I agree, kept my Evo stock aside from a basics like exhaust and boost control. Some of these people raping their Evos to be something they were never meant to be is just cringe.

 

Every time I see one set up for drag racing.... bagged.... a few other builds... I just get a little sad inside because of the lost potential.

 

Preach brotha...I'm trying to keep mine stockish as long as possible. I've recently rebuilt my long block with a brand new short block from the dealer and rebuilt head (with upgraded parts), rebuilt my tcase, and rebuilt/ installed aftermarket LSD rear diff. I didn't get to purchase my Evo when I originally wanted one back in 2006 I had just barely graduated college super broke. Got my Evo in my mid 30's so doing everything under the sun with it wasn't the plan. Trying to keep things reserved it very hard I do admit, but having purchased the Evo now that people are moving to new platforms is you can see what worked and what didn't long-term. Also parts are super cheap, I've scored so many times with this Evo on parts.

 

Mine has a new OEM longblock, TRE rear diff, and Shep trans. All bushings have been replaced... Tie rod ends... Just about anything I can think of is new. Everything on the car works perfectly. There's nothing like the feeling of knowing the history of the parts and that they are fresh and good to go.
My T-case is still original, but if it ain't broke.... *knocking on wood*.
I have a garage full of OEM replacement parts as well as every single OEM part I've removed, right down to the cat and airbox.

 

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This x100 that's where I want to end up as well. History and knowing everything has been replaced is probably a 2nd owners or in my case 3rd owners dream.

 

If I ever sell this thing, the new owner will be getting one hell of a car.

 

I bought this 2003 Evo 8 and it was a Frankenstein. It was modded and they took off the mods just before they sold it. One of those cars everything they touched I had to fix. Anyway the end result of my years of time, money, and work has paid off and I have a stock Evo 8 that looks good, runs great, and something I enjoy. It has enough power for me. You get the attention driving one and people wave and say "right on" and stop and talk to you in parking lots and such. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. Keeping it stock here for the fun of it. It's good enough as is. I still get the wow factor driving it without all the expense.

 

The market overwhelmingly prefers well-preserved cars that are faithful to the original spirit, with period-correct modifications that improve the experience. I had an extensive vision for my Evo 1 RS but am scaling back the modifications accordingly. Any modified cars that are overly elaborate and complicated - especially with modifications that are polarizing - are just awful to have.

Roll bar for safety with a partially gutted interior? It's not essential.
Cutting quarter panels to fit decent tires? No sir.
Stitch welding the chassis for strength? I can live without it.
Race dash in place of stock cluster? Nope.
Full-tilt EFR 8374 setup to never lose a race? The EFR 7670 makes it much more pleasant to drive, races be damned.
Solid bushings to increase feedback and make the car faster? Absolutely not.
Decats, noisy fuel pumps, harsh clutches, solid engine/diff mounts, tacky aero mods, etc are net negatives to me.

With that said, Evo 1s aren't nearly the cars that Evo 8s are, so I still want to improve it. I'm still happy to forge the engine with a big EFR and fully build the driveline in it, in addition to modern suspension components. Some things make a better driving experience and are desirable to all buyers and admirers: great tires, Ralliart anything, Ohlins dampers, better brakes, etc. But my expenditures these days are mostly buying up OEM parts for a full cosmetic restoration first: modern underpinnings with an original(ish) appearance are a winning combination.

 

You can't fault track-prepped cars for not being comfortable weekend cruisers.

 

mine is probably more comfortable driving it to/from events, than other people's tow rig setup. I normally catch up to them after an hour head start me changing to highway tires (courtesy wave)

 

I'm kinda in the same situation..I was graduating HS when the Evo 9 came out (no money) went to college (no money) graduated, started working and paying off student loans (little/no money). Finally in my early 30's I was able to get the Evo I wanted in 2006: A Wicked White Evo 9 MR. The car is stock and its tempting to mod it, but I've had enough experience with loud exhausts, exhaust fumes, solid bushings, low ride height, emissions issues(CA) and unwanted attention from 5-0 with my s14 to appreciate the Evo in stock form..at least for now.

 

That's awesome man! Congrats on the purchase...it's 100% stock? It's pretty rare to find a 100% stock Evo unless it has been parted out and put back to stock, either way starting from a reliable start point is what I wanted. So I haven't done any power mods beside Tomei Ti cbe and KN carb legal intake. I have been upgrading other things like interior, and minimal suspension (worn bushings, lowering springs, etc.) I have a bunch of parts i've purchased but haven't installed them yet.

 

When I go to my local track, I toss in some fuel containers (Fire ball.. I know...) and drive there on my wheels/tires. It's so, so, SO much simpler than all of this:




My Evo is prepped for track use... but the last car I bought for track duty, and anything else I own from now on, will always pass CA smog. It's just not worth the part swapping every two years. A/C, etc is a a given. YEARS ago, i used to drive around in cars like you describe. Neeeeever again, though I do still take the Evo out from time to time. It still has AC, though

 

It's stock other than the AEM CARB legal intake, LICP and UICP. I consider throwing the stock air box on it to make the engine more stock looking. I will mod it, but it's going to be a very minimal and methodical approach. I want to accentuate the car's stock performance features, not replace them if that makes sense

Yeah it's just not worth the hassle. I've been demodding my s14 for this very reason, but its still a far cry from my stock Evo in terms of normal car standards.

The coilovers aren't even that aggressive but it made a huge difference in NVH and comfort for that car and its the main reason I'm hesitant on getting a set for the Evo..

 

Although I'm in TX I want stock/sleeper look as possible, mostly to lower the expectation and combat the dedicated-racecar-moneypit-evo label. I was going to attach the airbox lid to the snorkel and make up some brackets to make it more stock looking. maybe this winter. I also use 'molded' hoses for the catch can system