I'll be looking at this VIII tomorrow A.M., what should I look for?
 

Here is the car:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=73

What should I look for? How will I know if it's running a different than OEM turbo? Please HELP!!!

Feel the trans for any grinding....especially with high RPM shifts....

Listen for any loud whining...especially on decel...might be a bad t-case.....

See if he can do a compression test for you on the spot.....that will tell you if the motor is still healthy...

As far as the turbo.....u will need to look up what a stock one looks like.....from the pic of the engine bay it still seems that it has the stock exhaust manifold....

Edit: And if the car feels like it is vibrating it self to hell that will be normal as this guy has done a full motor/trans mount swap to polyurethane...

I would be wary of one advertised as track ready, and he says he added brembo disc brakes, but they came with brembos. Maybe they are upgraded ones, maybe he is just trying to fool people. But it is one thing you can check, if they are the standard brakes then you know he is lieing and who knows what else he is lieing about.

If the car is still on the stock clutch, which I doubt, that's always a good sign of abuse or lack of in this case. Compression test is a must...Might as well look at the plugs condition as well since they're already off. Glance at coolant levels and other fluids that aren't often changed to get idea of maintainance... He said you can run on both race and pump gas which is not okay for cars without some stand alone. You either tune for one or the other with the stock ecu. Him simply pouring race gas and upping the boost is not a good thing at all.

Its modded to hell. I wouldn't touch it.

that driver's seat has seen better days, also front bumper is missing the lip, stock exhaust manifold is missing the heat shield but most likely has stock turbo since no other turbo bolts up to that manifold.

The seller is a dealer who says he picked it up wholesale. He says he has no idea what is done to the car. How can I check for a standalone?

20 grand for a evo with only 34,000 miles is way to cheap. Way too many mods.

the ecu is located behind the glove box however i HIGHLY doubt it has a standalone. a stock ecu can put down huge power and is pretty tuner friendly. this car does seem to have tons of mods. i would def be worried about the tranny, t-case, and clutch. start adn and go behind the car to listen to the idle to find out if it has cams. the suspension is a nice setup however under the hood looks a little sloppy

Great advice!

I still remember the guy who came to get tuned in AZ who had just bought an FWD evo with no driveshaft.

In addition I would have the car checked over by a SAE certified or similar mechanic.

Al

YOU DO NOT WANT THAT CAR.. I bought that car at the auction and its a hot mess.. it does have a 2.4L motor and quite a few decent mods but its a beat to hell.. We ran it back thru the auction because i could not sell that car with peace of mind and my business name behind it..

I know someone with an 04' SSL package with 44k for approx the same price.. PM me and ill give you his info. Thanks!!

Oh dam..

that sucks good thing you chimed in

Car had a maft translater, barely idled, had boost leaks galore.. Most the rims are curbed badly.. Its worth about 12k in all honesty..

Nice save!{thumbup}