I've spent the past few years in RWD cars, and im looking to go something AWD this time around. With what I like this basically puts me in an STi or Evo debate. Something thats gonna be important is the abuse level i can put the car through. How well does the evo really take abuse? Car would be a DD with frequent "spirited driving" only getting really pounded on every now and again, and how well they really take off road poundings. Thanks!

 

There equal until you start modding.

EVO-stronger engine, weaker trans

STI-Weaker engine, stronger trans

 

Less Money Evo More Power

Less Money STI No Power lol

 

well modding is gonna be a definite, looking to be at ~500whp, that being said same power levels same abuse I'll be looking at transmission failure evo side and engine failure STi side?

Also its not so much just engine and tranny abuse. I'm really curious how the car handles abuse as a whole

 

I don't have a built evo, I'm only making about 350whp on a stock turbo, I do however have pretty much every bolt on and my car runs solid. If your talking potential, forget the STI, and I say that with no disrespect as I think he STI is awesome. But the evo handles power far better and far easier/cheaper. Go look at the dyno section and see how many people are running 500whp or more. ALOT! With an STI anything 350whp is a problem, they just don't have as stout a motor and even they will admit that. Go join NASOIC and ask them the same question, they will give you he same answers. You can even google it as it's been asked on their forum a bunch of times and it's in agreement and widky known the evo makes and handles power better/cheaper. Handling is a toss up. The evo is a better street car and is more direct and point and shoot while the sti understeers more, but on off terrain the sti has the edge.

 

i wouldnt say transmission failure on the evo. more like the transfer case failing.

abuse to each person is different. the evo can take the abuse but its all about when it will give up. i think on the sti its the ringlands that fail.

just like any other car, no one can tell you, its just when it happens it happens.

 

The Evo's transmission is weaker in comparison to the STI's... but I would not say it has a weak transmission. That doesn't apply to the engine comparison though, as either Evo engine (whether 4G63 or 4B11) is much stronger than the STI's and far more reliable while being much more responsive to mods.

The original WRX, on the other hand, had a much weaker transmission.

 

correct.

 

You should test drive both and see which you like better.
More or less though, the Evo/STi engine/tranny comparison is spot on.

Everyone on this forum will obviously be impartial and say Evo,
but for what its worth, almost every record setting world time attack
vehicle is an Evo and not an STi.

 

I've driven both hard, and hands down the Evo felt sharper in handling. The STI was still good but for me the Evo just had that "IT" factor.

 

The sti's compression rings are gapped extremely tight from the factory. When in combination of crankcase pressures and combustion pressure this stresses the ringlands a lot. That is the weak point of the sti. I've driven my friend's 395whp 30r sti. In my opinion it's a GREAT car, you really can't go wrong with it but the steering is not as sharp on the sti. The interior is made a lot better if you ask me though.

On the evo side people have made 700whp on the stock block, and a good amount of power on the stock driveline. It really comes down to how well the car has been take and some luck. I have a stock turbo car making just shy of 400. The steering on the evo is a lot sharper and it feels like more fun of a car because of how it controls to boost.

With the evo very sudden torque curve, as soon as the turbo starts spooling hang on. The didn't feel as fun because it wasn't as "punchy" as the evo. The sti has more linear power.

Is the car going to be used for drag racing?

 

This is another good point and people hate when I bring it up and say "those are extremely modified cars that doesn't count). Well, every car in the unlimited class had unlimited time/R&D and money out into them, so the fact that the evo dominates and I meant REALLY dominate time attack says a whole lot about the platform. Not saying the STi isn't a great car, just saying how it is.

 

what typically causes transfer case failures for you guys?

I have driven both, I have a couple buddies who own STi's and I've driven both an evo VIII and IX, I liked both cars and didn't like both cars for different reasons


Eh not really, mostly just want a street machine...I'm sure its gonna see some launches and a few trips to the strip every now and again though

 

I've been riding mine hard and putting it away wet for 7 years without a problem. These things are tanks. I have a gravel road near my house that gets driven on spiritedly. Very bumpy, some drops. I've been off the road a couple of times. I just drove back onto the road and went on.

 

I agree with this statement. The Evo trans is not weak.