Awhit17's 'OEM +' Evo IX Build
 

Ever since I was a young kid (not really THAT long ago lol) I've always wanted to own a CT9A Evo, and a IX in particular. When I was finally presented with the opportunity in September 2014 I jumped to pick up this 2006 Wicked White IX MR with just under 80k on the clock. It was a northeast car, but the body and paint were a lot cleaner than I expected. While the car was mostly in very good condition, it was starting to fall under a bit of disrepair in certain areas under the previous owner, but luckily there were no mechanical issues yet.. I have seen what happens to a lot of CT9A Evos over the years and wanted to prevent this from happening to what was now my car. My goals for this car are to:

1. Restore the little parts to their original glory
2. Keep and emphasize the original character/appearance of the Evo
3. Make it as fun to drive and confidence inspiring as possible
4. Mod the car with Quality parts
5. Drive it hard and maintain it well

Current Mods

Engine/Cooling
- Stock Block
- ARP Head Studs
- Tomei 270 Poncam Type-R
- SpoolinUp COP
- WORKS High Pressure TB Shaft Seals
- Origin Fabrication Slim Radiator
- SPAL Slim Fan
- Origin Fabrication-spec Setrab Oil Cooler kit

Turbo/Exhaust System
- Borg Warner EFR 7163 .80 A/R Twinscroll
- Turbosmart 23psi Wga
- Full-Race Bottom Mount Manifold
- Origin Fabrication Inconel 625 3" Downpipe
- Origin Fabrication Aluminum Wiggins SD Intake/Airbox + Blitz SUS Filter
- Origin Fabrication Aluminum Wiggins Charge Piping
- Hypertune "Race Core" Intercooler
- Tomei Expreme Ti cat-back + Origin Fabrication 3" V-Band Flange Conversion

Drivetrain
- Stock Trans/T-Case
- TRE Rear Diff
- English Racing ACD Tune
- Exedy HD Twin Disc + ACT Monoloc

Tuning/Fueling
- AEM Infinity 6
- Bosch Motorsports 1050cc Injectors
- AEM 320 Fuel Pump
- Radium Fuel Rail
- MAC 3 Port Boost Control Solenoid


Suspension/Brakes/Wheels
- Rays Volk ZE40 18x9.5 +22, Bronze
- Rays Center Caps
- Project Kics R40 Lugs
- ARP Extended Studs
- 255/35 Yokohama AD08Rs
- Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers 10k/10k
- Whiteline RCK
- Torque Solutions diff mount, mustache bar & driveshaft carrier bushings
- Torque Solutions front motor mount
- Endless Racing 6/4 Inch Up Brake Kit + MX72 Pads

Interior/Exterior/Misc.
- ARC Shift Knob
- ARC Radiator Cap
- ARC Oil Cap
- ARC Cooling Plate
- ARC Spark Plug Cover
- Ralliart Instrument Cluster
- Gruppe-S Gauge Pod
- AEM Boost/Wideband/Oil Pressure Gauges
- Bride Zieg III Type-R Gradation (driver)
- Bride Stradia II Gradation (passenger)
- Bride seat rails/sliders (both sides)
- OEM SE Lip
- OEM JDM Evo IX Rear Bumper
- OEM Evo X trunk mount battery provisions
- Origin Fabrication Battery Box + Optima Red Top

How the car looks now


by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

Dyno Chart with FP 71HTA Turbo, 24psi Spike quickly holding at 23psi. Pump 93

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

Here was the car the day I picked it up:

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

It came with some bolt-ons, Tein Springs, a Seibon painted OEM style hood, a MBC and a tune.

And...this... OMFG :helpme:

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

First things first, I replaced the awful worn A/S tires with 245/40 BFG Rivals, the tie rods, the plugs with some oem ones (no more spark blow-out!), the intake filter with an Amsoil one and removed the mud flaps that I thought looked weird. Then I changed the oil and hit the tail of the dragon with some friends to feel the car out.

by https://www.flickr.com/people/36850686@N04/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/people/36850686@N04/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

I have been to the dragon before, but this time was unreal. I fell in love with this car as the suspension, midrange power and just everything about it was stellar. It never skipped a beat and kept up with all the S2000s that I was with fairly easily. When I came back from the trip, I set out a game plan to try and bring all the little things that weren't perfect with the car up to snuff, which started with a full detail/opti-coat treatment, painting the fugly green engine bay parts black, and ordering a new spark plug cover and front badge.

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr


Step 1 for the Engine Bay: Make it less green and replace the beat filter with a better one:

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr


After Step 1 I wanted to replace the faded stock heat shield and got an oil cap while I was at it

whitacre.alex, on Flickr

ETS 3.5" Intercooler to replace the bent stocker:

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr


Also removed the fugly red emblem and grille that the previous owner tried to spray paint. Who knows why lol

by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr


Did some Hunting and came up with these guys :)
[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/people/101672776@N03/, on Flickr

by whitacre.alex, on Flickr

Looks like a solid acquisition, best of luck. WW FTW!!!

Great pickup… look forward to seeing where this WW gem ends up going! Congrats on a great pick up!

Sweet ride and welcome to the family. If you already haven't trashed the mudflaps I will buy them.

Thanks guys! I had never driven an Evo before I went to pick this one up, but had always drooled over them in car magazines and whatnot. So far I'm loving it! These cars are such a blast to drive

Very nice. I thought the car looked great....until you posted a pic of the engine bay haha.
What mudflaps were on it? I want a set for the winter. PM me if you want to sell em.

LOL I thought the same way...the outside is remarkably clean for a northeast car...then I saw the bay and was like...holy crap that needs to be fixed. The green strut tower bar and hood prop have already been corrected and there's a new plug cover on the way luckily! Just need to replace the ugly battery and UICP now :)

And the flaps were Rally Armour. I think I have 3 but I don't know where the 4th went so I doubt they're much value to you guys :(

Car looks great! Just uh, a little green under the hood :)

Nothing like a white evo, though.

Thanks man! I love white cars....my Si was white and luckily the Evo is too! I need to update with a pic of the bay, I've gotten rid of the horror show that was happening in there when I bought it :lol:

welcome to the family. keep up the AMAZING work

Thanks sir!! I'm so happy to be a part of it! I really want to make this into as nice an Evo as it can be.

After some research I think I'm going to go with an ETS 3.5" Intercooler pretty soon, and an Origin Fabrication Titanium upper charge pipe for some bling :D

clean start. looking forward to the progress

Got a more recent picture of the Engine bay...just have to refinish the heat shield and get a nice looking uicp, and coat the vc now. Less green ftw!

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/...3c313f2f_o.jpgUntitled by whitacre.alex, on Flickr

Also debating on whether I want to sell this guy or put it on the Evo...I never got a chance to put it on the Honda before I sold it...I'll probably sell it and put the $ towards more Evo tlc

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/...68844767_o.jpgUntitled by whitacre.alex, on Flickr

Bay looks better! Invest in some t-bolt clamps ASAP!

Thanks! Yeah I've already had some issues with blowing the charge pipe off the tb lol. However I'm going to get a new uicp when my intercooler comes in and I may do a wiggins clamp instead of a t-bolt if I can budget it. Or at least a Zebra clamp.