Lightspeeds post on how best to launch the Evo sparked my interest. I'd like to hear actual responses to Lightspeed's question. The magazines do 5000rpm clutch drops for 0-60 launches, but their 5-60 times are much slower than their 0-60 (6.7 seconds versus 5.0 seconds in C&D). I'm assuming most people out there are not dumping the clutch at 5000rpm to get a good launch, but maybe I'm wrong. Without that kind of start, I'm wondering how quick this car really is.

For comparison purposes, the BMW M3 has a similar 0-60 number (4.8 seconds) but has a much better 5-60 number (5.3 seconds). I this is very telling about the engine in the Evo, since it takes 1.7 seconds longer in the street start versus only 0.5 seconds longer for the M3. I think most will agree that in the measurement of time to 60mph, 1.7 seconds in an eternity.

For another comparison (granted it's another BMW, but I'm trying to decide if the Evo will actually be quicker than my car in "real world" driving) the BMW 330Ci has a 5-60 of 6.5 seconds. Are these numbers telling us that it's not an easy thing to launch a AWD car quickly without throwing a beat-down to the clutch?

Also, does anyone have a G-TECH on which they have recorded their actual 0-60 times in their Evo?

 

I got 4.81 last night with my friend in the car. I've got the HKS Type 1 turbo timer with a 0-60 function.

 

Without actually launching the car, I've gotten times around 5.6 secs.

 

I think you need to realize that when launching the Evo a from a stand still (0-60), you can slip the clutch or drop the clutch and keep the turbo making boost the entire time from 0 to 60. When accelerating from a roll, 5 mph (5-60), the turbo is not and will not create boost pressure until 3000 rpm is reached. I other words you are going to be waiting around a little while before the car creates any real power and the Evo will be acting like a regular 4 banger until boost pressure is made. Therefore, the 5-60 time will look bad even though the EVO is fast in real life. Test numbers form magazines are good to look at but can not be taken at face value.

 

That is the very reason I started this thread, to see what Evo owners have experienced in real life.

Still, the 5-60 is going to be very close to how many Evo owners drive their cars day to day. For example, at most stop lights, I take my car to redline in both 1st and 2nd gears, but I rarely do drop clutch starts. I'm guessing most Evo owners will drive similarly, which means that in day to day, most Evos are taking at least 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph. I personally think the street start (5-60) is the most important number when comparing different cars using magazine reviews.

 

Drive one, you won't be dissapointed...if you choose what car you want because of a 5-60 number that someone else tested...then well...get the BMW.

 

Going 0-60 and 5-60 is completely different. The reason why the M3 will go 5-60 much quicker is due to the fact it's NA. It has no lag or spool up time to wait for. The Evo is a turbo charged car. At 5mph with the clutch fully engaged you're crawling at like 1000 rpms if that. Then punch it and have to wait a second for it to hit 3000 to start boost. You can still get very good 0-60 times without dropping the clutch and high revving. It won't be as good but it will still be low 5's. I think most will launch the softer method on the streets due to wear and tear. Unless you know you need a major jump of course

I think it might be possible to get a faster 5-60 time if you depress the clutch and rev it up a little to increase rpms before taking off but that may bog you more as well. Haven't tried so don't know. Point is the car is very quick. And no one, I mean NO one is going to race from 5mph roll. So get that out of your head first. It's either from a stop, 25-40mph roll or 60 mph roll. Sometimes 80mph roll.

 

the difference has more to do with the engine type, Turbo Vs. NA. at 5mph, there will be lag. Unlike Turbo, NA engine like the one in M3 give you instant responds. 5-60 test always benefit NA cars of samliar power. don't forget the M3 has 62HP more than the evo.

 

Well, I can't really speak on the numbers issue but I spanked a 330 from a roll yesterday in my stock evo full of passengers. It wasn't even close. On the other hand, beating an M3 would take the right set of circumstances.

 

I have driven one, and I agree that once the boost starts, it is VERY fast. But that's just the point, "once the boost starts". I remember there was a A4 looking to race me (during the test drive) and I wasn't able to pull THAT much ahead of him since I didn't dump or slip the clutch out of first. That really eats into your launch time.

Also, this same car with RWD would be a better launching car. It's worse for the tires than the clutch when you dump it at high RPMS, since in a RWD car the tires will (usually) slip instead of the clutch.

I'm not knocking the Evo, just trying to understand more how it will be in every day driving. I agree that if you're willing to abuse your clutch, you can beat most cars. What I'm concerned about is what happens if you DON'T abuse the clutch, that's all. Also, I already have the BMW.

 

I had an 01 M3 6sp which I traded for an 02 SMG which I traded for the Evo. I vastly prefer the Evo to either M3.

The M3 engine makes great power from 2000rpm on up, and would kill the Evo in town from low rpms. You'd have to keep the Evo in a lower gear to keep the boost up, but that doesn't help you from a stop.

If stoplight drag races are your thing, then you're going to have to launch the Evo to get good times. I mainly drive on the track, so the launch is not very important to me, and the better suspension/brakes of the Evo more than make up for the lack of low-end power compared to the M3.

I was at Laguna Seca this weekend in a stock Evo getting times that were very close to M3s with upgraded brakes, suspension, and tires. I suspect I'd get better times than a stock M3. I'll know next week because my buddy and I are going to the track, and I sold him my 6sp. We're going to swap and compare notes.

 

This is a very good point, and I think it's help me put the whole thing in perspective. I tend to look at 0-60 times when thinking about how different cars compare to each other. This is only the case in drag racing conditions. I agree that no drag races will occur from a roll.

For trying to determine how quick a car is going to be when it's just me on the road, the 5-60 is much more realistic. I don't think I would ever dump the clutch on my way to 60 (or 100) if I was alone on the road.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if while driving this car around town the turbo lag is going to get annoying. Granted, there's TONS of power once that boost kicks in. But realistically, every time you stop and start again you've gotta deal with that laggy no-power first 3000RPMS.

 

Thanks EvoNick for that perspecive. I'm sure all of the other aspects of the Evo make it a great track performer. Stoplight drag races are not really my thing, but like I said I use that as a benchmark to compare apples to apples when talking about the power of different cars.

Let me ask you this: if you never visited the track (with either M3 or Evo), which car would you prefer?

 

The only time it annoys me compared to the M3 is when I'm in too high a gear. 1st is geared low enough that the first 3000rpms go pretty quickly, so there's only a momentary lack of power. But if you've just shifted into 4th to cruise, you can be caught out without power. Just learn to keep the car in a lower gear.

But really, just drive one for yourelf and see how you feel about it. Only you will know if the lag bothers you.

 

Which did you like better between the M3s? 6 speed or SMG?

I have driven the Evo, and while I had a huge smile on my face when I was finished, I did walk away wondering if that lag would get annoying. That is really my only sticking point in going with the Evo over the STi, that since the Suby has more displacement and less boost, the power will be a bit more linear.