Totally understood. I've only been an owner and "regular" poster on here for a few months, but I've seen so many threads about "I went too far" and "I'd go back to stock-frame if I could" that I feel like it's not just a coincidence. There's a lot to be said for either. Heck, Aaron English drives his family around in a 500 whp EVO so maybe that's a reasonable threshold for DD vs weekend toy? It's clear you love the car, you're just not as keen on your current setup for what you really want to use the car for like you thought you might be. If it were me, I'd take it to the track, see what she does, save and frame my timeslips/video and go back to a more reasonable setup for driving the family around. 500 whp you can enjoy on any given day vs having to make compromises to have a 700+ whp setup seems like an easy decision to me. Best of luck in whatever you do and lastly, I rubberneck everytime I see an IS-F (which isn't very often.) Great looking cars.

 

I was re-reading your first post. When i sold my first evo 4 years ago, i was so done with it and told myself that i will NEVER buy another evo. Last year i bought a 9 and love it.

When i had my first evo it was my dd and driving it everyday got old.

4 years later, I am fortunate enough to have an evo and a comfortable dd, that driving the evo on weekends is pleasant.

 

LOL. Thanks Collin. After posting this thread I'm considering going that route more. I loathe another clutch job so soon after getting the Quarter master installed but it might be worth it.

Thank god this isn't my only vehicle or I'd probably have done something drastic already. I might just drive the car a few times this week and see if it becomes clearer.

The heat hasn't helped anything thats for damn sure. LOL.

 

It's like I'm talking to myself, honestly. I'm the same way as you - street racing and aggressive driving around town just aren't my thing so really, what does that 700 whp do for you? It's great on a drag strip but how often do you do that, especially on the way to work I don't know, I guess knowing you have a little work to do to get back to a setup that would still obliterate anything you put in your list - save maybe for the GT-R - but be more comfortable? Even if money isn't an issue, it seems like a waste to not take advantage of that.

 

Mod her back down, the parts individually will net you more than combined on the vehicle. The tendency to go too far happens easily. 400 brake, even 500, is more than plenty for the street, and you can get there and still retain a modicum of reliability. I'm trying to stay away from modding mine, as I know it snowballs quickly.

I didn't see it in your original thread but a Legacy GT can be made into a helluva sleeper, they look elegant and they are competent year-round... plus your family can talk in one.

Don't forget the Taurus SHO, AWD and 375 twin-turbo horses stock. /fmr SHO-owner.

 

Yeah honestly the HP was never a goal. Its where I ended up.

- When I blew the motor it was will theres a hole in the block, 2.4 makes sense.
- Well rods are the weakest link on the Evo motor so makes sense to get something strong (enter turbo tuffs).
- I had high compression cars and I liked the idea of better off boost throttle response and running less boost to get the same power (enter custom compression pistons).
- I have this stout 1000hp capable motor might as well get a bigger turbo.
- Everyone talks about going front facing with AC and has never done it but we never see it, I'm gonna do it.

This is how I got where i am. When I was getting tuned to be honest i had no HP goal in mind. When it based lined at 635hp I was shocked. So was everyone else. It just seemed like i picked the right parts combo. So I said why not see what it can do. I would've probably hit 800's if not for a fuel issue and then a head gasket issue.

So if I'm being 100% honest it was one of the fastest Evo's in Atlanta if not the fastest dyno numbers wise at the time so there was bit of d i c k swinging. Fed the Ego. Then a friend of mine made more in his Evo VIII and I started talking about going with a bigger turbo and getting more power. It was unrealistic. It IS unrealistic. I'm no longer willing to sacrifice time and money in this car after spending so much on it already.

I may just just go to one of the freaky friday events they have in Fayetteville and see what the car ET's. I'm not setup for drag racing so I'm not breaking anything on the line for some numbers, but i may just want to see what it possibly was capable of before i come back down to sanity.

Decisions Decisions.


I don't understand how people can do this on a credit card or with a car note. If i had that hanging over my head i would be selling this car ASAP.

Cosmetically there are a few things I'd like to do with the car (freshen paint, probably a different set of wheels because I am a bit of a wheel *****) but those are non factors because I'd do that in any car I own.

