I went to CarMax to check out the Evo8 today. They had a nice red one. Overall, I am fairly pleased, but I do have 6 questions. Owners/experts only.

1. I imagine that after a few 1,000 miles that the intercooler will be covered with bugs and all the "fins" of the intercooler will be bent, and look nasty. Is there a reasonable solution to this? Looks like it wil be difficult to clean the intercooler due to the screen.

2. Is there a reasonable priced replacement for the taillights? Something more like the Evo7?

3. Does the Evo8 come with a strutbar on the front? CarMax had it listed as a add-on they installed. Several 100 bucks.

4. When it rains, does water get in the engine from the hood vent? On all older Evos I have seen I notice rusted bolts around the exhaust heat sheild and stuff. More so than on other cars without hood vent.

5. What is the offset for a set of 17 inch wheels for the Evo8? Would a set of Prodrive P1 wheels fit?

6. Does anyone have a sound clip of a stock Evo8? I am curious as to how it sounds.

Thanks

 

1. My suggestion would be to grit your teeth and clean it frequently unless you feel like meshing the air dam.

2. The Evo VII tail lights are a reasonably prices replacement for the tail lights. (If you consider $400 a pair reasonable)

3. Gonna leave that alone.

4. Yes, can't comment on rust though.

5. Gonna leave that one alone too.

6. There are several movies of stock Evo8's autox'ing on the forums that have the exhaust sounds in them.

...and I'm neither an expert nor an Evolution owner.

 

1. Pressure washer cleans them nice
2. yes there are replacement taillights there are group buys out there
3. yes, the rear bar is optional
4. I've had no problems maybe some gets in but it would get in not matter what.
5. Go to Tirerack.com
6. Look around the forums, exaust wise it has some deep tones but is not loud, there are clips out there, use the search button.

*use the search button before you ask the questions next time*

 

if the prodrives are coming off your WRX they are not going to fit. Subaru still uses the ancient 5x100 offset and the Evo is 5x114.3.... (I am 99% sure it is 114.3...)

 

3.) yes, the front strutbar is standard, but you can get a light weight alum one from you dealer. but, they are expensive, like $500 - so you could get one aftermarket cheaper (or go titanuim or something else exotic) and use your old one for a paper weight.

 

You can be 100% sure because you are right

3. the front bar is standard, don't get ripped off.

 

It won't get that bad. Look at the radiator in your current car, which probably never gets cleaned. You can keep it clean by rinsing regularly when you wash the car.

EVO VII tail lights are available. Reasonable prices are subjective.

Front strut bar is standard. Accessory bar ($321.41) is prettier and a bit lighter as it is made from aluminum . Rear bar ($293.01)is also optional accessory.

Water does get in through the hood vent. Rusted bolts come from the factory on new EVOs too. Get some high temp exhaust paint.

EVO rim specs: 17 x 8JJ Offset +38mm, Bolt pattern 5 x 114.3 mm. Prodrive P1 wheel compatibility will depend on original application.


Go back to CarMax and listen to it.

 

1 - yes 2 - yes 3 yes - 4 - yes - 5 dont know - 6 no

 

Hey, when you get it, come pick me up so I can get a ride in it I live in East Cobb. As for the questions:

1: you could prob use a high pressure sprayer at a self-serve carwash to spray any bugs and dirt out.

2: Yeah, you can replace them, try doing a search as it has been covered before.

3: the Evo comes with a stock greyish-blue strut bar in the front, but there are Mitsu front and rear replacements that are aluminium with red ends. (you can see these at Ed Voyles Mitsu off Windy Hill Rd.)

4, 5: Not to sure about this one.

5: The EVO has a quite idle, but once you get on it, the exhaust becomes much louder, but not "rice" loud. I would say you hear more of the engine than the exhaust though.

hope this helps!

 

1. I dont think the fins will bend if mine have not already then I can't see it.

2. Vivid Racing has them for sale.

3. Front strut is standard and a upgrade is available.

4. Yes water comes in don't think it will be a problem.

5. Not sure here

6. Search

 

Out of curiosity, would the upgraded front strut allowed for SCCA AS class?

 

I emailed this question some time ago to someone on the SCCA rules comittee and I haven't heard back yet. As far as I understand the rules, you can have whatever type of brace you want, as long as it maintains the stock mounting points.

 

lol.. glad i read this thread, was wondering what class we ran.

 

Update!

Well, I stopped by the dealer today hoping for a Evo8 brochure and came out getting a test drive. It was a silver Evo8 with like 2 miles on it. I drove it for about 10 minutes or so.

Overall, I like it. I was expecting this car to be really fast, but honestly, it didn't feel any faster than my WRX (several folks say my WRX feels unusally strong compared to other WRXs). Maybe it is just the Evo sound. Sounds like my Civic SI (before VTEC engagement). Just kind of a purrr. One thing that really impressed me was the handling. This car really sticks and the suspension feels really good.

Pros:
Handiling/stiff suspension.
Interior/seats/steering wheel.
Tires/brakes.

Cons:
Didn't feel as fast as I was expecting. Too much hype?
Doesn't really sound all that great.
Shifter doesn't feel as good as talked about.
Horrible jr. highschool kid style wing/tailights.

Overall, I like the car alot. It probally gets faster once it gets broken in and I get used to it, and I can always dump the F&F wing/taillights. Maybe I will go ahead and get one, I was very impressed with the dealer's desire for me to drive it.....

Stay tuned.