Hey all!
I was directed here from some members of NASIOC to handle all my Evo needs!
A little background, I'm from Omaha, NE. Just traded in my 07 WRX TR for an 03' Lightning Yellow Evo8 with 71k. It's INCREDIBLY clean as it was garaged it's whole life in Hawaii (apparent sun damage on the spoiler CF).

Anyway, here's to my question(s).
I realize it's got 71k on it, and the previously owner more than likely beat on it a little bit...however...I hear a sound similar to a hardcore injector tick my Subie used to have. Is that more than likely the sound I'm hearing? It sounds like injectors ticking at least...However, I have no experience with Evo motors so I don't know if that's a normal sound or not? I've been checking for engine knock like crazy, so far so good...However, I'm afraid the ticking injector-like sound is abnormal.

Also, secondly, the previous owner put some aftermarket parts onto the car...however I'm unable currently to verify exactly what they are.
I KNOW for a fact he went for a cattless setup as my CEL light is still on from it. He used the stock evo Catback, mated to a cattless downpipe, with a new test pipe. Here's my question regarding this: I want to change to an AMS cattless setup. I've done as much research as I can gather on my own and I believe the stock catback is 2.25, someone correct me if I'm wrong. With that being said, if I added an AMS catback, I would in turn also have to replace the downpipe and testpipe correct? Because, they wouldn't fit to a 3"? Or, can I just add the catback and get an opensource tune without having to replace the downpipe and testpipe as they would mate up perfectly fine to the AMS catback? I do apologize as I do not have the brand(s) as of yet, however it is a downpipe and testpipe attatched to the stock exhaust.

If this is in the wrong place feel free to flame and scold as I am very new to the world of Evos.

 

Just get the catback you want and it will mate up with the test pipe. Btw, evo's downpipe doesn't have a cat from factory.

 

Thanks man.
So, if I get the catback I want, it will indefinitely mate up to both the DP and the TP?

Wait, so you're saying that's not why I'm throwing the CEL?!

 

First I will say welcome an great choice you won't turn back as far as the tick it's more then likely lifter tick I've never herd of it being bad other them annoying at times you can always get some no tick lifters good luck man

 

Thanks man!
The only thing I miss about the Subie honestly is the memories I've made in that car. Logged 60k in that 07 by myself.

Regardless, so lifter tick isn't bad, correct? Like, 100% verifyable?
I'm asking all these questions because I have a 30 day warranty from the dealer so I'm trying to cover every single base. I honestly may take it to Mitsubishi tomorrow morning and have them look at it.

Fugiwara has got me tripping though on the CEL. The dealer claimed it was because it was completely cattless. I figured in my head, "Okay...makes sense...if I did that to my Subie, my car would throw CELs."
Now, I'm just playing all these scenarios in my head...knock cels...oh lord. If I pull anything horribad or Mitsubishi notices something horribly wrong...I may get on BMWs rearend over this.

 

check the code at autozone and search and then see which CEL you're throwing. I don't think 8s have an O2 sensor on the cat do they? a 9 will throw a CEL if you don't have an O2 sensor. when you buy the Mil.Spec 100 cell HFC the 9 option gives you a bung so you don't throw a cell.

 

As far as I know lifter tick is nothing to panic about but please someone correct me if I'm wrong I had a 2g eclipse that had lifter tick forever and I had that to over a 140k lol I don't think it's anything to worrie about but maybe someone else has some input
Good luck

 

Sorry man, I'm trying my best to follow all this and thanks for the help. So, because I have an 8, if there isn't an 02 sensor in the cat, then I wouldn't be throwing a cat because of that correct? He is running an aftermarket DP, so perhaps he threw in an 02 bung with it?
I'm so lost to the world of Evos...I've been reading all night, and I still feel like I know absalutely nothing.

 

What you are describing sounds like lifter tick, which seems to be fairly common for Evos. Mine has had it since it was pretty much new in 05.

Also, if the stock catback is working with the test pipe on there, I would think that any aftermarket catback should bolt up just fine.

 

Perfect. So, nothing really to worry about? To me, it sounded like my injectors ticking like on my Subie. However, I cannot hear the tick when in motion. Only idling really.

 

Thanks a ton man! Alright, so AMS catback it is.

I'm still concerned about the CEL. I know I can go pull the CEL in the morning, but I would have expected BMW to pull the CEL when taking in a used car to see what it is to verify...the guy claimed it was from the cattless setup...however, I do know how dealerships like to...well...you all know.

 

Yea that's the famous lifter tick lol if you want to get rid of it just look into some gsc no tick lifters

 

Can you run no tick lifters with GSC s2 cams?
Maybe a dumb question, as I'm so not used to the way this damn car is built...I've been underneath Subarus my whole life. This whole...evo/awd talon/etcetc setups are boggling my mind.

 

Again, thanks everyone for the responses...I'm going for a nice little spirited drive, I'll check back when I'm done. So, food for thought for anyone to eat...

Maybe it's not the downpipe that would cause the CEL, what about the replacement of the testpipe? Would that cause a CEL?

 

Haha absolutely you can I run s2s and love them I don't have the no tick lifters but you can run both