I am still new to the scene. I know cars inside and out because, sold chryslers and dodges for a few years and now I am selling Hondas. However I admire mechanics and cant help but be inspired and appreciate the work they do so without an formal education or trainging (never even took auto in high school) but long story short I drove an evo and was sold.

Since then i have been studying auto repair, and just purchased the S.A. book "Building up your 4g63t engine" and just learning here and there. My goal is to own an evo in the next 6 months and build it up for reliability rather than hp since i plan to religiously DD it through new englands hot summers and terrible winters. Ofcourse long term I would like to be around 350 hp and have a bulletproof setup using only the best parts to ensure i can clock a lifetimes worth of miles because i plan on keeping it forever (i know we all say that but i seriously dont see the need for anything else other than maybe ) when all is said and done and I dont think that is unreasonable. I have a few questions i was hoping you guys could help me with.

first off, what is the main difference between equal length manifolds and unequal? I understand that equal is more widely used and distributes more evenly so why do i see alot of unequal lengths?

second, is there any other books or literature on the evo that helped you guys when you started out?

I have a huge desire and hunger to learn every in and out of the evo so that when the gods open the clouds and sunlight shines down on my very own evo (which will mark the greatest day of my existence) that i will be all ready for things to go wrong (as i read more and more threads i notice clutches, diffs, brakes, ect seem to go fast) but is that just because people drive them hard or are they assembled poorly or is the OEM not the best quality?

If i plan to spoil and baby my evo like a southern bell then should i expect such repairs to come so frequently? Granted i am a spirited driver and will drive the evo as it was intended but no launching or anything like that.

It is bad enough how paranoid i am over buying one, since the 9 is my favorite i will obviously get a used one. I couldnt afford a new one and am not crazy about the X anyway. Am i stupid for looking at every single evo like its been beat to hell? i know people have trashed their entire setup in under 50k miles. so needless to say i am scared, this not like buying a civic, i will probably spend close to 20k on the right 9, it just sickens me to think anyone would pawn off their abused evo to someone whos new in the game and screw them for 20k. thats alot of money to be gambling with.

I guess im rambling now. anyway... any input or opinions you guys have i appreciate alot. thanks

 

Buying any used car is a gamble. Hold out for an owner that you think hasn't beaten the **it out of it. Ask lots of questions before purchasing:
Raced?
Aftermarket parts?
Tuned?
Tuner?
Fluids changed religiously?
Collisions?

Don't forget to set aside $ for 60K mile service (as this will need done and requires $)

350whp and reliability aren't an issue.

Good luck on your quest

 

You can find a 9 for 20k. Just get to know the car inside and out from the owner. One I looked at... Found out from another evo owner something got thrown out of his motor through the valve cover.. And he could sleep at night knowing he sold me that for eighteen THOUSAND dollars... I do not understand how people live with themselves. I bought mine 3 weeks ago from a one owner. He told me everything about the car and maintenance. I semi didn't believe some stuff. 3 weeks later I've come to find out he was straight up with me. I even changed the oil, tranny, t-case, and rear diff fluid after 1 week. He told me he just changed it... And low and behold he DID! Every fluid was immaculate. But it's something I have to do for a peace of mind when buying used. Good luck. If someone is hesitant to answer your questions or acts clueless about the car... RUN!
I perferably wouldn't buy from a dealer unless they knew the person. Could be one of those highly modded and returned to stock ones...