MartinD has finally arrived :)
MartinD has finally arrived :)
After being on NASIOC for years, I felt it was time to create a name over here...considering I do drive an Evo afterall 
The Story:
I have had a Subaru since 1999, and have always wanted to try out an EVO. A few months back, a local dealership gave me a deal that I had to jump on. Coming from an STi, both cars are very different and hard to compare the two.
The Subaru was a more sturdy car, no doubt about it. From road courses, autox, and rallyx the Subaru constantly begged for HARDER driving. You hear about these cars breaking (transmission issues in the EVO) - and these issues pertain to idiots that will constantly feel the need to do the 7k launch at every stoplight...
Here is a review based on my experiences thus far...
Power:
The Subaru felt more "manly". Around town as soon as you slam the pedal to the floor you feel the pull, nice torque due to the 2.5l motor. Around 5300-5500k the STi fell flat, no power at all. The vf39 (stock STi turbo) is a great turbo for autox, very responsive but lacks the top end power. I added a turboback exhaust, cobb accessport, and a protune. I ended up with 315whp/336wtq. At the time the car felt strong, that lasted about a day, literally. I needed more...
Now, the EVO. Taking it very easy for the first 1k miles, breaking in the motor etc. Changed the oil out at 1k, full of gas etc. Now...the fun :up: I made a right turn on the highway on ramp and the car felt like a fighter jet. Around 3300k the car took off like a bat out of hell...I was very shocked that if felt the way it did. The car lives in the upper RPM range, which is the complete opposite of the STi. The power on the EVO is very linear...feels much more smooth and stock turbo continues to pull almost all the way to redline...compared to the STi (I know it tapers)
As far as modifications go, the EVO is more receptive to anything added.
Handling:
The STi in no way is as responsive as the EVO. The Subaru feels heavy, sluggish, and really takes an understanding of the DCCD (center diff) to be able to drive the car the way it wants to be driven. If you leave the DCCD in Auto, and drive really hard --- understeer. Going through turns at road courses I constantly felt the need to be playing with the DCCD to really get "comfortable" with the car. I added 27-29mm front swaybar, 26-28mm rear sway bar, front and rear strut bars, camber plates, STi pink springs and a ton of other suspension goodies...
The EVO feels like a go-kart. I drove a Mini Cooper S for over a year, and this car feels a lot more responsive than that. With little effort of moving the steering wheel the car is "on its toes" and ready to be thrown in that direction. I was really anxious to see how the car felt when it lost traction - so I went to a great place I know of (no, not a school zone) When sliding in this car, it feels effortless as far guiding the car and gaining control. It acts like it already knows what to do before you even steer or touch any pedal. I was shocked again.
Well, I will shut my mouth and post some pictures :up:
From this:
To this:
-Martin
The Story:
I have had a Subaru since 1999, and have always wanted to try out an EVO. A few months back, a local dealership gave me a deal that I had to jump on. Coming from an STi, both cars are very different and hard to compare the two.
The Subaru was a more sturdy car, no doubt about it. From road courses, autox, and rallyx the Subaru constantly begged for HARDER driving. You hear about these cars breaking (transmission issues in the EVO) - and these issues pertain to idiots that will constantly feel the need to do the 7k launch at every stoplight...
Here is a review based on my experiences thus far...
Power:
The Subaru felt more "manly". Around town as soon as you slam the pedal to the floor you feel the pull, nice torque due to the 2.5l motor. Around 5300-5500k the STi fell flat, no power at all. The vf39 (stock STi turbo) is a great turbo for autox, very responsive but lacks the top end power. I added a turboback exhaust, cobb accessport, and a protune. I ended up with 315whp/336wtq. At the time the car felt strong, that lasted about a day, literally. I needed more...
Now, the EVO. Taking it very easy for the first 1k miles, breaking in the motor etc. Changed the oil out at 1k, full of gas etc. Now...the fun :up: I made a right turn on the highway on ramp and the car felt like a fighter jet. Around 3300k the car took off like a bat out of hell...I was very shocked that if felt the way it did. The car lives in the upper RPM range, which is the complete opposite of the STi. The power on the EVO is very linear...feels much more smooth and stock turbo continues to pull almost all the way to redline...compared to the STi (I know it tapers)
As far as modifications go, the EVO is more receptive to anything added.
