check with RRE , they do an exellent job !!! With a rear sway bar combo it will be amazing on stock suspension ...

 

The Evo makes a very good track day car, they are probably the most popular cars on the track next to the Scooby, and one of the fastest. The only problems that the UK owners go on about is the brakes. They are not up to that many laps, but then again, they also moan about the M3s so if you find them ok then the Evos will be fine. Just bear them in mined though if you start modding.

 

Another one preparing to jump ship.... I sold my 97 M3/4 last summer for my EVO. NO regrets!

 

i ran my evo at 2 www.nasaproracing.com Time Trials last year and 1 other track day. The only problem I had at all was my intake hose coming off and basically making the car not be driveable.... i cleaned it off and reclamped it down....


Stock the cars run very rich which sucks......kind of dead in the higher rpms..... and on a big course with a big straight, the gearing is too high for the 4th to 5th gear change.....

at a small course like www.beaverun.com the Evo is great. I was less than 3 seconds slower than the fastest honda-challenge car (crx running type r engine, race brakes and race tires) and my car was totally stock...

I got crushed by about 7-8 seconds at summit point by the same guy though..... bigger course and not as tight... lots of higher speeds that the evo couldn't get moving...

 

I took mine bone stock to the track, and was only about 2 seconds off my Mustang from last year, which was severely modded for suspension and brakes. Now, I have added a rear sway, and I am having the alignment redone this saturday. You will not miss your M3, in fact, I was looking to buy one when I bought my Evo. You can't beat it out of the box, I was even passing some of the older 911 turbos, and some 996's. Great machine. I can't wait to get it back there.

 

never a bad thing.

 

I've got both. I have a 97 Dinan M3 (everything except the supercharger) and an 03 evo. I can tell you that the M3 is an amazing track car. I haven't taken the evo to the track yet but I will. I live in the mountains and drive 10 miles of winding roads (5 of dirt) and the M3 corners flat and has plent of umph. I've been happy with the evo's tossability and finess on the dirt. I get more body roll and less grip with the evo, even though it has all weel drive. I like them both. Used M3's are one of the best sports car values in the world.

 

I'm still a developing driver and at smaller, more technical tracks, I have shown the Evo's *** to C4's and C5's as well as Boxsters, 993s, and 996s; enough of them to have the other drivers come over to the car after a session and ask "What have you done to it?" It's bone stock.

However, my Evo does burn oil--anywhere from .25 - 1 quart per day at the track; it should be noted that my wife and I double-duty the car--each drive the car in different groups. I am going to switch to 10W-40 this season.
You will want to swap bake pads and brake lines and flush the brake fluid.

 

Road America, where the Detroit iron humbles a blown 2.0l (and Vtec 2.2l).

 

I have problems with the oil overheating on its way to past 130C, while the water temp was also above 100C.

But I believe this is due to the hot/humid weather, oil temp overheating is never a serious problem in the US/Japan I believe.

I agree with getting the car aligned before first track outing. Makes a lot of difference.

 

Hey Bogie, what was the detroit iron you are referring to and was it the long straights were lighter, less frontal area vettes possibly ran away?

 

Thanks to all for the M3/EVO comparisons! It's going to suck making this decision. If I do, one thing I won't miss is getting stuck on flat ground in MN winters!

 

The LS1 boys--C4s, C5s, Firebirds, Camaros--and modified Mustangs. It wasn't less frontal area that gave the Vettes an advantage, it was monster horsepower. High horsepower is rewarded at Road America. RA is a 4 mile track with 3 extemely fast straights (or near-straights), I touched 140 mph (once) in my '93 300ZXTT--in 4th gear!

I guess it may be a combination of a stock Evo running so rich it runs out of breath, and the dreaded boost taper, both contribute to the Evo lacking a topend. The Vettes definitely "ran away," they made me feel like I was driving backwards; whereas in the Z I could reel them in, only to lose them in the turns, where the Evo shines.

As mentioned above, the Evo really shines at smaller, more technical tracks. It sticks relatively well and although it initially understeers in tighter turns, in which case you lift, let it tuck in, then get on it, otherwise, you can *generally* get on the throttle early and *generally* power through. The car does have a nice "point-and-shoot" quality to it.

 

It reminds me of the recent Sports Car Inernational. Comparing the Evo RS, Z06 and GT3. at Infineon no less. That might as well be a drag race, heh. Of course the better power to weight ratio cars had faster laps but the RS was certainly the most favorered and praised vehicle costing 1/2 the Z06 and 1/4 the GT3.. Plus on the public roads, the RS was civil and proper as opposed to nearly unbearable in the others. But lay down 350+whp and a set of coilovers for all around handling and comfort improvements and all of a sudden that big detroit iron and euro tech/big money have nothing but excuses.. Ahh can't wait for this weekend. Only running a friends SRT4 with some Evos, but It's good to have first hand knowledge of every car you can.. Until an MR or RS is available.. I'll keep evaluating..

 

I have had great fun on the track with my Evolution.
It does fall flat on it's face when going to fifth gear though.