Planning ahead for EVO X build
 

I know this is a ridiculous long thread but hopefully a few people take the time to read it and give me some advice. Thanks in advance.

I wanted to get thoughts/opinions on my plan for an Evo X build. Let me know if you think other parts would be better suited for my goals or if you think I should change up the order that things are done etc. I've spent countless hours reading, planning, and daydreaming about this build.

I will be purchasing my X in Jan/Feb of 2012. I'm undecided if I should buy used or brand new. Buying used would obviously save me a bunch of money, but I really like the leather and sunroof available in the 2011 models. It's hard to justify spending an additional 10k - 15k though just because I want a sunroof, the appeal of a brand new unmolested car is nice and I'd love to pick out exactly which options I do and don't want. But I'm not sure if it's worth it when clean, low mileage, well kept cars with mods I would be spending even more money on anyway are available. Maybe you guys will sway me one way or the other. Most likely I'll be getting a GSR in WW but the MR's tranny would be nice for traffic and long drives.

Objectives: Over 2 - 3 years build a 600+hp street car. I want to have as quick spool as possible. I want to maintain drive-ability. I want to address all areas of the car and have it be well rounded. I plan to do auto-x, track days, canyon runs, meets and cruises but it will also be my primary/daily driver. I will have a backup/beater car for bad weather and when the Evo is under the knife. I don't care about what class of SCCA the mods put me in because I won't be competing for points or anything but If there are any required safety stuff I need for events I will get that (ie fixed buckets, harness bar but I really don't want to put a cage in). I'm not trying to build a show car and don't want to have the most jdm tyte parts and fitment. I want high quality functional parts no cheap megan or godspeed stuff but I'm also not willing to spend ridiculous amounts on jdm brands because all the cool kids are doing it. I want to be able to hang with the best in all venues street, strip, & track. I've got some ideas for a slightly different direction for the aesthetics than most X I've seen, car but I want to keep some surprises.

So here's my plan, I want to do mods together in logical groups/order so things work together and save time/money. Also each group is a reasonable amount of money to save up and there will be a few months in between where I will enjoy the previous group while saving for the next. Steps 1 - 4 will be done immediately and the rest over time according to budget with lots of seat time, regular maintenance etc in between.

Step 1: Obtain Evo X
Step 2: Detail and change all fluids to mobil 1, redline, motul etc. (Need to research detailing tools and materials)
Step 3: Perform all common fixes: fuel relay, master cylinder, mud flaps, rain guards, interior rattles etc.
Step 4: Electronics - I figure that getting my entertainment stuff setup as well as tuning/monitoring should be my first group of mods done together. I can't stand the look of gauges all over the place and I've got a plan for custom mounting this stuff so I want to install all of it together and then get my first tune.Step 5: Fuel - I figure that since I'll be living in the bay area where E85 is readily available and that having proper fuel is an important supporting mod for everything else setting up the fuel system next would be a good step.
Step 6: Transmission - With all I'm reading about the diff pins and the stock clutch I figure this is what should be done next.
Step 7: Wheels & Tires Step 8: Brakes & Suspension Part 1Step 8: Aesthetics Part 1Step 9: Bolt-Ons & PowerStep 10: Suspension Part 2Step 11: The HeadStep 12: The StrokerStep 13: Aesthetics Part 2

I like this thread. Nice and prepared. I should have done this too...instead I got into an accident and now I lose sleep every night.

Best of luck, bro!

^^^^ Thanks took me forever to write this thread, hope it wasn't too much to read I actually omitted a bunch of stuff. I've been trolling this forum for a while and I learned a lot with my current beater project S13 240sx KA-T. Most important thing I learned was to have solid objectives, realistic goals and budget, to buy quality parts from reputable people that are meant to work together and never ever keep and work on your project car at your dad's house if you don't live there and he's not into cars at all.

hmmmm i like the thread very imformative. It looks like uve done ur reserch and everything, Best of luck. One word of advice , you might consider posting up all the specific question about what you want to do i.e transmition, suspention. In there own sections, u might get a better response then IMO. GL tho!

Thanks, I'll definitely be doing more specific research into the areas where I have questions. This was mainly about laying out the big picture and hearing what others think of it. Making sure that I don't miss anything major, I'll be taking my time to carefully reconsider each part as the time for purchase/install gets closer.

Definitely a plan that will translate into an awesome build. Keep this updated, I will without a doubt keep looking back to follow what you have done and be very interested in hearing what worked well and what you ran into problem wise!

