Hey all,

I recently purchased my first Evo in :Edit: July, not January (weird auto correct). This will be my build/progress thread.

Meet Vela

Lets start with some photos.

Front



Rear



Side



Engine bay (Needs work)





I bought the car with 58,000 on it.

Mods on the car as of right now:

BR FMIC
BR Turbo Back (old style with o2 bung on the downpipe)
GrimmSpeed EBCS
Boost Gauge
Oil Pressure Gauge
Oil Temp Gauge

Parts on the list to install:

AEM Wideband UEGO w/ Digital Gauge
AEM 320 LPH high flow fuel pump
STM Upper and Lower Intercooler Piping
TiAL QR BOV
AEM Mini Battery Tray
Mini Battery (soon)
Precision 1000cc Injectors (soon)

I will keep this updated as much as possible when parts are acquired and installed.

Goal: Between 350-400whp and a good street tune.

Thanks for checking her out!

-Raptor

UPDATE: Because I am extremely disorganized, forgetful and too excited, I completely forgot to take progress photos while installing the new parts...

I installed everything listed above with the help of my buddy Kevin AKA evoNine and my brother.

Painted the AMS battery tray "Black" but it turned out to be more of a dark gun metal gray with a flake. Going to toss a few more coats on it whenever I get back home in July.

New unlisted parts: Odyssey PC680
Old Trusty Hallman MBC (black)


I took it to TPG Tuning in PA for a tune. While tuning it, we noticed the boost was fluctuating quite a bit so we swapped out the Grimmspeed BCS for a Hallman MBC and it held perfectly at 27lbs. It was nice and cool that day and it couldn't have run better.

 

Nice ride wish I had one lol

 

Thanks! Yeah, I hear you. It took me a lot of time to decide get an Evo or go with another 1g. Personally I love 1gs but needed something more practical (lol) with 4 doors and enough room for a baby seat while having a fun car to drive.

Next on the list for my wife's grocery getter is an Outlander AWD. Should be fun in the winter.

 

Lol at evo's being referred to as practical. But then again, to the wife/missus it does: AWD, 4 doors, child restraint, nice small motor (lol)

Congrats with the purchase, hope you enjoy it!

 

I totally understand you. I have three kids (6,5,1) and my integra is not very useful as a family car. It's my daily driver and my kids call it the "race car" lol. My wife has been very patient with me about my hobbie but now I know a k swapped integra with no ac is not family oriented. As soon as I get off of deployment, I am getting an Evo based on the fact that its a 4 door, has ac, child safety etc. lol hopefully I can convince my wife that.

 

Looks like a well-sorted build on a clean car.
Let's see how long your goals stay at only 350-400.

Brian and I (Zigg) will be happy to help you out along the journey ahead.

 

Hopefully she buys it! I was already finished with my loan ppw when we found out we were having a baby so I was a bit off the hook as soon as I gave her the ol' "It has 4 doors and roomy enough for a Recaro baby seat (that will stay in the car). She told me the other day that if we needed to get rid of a car, she wouldnt even think about me selling mine because she knows I love it so much. Her Mazda 3 will have to go, haha.


Thanks! I'll be looking for some new stuff probably around the 1st of the year timeframe. I wont be back to the states till July (for good). Then I can start doing the heavy stuff.

I'll post more photos up tonight on the parts I'll be installing in two weeks.

 

Updated 11/24/13!

 

Nice and clean!

 

good luck

 

Hey josh! Cars looking good man

 

Nice build, How long are you going to stay with your power goal?

 

JT- You're looking good I cant wait to ride in the S#!T box next season! I want to feel the boost.

Thanks! I'm going to stick around the 350-400 area for probably a year or so. I need it to be semi quiet and safe until I get back to the states and get a beater. I dont think my kid would appreciate loud noises when being driven around. At least not until hes a little bit older and can hand me tools

 

Mini-Update (not really)

I'm fighting with myself right now on whether I want to upgrade to an Evo IX stock turbo. A buddy has one that was ported by Curt Brown but I'm not sure I want to spend the money on a stock one or just go for something a little bit bigger. I dont want much over 400whp and I'm sitting at 317 as of right now (on TPG Tuning's Mustang Dyno). I am going to be replacing vacuum lines, hoses and doing full vacuum and boost tests for leaks and also compression tests in the next 6 months (whenever I get back to the states). I'll also be doing the 60k maintenance. Timing belt, water pump and pulleys. Maybe throw some cams in (Kelfords or GSCs).

My main concern right now is that I like the power but the deal is too good to pass up if it is going to be worth it. I have read multiple write-ups on the power gains and it seems I just need to be convinced or dissuaded on this decision.

Thoughts?