Having a hard time deciding wether or not to get an EVO or a STI.

One question I have is that the EVO really needs 93-94 octane for max power right? How much power loss should I expect having to run 91 octane 90% of the time? If Im only going to get 250 HP because the ECU keeps pulling timing, Im surely going to go with the STI.

I currently have a WRX wagon, stock, that I love and will be keeping (wife drives). And have no experience with Mitsus.

Thanks

 

If your all about racing/performance you'll like the evo. If your more concern about everyday grocery gettin, STi is best. I guess with a slow steering rack and softer suspention it's a top notch compromise for performance. I'm guessing mitsubishi will force the spec C to arrive?

Since your asking about 91 gas i'm assuming your from California? Just pay shiv a visit to have a powerful car on 91 gas for the drag or road track

 

just pay both a mitsu and subaru dealership a visit and test drive both of them and thats all. if your worrying about gas, then you dont really have a preference, and for 35g's, you reallly should have a preference. driving them both will make you know exactly which one you want

 

If you can wait, drive them both. If you can't, the Evo 8 isn't going to feel horrible on 91, though it's not exactly running at it's best on that. Put it this way - if you didn't read somewhere that it's better on higher octane gas, you probably wouldn't ever be bothered by the reality of driving it around on 91.

As far as the STi vs. the Evo on 91, the reality is that the STi is better suited for it - it's the entire reason that they went with a 2.5 vs. the 2.0. I don't know if that really matters as much as the actual feel of driving either car does for you, though. Despite some opinions here, the STi isn't that softly sprung nor that slow of steering, but it is a few percentages behind the Evo in those departments. Unless you are an experienced track driver, however, you'll never really notice any of the shortcomings of either car - both will feel equally great on the road. They drive different and feel different enough that one or the other is going to make you happier to be in, despite any magazine numbers.

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

 

I belive shiv said that with using 91 octane..on his tested cars.. he lost anywhere from 6-9 hp... but then again this is from memory.. so plz check out his website..it say's on there i belive.. good luck with your decision...

Personally i think that these cars come down so clsoe that you have to base it more on looks, styling and quality..which one you think has teh best.. cuz preforamnce wise they're both great... Evo better for handeling..and STi better for str8 line.. but i doubt there is a big differnce b/t the two as paul hansen said...

remeber this is jus my oppinion..

 

I think the STi is rated at 300hp with 93 gas. I remember hearing probably a little less hp with 91 gas also but it's probably still more than 271. Subaru's ecu never gives back timing to protect the not as knock resistance engine .

As suspention goes. My theory is that for some reason the larger engine has thrown off the dynamics of the suspention design for the car and now it falls short compared to the evo. Perhaps if Subaru brought over the JDM 2L evo it would be a closer race in terms of handling? From magzine racing no editors has favored the STi in terms of handling and R&T drove the STi 1 sec slower on the course with is quite a lot.

I guess if you more for the streets get the STi. If you want a better handling car get the evo.

 

The Evo sure is hurting on 91 octane pump gas when it comes to engine performance. Everytime I nail the gas all the way thru redline on the highway is a bit dissapointing. The facial expression look on my face changes from excitement to disappointment. I have a 5 gallon 100 unleaded octane gas sitting at home and just the other day, i decided to pour 2 gallons into the tank. Once the mixture settles into the tank, I drove the car again and you can tell a difference from a 3rd gear and 4th gear pulls on the highway. I'm so accustomed to driving high revving honda motors and I like going to redline every now and then and the Evo on the other hand will love you more if you put higher better gas into.

However, the handling on the Evo is another story. I always have a happy face whenever I take hard turns on canyon runs and that's where the fun begins.

 

With the money I saved from the STi + audio system (and possibly a dealer's markup). I think I'll get Vishnu stage 0 and some other toys.

 

You're wrong on a few accounts. You're assuming the STi uses the WRX ecu (which it doesn't, and the WRX ECU does not only retard timing).

You're assuming the 2.5l turbo weighs more than the 2.0l with twin scroll, which is unlikely. If there is a difference, it would likely be only a few pounds one way or another. USDM also has DBW = lighter than traditional throttle setup and cruise setup.

You're really reaching on the STi bashing, but if that is what it takes to make you feel good....It is funny to hear you guys first bash R&T's driving skills because they could only get a 13.8 quarter and 5.1 0-60 with the Evo. Now you tout their track ability because it suits you. I mean, when everyone changes out tires that will be worth more than the few tenths (to 1 sec) tht magazines are getting anyway. Realistically, it's a wash.

I've ridden in an Evo and it was an underwhelming experience. Too much hype, I think. Great handling, but at the expense of a very stiff, tight ride. That is fine if you live on track-smooth roads. Power was really the problem, awesome midrange, but little low or high in the RPM range. Overall, I liked the Evo, but no dealers in my area are offering for close to MSRP, so 5K more than promised MSRP for an STi makes my decision easier.

Regardless, anything involving twisties and these two cars will come down to the driver more than anything else.

TRS

 

Here is a quote from Shiv, who has more dyno time with the US Evo than anyone else AFAIK.

"Currently, our Stage Zero kit is only available for those who are willing to drive to our shop for installation and dyno verification. And that's only if they pass a few pre-tune diagnostic tests to ensure the integrity of their motor. There does appear to be issues with at least some of the stock motors we have been testing. Not until we get to the bottom of the situation will be be offering our kits via mailorder. While putting go-fast parts of weak motors will make them stonger, it's better for solve the underlying problem (if there is on) first."

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=7

Sounds to me like the folks running 91 octane are much closer (beyond?) safe levels of tuning from the _factory_. Higher octane gas seems to make a huge difference to the folks who post on this board. I would say it is almost a necessity to have access to 93 octane and comfortably drive the Evo that way it should-hard.

As far as the STi and 91 octane, just wait another few weeks and you'll be able to ask the new owners.

TRS

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either car. Take them both for a test drive.

 

This is exactly the point of the thread--performance on 91 octane. The other reason why I probably wasn't impressed is that the drive in the Evo was at 6000+ ft. Those of us running turbos at high altitude notice problems when trying to maintain high boost (19 peak on Evo is what I consider high for the conditions here). Namely, the turbos generally go out of their efficiency quicker here because they are spinning so much faster.

Low octane gas in Colorado (and many other western states) and the altitude should be an important consideration. If this is a problem in CA at sea level, it will be worse at altitude here. It will be interesting to see what quarter mile times that Evo and STis get this summer in Colorado (stock 03 Cobras get in the high 13s).

TRS

 

High altitude forced induction is the way to go.

We all know hp is the easiest to obtain for turbo charged cars. This shouldn't be the deciding factor in a sports car but unfortunatly it is. It is much easier and cheaper to add horsepower than to re-due the suspention. My opinion anyways. That's why people like me appreciat cars like the intergra type R and waiting for the new one

 

Now THAT is a post.

Thanks for the FACTS, as painful as they are to hear...

If I get an Evo, I might just use 100LL purchased from the airport around the corner...