Hi guys, I was looking into buying an Evo and I was wondering what your opinions were. I am mainly just looking for something strong for the drag strip yet needs to be used as a daily driver. I hear that the Evo MR drivetrain is suppose to be stronger? If so does this apply to all 05's? Would the 5 speed be more stout then the 6 speed? I would plan on modding this car also. Thanks for the help!

 

??drag??

I would think the 6 speed would be better for daily driving. When I'm at the highway, I really do want a 6 speed...

 

i think the RS would be the better choice for dragging.

 

Oh no, Not another drag evo... If you want to drag, why do you want an evo? everyone knows the evo's strong point is it's handling. Get an STi or a Supra or something if you want to drag race. The evo was not built to go straight, it was built to handle. Get something else.

 

Not built to go straight? I saw a pretty nice 9second 1/4 run on 500-600ish hp. The 4g63 is pretty stout with boost unlike the sti from what I hear. The evo is just alot easier to mod then an STI right now. Supra's are RWD, expensive, and not really known for 1/4 mile times. I want something new, btw.

 

How about a Mustang or a GTO (I think those are kinda slick) or a Vette. I have all the respect in the world for the work involved in getting an EVO to run 11's on down, but I ask myself why start with an EVO and put yourself to all the driveline problems you are eventually going to have.

I'm not trying to put down drag racing, it is just not my cup of tea. I have a lot of respect for what it takes to run fast in any form of motorsport, and it is certainly great fun to watch an EVO run sub 12's. But, if drag racing is what gives you a buzz, and you are going to buy a brand new car intending drag mods, why pick an EVO?


That said, my opinion would be to avoid the 6sp for drag, because it is supposed to be weaker that the 5sp.

 

I cant use something RWD. I wont be able to get around in the winter and I would rather not have to buy a beater to get around. Insurance would probably be higher on a RWD. Evo's are AWD less problems with traction, but more problems with drivetrain like you said. Thats why im trying to see which one would be stronger at the drag strip. I bet alot of people on here go to the drag strip with their evo. <shrug>

 

Yes there are quite a few EVO drag racers.

To get back to your question here are your possible configurations and my opinions and questions

1) 5sp trans, limited slip rear diff, open front diff, 50/50 center diff. All 03's and non RS 04's
2) 5sp trans, limited slip front and rear diff, 50/50 center diff. 04 RS
3) 5sp trans, limited slip front and rear diff, active center diff. all 05's except MR
4) 6sp trans, LS front and rear, active center diff. MR

I would be willing to bet that the ACD is not going to be the best thing for drag. The drag racers will have to voice their opinions of the value of the front LSD for drag. With all the weight transfer to the rear wheels on a drag launch do you really need a front LSD? My opinion for drag... option 1

 

if ur going to drag race... i also assume you will heavily mod it for power.. which means sti is out of the question... you can spend $5G's and still not get 350whp....

and no the MR may have weaker tranny because it is a 6 speed... industry accepts the 5 speed as being more durable....

 

Supra all the way... thats gonna be my next car or a G35

 

True, the 6 speed wis slightly weaker... You figure, it's the same tranny housing as all others, with 1 more cog in it.. Therefore the space is limited and the rest of the cogs would be smaller to fit in the extra gear......

 

I am not saying the evo can't go straight I'm saying it was built to be more of a rally/road racing machine. But as Scotty Bob said, drag racing wouldn't be my first choice, I'm not trying to diss drag racing, it's just that I think there is a better car for drag racing than the evo. (BTW, I think the 9 second evo you're talking about is the TurboTrix evo)

 

Thanks alot Scottybob, I will look into it.

 

Having a front LSD will be beneficial for drag racing in an AWD car. On DSMs, the fast guys who were having tranny breakage problems found that their trannies would last a lot longer w/ the front LSD. My guess would be that it equally distributes the load to both front wheels, thus reducing the stress inside the tranny.

 

At what point do people break the 5 speeds? I dont think I've seen anyone break one? They break the t-cases... but not the gearbox...? Any guesses on the power level? What power level do people break the 6-speeds? 50whp less? 100whp less?

The other MRs came with hardened gears that were supposed to be 20% stronger, (edit: "The use of high-strength steel for the differential hypoid gears has raised fatigue strength by some 20%." -- presumably only the diffs are stronger) are we getting that in the US? Is that intended to make up for the (presumed) reduced gear face area for the 6-speed? Does it actually? or is it still weaker?