounts to reduce wheel hop. If you don't plan to drag it, don't really need it. I noticed better shifting from the solid mounts, with increased vibration and engine noise.
the main difference between the 8 and 9 are, the 8 has a stronger tranny and can take more abuse over the 9. ive seen people take it up to 600+ hp on stock driveline. the evo 9: the 9 does come with more HP and TQ then the 8, but has a weak 6 speed but does have a bigger turbo and mivec which makes it alot torqier then the 8. but you cant put big cams you might break the mivec part. the 9 also has the ACD which is sensitive to traction loss and will break. I dont think its worth the extra money IMO. but the only real weak point in both evos is the transfercase. IMO i would just go with the 8, it will last longer in the end.
IMO I would go IX, but not the IXMR. I have the MR and its the biggest pos on the face of the earth... well it may be that I just have bad luck
The IX comes with a lot of great features that the VIII didn't have, as stated above. If you want a "cheaper evo" to throw a phat turbo on then maybe I would go with an VIII. In the long run you will have more money to spend on upgrades.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: lancaster PA
how much hp do you have?
Food for thought:
When my cam sensor went out and my IX had its MIVEC system not functioning, I was seeing 26psi by 5200 rpm (2.3 stroker, 35R, @ 6,000ft elevation). That night we tracked down the problem, got the MIVEC dialed back in, and put a test pipe on the car (replaced the AMS high flow cat). We picked up 600rpm in spool time...MIVEC works and it really helps make the midrange useable.
Also, if you're going to do any sort of racing in low grip situations, ACD is invaluable, and actually was the reason I saved up an extra year before buying one.
Dave
When my cam sensor went out and my IX had its MIVEC system not functioning, I was seeing 26psi by 5200 rpm (2.3 stroker, 35R, @ 6,000ft elevation). That night we tracked down the problem, got the MIVEC dialed back in, and put a test pipe on the car (replaced the AMS high flow cat). We picked up 600rpm in spool time...MIVEC works and it really helps make the midrange useable.
Also, if you're going to do any sort of racing in low grip situations, ACD is invaluable, and actually was the reason I saved up an extra year before buying one.
Dave
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From: Jeffersonville, IN / Louisville KY
1. The 8's and 9's have the same tranny, but the 9 has different gear ratios. If your talking about grinds, both 8's and 9's can have that problem.
2. The 8 and 9 MR's are the only Evo's with a 6 speed
3. You can put big cams in a 9 just like a 8. Wait, look around and you'll see that the same big cams available for the 8's are available for the 9 as well. Maybe your getting something mixed up with aftermarket MIVEC cams breaking?
4. 05' Evo 8's have ACD as well, 03'-04's do not. 05' was also the first year to have a front LSD on all models. Only model before to have a front LSD was the 04' RS. Both the ACD and front LSD HELP traction.
5. I've owned two Evo's now (03' and 06') and haven't broke a t-case. It all comes down how you drive and maintain them.
2. The 8 and 9 MR's are the only Evo's with a 6 speed
3. You can put big cams in a 9 just like a 8. Wait, look around and you'll see that the same big cams available for the 8's are available for the 9 as well. Maybe your getting something mixed up with aftermarket MIVEC cams breaking?
4. 05' Evo 8's have ACD as well, 03'-04's do not. 05' was also the first year to have a front LSD on all models. Only model before to have a front LSD was the 04' RS. Both the ACD and front LSD HELP traction.
5. I've owned two Evo's now (03' and 06') and haven't broke a t-case. It all comes down how you drive and maintain them.
There is a reason after 04' HID' were not standard equipment on Evo's. One reason being was that the 05's had other standard equipment on them like the ACD and the front LSD. Those two parts drove the price up so HID's became part of the SSL package to keep the price of the car down.
Eff it here you go....
2003 - only options were the big wing and sunroof and HID's were standard.
2004 - nothing changed was leather became an option and small wing was dropped. RS model was introduced.
2005 - LSD, ACD, and 10.5 hotside were now standard and the Evo had a small bump in power. The SSL package included sunroof, Infinity stereo, leather, and HID's. First year for the MR with a 6 speed.
2006 - Basically the same car, BUT the turbo got a upgraded compressor housing, MIVEC head, different interior, different gear ratios, and different front bumper.
List of models....
2003 - GSR
2004 - GSR, RS
2005 - GSR, RS, MR
2006 - GSR, RS, MR, SE
Any other questions feel free to ask.
