I plan on buying a used 8 or 9 in the near future. I was wondering if there are any big differences modding-wise between the Evo 8 and 9? My goal with the car is about 380-400whp for a daily driver.

 

8 would be cheaper to start so you will have more money to mod = win!

 

It'll take less money to get to 380 whp on a 9 since you have the bigger turbo and mivec, but since 9's are selling significantly more than 8's (at least in my area), that point is moot. But keep in mind you get the better interior and ACD. I'd go for an 05 if you can get one for not a lot more than an 03/04

 

go with which one you find thats clean and a good starting platform

 

Personally I have driven the both. The 9s are quicker because of the bigger turbo and the MiVec. I'm not a huge fan however of the ACD. I like the LSD the 03 and 04 have but thats my preference between the 2. Motor wise though that are prettty much the same and the parts are for the most part interchangeable. For the difference in cost between an 8 and 9 right now you can make an stock 8 faster than a stock 9.

 

besides front bumper and tail lights, are there any differences on the exterior? Are the interiors the same?

 

I believe the VIII's spoiler was full carbon vs the IX's only having a carbon center blade on the spoiler.

 

No they are the same.

 

Wrong, 9 wings are hollow and can fold in half , they had to save money somewhere adding the mivec and bigger turbo.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ng-debate.html

 

The 8 wing is full cf while the 9 is not.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...x/IMG_2249.jpg

Lots of threads on the differences between the two.

 

i got an 05 evo 8 that I daily drive. I got minimal mods and put down 340whp on 91 oct at 23psi and 410whp on e-85 at 30psi.

HKS Racing suction Intake
HKS 272 Cams
Invidia o2 housing + DP
Greddy Ti Catback
Wally 255
FIC 1100 cc injectors
GM Boost Solenoid.

 

The price difference depends on a lot of things. I see 05's still going for almost the same price as a IX. I'd go with the IX. I've driven both an 8 and 9 and I knew right away I wanted a 9. And the 9 just looks better IMO.

 

The IX has a lot of parts you'd want for modding and in general. metal BOV, larger turbo, mivec, ACD, longer 1st gear, etc. The leather seats are nice but I personally like the tighter fit of the VIII recaros. And IMO the ACD is a must. I actually wanted a IX but settled on a 05 VIII. Most of the things that make a IX better can be swapped in easily. Even the mivec head is relatively easy to swap in. But not the ACD, I don't even know if anyone has done it.

The value of the ACD is still not fully realized yet. Once the open source tuners can fully exploit its capabilities its going to be amazing. Right now its in the development phase, but already people can reflash and improve the performance of the ACD significantly. It just needs to have the kinks worked out, and a walkthrough is probably needed.

 

something to think about is the cost difference on parts for an viii vs ix. i know spark plugs for instance are significantly more expensive for the ix. MiVec cams i'm sure are more $$$. little stuff like that. If you don't mind the increased cost of owning a IX then do it. I own an VIII but bought it back when they first came out. wish i had a IX but will never get rid of my VIII now that it's paid off