Hey everyone! I've been on the forum for a few years now and I've always enjoyed reading/viewing pictures of peoples transformation of their Evo's. With that in mind, I wanted to keep a thread with the mod's, challenges and history of my evo along the way.

I use to own a GG SSL IX back in 2007 which I bought after riding in a friends brand new IX MR SE at the time. I quickly tried selling my clean '01 Honda Prelude and get myself into a IX. At the time it wasn’t the best financial decision, so as hard at the decision was, I had to get rid of it.

Honda Prelude sold to make room for my first Evo:




Here’s the for-sale ad for my original IX back in 2008:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...ast-coast.html







It was the best decision I could have made because soon after, I got my own place, went through promotions at work and had an amazing destination wedding in St. Lucia. I always told myself I would get back into an Evo when the time was right, and so in 2012, in fact a month after my wedding lol, I was ready to fly out anywhere US-side for a low mileage Evo

With that said, after searching for a few weeks online, I found a clean TB SE with 26,000 original miles in great condition right here on the forum. I can't thank the previous owner(s) enough for all the info on the car and for being straight forward and honest with the sale. The previous owner picked it up on Evom also and added maybe 500 miles since trailing it to upstate NY from Maryland in early 2012. Here is the Sale Ad from the previous-previous:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...-maryland.html

I got some buddies together for the 14 hour round-trip drive to pick her up but it was all worth it! It was my first time in a BBK turbo so the ride home was a lot of fun to say the least. Here are just a few pictures while picking her up at the previous owners shop - Superior Glass in Malone, NY:









The car came with full documentation including the car sticker and an original Evo "SE" brochure:









These are the mods already installed when I picked up the car in early May 2012 @ 26,000 miles:
BBK Full ported - tuned @ 26.5lbs
364whp / 300wtq on 93 pump gas on CBRD mustang dyno
Compression Test as of May 2012 = #1 (150-149), #2 (150-149), #3 (150-149), #4 (149-148)
CBRD FMIC with CBRD logo (3.8" garrett core)
CBRD UICP w/ small battery
AMS LICP
AMS TBE - catless
Megan o2 housing
Synapse BPV
Pierburg 3 port ebc
Perrin intake
Precision 1000cc injectors
Innovate wideband module
Walbro fuel pump
Greddy Boost Gauge (replaced @ 27,500 miles with Defi gauge)
Kenwood headunit w/ bluetooth (replaced @ 32,000 miles with 2013 Pioneer double-din)
Kenwood front and rear speakers
OEM MR Bilstein shocks
Tanabe springs (replaced @ 28,500 miles with Swift Spec-R's)
OEM vortex generator
OEM MR CF e-brake handle
OEM JDM rear
Nokya Hyper white fog lights (replaced @ 26,500 miles with yellow Nokya)
Demonwerkz Crash beam
Perrin shorty antenna
Mynes hood dampers
20% tint all around (removed @ 26,500 miles)

One of my goals was to always pay close attention to detail when selecting upgrades, so that meant always sticking to tried & true modifications that would add my personal taste and continue to enhance the car, not take away from it. Wherever possible, I would opt for brand new parts. Enjoy!

Pictures are posted throughout the thread.

-Fernando

 

May 2012 update @ 26,500 miles - purchased/installed mods:
OEM JDM window visors
OEM JDM amber markers
OEM JDM 8 MR taillights
Nokya Hyper yellow fog lights
Lo Jack with Early Warning Recovery
Removed 20% tint

The car has unfortunately been sitting for the last week and I haven't had time to clean it, so sorry for the dirty pix! I installed the new jdm tails (corner crack caused during shipping), amber markers and window vents, as well as removing the tint as I prefer the fishbowl look.









And here are some of my buddies brand new 2012 GSR X:

 

It's been a very interesting 7 months so far to say the least so I figured it was time for some updates lol.

May 26, 2012 update @ 27,000 miles - accident:
**Car was side-swipped on driver-side while parked on the street**
- There was damage to both doors and the side-skirt
- Accident happened in Rhode Island while I was attending a graduation at Brown University
- LUCKILY the guy left his personal information including time/date of accident, ironically he was there for the graduation also but he happened to be from Queens, NY....damn NY drivers!
- Car was taken to Martino Auto Concepts in Glen Cove, NY (they specialize in exotics)
- Car was repaired by replacing/painting only the door skins as the damage was superficial and I didn't want any type of dent repair/bondo, etc. Car turned out beautiful, they blended the paint perfectly.
- Car was in the shop for about 6 weeks due to back-order on door skins from Mitsu Japan.
- I was stuck driving a rental but I can't complain. It made me appreciate the new Ford Fusions lol.

