Evo 8 nasty clutch other minor issues
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Joined: Feb 2019
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From: Cali
Evo 8 nasty clutch other minor issues
Hi Guys.
first time owner of an evo. Bought it a month ago, has 35k miles and super clean. Guy I bought it from did some crazy mods and it flies (will spin all four wheels), couple issues though maybe you guys can point me to a thread or let me know what I can do. Just a quick background, I bought this evo super clean with low miles as a nostalgic car that I loved when I was a teen. I bought it from a dealer out of state and everything seemed cool (though still is), I do not intend to tap this car or track it or launch it, it will be garage kept and taken out once in a while (pick up my kids from school and make the teachers mad haha).
1. Clutch is so difficult to drive. Extremely difficult. It's either on or off, though i do not want to go with a completely stock clutch because my friend told me i have too much power for a stock clutch even if i drive "normally "(well i do like a little throttle) what clutch would you guys recommend that would satisfy my daily driving and the power output?
2. When the car arrived I drove it around and it had over half tank of fuel, I filled up with e85 and it runs much smoother however when the car is cold it's an extremely rough idle but when warms up it's great, is this a concern? Should I stick to the e85 or go with pump gas?
3. The spark plugs I unscrewed and they seem to be very dirty and look like cheapos, any recommendations on plugs for my setup?
it has the current mods....
evo 9turbo and manifold.
skunk throttle
850cc injectors
haltech standalone ecu
8 leg triple disc ceramic clutch
Full exhaust 3"
head studs
stealth performance fuel pump
full intake with cold air
first time owner of an evo. Bought it a month ago, has 35k miles and super clean. Guy I bought it from did some crazy mods and it flies (will spin all four wheels), couple issues though maybe you guys can point me to a thread or let me know what I can do. Just a quick background, I bought this evo super clean with low miles as a nostalgic car that I loved when I was a teen. I bought it from a dealer out of state and everything seemed cool (though still is), I do not intend to tap this car or track it or launch it, it will be garage kept and taken out once in a while (pick up my kids from school and make the teachers mad haha).
1. Clutch is so difficult to drive. Extremely difficult. It's either on or off, though i do not want to go with a completely stock clutch because my friend told me i have too much power for a stock clutch even if i drive "normally "(well i do like a little throttle) what clutch would you guys recommend that would satisfy my daily driving and the power output?
2. When the car arrived I drove it around and it had over half tank of fuel, I filled up with e85 and it runs much smoother however when the car is cold it's an extremely rough idle but when warms up it's great, is this a concern? Should I stick to the e85 or go with pump gas?
3. The spark plugs I unscrewed and they seem to be very dirty and look like cheapos, any recommendations on plugs for my setup?
it has the current mods....
evo 9turbo and manifold.
skunk throttle
850cc injectors
haltech standalone ecu
8 leg triple disc ceramic clutch
Full exhaust 3"
head studs
stealth performance fuel pump
full intake with cold air
Your clutch most likely has no springs on the disc. The discs are solid and that’s why it’s either on or off. You can run an exedy twin and be much happier without sacrificing holding power.
e85 I’ve heard can give you issues in cold weather. It’s also a good idea to run a full tank of 93 to keep things clean e85 is corrosive if left sitting.
Your plugs look look like that due to e85 and fuel additives. Shouldn’t be a issue unless you start getting misfire codes.
e85 I’ve heard can give you issues in cold weather. It’s also a good idea to run a full tank of 93 to keep things clean e85 is corrosive if left sitting.
Your plugs look look like that due to e85 and fuel additives. Shouldn’t be a issue unless you start getting misfire codes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: Cali
Your clutch most likely has no springs on the disc. The discs are solid and that’s why it’s either on or off. You can run an exedy twin and be much happier without sacrificing holding power.
e85 I’ve heard can give you issues in cold weather. It’s also a good idea to run a full tank of 93 to keep things clean e85 is corrosive if left sitting.
Your plugs look look like that due to e85 and fuel additives. Shouldn’t be a issue unless you start getting misfire codes.
e85 I’ve heard can give you issues in cold weather. It’s also a good idea to run a full tank of 93 to keep things clean e85 is corrosive if left sitting.