Handling:
The STi in no way is as responsive as the EVO. The Subaru feels heavy, sluggish, and really takes an understanding of the DCCD (center diff) to be able to drive the car the way it wants to be driven. If you leave the DCCD in Auto, and drive really hard --- understeer. Going through turns at road courses I constantly felt the need to be playing with the DCCD to really get "comfortable" with the car. I added 27-29mm front swaybar, 26-28mm rear sway bar, front and rear strut bars, camber plates, STi pink springs and a ton of other suspension goodies...
The EVO feels like a go-kart. I drove a Mini Cooper S for over a year, and this car feels a lot more responsive than that. With little effort of moving the steering wheel the car is "on its toes" and ready to be thrown in that direction. I was really anxious to see how the car felt when it lost traction - so I went to a great place I know of (no, not a school zone) When sliding in this car, it feels effortless as far guiding the car and gaining control. It acts like it already knows what to do before you even steer or touch any pedal. I was shocked again.
Well, I will shut my mouth and post some pictures :up:
From this:
To this:
-Martin
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Hey thanks for the observations Martin, its very helpful to me .I sold my sti 2 weeks ago and I really miss it.I am looking at used evos to scratch the itch.What I experienced about the sti with a 20g was it lost some bottom end and got real strong on the freeways.This was on the 91 0ctane tune (323whp) the 95 oct.tune (359whp) was better around town.I did a small run with a friends bugeye td04 with a 95 octane map and by the time the 20g spooled up the other car had almost 2 carlenghts on me.If I still had the vf39 im sure results would be different.Also the bugeye had a 95 octane tune which is a big difference compared to the 91.We tried another run and I kept the rpm high to put the 20g on the boil and this time he could not catch me.
I dont mean to get off the topic but whats the big difference between a evo 8 and 9 ?
I dont mean to get off the topic but whats the big difference between a evo 8 and 9 ?
Welcome to the site 
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Northwestern, PA
Welcome to the site!
If you haven't checked it out yet, EVOtuners.net is another great site (a bit more focused on performance/racing than here) that I suggest you look at.
I had originally intended to get an STI (been planning it for several years actually) before I got my Evo last year, but when I started reading about all the upgrades the IX received over the VIII, and what kind of power they were putting down with only minor bolt-ons, I ended up shifting gears and going with the Evo instead.
Haven't had any regrets about my decision.
If you haven't checked it out yet, EVOtuners.net is another great site (a bit more focused on performance/racing than here) that I suggest you look at.
I had originally intended to get an STI (been planning it for several years actually) before I got my Evo last year, but when I started reading about all the upgrades the IX received over the VIII, and what kind of power they were putting down with only minor bolt-ons, I ended up shifting gears and going with the Evo instead.
Haven't had any regrets about my decision.
Trending Topics
Hey Martin! This is Dave(Evil STI on Nasioc).
Good to see you over here. I also had an '04 and '06 STI, and everything you've said in comparison are my thoughts exactly. I'd never go back to a Subaru for a track car- the Evo is just that much more focused. I DEFINITELY would get a Forester STI though for a daily driver if/when it arrives.
Good to see you over here. I also had an '04 and '06 STI, and everything you've said in comparison are my thoughts exactly. I'd never go back to a Subaru for a track car- the Evo is just that much more focused. I DEFINITELY would get a Forester STI though for a daily driver if/when it arrives.
Welcome! Thanks for the great write up; goodluck with your car.
The looks of an STi have been really growing on me lately. Which would you say is the better daily driver? I hear the STi is, but I'd like to hear your opinion!
The looks of an STi have been really growing on me lately. Which would you say is the better daily driver? I hear the STi is, but I'd like to hear your opinion!
Hey Martin! This is Dave(Evil STI on Nasioc).
Good to see you over here. I also had an '04 and '06 STI, and everything you've said in comparison are my thoughts exactly. I'd never go back to a Subaru for a track car- the Evo is just that much more focused. I DEFINITELY would get a Forester STI though for a daily driver if/when it arrives.
Good to see you over here. I also had an '04 and '06 STI, and everything you've said in comparison are my thoughts exactly. I'd never go back to a Subaru for a track car- the Evo is just that much more focused. I DEFINITELY would get a Forester STI though for a daily driver if/when it arrives.
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