Damage:





In Progress:




Completed:

 

July 2012 update @ 27,500 miles - purchased/installed mods:
Autometer dual pod
Innovate wideband gauge - red
Defi boost racer gauge - red
Rally Armor mudflaps w/ black lettering
McGard Wheel Locks for stock BBS - black
Purchased an extra TB trunk to try the wingless look but after 2 short weeks, I put my stock trunk back on

 

September 2012 update @ 28,500 miles - I decided to get the 30K maintenance done:
Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-30 (found out I have a valve release on my oil pan for quick/easy change lol)
OEM Mitsu oil filter
NGK Iridium spark plugs (ILFR7H)
Amsoil Tranny 75W90 Gear Oil
Amsoil Transfer Case 75W90 Severe gear
Amsoil Rear Diff LSD 75W90 Severe gear
Swift Spec-R springs

 

November 2012 update @ 30,000 miles:
Blizzak LM-60 235/45/17 (brand new)
Torque Solutions underhood shifter bushings
Torque Solutions shifter base bushings
Flossy Heavyweight grip-tape shift knob (545 grams)
X-mas Tree shopping :-)

 

March 2013 update @ 31,500 miles:
Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS - 7" touchscreen headunit
OEM JDM double-din dash
OEM HVAC labels x3
Cyanide HVAC relocation kit

 

April 2013 update @ 32,000 miles:
Enkei NT03+M - 18x9.5 +27 (Pearl White)
Kumho Ecsta XS - 265/35/18
Ichiba 10mm spacers w/ extended studs for fronts only
McGard wheel lugs & locks - gold plated

 

One year anniversary (May 2013) since picking up the 2nd Wife lol. She's come quite a way

 

First Year Anniversary May 2013 update @ 32,500 miles:
Rexpeed CF side-skirts
Rexpeed CF JDM rear-skirts

 

June 2013 update @ 33,000 miles:
OEM JDM MR 8 headlights - Brand New in Box
Yellow Nokya Foglight bulbs (9006)
Hella Twin Supertone Horns
Whiteline 24MM Rear Sway Bar
Competition Clutch Stage 2 w/ OEM flywheel & TOB

So after running on the BBK Full Ported turbo @ 27lbs for about 1.5yrs, the stock clutch began slipping at higher rpm's when on the highway. It was just a matter of time considering the amount of torque output with this awesome turbo.

I couldn't decide between ACT HDSS & Competition Clutch Stage 2 and honestly, it came down to what the shop had available in stock. I've only added 200 miles (as of 6/3/13), and I must say that engagement is smooth and pedal stiffness is just a bit more than stock. And there's no added noise. It feels very grippy so after I break it in (500 miles), I'll see how well she holds up.

Also, I noticed an immediate difference with the rear whiteline bar - feels a lot more planted with less body roll but more rear happy. I also ordered the front bar & roll center kit, so I will update on how the car feels then.

Here are some pictures:

 

July 2013 update @ 34,000 miles - Hit & Run accident #2:
**Car was backed into while parked on the street causing slight damage to the front bumper and lip**
**OEM side-skirts and Rexpeed CF extensions stolen**
- My actual 1st wife is convinced my custom plates have cursed the car lol.
- There was superficial damage to the front bumper/lip. More of a dent with minimal paint scratch.
- Accident and theft both happened in Brooklyn area but again, I was not in the vehicle so I was not at-fault. I was forced to open a claim because the skirts are expensive and I figured why not have the front bumper resprayed to new! Geico really helped me out with this. No $$ impact at all to my policy.
- Again, the car was taken to Martino Auto Concepts in Glen Cove, NY
- Although, I specifically asked not to replace the front bumper (because the damage did not warrant one), there must have been some confusion. The good news is that I got a brand new OEM front bumper and SE lip with all clips. I really wanted to keep all original parts with VIN's intact but I can't be upset at getting brand new parts. They also went ahead and got me OEM side skirts, replaced the Rexpeed skirts and noticed there was a slight crack in my left JDM MR rear taillight (caused during shipping), so they replaced that too!
- As always, the car turned out beautiful - brand spanking new! No license plate holes!!!
- Car was in the shop for about 6 weeks due to back-order on parts from Mitsu Japan but it was all good getting around in another Ford Fusion rental lol.
- First thing I got installed was an alarm system (shame on me for not doing that earlier).

BEFORE






AFTER

 

September 2013 update @ 34,500 miles:
Viper 2-way alarm with remote start and all extra proximity sensors
Redline Goods shift-boot and arm-rest in Nappa Leather w/ red stitching to match SE seats
Cusco front-brace
Odyssey small battery

 

October 2013 update @ 35,000 miles:
Rexpeed CF trunk lip
Winter duties - threw on the dedicated winter tire set

 

April 2014 update @ 40,000 miles:
Complete fluid flush (motor, drivetrain) getting ready for summer
EBC Red front brake pads
Hawk HPS rear brake pads
StopTech front/rear ss brake lines
1999 Honda CRV for daily duties (top 5 best mod thus far lol)
Full exterior/interior detail






First mod lol: