I currently own a turbo S2000, but am looking into Evos. Probably an Evo X. Not sure if it would be in addition to or to replace my S2000, but thats a different story...

Anyways, I just had some various questions about them...

How is the ride in a stock Evo X? Is the wind noise or engine loud? Is the suspension rough? Likely wouldn't stay stock for long if i got one, but just want to know what I would be starting with...

What kind of issues do Evo Xs have? Any drivetrain problems at the stock power level? What about driving a stock one at autocross or a road course? Any major problems to be had with the drivetrain or otherwise? (Please include both 5spd and automatic/paddle gearbox in your thoughts).

What about once upgraded to make more power with an aftermarket manifold and larger turbo (GT30 for the sake of argument)... do they have any drivetrain problems then? At what power level does the transmission (both 5sp and automatic/paddle) start to have issues? What about the diffs?


Basically, I'm wondering if it is viable/possible to have a mid 11 second Evo X that will still be reliable both at the dragstrip as well as on the street/autocross/road course.

My end goal would be the "ultimate daily driver" that would be fast and reliable in a straight line as well as at the road course/autocross. Since I'm an Evo noob, I have no idea how much work that would take or if its even possible to do (reliably) at all...

Anyways, any thoughts or recommendations would be highly appreciated. I asked about both the 5spd and the automatic/paddle transmissions, because I still haven't decided between what trim level I would want...

Thanks.

 

I don't think an 11 sec daily driven Evo X would be impossible. The car overall left in stock form is very reliable. I think the car rides pretty well for what the type of car that it is, I don't necessarily think that it is comfortable enough for me take it on a long trip personally.

However a few things that a lot of evo x owners have noticed are on the 5 speed tranny's they feel a little notchy, not necessarily the end of the world.

I know some guys have had issues with timing chain stretch, but I have yet to experience it on mine, however mine only has 29000 miles on it and doesn't get driven a whole lot.

They make good power with bolt ons and being tuned, exhaust, turbo, cams etc...

I'm not too familiar with the autobox, hopefully some of the guys can chime in on that one.

 

I recently bought an Evo X MR with touring/premium package. It's my dd and I love it. The leather Recaro's are comfortable and the ride is smooth, the MR comes with Bilstein struts and Eibach springs. The package includes improved sound deadening which reduces road noise. It also has the TC-SST transmission which is also good for dd, no third pedal = no regrets in rush hour.

The down side is that the TC-SST has it's limits in terms of power/torque. Evo X MR broke into the 11's back in October of 2010, but took a lot of work to get there.

The best mid 11's dd on the market is the GT-R.

 

ps that notchyness comes right out with the TWM shifter housing, under hood bushing + shifter. disipeers completly. only left with an amazing gated feeling nearly zero play shifter.

Over all.. you'll have no problems with the car. if you do your regular maintenance.

if you mod the car full bolt on's running e85 fp green you'll be 400 once you get over the 450awhp mark your getting in to breakage territory. not that anything will break right off the bat. you might be able to get 20k miles .. depending on maintenance and how you drive.

there are a few anyoing bits and bobs.. rattles. Engine noise is beautyful albiet one step down from a "renisis wankle" mmm that noise is heart racing.

ive had my car for over a year now been using it at the track auto x and a half *** daily driver. i tend to drive a plumbing van around during the days but i do all my erends etc in my evo.

go test drive one.

ps find a link on the diffrence between a ms3 vs evo front diff. it's amazing! evo's are built tough. Call up Shep transmissions they'll tell ya that unless your running 500+ whp you'll be just find apart from a new clutch.

My MR is at high altitude some bolt on's basic stuff in my sig 302 ftlb torque and the fender liner mod. with zero transmission over heating yet this season. 2 track days so far. mind you i'm in Canada on ice tires pulling in and out of my igloo garage... lol

anyways happy evo hunting!

 

I went from an s2000 to an 8. Felt like I was driving a Peterbilt