Hi there all, I recently purchased a 2005 EVO VIII in very good shape. The only apparent modifications to the car is ESPELIR GT (red). I would like to race my car in some Autocross and Solo1 events. Any suggestions to setup my car, where to start? Tires suggestions please.

My Brembo calipers red color is really faded, I would like to paint them. Any suggestions on how to do the paint job properly. Where can I get the Brembo lettering?

Last question, what Spark Plugs do you guys recommend to used on my EVO, NGK or DENSO?

Thanks for your help!

 

first off congrats on the purchase. first thing i'd do is get used to the handling of the vechicle and try out different tire sizes and ratings. i'm pretty sure the car doesn't have the advan wheels. let us kno what tires are on it and the size. we can help you out if your more specific on what you have.

 

i use "ngk bpr7es" gap at .26

 

i concur. that's what i'm running too.

 

Go to the motorsports forum where we talk about this stuff and read the SCCA A-stock setup thread, which is huge. The springs already disqualify you for A-stock class, but you can decide where you want to go and what you want to do by reading and learning in that forum.

If your calipers are faded to a brownish color, then the car was used properly meaning it was raced hard to the point of heating up the brakes big time. Do not worry about painting and stenciling them - they aren't show pieces, they are for awesome stopping ability, and they will always be ugly if you actually use them.

You don't need to worry about tires until you learn to drive the car.

NGK BPR7ES gapped to .026 as already suggested.

 

^ what he said. Couldnt say it better - so Im not.

(Ok, Ill add some - what tires to you have now? If they are crappy/used up/all-seasons -- there are some good tires out there. But we need to know what you are on now...)

Congrats on the new car

 

My Evo currently have MAXXIS Victra MA Z1 tire upfront and original Yoko ADVAN at the rear. I really don't like the look of the Maxxis, but they seem like good cheap tires.

I'm currently evaluating purchasing two new Maxxis tire or get four new wheels for street driving. I would like to get some good tire for autocrossing and solo1 for another set of wheels.

Any recommendations? Thank you all for your comments and help.

 

Ok, you should not have mismatched tires - that is a problem. Go right now and find a set of 4 good tires that are all the same style and same wear. Those Maxxis tires are not "good" and "cheap" at the same time. They are cheap and may be good for how cheap they are, but they are not good. The Advans are top-rate tires, so you should be using Advans on all 4. My suggestion is to look in the For sale forum for someone selling stock rims/tires off their brand new Evo, because you can get the tires for about half the price with very low miles. If that doesn't work, consider getting a set of 4 Falken Azeni RT-615s in 255/40-17 - these fit on the stock rims and are the best alternative to the stock Advans while only costing about $130 per tire. Please do not purchase a tire based on the "look."

Again, don't worry about having autocross tires until you learn to drive the car and know what class you'll be in. You don't want to buy tires first then find out you can't use them in your class or that they put you in a higher class where you're non-competitive. You will learn what tires you want and need after some practice and seat time.