 

Ford has def been stepping their game up.

I think in order to get the car back to something a little tamer I would need to sell the following:

JDL front facing turbo manifold, T4 PTE BB 6265, downpipe, 2 PTE wastegates and dump tubes (all V-band), FIC 2150's, Buschur Racing Quick Release Harness (discontinued) and 4 point Sparco harnesses, Prosport Premuim gauges (Boost, AFR, Fuel Pressure, Oil Pressure, Water Temp, Oil Temp), Rexpeed 3 gauge pod holder, Gruppe-s gauge panel (discontinued), Alpine XDA- i303 headunit.

I like the FF setup. i think it looks mean but I also don't think speed density is for me. Can I do a maf blow thru setup on the UICP (I swear I've seen something similar before).

Then I'd need to purchase a (insert stock frame choice here) turbo, Toxicfab/JDL manifold, FIC high Z injectors (or something the allows me to run E85), some basic boost and AFR gauge, Orbital Nav setup, nav unit (leaning more towards Alpine's offerings), and a O2/downpipe combo to replace what I'm selling.

I need to crunch the numbers and see if it makes sense. Being able to break even would be a huge bonus. IF i have to send some money to get there is not bad. I don't imagine it would be too much more I'd have to spend.

 

Dang, I have pondered this too, should I or should I not. I really don't like having multiple cars, a backup cars is fine for me but I rather DD my evo. An Evo X MR is your answer. Two cars in One. I've driving an X MR and have been in the passenger seat. Its less high strung to live with, easy to work on, great commuter in heavy traffic. It will deliver your appetite for a enthusiastic drive(via s-sport mode) while in other settings deliver a quite ride back from a dinner. I think the F will deliver similar feelings, but at a co$t.

 

agreed

 

I agree with your rationalization with the car.. I myself have been trying to keep the stock block alive in my car so I think my BBK-full cams and all other boltons even with a factory style o2 housing to keep the car fairly comfortable to drive. My car is also on SD and I am going to see how well it drives when tuned properly if not then I'll look at other options. I'd say the 400-500whp/wtq range is the best spot for these cars as street cars with street tires and reliability. Not trying to swap your opinion just stating how I feel even about my own car on the stock motor/stock turbo.

 

If you decide to go back to a stock frame turbo, let Collin or I know when you are ready for that manifold...

 

I agree with what a few others have said...and I think you'd end up kicking yourself if you got rid of the car. I myself am on my 3rd Evo after selling my Evo 8 for a 350Z a few years ago (HUGE mistake).

Lately I've been thinking about "upgrading" to a nicer car like a 2009+ M3 or a used GTR. Most of this was driven by the fact that I'm getting older and wanted something more plush as my "fun" car. But I'll be honest, every time I strap into the Evo and take off I've got an ear to ear grin. I finally decided to wait until I can store more cars and then get something new...but they are going to bury me in this Evo.

I absolutely agree with the others and their suggestions to simply tone down the car you have now and make it more liveable. A street driven Evo with 350whp+ is still more than what anyone needs as a street car.

Slap on a stock frame turbo like the BBK or the FP and keep enjoying the car!

 

Read that and immediately thought to myself that you should take it to another shop to have it looked over and retuned rather than listening to what TTP has been telling you the "quirks" are that come with a big build before you make a decision to sell it.

 

Yeah, there's a raw element in the CT9A Evolutions that just isn't present in the X or the GT-R... some days, that's a boon, some days it's a huge bust, heh.

I'm still amazed that the damn thing is either stationary or even appreciating as time goes on. For that reason alone it might make sense to hold onto the car for another year. You've got a lot of high-end, quality, easy-to-remove and easy-to-sell-quickly parts like your gauge packs and clusters that would help buy some stock-frame turbos while you try and unload your big ticket items like the 6265. No downtime = no loss.

PS I'm originally from your neighbor to the south, Buffalo. Missing hockey now that the Thrashers are in Winnipeg?

 

4door with decent power from the factory... Ever put any thought to the Cadillac CTS V line up? It's classy plus you can get a wagon...lol