Hi everyone my name is DJ I am from Portland, OR. I recently got an '03 evo w/ 50k on it. I picked it up for $17k. The guy I bought it from apparently didn't know about some of these things I just found out. One of the gauge light bulbs was out so I took the cluster out and while replacing the burnt one I noticed one was missing... It was the ABS light, so I put a new one in and sure enough... the ABS is broken! GRRRR! On top of that the heater control is stuck on cold, the rear brakes squeak, and the list goes on... Basically I got screwed and he knew about this stuff and didn't tell me. But I really do think after this stuff is fixed it will be golden. I know that I am new and everything but I really need help. The only mod the car has is a AEM intake and I have talked to some people and I think I am experiencing "boost cut" since I don't have a tune.I want to make sure that is what is going on and I can't afford to get a flash right now so I was wondering if anyone would be able to loan me or sell me the stock intake system for cheap? If I could borrow one it would be about 2-3 months before i could get it back to you. I hate asking for help since I am new and don't know any of you but I am very frustrated and don't know what else to do.

-DJ

 

there a boost controller in it?

 

there is no boost controller all stock except for the intake.

 

It might of had more done and he just took the other parts off and sold them. I doubt it just had an Intake. So just getting a stock intake may not help. As for the brakes and stuff i have Roto-Pros with Hawk Pads. Their cheap, reliable, and even work well at the track. So when you can save some money check into them. My heater Control us to stick too, i just took the cover off the panel and found the bar that it connects to was about to come off. Goodluck with everything and stay outta boost right now until everythig gets fixed.

 

Hey, its ok, don't be frustrated. Just spend some time on EvoM and start reading. There are tons and tons of info here to help you get your car running like a champ! Check out the for-sale forums, there are many people selling stock intakes for dirt cheap. About the ABS...I never had a problem with mines but I'm sure if you search hard enough, you can find some helpful info on the subject. Welcome to the community!

 

1) you got a good deal on the car if the engine, tranny, and other major components are alright so you're not totally screwed.

2) Maybe ABS is not functional or maybe it's just an ABS sensor. Possibly, ABS was manually diabled by removing fuses so check the ABS fuse and see if they're ok. That might be all it takes to fix it. If not, don't sweat it too much because the RS model doesn't even have ABS. As long as you know how to threshold brake or modulate manually, it's not a big deal and you can deal with it later.

3) Different brake pads will have different levels of squeel. The most high-performance brake pads squeel the most so the sound you're hearing may just be normal for what he put on. My buddy put some brand new Ferrodo pads on his car and they squeel pretty good. That's just the way they are. My point being is that just because your brakes squeel doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them. On the other hand, there could be. Just check them out and if they're not worn out, I wouldn't worry about it.

4) I have an aftermarket Injen intake on my stock tuned car and it's fine. Plenty of people do that. Unless you're having real issues, just go easy on it until you can get it tuned.

Just my thoughts on the matter. Overall it doesn't sound that bad and you'll get it all worked out.

 

Thanks for the support guys! I am going to try and work things out just one at a time... The problem I am having is the car is "hicuping" or misfiring under boost, particularly in 3rd+ gears it runs 100% perfect when cruising and runs smooth. A couple times I have been in traffic on a hill and when I rev it and let the RPMs drop it stalls out a little... I am not sure whats going on but from what I understand it sounds like boost cut I think..

 

do you have a stock BOV? That hapens with my car because it is cold and my BOV is not recirulated and it sucks in the cold!

 

it has the stock BOV it has been really cold lately.

 

Well.......Could be a number of problems on why it is stalling.....Spark plugs could be going bad. Is it idling loopy a little bit?

 

My spark plugs are going bad and it tries to stall out on me from time to time. Your tensioner and idle pulley may be going bad. I just replaced all that stuff except for my spark plugs. Those are this weekend.

 

ouch and welcome....

 

........

 

What you describe sounds a bit like DV (Diverter Valve a/k/a BOV) flutter. Try searching for "flutter". Should give you plenty to read.

Make a list. Do some searching on Evom for each item on your list. You will get through this. There are a lot of good people on Evom ready to help. You are not facing this challenge alone.

I have had two professionally installed front brake jobs in the two years since I bought my VIII and I cannot get rid of the horrible brake squeal. Put that one at the bottom of your list.

DV/BOV...I have a whole collection of these...OEM plastic, MR/JDM/IX metal, Forge, and APS. They all flutter. Period. Some more than others. Some less than others. Some only with an intake. I am currently on the APS dual vent DV/BOV, along with a Buschur intake. I think the MR/JDM/IX metal DV, bought used, would be your best value at <24psi boost levels.

I seriously doubt you are hitting boost cut with no MBC. You prolly just need tuned for the intake and a good DV. I would suggest leaving the AEM intake on and getting a good tune. That will be money well spent.

Jim in Tucson
Who drives an '03 VIII with 52,000 miles...

 

What's up man? congratulations on your purchase. I live across the bridge. If you want a hand tackling some of those bugs shoot me a pm. Welcome to the community.