Thanks for the info!

Well, my CEL came back on today. Looks like I have some hunting to do. In other news, I'm going to try and attend the last autocross event of the year in my area with the evo. Need to stretch it's legs a bit I have never run with this club before but it looks like a similar crowd from my usual SCCA events. The car has some Yokohama avid envigor tires on it (I think) so it should be interesting to see how they do. I've only ever autocrossed on Dunlop Z1's, ZII's and Hoosiers. Hopefully I can get the day off from work and attend.

 

i said this about my evo 3 weeks later i traded for a mbc and order some cams and now i cant stop buying parts. i have a problem

 

I used to have an '09 Civic that was going to be just bolt-ons...when I sold it to get the Evo a few weeks ago it was making 480whp on pump 93. My goal is to keep this Evo as stock as possible, it's been 3 weeks and I just bought an intercooler, tires and a uicp

 

Bolt-ons are never enough on an N/A 4 banger

Since the car has summer tires on it, I'll be ordering some wheels and winter tires soon. It tends to snow in mass. Looks like the motegi MR118's and some general altimax arctic's will do nicely

 

How you enjoying the Evo compared to your STi? I bought my Evo three weeks ago have put two miles on the car as the radiator is leaking from the crimp spots on the bottom. My first purchase will be new radiator and next a battery as the car sat in a garage all its life and won't hold a charge! I would rather spend my money on different mods lol, now goal is just to get the car running so I can get the car registered.

 

That sucks. The radiator is practically brand new in mine, so the same thing probably happened. All plastic end tank radiators suck.

My sti hasn't been stock for quite some time, but I'll do my best to fairly compare them. The only thing I like better about the EVO's interior is the seats. They're awesome compared to the STi seats. The sti has a nicer looking cluster and auto climate control (even in my 04). My sti didn't come with a radio from the factory, but it had one when I bought it. If the sti had those recaros, it would take the interior cake. The 03 evo was up against the plain ole wrx here in murica, so I understand why the evo is the way it is.

Steering feel is a bit lighter and quicker in the evo, which is nice for a DD. I feel like it's a bit too light at times though. I have yet to really push it around corners, but it feels well balanced and I can tell it's much more neutral than my sti was with stock suspension.

Power is tough to compare, as my sti makes about 150hp more This car feels like it doesn't run out of breath up top like my stock sti did.

The shifter feels a lot better in the sti as well. Both cars have some bushings, but the evo shifter reminds me of my 87 rx7 lol. The throw is a lot longer and just feels clunky, especially in neutral.

Overall I'm really liking it It feels like a Cadillac compared to my 10k/8k spring rates in the sti lol.

 

Looks like a nice clean evo you got your self there! Don't think I've ever heard someone compare an evo and a caddy hahaha

 

Thanks! I know right It's firm, but not harsh at all really. Just the way I like it! I hate driving things that feel like a boat.

Boost gauge, wheels and tires are on the way

 

Let it snow



Got my boost gauge, just waiting for the pod. Oh and my CEL shut off. I have a feeling it only gets triggered when the gas tank is full, as it's come on shortly after filling up twice.

 

Got around to installing my prosport mechanical boost gauge. It isn't nearly as bright as it looks in the picture.



I'm not a fan of a-pillar pods, but I don't really like any other options for this car either. The one I got isn't too great either. It's super flimsy and it's just sitting there, with no way of attaching it. The color is also off even though it's supposed to match an 03 evo 8 interior.

Anyway, my car is only hitting 15-16 PSI and holding it until redline. Is that wastegate pressure? Seems like it's a common number for cars not hitting full boost. Anything I should be looking for? Cracked vac lines to the boost controller? Figured I'd post up my issue while I do some research. Any help would be great, thanks

 

Well from what I've found it looks like the wastegate actuator is the most common problem. Either that or a previous owner used a different BCS or MBC and didn't put back the pill in the vac line or something. I'll check it out one of these nights.

 

Sounds like you need an MBC OR EBCS!

 

Nice clean Evo

Not sure if you've seen the 42 draft designs DIN gauge holder, but it's really clean and matches very nicely. Pic of mine below for reference:

Attachment 329680

As for the low boost issue, check the boost lines that connect from the turbo to boost control solenoid to wastegate. It's possible that someone previously installed a MBC/EBC and then reinstalled the stock solenoid when returning the car to stock but forgot to re-install the restrictor pills that should be in the lines. This would cause a reduction in boost IIRC.

 

Thanks! I'd use that one, but I like my radio. My STi has been radioless for two years or so, and I got sick of it lol. I'm going to try some double sided tape to hold this pod in place and see how I like it.

Thanks for the info. That would be an easy fix, but I'm almost hoping that isn't the case since the previous owner claimed the car has been untouched besides the current mods. If it is, oh well. The car seems to be perfectly healthy so it's no big deal. I'll take a look tonight. Oh and on my way home last night along with this morning I was hitting 17ish PSI in fourth. Better than 15!

 

Well, everything is factory as far as the BCS and vac lines go. Restrictor pill and all. I hit 18psi in third and fourth on the way home tonight, so maybe nothing is wrong. If I consistently hit 18psi I'll just chalk up the difference to the boost gauge being off. I ran the line for the gauge through the driver side fender to the vac line for the FPR, so that length probably has an effect on readings too. I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. Thanks for the help guys I noticed my MAF was pretty nasty too, but didn't have any cleaner. I'll have to grab some and clean that puppy.