I just got a brand new WW EVO VIII 05' and am wondering where to start. I would like to not ward the waranty on the vehicle but like everyone here, i have that itch to modify, modify modify. I am a solider ( not an officer) so i don't make humungous amounts of money. I am not all show, go but would like to start somewhere modest especially as the holiday seasons approach. I was looking at buying a apexi turbo timer seeing how it is cheep and i would like to perserve my car. But on a modest budget where else would i start or start to save to ?I mean dang intake systems likeARC cost $300+. Whats your imput ?

 

1ST ANSWER = SEARCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, now, you don't need a turbo timer. It may be relatively inexpensive, but that doesn't mean it's worth buying. Don't spend money just to spend money. I was a single Marine Sergeant, and there's no way in HELL I could have afforded an Evo, especially a brand new one, so you don't want to be throwing away money on unimportant stuff.

Next, almost everything can and will void your warranty, so if you don't want to risk giving up on such a good warranty, then don't do ANY mods. Making next to nothing as an enlisted soldier, I wouldn't think you'd be in a good position to cover the cost of a new engine or tranny if something goes wrong, even if it's not your fault, so be careful on the mods.

The mods that you can general get away with:

1) 3" cat-back - PM me for a good deal
2) K&N panel filter - $65-70 at any local auto store
3) Nothing else.

Mods you can get away with ONLY IF YOU UNINSTALL before going in for service:
1) MBC - i.e. Hallman Pro $85, takes 45mins to do, though
2) BOV - JDM MR DV $120 - takes 5mins. Only get this mod if you get an MBC
3) S-AFC - need harness and logger = $400-500 - can uninstall in seconds, but requires a lot of knowledge to use and tune yourself

I had all of the above and ran 12.2 at 111 on 104oct. I have twice gone in for my free maintenance and uninstalled the mbc/bov/safc each time. I now have a full TBE, which includes a downpipe and test pipe, but those wouldn't be kosher if the dealer saw them...

 

What about items like sway bars, strut tie bars, short shifter kit, or gauges. I mean, i am a Staff Sergeant with wife and child and am definitly not rich. So i am trying to personalize my vehicle but not end up in a possibly compromising situation.

And somebody please tell me why the first mod everyone here wants to do is get a different BOV ? i mean i saw the group buy for the "Forge" and wanted to get into it but i want what i buy to be sensable , not buy something because its shiney and under the hood !

But to assure everyne this is going to be my "65' Mustang" (A.K.A the car you never get rid of !) so i would like to learn more and get into the mods. I even saw one individual tell someone he might want to save up and buy another car before he starts modding. That might be a good idea.

 

alot of people want the sound of a bov, but dont understand the probs it will cause the car... you dont need one.. not yet.. stay with the basics as you would any car..

 

just ask warrelton, he will tell ya.. hehe

 

Any suspension mod will get your warranty voided faster than you can blink. Plus, you don't even need them unless you're doing some sort of autocrossing or road racing and know exactly where the car is lacking and exactly how to remedy those deficiencies. In my example, I autocross in a local club, in which there are 4-5 Evos and lots of WRX/STi's, and the only mod I have is a set of low-grade R-compounds. I have been finishing 1st or 2nd in every race with just those tires and no suspension mods while beating all of the other Evos/WRXs/STIs who have sway bars, strut bars, and even coilovers in some cases. There is one Evo that I never beat, but he is not a member, just a guest. His Evo is fully-built for SM class and for road racing to include a gutted interior, cage, aftermarket seats/harness, fully adjustable coilovers, etc etc. I still finish within .2-.3s of him when he shows up, though. I guess a short shifter is fine, if that's what you like. Gauges are definitely important if you are going to be modding. You should get a boost gauge first, but if you go for a triple-gauge set, then do Boost/Oil Pressure/Oil Temp or Boost/Oil Pressure/EGT. I don't think you need EGT unless you are doing your own tuning and are really pushing things to the edge of safety...

I think you already know why so many people do a BOV first. They are 2F2F ricers who don't realize that they are driving a world-class, street legal race car and think that they need to "dress it up" and "make noise" in order to be cool. There is one use for an aftermarket BOV, and that's to hold boost better than stock. That is the only reason to get one, and there's no reason to spend a lot of money on one...

 

Grrrrr...

 

WOW, its reallllllly ok man. Chill . Just new and just trying to learn .

 

???

What's ok? Do you want help or not?