This is very good advice. I would add a step 2.5 to the list, though:

Step 2.5 figure out what purpose the car is going to serve (DD, auto-x, road race, drag race, rally-x, rally)

Your mod path is going to be significantly different depending on what you ultimately want to do with the car. Also keep in mind that the mods on a VIII vs. an IX are going to be slightly different.

I currently run an AMS turbo kit (BB 50 trim), and I've been very happy with it. However if I were to build another Evo from the ground up, I'd start with an FP Red bolt-on turbo.

If you've never driven a high hp car, then definitely do your power mods in stages. Too many ppl are destined to a date with a tree or telephone pole when the power level exceeds the driver's skill. Better to mod slightly slower and have a little $$ left over for attending HPDE or auto-x events, which build driver skill.

l8r)

 

I can definitely understand buyin some parts to really get the feel for it for the fact that you appreciate every little thing more.
I was thinking of going for the gusto because I want a shock factor from my friends and my family when they see the car & how much of a beautifully crafted machine it is with its mods and new block.

This post was definitely a feeler to test the waters & weigh the options.

 

I like this advice a lot.
Thanks.
& the purpose is to be a dd til I have enough to start taking it to the tracking level.
I've been around tracks with the evolutions running a lot & I just feel that soon is the time when I want to join them.

--I will however be taking driving school once I get and mod the evo slightly.

 

Trust me, the shock factor of even a mildly modified Evo is no joke. The average person will be like "OMG". Then, once you start pushing 500+ whp, it'll be like "OMFG". IMO the slower buildup is necessary to minimize the "telephone pole factor". I spent 5 years driving and tracking my Evo, progressing slowly up to something like 350wtq/400whp ... then I turned up the wick to 400wtq/470whp and was still surprised at the difference. At that power level the car is starting to cross the threshold of what my street tires will comfortably keep in check. I remember back in the days of owning a lightly modded Evo, I got a ride in the AMS Evo, which at the time was somewhere between 600-700whp, and with 3 ppl in the car it scared the bejeezus outta me. I can't imagine what it would've been like trying to drive it ... every time Martin hit the gas, the car would tramline so hard that it would drag us half a lane sideways. I'm sure that I'll ultimately end up near that power level, but I'll definitely be much more prepared once I do.

Obviously you have to ultimately decide what it is you want to do, but I would strongly recommend a slow buildup. Not only is it safer, IMO, but instead of one giant OMFG, you'll be getting a lot of OMGs along the way. Just my $.02

... just read your last comment. Sounds like you're headed in the right direction. If you do plan on eventually tracking your car, keep your suspension in mind as it is going to be every bit as important as power. Fortunately for you, these days there is a lot more good information out there than even just a few years ago. Good luck on the project.

l8r)

 

I feel that it's best to by the setup you want the first time. When I sit down with a customer who wants to go "all out" with their build but it's obvious that it will be more car than they can handle, I suggest a mild tune at first. With most big builds, a 'mild' tune is still more than they can handle so they still leave happy. Down the road when they have learned to manage this new-found power, it's as easy as retuning for more power in stages. In the end, I think it's best to make the initial investment on the parts once.

-Jamie
A.K.A. jack of trades