98 Mirage to Evo 6.5 TME
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Western Australia
Great Build - Good to see the sourcing of OEM TME parts - bloody hard work to get in the US im sure and not cheap. Nice work on matching up the interior.
The boot lenses i think you should go with the clear/red to match the taillights - the solid red ones look like evo VI V lenses.. VI's in Australia dont seem to have them.
One thing id recommend is upgrading your brake master cylinder if you havent already, should improve your pedal feel for the Brembos.
I've got an CN9A that I've often thought about putting out to CP9A V or VI kit for increased track etc. (i attached a pic of my love child).
Keep up the good work and hope to see some pics of it painted and complete.
The boot lenses i think you should go with the clear/red to match the taillights - the solid red ones look like evo VI V lenses.. VI's in Australia dont seem to have them.
One thing id recommend is upgrading your brake master cylinder if you havent already, should improve your pedal feel for the Brembos.
I've got an CN9A that I've often thought about putting out to CP9A V or VI kit for increased track etc. (i attached a pic of my love child).
Keep up the good work and hope to see some pics of it painted and complete.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 6
From: Bellevue, WA
Thanks, my brake MC is already upgraded to a later generation model. Plenty of force there. As the car sits now it is about 99% a true Evo 6 TME. Only difference being the steering rack.
Now the car is not painted, it's not running well, heck it can't even start up right now. I made a couple of mistakes installing a set of cams (ended up leaving the cover off, cutting my PS line with the gears). That killed my PS system, and then I broke the exhaust manifold. Long story short it's now on jack stands waiting to be fixed. Good thing I have my second car to drive around in!
Now the car is not painted, it's not running well, heck it can't even start up right now. I made a couple of mistakes installing a set of cams (ended up leaving the cover off, cutting my PS line with the gears). That killed my PS system, and then I broke the exhaust manifold. Long story short it's now on jack stands waiting to be fixed. Good thing I have my second car to drive around in!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Western Australia
Exige? NICE.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Avondale
Neoman, yeah I have found a few overseas but the shipping is really what kills me. Maybe when the exchange rate changes we can talk $$$.
Moving back to the chassis, I just finished removing the excess metal from the floor pan. Now I have to do the same thing all over again, just inside my car.
Close up of spot weld cuts.
Moving back to the chassis, I just finished removing the excess metal from the floor pan. Now I have to do the same thing all over again, just inside my car.
Close up of spot weld cuts.
i dont really even know what tool to use for that, and since manny's threads pics are all gone, its kinda hard to remember...
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 6
From: Bellevue, WA
Honestly it's not so much hard as it is tedious. You have to tap each weld, then drill each one out using a special drill bit for spot welds (you will go through several). Very basic stuff, it's just there is a lot of it. You can find the necessary drill bit at Harbor Freight, it's less than $5.
Man a few months ago I read this post and came back to it to see how it was coming along. Waiting for this car to finish is like waiting for the season finale of your favorite show to finally come on. Just sold my Mirage, converting it was cutting into my Lancer budget. What you're doing is so amazing tho. Love the new car btw, sexy.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Jamaica, NY
To answer your first question, yes there is a drive shaft tunnel. The chassis of this car is nearly identical to the Evo 6. Currently the exhaust runs through there. When it finally comes to installing the engine and drive train, as long as I have all necessary parts, it should be fairly straightforward. The essential parts needed are:
Evo 4-6 motor mounts
Evo 4-6 fuel tank
Evo 4-6 RS rear subframe and diff.
From there I will just need to slightly modify the trunk floor, create mounts for the subframe and driveshaft, and things should just piece together. There will be tons of little things to figure out but that is the bulk of the problem for most conversions.
I have to use an RS rear subframe because it doesn't use the AYC feature. Other subframes come with AYC, and I would have to get a new differential. There is an Evo 4 RS subframe on eBay right now, but I'm almost out of cash now
Evo 4-6 motor mounts
Evo 4-6 fuel tank
Evo 4-6 RS rear subframe and diff.
From there I will just need to slightly modify the trunk floor, create mounts for the subframe and driveshaft, and things should just piece together. There will be tons of little things to figure out but that is the bulk of the problem for most conversions.
I have to use an RS rear subframe because it doesn't use the AYC feature. Other subframes come with AYC, and I would have to get a new differential. There is an Evo 4 RS subframe on eBay right now, but I'm almost out of cash now
Besides sheer simplicity, I want to make sure I understand -- the difficulty in implementing AYC comes from being able to source a non-RS subframe and rear diff? I'm assuming you already had the non-AYC diff and you were just trying to source the subframe? Just trying to make sure I'm clear.
If someone found a subframe and diff from an AYC equipped car, it should be no problem to implement, right?
Last edited by RedStarr; Feb 12, 2014 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Edited for clarity
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 6
From: Bellevue, WA
The difficulty in implementing the AYC system is not so much the parts, but rather the wiring. The Mirage as standard has no ABS braking system, and it is nearly impossible to find a LHD ABS brake setup. For me it wasn't worth the extra hassle, plus I prefer a mechanical system.
It is very easy to find the AYC parts and subframe, however it is even easier finding an Evo 8/9 rear end here in the states.
It is very easy to find the AYC parts and subframe, however it is even easier finding an Evo 8/9 rear end here in the states.
Hell of a project, looking good! Think I would have given up a long time ago! One question though how much of a hassle was it importing the parts from the UK and through US customs? I wanna try to buy a few pieces from japperformanceparts but if its too much hassle I wont even bother!
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 6
From: Bellevue, WA
Fixed some stuff in the engine bay and took the car for a drive, first time in a long time. That said though with all that I have now it's time for me to let this go. For good. Just re-listed the car for sale in the classifieds section.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...ersion-wa.html
The time has come to pass the torch on to someone who can do the car justice and finish it.
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...ersion-wa.html
The time has come to pass the torch on to someone who can do the car justice and finish it.