I just got my latest Car and Driver magazine (April 2005) and there was an interesting article. It was a long-term test on a 2003 Evo. Since it just came out I couldn't seem to find a link on their site yet. Anyways, I'm sure alot of you have seen it by now. Their Evo had 40,000 miles on it. Basically, other than Expensive wear parts like brakes, tires, there were no probs. They did have some tranny syncos go out at about 25,000 miles. This is the 3rd article on the 2003 Evo from various mags and not one of them had to replace the clutch.

However, in the article that followed they installed a stage 1+ from Vishnu to document performance. That is the kit I am considering. They experienced severe knocking, O2 sensor probs, blowoff valve problems among other things calling the Evo unreliable now. In my opinion they were still working out the bugs. After they were able to run some performance numbers the clutch turned into "an expensive pile of dust." In the end they de-Vishnu-ized their Evo. As far as the #s go they did 0-60 in 4.1 and 1/4 mile 12.7 @ 109mph calling it "ridiculously" fast. How many of you that have modded Evos would still consider it reliable and trouble free?? I'm sure the more you mod the less reliable, but what are some conservative upgrades that would be safe (with aftermarket clutch)???

 

Sorry just noticed someone just posted this just before me.

 

To me they seemed to be install troubles more than anything else. The O2 sensor got loose twice? Come on. They then had a BOV problem should have left it stock C&D don't like to open the hood themselves.

They would have been better off just installing the kit and running the base map.

 

Yeah, but they saved a few tenths of a second from 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile

Seriously...that's very disconcerting news...especially since Vishnu says on their website: "As with all our power packages, this gain is safe and has proven itself to be cable of withstanding the rigors of heavy-duty competition use-- something few others can honestly claim."

I would be curious to see what Vishnu had to say about C&D's claims...

For me personally, before I make any mods (and I've read all of the sticky's about warranty and mods), I want to be positive that those mods are not going to void my warranty. Otherwise, I'll just bite the bullet, and do the mods with the expectation that the if the transaxle or engine or _______ grenades on me, that I better have the cash to deal with it. So...until I have 10k sitting around doing nothing I'm going to stay away from any "serious" mods. I just can't afford to have my car go down and no warranty to cover it.

 

To me, the most interesting tidbit is the fact that none of the 3 long-term tests say anything about clutch problems. Maybe the flaming of members that whine about their clutches actually IS justified due to the "victims" not being able to drive/treat a manual transmission properly (with the occasional legit problem)?

Cabo

 

After 40,000 miles on the original clutch, it was probably nearing the end of it life anyway. BTW I was told at my dealership that ANY mods would void my warranty, but I'm feeling the mod bug.

 

just mod anyways, but if you take it back to the dealer for any work be sure to put it back to stock