OK, I picked up my new '04 Evo on Saturday. I traded in my 2000 Trans Am, which I love, but I was not driving it much due to its lack of room. I really liked how the Evo could fit 5 people in comfort, as well as being one of the most fun cars that I've ever driven, so I decided to buy one. The 10 year/100,000 mile warranty and the 3 year/45,000 mile free maintenance also helped convince me to buy it.

The Evo had about 120 miles on it (I think it was sitting at the dealership for awhile). I read a couple of threads about breaking the motor in, and I'm concerned that mine will not make as much horsepower because I still have the synthetic oil in. I also had a lengthy drive down the turnpike on the way home from the dealership, which also didn't help. Luckily, I am not currently daily driving the car, so it's sitting in my garage with 329 miles. From what I've read on this forum, the best way to break these cars in to make the optimal amount of horsepower is to run dino oil for the first couple thousand miles and don't be afraid to drive the car hard. If I change the oil now, is there still a chance to break the engine in properly? I believe I read that Castrol GTX is a good dino oil to use - which weight would be best? I didn't really see a consensus on the whole issue, so I'm still a bit confused over the whole thing. I would like to change the oil before the weekend so I can put some miles on the car over the weekend.

Another general question I have is what modifications can I make to the car to make some more horsepower without voiding the warranty? I'm assuming that re-flash of the CPU I read about would void it, right? How about turbo-back exhaust? Mitsu seems to be pretty stingent with their warranty, and I don't want to void it because I'm sure I won't be able to afford major work to the car if I have problems somewhere down the road.

I'm sure such questions have been asked and answered plenty of times around here, but I'm just looking to gain the most enjoyment out of my new car. Please forgive me if everyone's seen such a post a million times before.

 

Just drive it and enjoy the car. Avoid extended high RPM and freeway crusing for a while. Change the oil at about 1k miles to get the crud out of the break in oil, and follow Mitsu's service schedule after that. Since you got the car at 120 miles, I am sure it got the driving that it needed to set the rings.

 

I would recommend you first read the break-in procedure that Mitsubishi recommends in the owners manual. Not trying to be a wise-guy, just saying look there first then decide if what others are recommending/saying is smarter than the manufacturer for break-in procedures.

 

I think you made a mistake buying the extended warranty and wanting to already modify your car. I am waiting for my warranty to fully run out until I really start getting into a bigger turbo, etc. I would follow what the manual says for the break in period. Remember that you have a new engine and it requires you taking it easy for a while. As far as oil goes, I did not run the dino oil because my old WRX ran like crap when I was breaking it in w/ the factory fill. I put in mobil 1 after a couple of hundred miles and the car ran like a champ. It's up to you on what you plan on doing. Also, Mitsu will try and void your warranty for anything you do to your car, especially the dino oil...

Just my 2cents.

 

Let's put it this way when it comes to warranty. If the car didn't come with it from the factory, then you void the warranty, but it also depends on the dealership if they would do any repair. Meaning if something happens to your Evo and it's major ( which would cost alot of fix) then the dealership can blame any aftermarket part you installed. Now on the breaking in part. Avoid high rpm and go with dino oil for a couple thousand miles. I know what you are talking about driving the car hard from other thread. People don't realize that, that particular method is good only if you have an engine dyno. Think about it, the guy talks about breaking the engine in by driving it hard, what about the tranny, transfer case, and rear diff. Okay you break in the motor but you will probably "break" something also in the drivetrain. Like the clutch which you know by now alot and I do mean alot of people are having problems with.

 

Actually I did not buy the warranty or the free maintenance, Mitsubishi is including it with all of their new cars now at no additional price. I am just curious as how could Mitsu void the warranty if I use dino oil if they don't know I used it? If I run it for a couple thousand miles, then switch back to Mobil 1, how will they know any better? I don't think I get my first free oil change until 5,000 miles anyway, which is plenty of time to make a couple of oil changes.

As far as modifications, I am not looking to do anything serious, I am just curious if there is anything I can do that would not endanger the warranty, particularly the turbo back exhaust. I just feel that the car could use a bit more power, which is why I'm curious over the controversy over the break-in period. If there is truly the potential of a 20-hp difference depending on how the car is broken in, that sounds like the easiest & cheapest 20-hp you can gain. I've read Mitsu's suggestions, but I'd like to pick up some additional power if necessary. I don't plan on pushing the car too hard during break-in (although I'm sure that the guys at the dealership probably beat this thing before I bought it), but I wouldn't shy away from a bit of spirited driving.

I appreciate all comments so far, please keep them coming!

 

Congrats on the new car... have a blast with it

 

I did a very light break-in on my car, even lighter than the factory recommended. No more than 3,000 rpm for the first five hundred miles, then slowly raising the rpm's as I got closer to 1,000 miles. My car never saw seven grand until after the 1,000 mile mark.

You only get ONE chance to break it in correctly, so have the patience to do it right.