I thought I'd just combine it all into one thread, being that I've read about 10 different ways to install this and I wanted to share my experience as I did this last night.

I am not going to cover removing the old "Lancer Evolution" badging. See this thread for info on that:

Removing the stock emblem

There are two ways to do this: sloppy and not so sloppy. The sloppy method can be summed up as such: wipe down the adhesion area on trunk, peel tape from back of badging, apply with best eye possible, remove tape from top of badging.

Now for the not-so-sloppy method (excuse my crude photoshop drawings; they are meant for representation only):

Wash the trunk
Wash it with Dawn to strip all the wax off. Make sure it's squeaky clean! Dry thoroughly, and allow it to air dry for a few minutes to further ensure 100% dryness.

Stick a level to the car
I applied 2 pieces of double-sided tape to the back of an 8" level, then level the thing under the diamond star badge. Incidentally my badge was not 100% level! This is what you will have afterwards:



Note the centerline
Test fit the badge just for visual reference. Note the centerline of the badge is the stalk of the "T" in "EVOLUTION". Place it directly underneath the center of the diamond logo. This is what you'll be aiming for.




Remove tape from back of badge and place on car
The tape comes of very easily, just go nice and slowly. Now before you touch the trunk with those letters, do another test fit about a 1/2" off the surface. Note that you can use your level as a guide on the top of the badging tape (the front tape left on the badge to hold it together) to ensure a horizontally straight mount. Now gently pull the left/right edges of that tape so the badge is taut, and slowly place it on the trunk. If you screw up, you can pick it off very slowly but it'll come off. Once you have it on the car, press each letter into place. Now remove the frontal tape and you're done!



Now don't forget to re-wax the trunk and such. Also press those letters in again just to make sure they aren't going anywhere.

 

 

Ah hah, I knew someone else posted in this how-to forum besides me.

I corrected my link above for removing the stock emblem btw, had that one wrong.

Thanks jemm.

 

I like the "wash the trunk with Dawn" tip... always wondered what to use to get rid of that grease/wax..

 

Can't say it's my idea, got it from the Zaino instructions, but it's always good to work on a perfectly clean surface of course.

 

webguy, was it possible that the entire car itself was not perfectly level, giving you an off reading?

 

Yeah I'm sure that's what it was actually, also note that my photos aren't level and are from a slight angle towards the passenger side.

 

Thinking more about the level thing here: if the level isn't LEVEL when you put it up against the bottom of the diamond badge, I suppose it's safe to assume you aren't parked 100% level either. Therefore I'd recommend using the base of the diamond badge as your straight edge for mounting the level itself. Mine looks fine but in a more severe circumstance, you might end up sticking the badge on there crooked!

Just an FYI/addendum.

 

I might sound stupid, but is a level an actual tool ? Do you have any pics of one ?

 

C-Murdock, hop down to the local hardware store. A level is a straight-edge with a liquid (sometimes digital I suppose) indicator that you have set the thing up level.

 

webguy, what's the distance from the tristar to the badge? Thanks.

 

vr430, I'd estimate about 3" but I'm not sure. I measured placement to be about 1" above the crease across the trunk.

 

1" above the crease. Got it. Thanks!

 

I'm gonna go double-check on that right now actually...

 

OK it's actually more like 3/4". I measured it with my key head. I really just eye-balled that part, wasn't too concerned, used others' placements as a basis.

If this is your key, mine's about as far from the crease as the red line: