Hello all! Hope I'm welcome here since I own a WRX

I signed up because my brother just picked up a Evo VIII MR!! I got to drive it for the first time tonight and I'd like to share my experiences.

First, only 500 miles on the clock, so couldn't get on the gas since he's still breaking it in.

I have a couple of observations to share

First, it's an AWESOME car. The Recaro's are incredible to sit in (much better than my WRX seats).

My favorite part is the steering rack. 2.0 lock to lock ratio as opposed to my 3.0 ratio, just wow. I just drove it around normally tonight, didn't get to test out the suspension since it's rainy here in Philly now. But I hope to drive it some more tomorrow

Some minor things I noticed... The main gauge cluster is sub-par IMO, I much prefer my Subaru cluster. There are 3 other gauges below where the radio is. From left to right: Voltage, oil temp, and turbo. The Turbo gauge is probably in the worst place possible.

I also prefer the pedal layout in my Subaru better. In the Subaru the gas and brake are the same level, side by side. In the Evo the gas is placed a bit further down making it a bit more difficult to heel-toe. Although that may be because I'm used to my car.

Overall I'm very excited and I love the car already (even though it's not mine ) I just hope that it won't make me want to sell my WRX for one I already know a bunch about the Evo, but I hope to learn more on here.

Oh... and this is coming from a stage 4 WRX owner with 318 whp, suspension and tranmission mods also (and yes, I did all the work myself)

Check out my WRX page if you're bored

- Speedy

 

that's great to hear. we won't bash you here. however, i can tell you that there are evo's with stage 1 kits making more power than your car. you need an Easy Street stroker to wake your car up!!! then it will be a monster. your brother might want to do a search on hear to relocate his gauges. here's a pic of a 60mm gauge kit out there by Omori:

 

Yeh, I'm not claiming that I'm the fastest car here, don't worry. I know with just some simple bolt-ons the Evo can really rocket! I believe the record for the stock turbo on the Evo is in the 11 second range?

WOW, that looks a lot better, I'm gonna have to show him that Omori setup. I've already decided what his first modification will be - short shifter! I'm used to the Kartboy SS on my car and what a big difference.

 

the short shifter install is a PAIN IN THE A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's a big hack job as the stock shifter sits in this plastic housing & you'll have to buy a new one to put in the new shifter. my recommendation would be to get a catback exhaust, panel filter, & a tune to start off.

IMO, if you can drive you don't need a short shifter (in a 6 speed) not to mention the added stress on your tranny synchros...

 

Here's an odd question. How close is the Evo community? Like in my WRX if I'm on the road and see another WRX or STi I'll wave or flash my lights and they'll wave back 90% of the time.

 

Thanks housedj, you've been quite helpful.

On the WRX the SS install is pretty straight-forward, just gotta pound the new one in pretty forcefully, sounds like a big ordeal on the Evo.

That's what I was going to suggest to him: cat-back and a tune. About the K&N panel filter (noticed you have one in your sig), the K&N is an oiled filter. I know on the WRX with oiled filters it could eventually damage the MAF sensor so we stay away from that. I guess that's not the case on the Evo?

Also, (I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions or not utilizing the search button ) but how strong is the Evo 6sp in relation to the STi 6 sp? I'm sure everyone here knows how weak the WRX 5 sp is... (which is why I installed some JDM Type RA gears on my baby)

 

'round here... those of us who know each other will wave and say hi and all that, but nothing like the S2K community (I have an S2K I get to drive too)... EVERYONE with an S2K waves and says hi if they get the chance.

 

10.9@124MPH on stock turbo (no NOS)

 

not so true in CA... at least from my experiences... everytime when i see an evo on the road, we honk, thumbs up, flash my gf *****...etc etc..
it was so friendly...and we get to say hi if we get a chance...