These cars are easy to take care of and make power. You just need to find the right one and pay attention to all the details.

500whp/390 wtq is a good place to stop IMO. Thats near the limit of ID1300's on E85 with a Walbro 450 pump on stock lines/rails. Those injectors and a professional tuning the car will yield great results. I had my car at that level and it was damn near perfect.

You are limited to 400wtq with the stock bottom end so this also means you only need a clutch that can hold around there . An exedy or act sprung clutch would work well. The transmission and driveline will also live well at that level. Within reason, you don't drop the clutch in these cars or launch them all the time.

If you get a lower mileage 9 then don't worry about cams/springs since it will have a small turbo that will be nosing over up top. My stock engine made well over 600whp on stock cams/springs.

I still think the FP Red on an Evo 9 is about as good as it gets for 500ish. Its simple, spools up below 3800 and goes well to 8000.

 

My Evo is my race car and I would have no issue using it everyday (even with the stiff clutch and choppy cams). The reason I dont drive it every day, other people. I worry that someone will hit it. I dont want any accidents on its record. Its a good, clean, low mile car and it will stay like that as long as I dont drive it much. Sure its a little bumpy and loud but it doesnt bother me. Thats how I wanted it to be and it makes it more fun to drive for me. You get the actual race car feel. Like most others, I am on the lower side of power to keep things happy. My car probably makes 425 whp right now and has been extra reliable. I wouldnt hesitate to drive it across the country. The best part about the Evo is that its an icon now. I get a thumbs up from someone every time I drive it.