Is the Evo's reliability affected by build dates/VIN number ranges?
 

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I still haven't purchased an Evo but the more I read, some owners are having lots of problems and others no problems at all. Could this be releated to the build date of the vehicle? Maybe owners could post the last 6 digits of their VIN to determine if there is a pattern? I noticed VIN's from 88NNN to 123NNN on the Dealership lots. I don't know how to convert the VIN to a build date? Or post the VIN like I did above.

There is no direct way to correlate the build date with the Vin#. You could probably get good guess...within a month or so of it's build date.

But if you are looking at cars in deaer lots, take a look inside the drivers side door jam. It lists the build date right there.

I have a very early build car....Jan 03, I think...Vin # 088xxx

No probs...at 10k miles...

SC~

The January cars are rumored to be slightly faster from the factory since they were in the first shipment and all debugged by Ralliart Japan. Look inside the drivers side door for the build date. I have a March 2003 car and at 2400 its perfect *knock on wood*, there seem to be isolated issues with the car in general which probably are related more to the car itself and the driver then the build date.

I have a Jan 03 car and the only problem so far is a slipping clutch at 5700 miles. I cut 1.7 60 fts at the track so its used and abused.

Feb 03 car here. 1500 miles. No problems.

i'll just toss this in..

ive got a June '03 build date and 1500 miles on the car - not one problem.

low miles, but a little input for you at best.

For what its worth...I have a January build date and recently went up against a modded WRX. I was able to pull on him in every gear. After we pulled into the mobile station, we chatted for a bit and the first words out of his mouth were...what have I had done to my car?
I told him it was still completely stock (as it is).

He mentioned he raced a few other EVO's and they were noticibly slower than mine.

I'm curious what ralliart could have possibly done to these cars?

I have 9200 miles on mine and no problems yet..

Well for what its worth I raced my friends modded WRX from a roll at 50 and hung even then beat it staying in 5th the entire time while he was in 3rd and redlining every gear. Also I have a feeling they simply rechecked all the hoses and checked for boost leaks, a lot of people on the forums have mentioned that they were boosting below the 19.5 peak as some are experiencing.

Difference in drivers would be the reason why. I would assume that you are a slightly better Driver! Look at Al, he was over a half second slower driving his own car than with Dan from Pruven driving.

Yes, but Al simply doesn't have a lot of experience (at that point anyways) with the twin clutch and big turbo. It doesn't really slip much. Dan does.
A lot of stock EVO drivers vary on where they think they should shift.

Mark
www.Quantum-Racing.com

There is no hp difference between early and late build cars. Fromt he very first batch of cars, there are people who have dynoed strong, and others that have dynoed weak.

its all in the manufacturing process and thier tolerances. it is inevidable (if i even spelled right).

Thanks to all you Evolution owners......

where are you guys looking for the build date?

Inside the door jam.....drivers side door. Look at the root of the B Pillar (near the hinges for the rear door....It's part of the text on the white sticker.

SC~