Very well planned out. Your car will not be some thrown together, modded mess when it's done. This is how a well built car starts!

Thanks!

This is exactly why I'm making this plan, of course in life things rarely ever go according to plan and I've still got a lot of work to do on the details. There's still a bunch of small stuff missing from the list like boost control solenoid, catch can, interior stuff. I really want to review my plan with some guys from a shop (most likely fftec since I'll be living in the bay area and they will be doing any installs that I can't do myself and the tuning)

I really want to minimize lag so maybe I've chosen a hp goal that is too high or a turbo that is too large we'll see. I may get halfway through and be really happy with the car and just keep it how it is but I doubt it. Another big consideration has been trying to keep the engine bay and the setup somewhat stock looking because I do like the "sleeper" affect and I'm really worried about CA smog and cops. I've got to figure out what the real deal is with that because I see so many built cars from CA but I also see so many horror stories about going to see the ref etc.

I am trying to plan it out so that I don't buy things twice, like an intake that no longer fits when I go to a bigger turbo. But I've also never owned or driven anything with that much power or with a really stiff suspension setup. I'm making a plan based on what I think I will enjoy etc. So we'll see how it goes.

very thorough thread-

there are lots of different ways to achieve a goal with these cars-

as your needs change/develop- let us know if we can help- with the radiator or otherwise ;)

cheers

cb

great plans..!! hope c all those step by step pictures and dyno charts! :)

Ik its not in your first couple steps, but I bet you get an exhaust or intake sooner then you anticipate.

I didn't read everything but I don't see any plans for doing your short block. You are really going to want to do that.

600whp on an FPblack or EF4 from MAP will be possible. Honestly those turbos should flow more than the ATP 3076. Unless you get a GTX3076 get the black/EF4.

Get a test pipe rather than a high flow cat and I'd go with 18's since you're tracking and what not. I didn't know the Injen intake is carb? I thought AEM was the only carb intake.

Thanks, I'll be in touch. I've been considering lower/different power goals so maybe your turbo upgrade will work. I also really like the intake heat shield you guys make.

The plan for the short block is a stroker kit so yea you missed that, I'm debating if I should actually move that further up the list and then bolt all the other stuff onto the built motor.

I've thought about FP black and am still debating, part of me just wants to be different than what everyone else has and the gtx I think will spool quicker which is a big deal for me.

Yea you're probably right, I should move intake and catback into that first batch of immediate mods before the first tune. The stock X is definitely too quiet.

My other big debate is, should I just get a GTR? Because this plan is to get a car for 25 - 35 k and pour another 25 - 35 k in upgrades into it. I could wait a little bit and the modding budget would just go into payments instead. The GTR will hold it's value much better and will certainly meet all my needs with no downtime, it'll be more reliable etc. The problem with that is that I will want to mod the GTR. It's also hard to be planning to spend this much money on a car/hobby when I don't own a house yet, am planning to also get married, student loans to pay off etc. So thinking about the financially responsible side of this whole plan, I don't know that it makes sense at all.

The GTR is a totally different animal-

those cars make 370-380whp/wtq on our dyno stock-

we recently had one with test pipes/custom flash/intakes on the dyno, and on stock turbos it made apprx 440whp/540wtq- pretty darn healthy for minimal mods-

I LOVE the evo X (our first development GSR was my daily driver, now I have a RAlliart- but we also sold our GTR)---

but the GTR is an amazing machine- probably the best car I've ever driven for the money-

just food for thought!

cb

The GTR is a monster of a car and absolutely beautiful! BUT have u ever even looked at the price for basic bolt-ons. I think a full exhaust will average out between 5-6k.....The RnD on those vehicals is unreal and you will have to pay for it when u buy mods. Dont get me wrong watching AMS's GTR on the dyno (in real life) was the next best thing to sex, but unless your rich i wouldnt recommend it. Just do some research on the cost of mods and im sure it will sway you back to the EVO

the power I mentioned above is on stock exhaust-

Here you go:

Cobb AP 895.00
CBRD Y pipes 895.00

440/450 right there- not bad-

add a custom tune at 750.00- pick up another 20/70-

I dont think its terrible-

but obviously, one shouldnt expect to buy a car with an 80K pricetag and expect to pay 30K car service-

cb

He didnt talk about buying a GTR and keeping it stock he is talking about buying a car and modding it.

