I disagree, while I do consider the 05 EVO VIII as one of the best EVO platforms ever! I do believe that the IX has the potential to be even better. I do realize that turbo kits, cams, and etc. do take time to develop, but what has impressed me the most so far about the IX is how much power it is making with just simple bolt ons. Bolt ons such as TBE and MBC (with the addition of a flash such ECUTEK) have already shown to make tremedous power with the IX. Your right about the potentialy short window that the IX has with the introduction of the X in the near future, that is why it bothers me that more tuners aren't jumping on this as soon as possible. I commend companies such as Works, Precision Dyno, Vishnu, and Switzer for already starting their developments on parts on what could be the most awesome EVO ever.

Also in my opinion I do not believe the X will be here until late 2008 as a 2009 EVO X. So that will give the IX the 2006 model year, 2007 model year, and 2008 model year. This is similiar to the VIII which was around for 2003, 2004, and 2005, with the introduction of the IX in late 2005. I could be wrong though, but I believe that the IX will atleast have two full model years.

 

If it ends up looking like the heap that it looks like now. That's why I bought my IX last week. If I wanted a pontiac I'd go buy a GTO.

BTW: I love my IX. I'm gonna go get some base pulls in a week or two. Gonna go to both a Dyno Jet and Mustang Dyno to get both baselines. I'll post results. I'll prolly add the TBE and intake and retest.

 

I disagree. Only two pieces are needed to make the IX the best evo yet. Aftermarket cams (assuming the mivec cam is diffrerent from the VIII) and MIVEC support in the AEM EMS box which I'm sure will come to light as well. Everything else is interchangable. If the IX's are making 20-30 more wheel HP stock, from what I've read on here, then it'll be impossible to argue for them not to be the best yet.

I really dont' think this is a evo shop owner issuse. It's a matter of the parts manufacturers like HKS and AEM bringing the parts to market. There will be plenty of money to be made so I'm sure that will happen. Also it's only speculation as to what the engine specs that the X will have. As far as we know it might share the same head as the IX with a slightly larger displacement aluminum block derivitive of the current 4G63. This is purely speculation. I'm just playing devils advocate. Basically don't make assumtions till the facts are known.

 

New update from Vishnu camp, their IX is making 300WHP and nearly 300WTQ on a DD with just a flash and catback exhaust. That is simply amazing! Incase anybody is wondering, 300WHP on a DD is approx. 340WHP on most dyno jets.