Yes, I agree. I said the same. OP was looking for <$50 k. Probably not happening.

 

I can say with almost 100% certainty that you don't want to pick from the bottom of the GTR barrel. They are awesome cars but the cheap ones are almost exclusively poorly modded and returned back to stock and sold, or cars owned by people who stretched to make the initial purpose, and then bailed when they realized that the GTR is very expensive to service.

Trying to daily drive a 600whp or 550whp Evo is asking for a tough time.

 

even 550-600whp GT-R = a big wallet. LOL

definitely gotta pay to play, though.

 

I am on the GTR forums and I am aware of the cost of repairing and maintaining the GTR. I can probably get 3-5 EVO transmissions for the cost of one fully built GTR tranny . For 500-600whp I only need an aftermarket first gear with some other mods which cost around 5k.

How much whp should I shoot for if I want one to keep my EVO reliable? I was able to DD my WRX with 450whp dynojet for around 40k miles without issues.

550-600whp will cost around 5k the supporting mods and injectors for E85.

This is one of the EVO's that I like:

http://www.gtrlife.com/forums/topic/...ve-and-tucked/

I am also considering a supra but buying a 20 year old car for 30k is kind of crazy...

 

A built motor is needed for more than perhaps 475 whp, but many people have successfully run even 600 whp on a stock bottom end. Beyond that, I don't think its so much about the whp level as it is frequent inspection, especially for the fuel system which often seems to be what kills Evos. A lot of people will say its important to ditch the balance shaft system. If you plan to launch, then be prepared for broken drivetrain parts and worn out clutches.

 

Inspection of injector and fuel pump? How often? I am planning on running E85 100% of the time

I think a car with a setup like yours would be awesome.

Thanks for the info.

 

A reliable WRX @ 450whp? That is really impressive. Quite the unicorn, from what I've seen. Nice!

Our engines don't so much have HP limits as torque. Lots of people are making 500 or more, but keep the torque reasonable.

As far as fuel systems, I've seen extended use of e85 gum up injectors. Frequent flushing with a tank of pump gas seems to help. I can't find any reasoning, explanation, not pattern of how it happens. Seems almost random.

And +1 on launching the car. Evos aren't meant for drag racing, so if you choose to and have decent power, be ready to shell out quite a bit of extra cash.

 

The transfer case is the one that usually fails right? I will probably end up buying an upgraded one. How good are the axles? what other part fail while launching? I only go to the dragstrip around 3-4 times a year and usually can get about 5 passes per night. The STi transmission, rear end and axles are super strong 600whp and torque is nothing for the OEM drivetrain.

Yeah I was lucky with my WRX but I had some engine failures at 600whp. I rather repair transmission or t-cases than engines.

 

yeah, the t-case is the weak point for drag racing an Evo VIII/IX. clutches pretty much depend on your driving skillz LOL. i've never heard of an axle breaking, then again: i'm not much into the drag racing thing. i think there are companies that make upgraded axles, so it must be a problem for some.

so it seems if you could marry the the 4G63 to the STi drivetrain, you would have an indestructible machine LOL

 

I had my evo fully built besides the trans and t case. It made 618hp on a conservative tune. I haven't had any major problems with it. I drive it like a normal person 95% of the time. As long as you don't have your foot in it every time you drive it, I don't see why It cant be a strong DD. I only drive mine when it is nice out and I would drive it anywhere with confidence.

 

A 600+ Evo is not fun to drive everyday. Clutch options are limited. Can't take corners like you want to (Its literally a missile). Its loud, obnoxious (Evo VIII/IX). Its an analog car compared to the newer ones coming out with creature comforts you never knew you'd like.

If you aren't building it yourself (and know what you are doing) you are at the mercy of a shop. Then thats a crap shoot. They more then likely don't do any of the machine work in house. Then when it comes to tuning if you dont have same shop that made the motor tune it you are asking for problems down the road (Motor fails early......who pays for it, Not the tuner - he doesn't know how the motor was built. Not the builder - they don't know how it was tuned. YOU pay for a new motor.....thats who).

Conversely your local shadetree mechanic may screw it up just as bad......and they wont have the money to replace anything they break.

Its much easier to live with a fast car and do minor bolt ons and tune vs take a quick car and making it fast.....less opportunity for failure. And less frustration. When my blue evo burned down to the ground I could've either got a IS-F or a Evo X. I eventually ended back up in a Evo IX. Hindsight being 20/20........I think I made the wrong decision. I no longer have the stomach for this anymore. I owned a IS before and I should've just bought another. I'd be happy or at least have minor issues beyond driving and actually enjoying my car.

Maybe I'll buy one in a few years. I don't mind high mileage......they are awesome regardless. I'll never get what I think is fair for me Evo and I would rather keep it and try to make it reliable then give it away.

Bottom line, can it be reliable? It will take more money most want to spend and unless you are truly capable of building the motor the big question is, was it built to last. I think its more luck (or in my case hopefully perseverance) then the norm. Its an anomaly for certain. I don't think any shop goes into building a motor for a customer doesn't intend to do a good job, but when you don't do you're own machine work you are rolling the dice (worse if they don't assemble either). And when things go south MOST shops will not do the right thing. They will try to help you out but they will either nickel and dime you to death or realize how much its hits their bottom line, maybe have a bad month..........watch how quickly the cool guys at the shop you take your car too, stop being cool. it goes south from there.

Keep it below 450 and it will be the most fun you've ever had.

 

Smurfzilla, while I think your experience is probably not that uncommon, I have driven one 650 whp Evo that was a perfectly good daily driver with the exception of a bit of idle instability in hot weather. I think its all about parts selection, tune, and lots of money. For sure a 475 whp Evo is much cheaper to build, and in some ways will be more fun.

 

Personally, I like 450whp on e85. That means the turbo and cams are small enough that the car is still very responsive and a kick in the a$$ to drive.

 

I feel 600whp is the magic number you want to keep it south of, at least on an Evo. Otherwise, you're asking for problems. I'm planning on 550whp or so on E85.

Then again, my build isn't finished, but I know the machine shop, I know the builder and I know the tuner. I trust all 3.

If you want more than 600whp and have it be reliable, then get a car with more cylinders.

 

I like 550 whp too. Its where I will stop.