I just dont think he has even looked at the cost factor of that compared to what it costs to mod an evo. Im just saying its very unpractical unless like i said your "rich" which im assuming he isn't (but he may be and if you are then GTR all the way.) And the mods and tune that you quoted is already over 2500 and with that amount of money u could buy quite a bit for the X and have a solid beast for DDing. Just my 2 cents hope this helps you!

I just posted information with mods- and big HP gains at a reasonable price ;)

cb

Nice plan. If you don't want to do any cutting then I'd ditch the ETS 3.5" intercooler and go with the 4". Ran their 4" on both my evos and loved it

+1 on the 4" intercooler

Great read to see how your planning all this. Keep us updated!

Yup thats what i run.....if u ever get a bigger turbo the 4 in. will really show its true talent then!!!

Just get a better car to start with. Used 996/997 turbo, C6 Z06, GTR can be had for the money you want to dump into an Evo X.
Sounds like your key factor is streetability and daily driveability.
A heavily modded Evo X or any other car won't fit these needs.

I have a "heavily modded" X if you want to call it that. It will make more power and torque than a slightly modded GTR...however, I'd take the GTR over my evo X any day.

There truly is no replacement for displacement. GTR FTW!

Evo X is a great choice if you can't afford one though, I still love mine!

I see you have a Turbo Timer on there. I wouldn't even bother, not needed as the fans will stay on if its to hot. Just trying to save you a dollar or two towards something else.

Turbo timers are fail for sure, no need.

Not sure if the problem as been fixed as I haven't looked into it since 2008. But the Turbo Timer with the FAST key is gay, it'll unlock your door when your car shuts off.... So atleast i've seen on 2 X's. if the Turbo timer is a must need, buy an evo w/o the FAST Key system.

Can I ask you why 600hp? Why not 550hp? Why not 623hp?

Maintaining street drivability on a 600+ horse, 2 liter, inline 4 is going to be tough, if not impossible. I mean, have you ever seen a car from the factory with 600hp on an inline 4?

Ok so going to try and respond to everyone, sorry for not checking back in on my own thread sooner.

I totally agree that the GTR is in a whole different category and I have taken serious considerations into the costs of the car, maintainance, insurance and mods; right now and for another couple years at least I won't be getting one. As much as I want to and even if things go much better than expected I would still be paying for a wedding and buying a house before a GTR. I will certainly get one eventually and I'm not sure what role it will play in my stable at that time I guess it depends on how career and car projects go.

I've considered getting a "better" car to start with but I really want an EVO X, I think it will fit all of my needs and I'll be able to do something unique with it. I've considered a ton of other options, especially things a bit more luxury sport, like the newest M5 that I could afford etc. But I love Japanese cars and as much as I drool when I see a nice M5, I think overall I would rather have the Evo. Porsches and Corvettes just don't do it for me although driving one may change my mind.

Streetability is definitely a major concern of mine and perhaps I should lower my hp goal to accommodate that. The reason I chose that number is because to me it seemed like a reasonable and attainable goal. A power level that would be able t get traction on street tires and wouldn't require a really big turbo, a power level that would make my car competitive across all venues from a run in with an exotic on the highway to a night at the drag strip, or a day on the track while still being able to drive it comfortably every day.

The point of this thread was to get this kind of feedback that makes me consider other options, and after doing more reading on various forums, I'm thinking that an MR with all the mods I've planned for except a smaller turbo, tranny cooler, and less fuel might just work out to be perfect. I don't want to have to stop for gas every day because I'm running E85 etc. I'm certainly willing to make some compromises. I'll have another "beater" car that will be rwd and 5spd so I don't think I'll miss that feeling when I'm sitting in traffic in my MR.

As far as the turbo timer goes, I think they're cool and even though it may not be needed it certainly won't hurt. I've found some alarm systems that have remote start and cool down. I'll likely have something like that professionally installed and let them figure out how to wire it all up with the Fast Key etc.

Ideally I will eventually have like 4 modified cars for different purposes. Maybe I'm trying to plan too much cuz I also consider how the EVO will fit into my long term plans where it may not make sense to have a 600+hp EVO that's supposed to be my daily when one with 400hp would be way more practical and enjoyable especially if I had something else with really high hp for weekends.

In my dreams I have a 3 car garage with two lifts. 4 spots for me and one for the wife's car lol.

