After much debate between B6 S4 and EVO, and nights of sleeplessness, finally I can sleep well tonight cause a brand new yellow 04 EVO is in my garage now!! It is to replace my S2k which the lease will be up in 2 months and the wonderful deal I got today makes it much easier to pick it over the S4 and to buy the car 2 months early. It's truely an exciting car and I can't wait to break it in. Just want to share some impressions of the car (not meant to do another detail comparo, just some feelings) and I have couple questions that I need help with. I would do some search on this site but if anyone has the answers handy I would appreciate.

The evo is definitely easier to drive fast than the s2k, and although I've yet to push the car, it will definitely be faster than the s, and it's much easier to push under any condition. The s2k engine is phenomenal and the sound and response is hard to match. But I just like the evo turbo slightly better, I'm always a big fan of turbo and I had FD rx7 and vw 1.8t before and I'm so happy that I have the turbo surge again. I plan to have the car stay stock for a while or maybe some minor mods that won't void warranty. First thing I'll do will probably be k&n drop-in.
1) Is there any other engine mods that you would recommend? How about just the dp with the stock exhaust?

Handling wise, the evo is very easy to drive fast in corners. The only complaint is that it doesn't have the steering and road feel as the s2k. It just feels softer especially in the front and not as fun and direct. The s just dives and grabs and points sharper.
2) Would this improve over time as the suspension is broken in?

Interior and exterior wise, hands down s2k is much nicer looking imho, and it feels like a much better built car. Everything is more solid and I love the driver oriented layout that all the controls are conveniently located within touch of your finger tips. Evo chasis does feel rigid, but s2k does feel more solid overall. Tail lights on evo are quite rice for my taste and I love the s2k lights better.
3) Anyone tried to black out the tail lights?
I used to use black spray on my vw. Just want to make sure I do it right so if there's any instructions out there it would be great.
Also the HID is not as bright and blue. I believe it will get more blue as the bulb burns in.
4) But anyone try replacing the stock bulbs? What's the color temp on the stock bulb? Any recommendation on bulb choices?
I need pedal set, shift nob and ebrake handle too.
5) Any recommendations for those? The pedals don't need drilling right?
The shifting of evo is weak. I definitely need short shift upgrade.
6) Any short shift kit that can improve shifting feel?
I do like the recaro on this car better though. Athough the color matching s2k leather seats are very cool, the evo recaro does hug me better.

Overall, I do feel that the s2k can be more fun to drive to certain aspects but I can definitely feel that the evo has more potential and easier to drive fast and I hope that I would discover more fun from the evo when it's broken in. Another thing is the yellow evo stands out much more to challengers on the street. I already got an si and a truck that sorta wanna race. Hopefully it won't attract too much cop attention.

 

One more thing... anyone use mud guard on this car? I've already got some dirt behind the wheel and the yellow paint is very sensitive to scratches. Thanks.

 

Sorry, I thought I covered all but I still missed one thing. The brake doesn't feel right on the car. I have to really press it hard to make a stop, and it doesn't feel like it's biting well. There's some rust on the disc but I doubt that's the reason. Does the brembo require break in too?

 

Congrats on the new evo. You should give it more time to get used to the car. 1) Is there any other engine mods that you would recommend? How about just the dp with the stock exhaust?
Leave the engine and intake stock for now. I would start with a turboback exhuast after breaking in the engine using regular non-synthetic oil for the first couple of thousand miles then maybe move on to engine management.

2) Would this improve over time as the suspension is broken in?

you might want to check your tire pressure as evo is known as probably the sharpest handling compact car ever. The steering is faster than everything else out there and you should feel very connected to the road. Maybe give it more time.

Sorry can't help you on the rest.

 

yes, the brembo need to be broken in but the stock pad are known for their 'wooden' feeling so maybe in the future you can switch them to Ferodo pads. My recommendation is for you to read SCC's features on the evo as a good place to start. All their articles are on the web.

 

I don't use mudguards but I am sure that is a good option if you are really particular about that sort of thing.

 

i don't know about using non-synthetic oil on your car. i still don't understand the reasoning behind people who do either.
for the blacked out tails, you can do a search and find a lot of ppl who've already done it and posted how-to's. there's even a video someone made.

 

The reason for using regular oil during breakin peroid is that synthetic oil is too thin and won't seat the piston rings properly. This has been debated many times but in my own experience with my car and from my conversations with Shiv at Vishnu this appears to work well. Just change to synthetic oil after the first 1-2 k miles.

 

how often should the non-synth oil be changed before changing back to synth? and should i just break it in as the owner's manual says to with the non-synth oil in it? sorry if this brings up that whole "break-in" debate.

 

I thought you could only get the yellow in the 03 models... make sure you check your buyers order to see if it is in fact a 04... but then again I could be wrong

 

Not trying to gang up on a fellow EVO owner, but non-synth oil will void your warranty.

 

Break in oil. Isn't that already in the car?

Mud flaps. Nope not for "me"

Mods. "Screw em," this puppy's fast enough for me. <-- (Ex PTCrusier owner)

TTD first.

1. Read the owners manual.
2. Wash and throughly clean and detail the paint on the car.
3. Clean and detail the inside of the car.
4. Drive and enjoy the car first, before you do anything.
5. Establish a relationship with the service manager at the dealership that you intend to have your service/warrently work done at.
6. Pat yourself on the back son cause you've made a fine decision.

m~

 

Steering isnt as precise and connected as your s2k...am I the only one confused here? Theres several owners here who went from s2k to evo, and say the opposite. Hands down the evo steering input is more precise and balanced than the s2ks, thats not even a question. If I felt the same way you did, I wouldve just kept the S2k and not gotten the evo. Anyways, you can do turbo timer/ catback/ drop in filter w/out voiding the warranty at my local dealership, it varies from dealership to dealership.

 

You may want to double check and make sure they removed the shipping blocks from the springs. Some people have purchased EVOs and the blocks were left in. It will definitely mess with your handling ;-)

Cabo

 

Keep using Mobil 1 - go 10/30; use 5/30 if you've got cold winters.

AFTER BREAKIN of ENGINE and BRAKES:

Get a tune - either an ECU flash or an SAFC2: best bang for the buck.
Add a catback (best exhaust mod if you're not replacing it all) at least and look into the Works "Aperture" throttle body mod. Don't forget to get your tune/flash adjusted for these mods.
Get an alignment - get some negative camber in the front and a bit less negative camber in the rear.
Get a larger, adjustable rear swaybar.
Get all-seasons if your temps much below 50, let alone snow. And rotate the OEMs per recommendations: ESPECIALLY if you use them, the alignment above, and do alot of highway driving.
Get synchromesh in the trans and get a short-shifter if you feel the need.

There, that should keep you busy!

Feed her only premium and keep on smilin' everytime you drive!