Evo 8/9 Shell Manufacturing Costs
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From: Oregon
Evo 8/9 Shell Manufacturing Costs
Hi, all.
As you know, the Evo 8/9 is becoming extremely rare and expensive in the US. At this time, I won't be able to buy one for another 3-5 years given my life circumstances. I hear stories of companies selling kit cars, which includes a rolling shell of discontinued car like the Shelby Coba for example. This fulfills peoples' dreams of owning a car like that. I know it is not original, but I bet there are plenty that don't mind and just want to drive the car, such as me. I want all of your input in regards to me reaching out to a company to manufacture a CT9A shell and buying all the parts separately and building it myself. Even though it isn't an original Evo, I think it would be awesome to restore one to brand new. In fact, one of my dreams is to have an Evo to daily drive, one to modify and take to the track, and one to collect. As you know, with the current supply, this is not feasible unless I was very rich. Reaching out to a company to manufacture a CT9A shell does seem extremely costly and I'm trying to weigh it against buying a legit one, but I would love to hear your guys' input on what are my options. I hope I explained this well.
As you know, the Evo 8/9 is becoming extremely rare and expensive in the US. At this time, I won't be able to buy one for another 3-5 years given my life circumstances. I hear stories of companies selling kit cars, which includes a rolling shell of discontinued car like the Shelby Coba for example. This fulfills peoples' dreams of owning a car like that. I know it is not original, but I bet there are plenty that don't mind and just want to drive the car, such as me. I want all of your input in regards to me reaching out to a company to manufacture a CT9A shell and buying all the parts separately and building it myself. Even though it isn't an original Evo, I think it would be awesome to restore one to brand new. In fact, one of my dreams is to have an Evo to daily drive, one to modify and take to the track, and one to collect. As you know, with the current supply, this is not feasible unless I was very rich. Reaching out to a company to manufacture a CT9A shell does seem extremely costly and I'm trying to weigh it against buying a legit one, but I would love to hear your guys' input on what are my options. I hope I explained this well.
Getting a one-off shell made from scratch will probably cost well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Old Cobra kit cars are simple because they are a fiberglass body on a really basic metal frame, whereas the Evo is a complex unibody made from many plates of precisely measured and stamped steel, then welded together robotically to ensure precise tolerances. Reverse engineering that is extraordinarily difficult and in the end, nobody would buy it anyway. They made lots of these and the shell is the least of your worries.
We'd be lucky if Mitsu started a heritage program for the evo like Nissan and Mazda have started doing in the past year or so. But it's a long shot to have them reproduce an entire chassis as that requires them to not only remanufacture each individual panel but all recommission a line to do all the robotic welding and adhesive application.
Although unlikely, there is a small chance a heritage parts program may come to fruition as Mitsu's largest shareholder is Nissan so it's not an impossibility.
My guess is we probably have another 5-8 years of reasonable-ish prices on parts before they get annoyingly expensive. Luckily there are work arounds for lots of stuff. 4G64 blocks are abundant and cheap and can be machined to be better than a 63 block. The big hang up part I think will be cylinder heads as there are no aftermarket options that are a reasonable price for the average person and once heads are gone engine rebuilds will become trickier.
Transmission doesn't break super often and rebuilding it isn't a huge ordeal. Transfer case already has aftermarket gearsets and billet housings (except the tail section, which can be remade) and although they are expensive now, if more options enter the market they could get cheaper. Rear diffs don't break too often either and there are options to swap from other cars etc.
The way I see it is the key to survival is for low production casting processes to become more affordable in the next few years. If that becomes possible then keeping a good supply of engine and drivetrain components will be no issue.
Although unlikely, there is a small chance a heritage parts program may come to fruition as Mitsu's largest shareholder is Nissan so it's not an impossibility.
My guess is we probably have another 5-8 years of reasonable-ish prices on parts before they get annoyingly expensive. Luckily there are work arounds for lots of stuff. 4G64 blocks are abundant and cheap and can be machined to be better than a 63 block. The big hang up part I think will be cylinder heads as there are no aftermarket options that are a reasonable price for the average person and once heads are gone engine rebuilds will become trickier.
Transmission doesn't break super often and rebuilding it isn't a huge ordeal. Transfer case already has aftermarket gearsets and billet housings (except the tail section, which can be remade) and although they are expensive now, if more options enter the market they could get cheaper. Rear diffs don't break too often either and there are options to swap from other cars etc.
The way I see it is the key to survival is for low production casting processes to become more affordable in the next few years. If that becomes possible then keeping a good supply of engine and drivetrain components will be no issue.
Last edited by Ayoustin; Jan 4, 2021 at 09:29 AM.
