how's it going guys? a little introduction, name is Jason, i have a integra that i built the motor for myself, forged pistons, rods blah blah. slapped a T3/T04E 54trim .63a/r turbo on it. it made decent jam, 256whp and 210tq on 8psi but i recently blew the headgasket on it so it's probably going to get a vtec head and a re-tune on the dyno at perhaps 15+ psi, we will see what it makes.

here it is cause everyone likes pics






anyways, i have a daily beater integra but i'm looking to upgrade. my budget is between about $16-$20K so i thought about importing a Evo8/9 from the states since we got shafted here in canada. i'm planning on picking it up from the buffalo new york area. I don't have a problem with importing it, my brother is a customs broker so he can take care of stuff on that end for me. i have a daughter so i've been looking for something with 4 doors that i can put her in every now and then (she mostly travels in the bimmer, but every now and then i would have to put her in the evo) but something that's still fun for me....expecially when it snows..
oh i should add that i'm looking for a 100% stock one, and it will remain stock....for the most part..lol

i'm a little confused (and please, correct me if i'm wrong) on what model to get. now from my research, the 2004-2006 evo MR is the one to get because
it has the 280hp (i think) the better bilstein shocks, and the better LSD, among other things.

is the MR the way to go? what if it's not the MR, am i selling myself short and should i hold out for the MR? also, what's the price ranges on the 04-06 evo mr's?

are there any common problems that come up in high(er) mileage cars? or any key things to look out for when looking for a evo8? for example, i'm looking at this one paticular car, it's for $16, but has 79,xxxmiles on it, now i'm also not sure if it is a MR aswell, but how bad are the non-MR's?

here's a link to the one i'm looking at.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

^now that's the only one in that price range that is the 9 compaired to the 8 that comes with the enki's like this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

^i can find more of those with that style bumper and the enki's (evo..8 right?) in the $15-$17k range while evo 9's are mostly in the $22+ area....i think this is where i'm confused.

please, any help would be great! thanks in advance!

 

You are carping about 10 HP. A butt dyno won't feel that. You are correct on the bilstiein struts though they are better than the stockers.

Other than that there isn't much on an MR that is much better than the rest in my opinion. They(MR) also have the 6 speed trans. Some like them some not so much. AFAIK there are not a lot of high HP cars with the 6 speed. I wouldn't pay more for the MR badge.

Bottom line is get what you want the heck with what people on here say myself included.

79K miles ins't a lot if it's an 8. I would be sure the clutch isn't shot because the person that had it before you was a duck. Other than that the 4G is a pretty bullet proof engine.

Second edit the one in your post doesn't look too bad from the ad. You would have to check it in person to be sure though. Nice Interga BTW. That looks to be a HUGE turbo!

 

^right, i forgot about the 6spd, 6 or 5, doesn't really matter to me unless the 6spd has MUCH shorter gears than the 5spd. horsepower i'm not too concerned about, anything with atleast 250 and i'm happy, it is afterall a daily.

but aparantly the MR has a better LSD, and improvements to the ACD 5 + Super AYC 6 traction control (thanks wikipedia) do all of these make a significant difference? from what i've been looking at price wise, is the better LSD etc etc on the MR worth the extra 5-8g's?

 

Judging by your Integra the mod bug will bite you and that 270 won't be enough for long!

 

**** i hope not...but a 4wd car with a GT35R or something would be fun!

 

Trust me you will get the mod bug.. I think everyone does to some extent eventually. And IAW wiki
The MR edition was introduced to the US in 2005, with ACD and the only model with a 6-speed transmission. The 2005 US spec RS and GSR have the ACD standard, and the front helical limited-slip differential is now standard on all models.

I personally do not think the MR is worth the extra money, but at the same time if you are patient you will find one within your price range eventually. It's all about how long you are willing to wait.

Taken from a post in the forums..

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MODEL YEARS:
'03 AND '04 models- 271hp 273tq
Intercooler sprayer
RS model available in '04 (Front LSD, aluminum roof, no ABS, no power features)

'05 models - 276hp 286tq
Active Center Differential (ACD) on all models
Front LSD on all models
Intercooler sprayer no longer available
10.5 hotside on turbocharger
MR model now available (aluminum roof, Bilstein Shocks, 17.74lb BBS charcoal grey multispoke rims, 6spd trans, vortex generators)
RS still available
Sun, Sound, Leather (SSL) model of base VIII available (subwoofer, power sunroof, leather seats, HIDs)
No HIDs on base VIII

'06 models - 286hp 289tq
ACD still available
MIVEC has been added (variable valve timing)
Lighter Valve Cover
Added larger compressor housing to same 16g turbo from 05
Revised coolant passages in the head allowing for more boost/timing on pump gas
Last model year to use the 4g63 engine
SE models available as late year 06s (known as Evo 9.5s)
Hollow camshafts

Some more info for you.

 

hrm, not much of a hp jump with the addition of MIVEC. that's suprizing. i think i'm going to look for a 05 model now. anything else to lookout for when looking at a used evo?

Thanks for the responses!

 

There's ~20-25whp difference between a VIII and a IX. I hope you don't mind my saying that you have a long road ahead. Before shopping for an Evo, I'd strongly suggest familiarizing yourself with the various models. The MR, relative to its generation, differs from other Evos by having a less robust transmission (6-speed) and an excellent Bilstein suspension that most MR buyers sold for inferior Asian coilovers. Power-wise, diff-wise, etc there's no difference between the cars, again, relative to their respective generations.

When shopping for used Evos, you have to look at each car as an individual. As you'll be buying in Buffalo, STM is very close. They're an Evo-specific shop with national acclaim and you're be best-off having them go though the car before you either buy it or take it over the border. Given your price range, it doesn't sound like you're looking forward to thousands in repairs. Good luck.

 

^Thanks! see i diden't know about that evo specific shop, but i will definatly be giving them a call when i pick it up. basically i just wanted to find out what is difference is before buying so that i'm not selling myself short, for example if i were in the market for a integra, i'd buy the type R since it came with a LSD, shorter gearing and crap like that.

i'm probably going to keep the stock suspension, it is a daily and it needs to be comfortable since my daughter will be in it, so that means no stiff *** rattle your teeth out suspension, altho i'd love to slam the hell out of it..lol

 

My advice to you is stay on the forums and learn more about evos to find the suitable one for you wether its evo 8 or 9 mr or se. I would say get the base model with 5 speed and auto windows they are ratherly cheaper and very easy to live with (stronger 5 spd) and slap some bilsteins when you can I drive on the stock KYB shocks and leme tell you its not a HUGE difference from my buddys MR.

 

ah gotcha. ya i think i'm just going to grab a regular non MR model with the 5spd. i've been doing some research and from what i gather it's not worth the extra money for the MR (nothing against MR owners), hell they even said it on top gear! haha. so i think i'm going to start to look for a evo 8 with the factory 6 spoke enki rims.

i also called and spoke with Brian from STM tuning in buffalo, very nice guy, he said i can bring the car by and he will toss it on the lift to check it out before i buy it, he said he will also let me know if he comes across any stock evo8's he knows of for sale. if i can find one and buy it i'll probably just get him to change out all the fluids and give the car a once over.

Thanks guys for your help, i really appreciate it! helpful community you guys have going on here.

 

oh and one other quick question, do all models of the evo 8/9 come with the brembo calipers?

 

Yes, all of the 8/9 comes with brembo.