Noob here. Recently bought a 04 Evo 8 and last weekend took it to its first track day. The idea was to have a reference for future modifications; thus I only replaced fluids and brake pads, otherwise the car was just like I bought it.

I´m coming from a turbo Miata so it was quite a change. The miata was definetly faster with all the modifications (210whp/2100lbs/RComps), but the Evo being almost stock still managed to do a decent job. The tires were really the weakest point (ContiSportContact3 225/40/18). The car undesteers on corner exit, but it is manageabe, I´m guessing a good alignment can help here too, before moving to a front LSD to replace the stock one (open).


Here´s a list on what´s planned for the next event on January:
- Dunlop Direzza Z1 255/35/18 (already on their way)
- A decent alignment, I´m thinking -2 camber front, -1 camber back, 0 toe all around. There won´t be much room on the stock suspension from what I read.
- Project Mu Level 900 brake pads (on their way)
- Perrin wastegate selenoid / JDM map sensor and a reflash (awaiting installation)

Any other suggestions for "basic stuff to get done for a track evo" would be appreciated.



Here´s the top 15 time table on the local track... domination is almost complete :

1) Gianni Zotti - Porsche 911 Turbo 996
53.62

2) Sebastián Torres - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
54.40

3) Alberto Lyon - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
54.72

4) Alvaro Aranda - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
54.83

5) Cosme Barrazabal - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
55.27

6) Gabriel Alvarez - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI TME
55.81

7) Gonzalo Huerta - Lotus Exige S
55.96

8) John Neary - Porsche 911 993
56.80

9) Francisco Bidegain - Subaru Impreza STI
57.06

10) Michael Hadwa - Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
57.37

11) Gonzalo Carmona - Mazda Miata Turbo
57.46

12) Alex Renner - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII -> This is ME
57.97




Now the pics.....

 

Looks good man, Im sure youll be happy with the switch. Your alignment specs sound about right for stock suspension. If I was you I would throw a rear sway on there asap as well. Robispec has a real nice adjustable 4 position one.

 

Congrats!

Skip the street rubber and get a spare pair of 17" wheels and put on some R-Comps. You have driven them on other cars so you know what its about.

Work on the suspension and open up the intake and exhaust while pulling out some weight and you will start laying down some serious numbers.

 

Yes, eventually I´ll ditch the Ultraleggeras (18x8 dammit) and get a decent track wheel + tire. This is just the stuff I bought the car with. Now the fun begins The H&R springs have to go too, unfortunately the previous owner doesn´t have the OEM springs, so I´m a bit stuck with them until I decide to go for a track suspension; unless Evo IX springs work for the VIII? I have a couple of friends that have them sitting in their garages.

 

IX springs will work fine on your car.

Also, is your car a us spec evo? Fitting a front lsd will definitely help with front end bite.

 

Yes, it´s a US-spec Evo 8. One of the few actually, most of the Evos we get are JDM-spec (V, VI, VII, and IX).

Thanks for the info on springs, I´ll put the stockers back in.

 

From my experience, the brakes are the weakest item on the car, especially as you increase power. Definitely look into AMSs duct kit (its the best, but to save money the Forge or HLMS kits are fine). Some people say the duct kit is useless, but I saw a night and day difference between with and without. Besides, you don't want to be risky with brakes!

 

Wow, i lived in chile for a long time and you speak better english than ANY chilean i ever met.

 

SICKNESS!

I went to high school in Venezuela with a guy who's grandparents owned/operated the vineyards that make the "Concha y Toro" wines. I wonder how he's doing... been almost 15 years...

 

Brake cooling ducts are a definite yes. I didn´t notice any fading even with the street pads I was running (axxis ultimate) but this is on stock power, ****ty street tires and short stints. Next time is going to be tougher.

Tkuoha well yeah, things have improved around here since you left now really, i work for an american company so that may explain my english. Did you hate the country? when was this?

 

Sick man Evos FTW

 

I actually got to ride as a passenger in the Superleggera. Best auditive experience ever. It´s fast, too


Regarding wine companies, they´ve suffered a lot the last 2 years because of the weak dollar / strong chilean peso (that means their export prices were comparatively more expensive). Nowdays they should be fine. Actually a few days ago a chilean wine was ranked "wine of the year" by wine spectator, that was pretty cool.

http://top100.winespectator.com/wineOfTheYear-2008.html

 

you're on the right track. flopping your front camber bolts over will get you a tick over -2. maybe -2.2. really, -3.5 is more ideal for a track setup. but you'll need adjustable plates for that.

add rear sway bar to the list, as mentioned.

and get the widest stickiest tire you can fit. only issue, once you do r compound, you won't want to go back.

 

Thanks for the helpful replies

 

Nice shots, looks like your was almost on 2 tires