The daily: something 4 door, clean, mildly modded, baller wheels, mild aero and with enough power to be fun but very reliable and streetable. This may be my EVO X and hence the potential change in power level goals, MR instead of gsr etc. It would be something that I could take to the track etc but don't because I have other cars much better suited for that. Ideally though it would be something more luxury/vip than an EVO and better for work, professional image, and less cop harassment etc. perhaps an M45, Legacy GT, Lexus GS, M5, C or E class Benz, A4, or even a CTS-V you get the idea.

The meticulously kept monster/show stopper: this would be the GTR, or a big single turbo MKIV supra, something that I rarely drive has show quality bodywork and really high hp but full interior and a street car.

The track slut would be a time attack style car, fully caged, gutted, R compound tires the whole nine yards. It would be an FD RX-7, EVO, or NSX, and I could tow it with the wife's SUV. The EVO X could also become this car and then I could get something else for a daily.

The beater and/or sleeper: something to take out for late night fun, random automotive debauchery and just beat on, donuts, drifting and for driving to places where it may be questionable to take any of my nicer cars. Something like a 240sx, mk3 supra, cressida, 2nd gen dsm, K series swapped 90's integra or civic coupe (I've secretly always wanted to do a honda project and with the other cars it would be cool to cover all bases and have one fwd).

I've already got a beater car (s13 240sx ka-t) and I will likely trade/sell it for a different beater car within the next year. I'm definitely going to get an EVO X in Jan or Feb and it will begin as my daily. Who knows how things will end up.

This thread makes me reconsider which turbo to get, CBRD's full or lite, FP red or black, GTX3076 or GTX3582. Hmmm decisions decisions. I think any of these would be great for what I'm looking to do or perhaps something smaller? With a tubular manifold and all the other mods I'd have quick spool and could be over 400hp on pump

There's another thread about mods that people regret doing and going "too far" that makes me think I may not want the stroker and that twin or triple clutches aren't very streetable which among other things makes me think MR > GSR.

Depends on the person I guess... but its definitely possible.

I daily drove my Evo 8 for almost a year making 600hp on pump gas that I personal built and tuned myself. Streetability was literally like stock to me, had A/C, working radio, even started in 20 degree weather in the mornings just fine. I later switched it to e85 and still drove it reguarly making right at 700hp but because e85 is a bit hard to acquire (its a 15 minute drive out of my way to the only avaiable pump on my side of town) I started driving it only on the weekends. It's fully built in every way and about the only stock part left under my hood is the radiator. :p

My only issue would be hearing the radio, I have to turn it up a good bit since my exhaust is a little loud and I opted for urethane engine mounts. :lol: But hell I like to jam out to some good tunes anyway so it really isnt that big of a deal afterall.

I also have a friend with a similar setup to mine. He sits at exactly at 617hp on pump gas last tuning session I graphed the car and has past 70,000 miles in full built trim. This has been his daily driver for many years like this. Just recently it needed a valve job and the built Shep transmission was refreshed. I expect many thousands of miles more on this car without an issue.

..

bluedub1 why'd you delete your post? I thought you made some great points and was just about to reply.

I've been searching around at evo's for sale and thinking more and more about this plan and the long term as well. I just don't think the evo has the ability to run with supercars and exotics, it can certainly take down a lot of sports cars. I think that I'm going to scale back some of the evo stuff. Spend less money on it, a smaller more responsive turbo, focus on the driveability and keeping the evo as my daily for the long term and planning to get a used 2012 GTR in a few years as my weekend car.

Maybe BBX lite turbo, no built motor, full race manifold, aeromotive 340lph in tank pumper, ID 1000cc, E-85. Keep all the bolt ons, transmission, electronics, cooling, wheels, brake & suspension mods as planned.

This thread was great. You use capitals, correct punctuation, and didn't use some long ass run on sentence. Thanks for making the effort and not writing like a caveman would talk.

If you mean 600 to the crank then its possible to still have a decent DD. If you mean 600 to the wheels on a Mustang or Dynodynamics. Then the answer is no. You would not have good DD. You would have a turbo that came on at 5.5 RPM or higher and you will have to use E85 all the time. 450 I think is about the most anyone has gotten from a DD EVO using pump gas.

Haha I thought I came off as an ******* so I just deleted it. I'm glad it was helpful.

The Evo is already a beast out of the box. Don't get me wrong more power is always fun but I honestly think 291hp 300 lb-ft is plenty for sprited daily driving.

Were you able to get any track time (road course, auto-x) in your 8?