hey everyone I just bought a red 03 evo. I purchased today and 18 miles after purchasing the car (it had 34,478 when i bought it) the check engine light came on and was idling rough , so its back at the dealership getting fixed. what should be some of my first mods?? the car has an autometer boost guage on the steering colum and a vortex generator, other than that its stock i believe except fot a set of 245/45/17 falken azenis tires.

 

i wouldnt worry about the CEL light untill it gives you some major problems....i think that is normal specially on the EVOS and lancers. That might be caused by one of the mods on the car, nothing major.

 

get a full turboback exhaust and a flash.

 

will a flash void my warranty??

 

pretty sure it does, but Ive taken my 05 for warranty work with cams,flash full exhaust and they haven't said anything.

 

I recommend the Warrtalon package for your 03. Click on the link in my sig to see the parts. It includes a boost gauge and pod, which you already have, but the package price includes free shipping and only applies if you get the whole thing. You could just sell the new gauge/pod here on EvoM afterwards. Once you do those mods, you'll be at 300whp/300wtq on 93oct. With those same mods, I ran 12.26@110mph as you see in my sig.

If you don't want to do that package, then consider doing the same combination of parts and build up slowly as you get the money. Yes, a flash would void the warranty if the dealership knew you had one, but they can't detect it. I'd be more worried about the exhaust voiding it and/or the MBC/BOV. You don't even have a warranty on an 03 after the next 1500 miles, though.

 

Are you for real? This is the worst advice you can give someone.


I have worked on many evos and the SES light being on is NOT normal. IMO i would take it right back to the dealer you purchased it from and have them look at it. Then you can worry about modding it.

 

i WOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER

 

for the money and the performance you,ll get the warrtalon package is probabely your best bet, good luck

 

i have an extanded warrenty 5 year/70,000 miles

 

You have a Mitsu, dont worry about the warranty, you will lose it soon enough, just get the tb and flash, i tried to keep mine, but that only worked for about 3 months, and i was 17

 

Ouch. Can you sell it back? That's rough on a 3yr old Evo. That's longer than the original warranty. It had to cost a lot, didn't it? Anyway, if you keep it and it actually is a FULLY WARRANTY, NOT LIMITED, then I wouldn't do a single mod. If you want to mod, then sell that sucker and get your money back.

 

Just make sure your car is running right in the first place before you start modding. Check for boost leaks with a boost leak test. Make sure all fluids (engine, tranny, rear diff) are all fresh and maintained. Make sure you are boosting at the proper level as the previous owner may have made a few "adjustments". Just make sure the car is running right before you start messing with it and the small problems become big problems.

 

You should have never gotten that extended warranty. You are probably still in time to cancel it and get that money back in cash for mods. Are you mechanic freindly?? Like swapping turbos and installing a fuel pump type? If yes then cancel that warranty and start modding.

 

He knows what he is talking about since he went experienced it himself.