Your plugs look look like that due to e85 and fuel additives. Shouldn’t be a issue unless you start getting misfire codes.
by exedy twin do you mean a stage two or something? Sorry I'm seriously new to all of this. Thank you for the fast response
Alright, welcome aboard
Yeah, maybe you have too much clutch for your set-up. If this is an unsprung clutch that maybe your issue. For street driving a sprung clutch works best IMO
My setup on E85 is 460 whp / Dyno Jet & ive been running a basic ACT street clutch which works well for me
Running E85 w/only 850cc injectors is very tough so your WHP is likely below 400 whp
Starting on E85 in the morning can be tough but can be tuned out (cold start tables can be adjusted). Takes me 2-3 cranks to get fired at times
Regarding your plugs, we mostly run the stock Mitsu plugs (dont have the no. off hand)
Joe
Yeah, maybe you have too much clutch for your set-up. If this is an unsprung clutch that maybe your issue. For street driving a sprung clutch works best IMO
My setup on E85 is 460 whp / Dyno Jet & ive been running a basic ACT street clutch which works well for me
Running E85 w/only 850cc injectors is very tough so your WHP is likely below 400 whp
Starting on E85 in the morning can be tough but can be tuned out (cold start tables can be adjusted). Takes me 2-3 cranks to get fired at times
Regarding your plugs, we mostly run the stock Mitsu plugs (dont have the no. off hand)
Joe
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
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From: Cali
Alright, welcome aboard
Yeah, maybe you have too much clutch for your set-up. If this is an unsprung clutch that maybe your issue. For street driving a sprung clutch works best IMO
My setup on E85 is 460 whp / Dyno Jet & ive been running a basic ACT street clutch which works well for me
Running E85 w/only 850cc injectors is very tough so your WHP is likely below 400 whp
Starting on E85 in the morning can be tough but can be tuned out (cold start tables can be adjusted). Takes me 2-3 cranks to get fired at times
Regarding your plugs, we mostly run the stock Mitsu plugs (dont have the no. off hand)
Joe
Yeah, maybe you have too much clutch for your set-up. If this is an unsprung clutch that maybe your issue. For street driving a sprung clutch works best IMO
My setup on E85 is 460 whp / Dyno Jet & ive been running a basic ACT street clutch which works well for me
Running E85 w/only 850cc injectors is very tough so your WHP is likely below 400 whp
Starting on E85 in the morning can be tough but can be tuned out (cold start tables can be adjusted). Takes me 2-3 cranks to get fired at times
Regarding your plugs, we mostly run the stock Mitsu plugs (dont have the no. off hand)
Joe
what if I run half e85? 93 is not easy to come by in my parts. Cali is stupid with fuel, hell e85 I only have one has station and it's like 15 miles away from me.
I’m running a act hdss clutch and I’m pushing 430/416 and the clutch holds fine and feels great.
Not sure if you should mix the two fuels as your tune may have dual maps one for 91 and one for e85 and it could cause issues don’t quote me on that but I’d run it low on e85 then fill up on 91 run that tank and swap when you want.
as stated above those injectors are very small for e85 you may want to have your tune checked just to be on the safe side.
Not sure if you should mix the two fuels as your tune may have dual maps one for 91 and one for e85 and it could cause issues don’t quote me on that but I’d run it low on e85 then fill up on 91 run that tank and swap when you want.
as stated above those injectors are very small for e85 you may want to have your tune checked just to be on the safe side.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
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From: Cali
I’m running a act hdss clutch and I’m pushing 430/416 and the clutch holds fine and feels great.
Not sure if you should mix the two fuels as your tune may have dual maps one for 91 and one for e85 and it could cause issues don’t quote me on that but I’d run it low on e85 then fill up on 91 run that tank and swap when you want.
as stated above those injectors are very small for e85 you may want to have your tune checked just to be on the safe side.
Not sure if you should mix the two fuels as your tune may have dual maps one for 91 and one for e85 and it could cause issues don’t quote me on that but I’d run it low on e85 then fill up on 91 run that tank and swap when you want.
as stated above those injectors are very small for e85 you may want to have your tune checked just to be on the safe side.
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Yea, with those mods you are not over 400hp.
If you want to swap plugs, run NGK bpr8es gapped at .020.
Get a sprung disc clutch:
cheaper option: ($550-$650)
ACT hdss - will hold your power levels and be easy to driver
expensive option: ($1100-$1500)
Exedy twin disc clutch - will hold up to ~550 hp and still be easy to drive
get an ACT monoloc collar while you are at it.
Extra cranks to start an e-85 evo in the cold are very normal. But rough idle might be a tuning issue.
Welcome!
If you want to swap plugs, run NGK bpr8es gapped at .020.
Get a sprung disc clutch:
cheaper option: ($550-$650)
ACT hdss - will hold your power levels and be easy to driver
expensive option: ($1100-$1500)
Exedy twin disc clutch - will hold up to ~550 hp and still be easy to drive
get an ACT monoloc collar while you are at it.
Extra cranks to start an e-85 evo in the cold are very normal. But rough idle might be a tuning issue.