We'd be lucky if Mitsu started a heritage program for the evo like Nissan and Mazda have started doing in the past year or so. But it's a long shot to have them reproduce an entire chassis as that requires them to not only remanufacture each individual panel but all recommission a line to do all the robotic welding and adhesive application.
Although unlikely, there is a small chance a heritage parts program may come to fruition as Mitsu's largest shareholder is Nissan so it's not an impossibility.
My guess is we probably have another 5-8 years of reasonable-ish prices on parts before they get annoyingly expensive. Luckily there are work arounds for lots of stuff. 4G64 blocks are abundant and cheap and can be machined to be better than a 63 block. The big hang up part I think will be cylinder heads as there are no aftermarket options that are a reasonable price for the average person and once heads are gone engine rebuilds will become trickier.
Transmission doesn't break super often and rebuilding it isn't a huge ordeal. Transfer case already has aftermarket gearsets and billet housings (except the tail section, which can be remade) and although they are expensive now, if more options enter the market they could get cheaper. Rear diffs don't break too often either and there are options to swap from other cars etc.
The way I see it is the key to survival is for low production casting processes to become more affordable in the next few years. If that becomes possible then keeping a good supply of engine and drivetrain components will be no issue.
Although unlikely, there is a small chance a heritage parts program may come to fruition as Mitsu's largest shareholder is Nissan so it's not an impossibility.
My guess is we probably have another 5-8 years of reasonable-ish prices on parts before they get annoyingly expensive. Luckily there are work arounds for lots of stuff. 4G64 blocks are abundant and cheap and can be machined to be better than a 63 block. The big hang up part I think will be cylinder heads as there are no aftermarket options that are a reasonable price for the average person and once heads are gone engine rebuilds will become trickier.
Transmission doesn't break super often and rebuilding it isn't a huge ordeal. Transfer case already has aftermarket gearsets and billet housings (except the tail section, which can be remade) and although they are expensive now, if more options enter the market they could get cheaper. Rear diffs don't break too often either and there are options to swap from other cars etc.
The way I see it is the key to survival is for low production casting processes to become more affordable in the next few years. If that becomes possible then keeping a good supply of engine and drivetrain components will be no issue.
In that situation, your best bet would be to buy an OZ Lancer super cheap. Source quarters, trunk pan and Misc braces and front core support. And slowly build yourself an Evo. Does what you're after. A slow paced, fake Evo build. And you're already starting with most of the black interior bits you'll need
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I appreciate everyone taking the time in answering my question. As of now, I have determined that it is best to just buy an Evo after graduation a few years after I get a job in my field. My plan is to save $60k for a really nice one (my dream one is probably a tarmac black 9 se or a rally red mr or wicked white mr if I'm really lucky). I'm till entertaining the possibility of buying a shell, buying the parts and having English taking care of the rest as I don't have the space nor equipment. I love this car so much and I'm determined to own one someday. I much prefer the USDM one but I'll settle with a jdm one if I have to when the time comes.
^ sounds like a better plan to me, don't settle It will be worth the wait at the end. You may have to go the saving up route just because finding a non butchered, low miles ix shell is going to be rare to none. Im personally saving up for my second evo. Either a rally red IX RS or MR with less than 30k miles is my goal, which will be in the 60-80k range here in Canada.. So join the saving up club :P
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From: canada
My dreamiest of dreams is LHD 6.5TME from Europe...last one I saw pop up on auction was like 2 years ago and price was at 60kEuro! DREAMY!
Too bad the law would no longer allow a tube frame built at home with some panels slapped on.
Too bad the law would no longer allow a tube frame built at home with some panels slapped on.
Getting a one-off shell made from scratch will probably cost well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Old Cobra kit cars are simple because they are a fiberglass body on a really basic metal frame, whereas the Evo is a complex unibody made from many plates of precisely measured and stamped steel, then welded together robotically to ensure precise tolerances. Reverse engineering that is extraordinarily difficult and in the end, nobody would buy it anyway. They made lots of these and the shell is the least of your worries.
With none of the structural rigidity may as well mount all the body panels to pvc pipe frame jig.
In that situation, your best bet would be to buy an OZ Lancer super cheap. Source quarters, trunk pan and Misc braces and front core support. And slowly build yourself an Evo. Does what you're after. A slow paced, fake Evo build. And you're already starting with most of the black interior bits you'll need
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Transmission doesn't break super often and rebuilding it isn't a huge ordeal. Transfer case already has aftermarket gearsets and billet housings (except the tail section, which can be remade) and although they are expensive now, if more options enter the market they could get cheaper. Rear diffs don't break too often either and there are options to swap from other cars etc.
+1 million on Mitsu making a heritage program... lets just hope they don't buy up all the US stock and skyrocket the prices like Nissan