I'm relatively new to the Evo world i've had mine for about 10 months or so and its completely stock. Its a 2004 Evo 8 with 90k miles.

I've searched for a while and haven't found the answer to my question and thought I'd ask.

Ok so I know after modding an evo getting a tune is the best thing to do to maximize performance, but I have also heard it helps keep your car safe after increasing the boost.

My question is this: If I mod my car (tbe, mbc, larger fuel pump, ix diverter valve, lower intercooler pipe), how long can i drive it without damaging it? I live in the Seattle area and want to get it tuned by English Racing. Is it safe to mod it where I live and then drive for 2.5 hours on the freeway to ER before it gets tuned or do most people install there parts once they get to or near the shop?

Sorry if this is a noob question I just want to make sure i don't do anything foolish to my car.

 

the smoothest approach is to find someone near you who can help you data log and look to see if there is knock, etc and then you can determine if there is serious problems or not. If it looks okay from reading the maps then drive and get a full tune. I wouldn't advise to mod a car and "hope for the best" for 2.5 hours. That is not a 10 minute drive, so you might do some minor damage which is not worth it. There must be 1 person who can log and read a map in seattle. Keep us posted with tune!!

 

do the mods at home, then stay out of boost for your 2.5 hr trip and you will be fine.

 

+1. you should do the mods at home and cruise it over to them. i think i remember driving my car for like a week before i tuned after cams. and on that note you should save a lil more to put some more mods on. wish i lived near ER

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll try to find someone near me to either help data log my car or to see what they did when they tuned theirs.

Staying out of boost range crossed my mind but as I have a 5 speed my rpms are usually at/over 3k rpms on the freeway which is near boost. If I can't find anyone near me to data log it I might have a friend or two with a truck that maybe I could tow it with (flatbed of course).

Thanks

 

I dont think you will have an issue at all. The only thing that could get you is over setting the MBC. Of course you cant have a MBC without a boost gauge. That should be a mod on your list that you NEED if you are modding it.

Here is what you do. Put those parts on, don't set the boost controller too high. Disconnect your battery for 10 MINUTES. Reconnect the battery, start the car without pressing the gas pedal. LET IT IDLE for 10-15 minutes. That is the time for your ECU to "Learn" the new airflow changes you added to your car. Then drive anyway you want to get it tuned. BEFORE you waste your time strapping down on the dyno, you better do a boost leak check. Good luck, and congrats for keeping your car stock so long!!

 

Yea, the optimized safest way would be to get some quick logging and if it's not too bad just drive down. if its horrible, do some tests etc, try again and if you cant figure out just get on flatbed. Sometimes, when a part is installed you won't know how it's worked with the car and can somehow throw things off. txevo and others are right, you might be just fine, but it just depends on how much of a "careful" freak you are. For those who are obsessed over being "safe" do some logging and tests. gl!

 

DONT SWEAT IT BRO!!! Don't need datalog at all!! Do what I said, and you are golden!!! Don't over think it!! If it was my car, I would boost up to 20 if you wanted to. Your car has saftey parameters anyway in the ECU. Seriously, your over thinking this guys. The fuel pump isn't pumping in more fuel then the stock injectors allow anyway, and all he is doing is opening up the restrictive air flow. YOU ARE FINE!!! Just set the boost to 20 tops, which means you have to get into boost to find out where that is, or the knobs can be preset so many clicks.

 

Haha yea its been hard but i figured I'd wait till spring/summer to mod it. And I know i need a boost gauge I just forgot to put it in that list. I was planning on keeping the boost at stock even after I install the boost controller. I was only going to increase it once I get to the shop for the tune. Would I still need to do the battery disconnect thing?

 

Broham, please don't scare him unnecessarily!! lol. If it was my car, I would do just as I put up there, and get into boost to set the controller to 20-21PSI, so yes, in boost, "Safe boost range" until I got tuned. Come on Bro, I broke it all on an evo, and replaced and upgraded about every part. This is a NON ISSUE. Stop scaring him like that, unless you can justify (I did) as to why he should do all this stuff. Now a Flatbed?? Seriously? I won't ramble on, but do what I said, your welcome.

 

Change all the stuff you listed, do the "Brain auto-learn" by disconnecting the battery yes. Do not needed to do the battery stuff, if your just installing a gauge. Only if you change the airflow/fuel.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Smokedmustang I'll do as you say it makes sense.

 

I wouldn't steer you wrong, your fine.

 

I'm sure he'll have no problems since he is not changing any major tune required components. I am not trying to scare anybody just been around to many "****" people I guess, who just love to log log log and make sure everything is 100 percent before they even drive the car 30 minutes. On a side note, it wouldn't hurt for you to learn how to atleast log some data. Good luck on the tune!!

smoked, it's all in the individual. Some people will simply not move an inch without a tune after parts install even though "nothing" would happen. ITs all in the obsessiveness. But the way I see it is, it won't hurt him to log anyway if there is a friend. A flatbed is quite excessive unless there is some serious problems that you don't want to operate the car for 2.5 hours. But i understand you smoked, good tips!

 

I understand you too broham, but overly cautious isn't a bad thing, unless the cost wont outweigh the benefit. I see your point too though, so thanks for your input. I wasn't insinuating you were steering him wrong, hope you didn't think that.