Welcome!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Yea, with those mods you are not over 400hp.
If you want to swap plugs, run NGK bpr8es gapped at .020.
Get a sprung disc clutch:
cheaper option: ($550-$650)
ACT hdss - will hold your power levels and be easy to driver
expensive option: ($1100-$1500)
Exedy twin disc clutch - will hold up to ~550 hp and still be easy to drive
get an ACT monoloc collar while you are at it.
Extra cranks to start an e-85 evo in the cold are very normal. But rough idle might be a tuning issue.
Welcome!
If you want to swap plugs, run NGK bpr8es gapped at .020.
Get a sprung disc clutch:
cheaper option: ($550-$650)
ACT hdss - will hold your power levels and be easy to driver
expensive option: ($1100-$1500)
Exedy twin disc clutch - will hold up to ~550 hp and still be easy to drive
get an ACT monoloc collar while you are at it.
Extra cranks to start an e-85 evo in the cold are very normal. But rough idle might be a tuning issue.
Welcome!
Thank you guys for the advice.
I'll check out the collar. But in all fairness I was looking for a stock evo with less than 40k miles but this is what I found and bought it. I'm the weirdo you'll find that likes the car for the car not to tune it lol (if I wanna go fast I just take out the viper). I guess for me it's all about the look and to drive without an issue, though its nice having the power, I just do not want anything to break
Thank you guys for the advice.
Jesus, the clutch on that car is overkill. I would get an act hdss. It's a great reliable clutch thatll last a long time as long as you know how to drive. If you dont know when drivetrain fluids has been done, I would do that and if timing belt hadn't been done yet, then timing belt job as well. These cars have a more than normal maintenance interval you need to do. Your mods seem probably a little less than average for evos. I would try to keep the mods minimal, but again that's your car so do as you please.
These cars are getting more and more rare. The community doesnt want the ones out there to be neglected and then dumped like left over Chinese take out that has been sitting out for the past week. These cars are stout and if you treat it right, it will treat you right.
These cars are getting more and more rare. The community doesnt want the ones out there to be neglected and then dumped like left over Chinese take out that has been sitting out for the past week. These cars are stout and if you treat it right, it will treat you right.
8 leg triple disc ceramic clutch is a crazy clutch for your car. It is behaving totally normal for that style of clutch though. Seriously not needed unless you are making over 450+ lb/ft of torque and consider launching your car allot.Not recommended because your gonna break stuff. I would recommend an organic single sprung disc with upgraded pressure plate. Those have been mentioned above.
Rough idle at start up? You didn't mention cams as a mod but unless your injectors are having issues you should not be idling rough. Run a full tank of straight 91 (since Cali) to see if it straightens up. You should not be running E-85 unless you have at least 1000 cc injectors, an upgraded fuel pump (hopefully you do already) and are tuned for it.
Replace plugs with fresh too as mentioned above
Rough idle at start up? You didn't mention cams as a mod but unless your injectors are having issues you should not be idling rough. Run a full tank of straight 91 (since Cali) to see if it straightens up. You should not be running E-85 unless you have at least 1000 cc injectors, an upgraded fuel pump (hopefully you do already) and are tuned for it.
Replace plugs with fresh too as mentioned above
Last edited by whtrice; Feb 26, 2019 at 11:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cali
8 leg triple disc ceramic clutch is a crazy clutch for your car. It is behaving totally normal for that style of clutch though. Seriously not needed unless you are making over 450+ lb/ft of torque and consider launching your car allot.Not recommended because your gonna break stuff. I would recommend an organic single sprung disc with upgraded pressure plate. Those have been mentioned above.
Rough idle at start up? You didn't mention cams as a mod but unless your injectors are having issues you should not be idling rough. Run a full tank of straight 91 (since Cali) to see if it straightens up. You should not be running E-85 unless you have at least 1000 cc injectors, an upgraded fuel pump (hopefully you do already) and are tuned for it.
Replace plugs with fresh too as mentioned above
Rough idle at start up? You didn't mention cams as a mod but unless your injectors are having issues you should not be idling rough. Run a full tank of straight 91 (since Cali) to see if it straightens up. You should not be running E-85 unless you have at least 1000 cc injectors, an upgraded fuel pump (hopefully you do already) and are tuned for it.
Replace plugs with fresh too as mentioned above
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,902
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From: Grand Island, NE
Octane booster is snake oil and doesn't work. You need to live some place that sells good fuel (not California), switch to E-85 (requires parts and a tune) or learn to use what is available.
If your current tune is good there is no need to run a fuel additive unless you sustain knock.