Thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping to go with a genuine Mitsubishi rear bumper though. I just missed out on the last batch that MitsubishiParts.net had due to having some other items I needed first, but hopefully I'll have one by spring!

Honestly, I just think they make cool stuff. I've always been into Japanese parts for Japanese cars, and it's kind of fun to try to hunt them all down now that most of it is out of production.

Exactly like your last statement describes- to each their own. Not everyone is into building a high horsepower Evo with parts from American manufacturers. Everyone has a different approach, and that's what makes this hobby fun. Maybe the fact that I'm a freelance writer for one of those magazines has something to do with it. haha.

Hey Terrence- I actually got my bars directly from Cusco USA, but any Cusco retailer should be able to get them for you!

 

I love these statements! So single minded. Does it really matter if the pipe or filter is an ARC piece or an AMS one? No, its a personal choice and who are you to call it useless and a waste of money. Sounds like a bit of dare I say... hate envy on your part.

Not everyone out there wants to look budget with these cars, some of us actually care how our cars look.

 

I guess some of us want the best parts with the biggest gains. For example spending 300 or so on an ARC intake doesn't make sense to me, when there are better open cone filters out there for less.

On this forum some brand names are thrown on these cars just for the name. For example an evo with every voltex add on plus every arc part you can stuff into the engine bay. Or the AMS evos out there. There are many guys who really don't know what makes AMS or ARC or other brands of that nature better then the other so you see threads everyday with a guy asking if his parts list of 5k with only AMS is good or not.

I have had AMS stuff and ARC stuff but I didn't see what made it better. I bought an ARC Ti knob for my 8 and eventually got a custom TI knob from WC Lathewerks for cheaper and 2 times the weight. I just don't like when people think that a big name brand means its the best. The unfortunate thing is the guys that typically search the planet finding rare ralliart or arc parts leave their car in the garage for 11 months of the year.

I like the build and especially how you want it to make it your own but some things like going from GSC S1 cams to HKS 272 make absolutely no sense power wise but its your car.

 

He is doing his thing and so far very nice

 

haha, thanks PT. Different strokes for different folks I guess!

Like I mentioned, the changes might not make sense to you from a power or performance standpoint- but I am not building my car for max power or to be a track monster. I am commonly criticized for my builds based on the fact that I don't build my cars to be good at one specific thing- drifting, grip racing, drag racing, car shows, etc. I enjoy building my cars as just that- cars.

I have never claimed that ARC or Tomei are the best of the best, nor do I really care to. Honestly, those are just the types of parts I think are cool. I'm not really into parts designed for maximum gains or knock-off parts that might do something better for less, but again- to each their own. If that is how other people want to build their cars, it's cool with me. If you're not building your car for your own personal enjoyment, then what are you building it for?

As for the show car/not being driven aspect, that is definitely one of the things I pride myself on. I've put almost 5k miles on my Evo in three months. It's been driven through rain, snow, salt, and everything in between during that time with Tomei and ARC parts in tow. My previous build, the 240SX in my first post, was FAR from practical in every sense of the word- and I still managed to put 17k miles on it one summer from April to October.

The bottom line for this build? It's my daily, year-round car in Michigan. I've got an 8 month old daughter that is going to be riding in the car from time to time and I'm not getting any younger. I might be more into power if I were a young kid or something, but I am just an old dad that usually drives the speed limit. It may see a track day or two during my ownership, but for the most part it's just going to be cruising to and from work each day. I'm just trying to add some personal touches to the car that I think are cool and allow me to enjoy it without sacrificing reliability. Big power just isn't something I'm interested in with this car.

Oh, and as for the cams- who wouldn't want to enjoy the lopey sound of a little Japanese muscle on the way to work each morning? There seems to be an attitude against a lot of Japanese parts on this forum, but maybe that's just because most people here seem to be about making big power. The parts I have added make the car quicker than stock and look cool (to me at least) doing it- for my needs, its a win-win.

Appreciate it!

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On a build related note, I have a few items arriving for the car this week. I'll have more updates as items arrive! Appreciate the feedback and people checking out my quiet little build, haha.

 

Nevermind the haters on here, I quite enjoy reading about your progress on the car. Your responses are well written and pictures are great. Keep it up!

 

Keep doing what your doing man. I love it!

 

Damon, they are not ready for the Bring Bring!

This forum is too damn funny sometimes...

 

haha, thanks guys. I can for sure respect differing opinions on how to build one of these cars. They have a lot of potential- it just depends on what you're into!

I got a couple of goodies yesterday that I found on SoCalEvo: an HKS Kansai CF timing belt cover, and a Works Bell Splash Boss short hub with Rapfix 2 quick release. I don't really have a use for a quick release in this car, but I got the quick release and short hub for less than the price of the short hub alone. Can't pass up a deal like that!









Hoping to find some free time this weekend to install the steering wheel, timing cover, a new battery, and the ARC UICP. The only bummer with buying the used steering wheel setup is that I don't think it came with the resistor for the airbag light, so I'll need to figure that out.

 

I Imagine a certain buttfield could help you out on that front.

 

^ Good call sir...

Didn't have much time at all last night, but I managed to toss on my HKS Kansai carbon fiber timing belt cover. I found that the stock cover had a crack in it, so I was actually glad I replaced it for a reason other than the fact that it looks cool.





Excuse my mess- it's winter.



Made it through the sloppy unplowed roads in downtown Ann Arbor this morning:



(And yes, it's close but I didn't curb it, lol.)

 

Lookin good!

 

^ Thanks!

My couplers came for the UICP, so I decided to toss it in last night. I had some leftover t-bolt clamps left from the 240 that I thought would fit, but they were too small. Ordered a couple this morning, so I can install those this weekend as well.

I debated the small battery thing again last night, but I've finally decided to just pick up a standard one after work today if I can. Less hassle and it probably looks better in the bay than my dirty transmission and other crap being visible, so it is a win-win. I'm hoping to install the battery and spend some time cleaning the bay this weekend to grab a couple pics. For now, here's a teaser shot:



I also got my fittings from 41 Draft Designs to install the Defi oil pressure and oil temp gauges:



My friend Toby has been sending me pictures of the process, and I'm happy to report that the gauge setup is nearly complete. Here's a pic he just sent me of the finished piece prior to the gauges being dropped in (he's waiting to be sure the paint is 100% cured for a day or two before installing them.)



He's going to paint my shifter trim and ash tray for me to be sure they all match 100%. It took him about eight coats of painting and wet sanding to make sure the finish was blemish free. Can't wait to see it in person!

 

just found out i may be moving to the canton/ann arbor areas this summer. :-) so i'll be cruising around :-) and teaching the V8 kids at Milan a thing or 2 about "how fast a 4 cylinder is"

 

^ haha, nice! My friend Scott has his Evo in the high 9s I believe and frequents Milan, so I am sure some of them know what these cars are capable of.