My Car History: It all started in highschool with my 88 Mazda Rx-7 (non turbo). I saved up all my money for it working at McDonalds, and continued to spend my paychecks to build it: Coilovers, Full Exhaust, Intake, Blitz wheels, aero, Nardi Wheel. I also learned how to do maintenance like changing the oil, thermostat, starter etc. I loved my car. I ended up spinning out on some twisty roads and getting T-boned. The door was crunched and the rear subframe was bent, but I drove it home without a tow. I got a negligent driving ticket and got cancelled off of my parents insurance. I replaced the subframe myself and continued to drive it until I made the decision to switch to an 87 turbo supra. That lasted for around a month before the radiator exploded on a high speed run. It ended up with a blown headgasket and major engine damage. I sold that for some change and bought a 2000 S2000. This car handled better then anything ive ever driven. It was reliable. It redlined at 9k. My girlfriend loved being the passenger and having the top down. I got coilovers for it, some gram light wheels, a catback, test pipe, intake and carbon fiber hood and trunk. I got stuck in a winter storm and had to stay at my parents for close to a week. She made me promise id never make her live through that again. Ive always wanted to try wheeling and decided to sell the s2k and buy a jeep. I did. It broke down in a month. It had electrical gremlins, I replaced the computer, crank position sensor. It ran fine for a week before breaking down again. Then I had an epifany...I could have a fast car that handles amazing, yet can get me around in the snow.

The Evo:I test drove two modified EVOs before finding mine. They where both abused and in need of a tune. I could hear them detonating, and they did not boost right. I found a one owner, stock 2004 Evo 8 on a lot advertised for 20k. I test drove it, told him I really wanted an s4 but would pay 20k out the door for the Evo (the less interest you show, the more they are willing to budge on the price). I drove it off the lot that day and I could not be happier! It feels very well built and solid! This car has SOOOO much grip...I have still yet to find its limits (and dont intend to until I track it). The Service Engine Soon light recently came on, and I will test it to see what code it is tomorrow. I am trying to drive it around without boosting too much, which is really hard to do because boost is addictive.

Future Plans: I plan on lowering it, getting some nice wheels, doing basic bolt ons and getting a tune. I will probably get a roof rack and some nice winter tires to take it up to the pass for snowboarding too.

 

nice welcome to the evo community. introduce yourself in the PNW section

 

Welcome

 

The code is: p0300. I did some research and it looks like this is a common problem with 03/04 Evos. I have a scangauge and cleared it. It ran fine and the light didnt show up again until starting it this morning (didnt even drive it, the light just came on). Is it safe to drive as is or is it really just a ECU program issue that can be fixed with a flash?

 

You should plan a trip down to English Racing to get a tune. They will sort out the light for you as well.

 

pull out the plugs and make sure they are gapped properly or change them for the piece of mind. do you know the last time spark plugs were changed? If not just change, its a cheap maintenance.

 

Is the trip to English Racing worth it for a stock reflash and the 0300 light, or should I wait until I get my bolt ons? How much difference will a REflash make on a stock EVO? Also, do I need to regap NGK Iridium plugs (IGR7A-G, plug gap: .032) if I decide to replace mine? It was serviced at a dealership its whole life so I assume they have been changed recently, but I do not know for sure.

 

Update: I took my car in to Younker Mitsubishi to get looked at:

Found code P0300 only

Engine compression:

#1 150PSI
#2 160PSI
#3 160PSI
#4 175 PSI

Spec is 138

Spark plugs are factory, within spec
Checked for Vacuum leaks, found none
checked PCM data - long fuel trim 12.5% runs lean - PCM has no updates

They said they had no way of telling if the stock code was overwritten but were guessing it had mods at one point and time, was tuned, mods removed and running on that tune...

What else could cause the long fuel trim to be 12.5% and run lean?

 

Why dont you listen to the people that already posted above instead of wasting your money at the stealership.

 

Having the same code I suggest doing your sparkplugs, I'm replacing mine and going a bit colder on them plus changing out my coil packs to be on the safe side..

 

I took my Evo to English Racing!

They did the 90k maintenance
Installed a Walbro Fuel Pump
Installed a Boost Controller
Installed a lower intercooler pipe
and tuned it

The final numbers are:

Before tune:
240 hp
259 torque

After tune:
269 hp
287 torque

I was told I need to open up the exhaust and get an intake next. I also want to get coilovers and wheels soon...and I need new brake rotors and pads...looks like im going to be working alot of over time!

 

You paid 20grand for a evo with 90k? Holy crap. I bought mine bone stock 03 evo 8 in November 2012 with 11k miles for 22k.

 

Congrats, thats a steal of a deal!

I sold my s2000 with coilovers, gram light wheels, titanium exhaust, intake and carbon hood and trunk for 11k...



I wish I could have traded instead of taken the loss. What is done is done and now its build time