Japanese Spec Integrale
Discussion
This has probably been said before but there seems to be a lot of Japanese imported Evo 2 Integrales on the market. Obviously they don't use salt on the roads over there so the bodywork and chassis should be good. Apart from them having the older pre Evo style lights are there any other differences in the spec??? I know the Swiss used to have an Evo bodied 8v but what did the Jap spec cars have different???
Not a lot, I'd take a Jap car anyday for it's superior bodywork. (if indeed it was relatively rust free, most, not all are).
Off the top of my head:
The normally non cat cars (pre-Evo2) often have cats on them.
Wing indicators blanked off and other ones nailed on in a different position.
Flare screwed to centre console side panel (passenger foot well)
Electric aerial on rear quarter.
Not all of them had the earlier models headlights, but changing them for the later ones is easy enough and you'll get good money for good condition early model lights, especially if they are for our (LH) roads.
They've quite often been unprofessionally, annoyingly and not very seriously tinkered with and the parts taken off still residing in Japanese garden sheds somewhere. Silly chavish additions such as bucket seats, non standard interiors, chav valves, cone filters, dash mounted electronic gubbins such as turbo timers, schmat nav, boost controllers, non standard intake pipes, foul wheels etc.
Nothing that isn't reversable, but some more difficult/expensive to do than others.
Off the top of my head:
The normally non cat cars (pre-Evo2) often have cats on them.
Wing indicators blanked off and other ones nailed on in a different position.
Flare screwed to centre console side panel (passenger foot well)
Electric aerial on rear quarter.
Not all of them had the earlier models headlights, but changing them for the later ones is easy enough and you'll get good money for good condition early model lights, especially if they are for our (LH) roads.
They've quite often been unprofessionally, annoyingly and not very seriously tinkered with and the parts taken off still residing in Japanese garden sheds somewhere. Silly chavish additions such as bucket seats, non standard interiors, chav valves, cone filters, dash mounted electronic gubbins such as turbo timers, schmat nav, boost controllers, non standard intake pipes, foul wheels etc.
Nothing that isn't reversable, but some more difficult/expensive to do than others.
Yeah, I have noticed some have been 'Tokyo Drift Modified' - I just can't believe the money they're fetching now. I paid about £6000 for my Evo 1 in 2004 !!!
But they'll only go up in price I assume. I wonder how many do change hands for near on 30k? There are cars still for sale that were for sale about a year ago.
I would just find it very hard to part with that sort of money when I could buy another 348.
Maybe a pre Evo would offer good value for money even though they don't look as tough !
But they'll only go up in price I assume. I wonder how many do change hands for near on 30k? There are cars still for sale that were for sale about a year ago.
I would just find it very hard to part with that sort of money when I could buy another 348.
Maybe a pre Evo would offer good value for money even though they don't look as tough !
simonigrale said:
Yeah, I have noticed some have been 'Tokyo Drift Modified' - I just can't believe the money they're fetching now. I paid about £6000 for my Evo 1 in 2004 !!!
But they'll only go up in price I assume. I wonder how many do change hands for near on 30k? There are cars still for sale that were for sale about a year ago.
I would just find it very hard to part with that sort of money when I could buy another 348.
Maybe a pre Evo would offer good value for money even though they don't look as tough !
Yes, you do wonder exactly how much they do fetch in the end and if they are an investment, or have they hit their max value? They are now asking more than they were worth when new.But they'll only go up in price I assume. I wonder how many do change hands for near on 30k? There are cars still for sale that were for sale about a year ago.
I would just find it very hard to part with that sort of money when I could buy another 348.
Maybe a pre Evo would offer good value for money even though they don't look as tough !
From a driving point of view there isn't much between a 16v and a 16v Evo, imports aren't as common though as I suspect the mark-up isn't as much when the import costs are the same...
I only had mine for 18 months although I did make about 3 grand on it when I sold it. I wont say what I spent on it though!
I would love an Evo 2 and a 348 Spider in the garage but I think I would need be very lucky on a scratch card to make that happen any time soon!
Its just very hard to part with the thick end of 20 grand for something I owned 9 years ago for less than half that.
But then again I must have enjoyed it as I still want another
I would love an Evo 2 and a 348 Spider in the garage but I think I would need be very lucky on a scratch card to make that happen any time soon!
Its just very hard to part with the thick end of 20 grand for something I owned 9 years ago for less than half that.
But then again I must have enjoyed it as I still want another
I run a car dealer and your right !They are proven to be very good and I would sooner pay the extra to know I've got 'come back' if I had any issues.
I had a little tot up last night of the bits I would like to do and I reckon I'd be looking at 10k in mods. When the cars are advertised for between 20 - 25k that would be an expensive project!!!
simonigrale said:
I run a car dealer and your right !They are proven to be very good and I would sooner pay the extra to know I've got 'come back' if I had any issues.
I had a little tot up last night of the bits I would like to do and I reckon I'd be looking at 10k in mods. When the cars are advertised for between 20 - 25k that would be an expensive project!!!
I've seen first hand some terrible work they've done and bad cars they've sold, just as much as I have seen from some others. I don't see how you would have any more 'come back' from them over any other.
I understand what you mean. I think my previous experience with an integrale has scared me a little bit. I did spend some money on it at various specialists and ended up using a good local guy. After all the pain and £££ the car was sorted and was very good. I had to sell it to buy my first house (back in 05) and always said WHEN I bought another it had to be one of the best.
With my new house built, the Ferrari box ticked, wedding over and done with and a little girl approaching 2 I'm starting to realise that I need another Grale.
I'm just coming to terms with the massive (which is great for owners) price increases putting them into the realms of 'affordable supercar' territory.
I'm just going to keep looking and see what I stumble across.
With my new house built, the Ferrari box ticked, wedding over and done with and a little girl approaching 2 I'm starting to realise that I need another Grale.
I'm just coming to terms with the massive (which is great for owners) price increases putting them into the realms of 'affordable supercar' territory.
I'm just going to keep looking and see what I stumble across.
I sometimes think people enjoy talking about possible future projects more than anything else, nothing wrong with that I guess, It certainly beats paying the bill for it. 
So if you were to have built your ultimate integrale then what would it be like? Subject for a new thread maybe....
So if you were to have built your ultimate integrale then what would it be like? Subject for a new thread maybe....
Ultimate Integrale ? mmm ? OK, pretty easy one for me. I wouldn't want to go for a fully stripped out rally replica. I'd want something I could enjoy with the family.
I would like to start with a good standard Evo 2 in Rosso Monza, white or even the special edition Giallo although that maybe a bit loud for me.
Definitely would fit a set of 17" Compomotive TH1780 in anthracite (not the usual wheels people fit but I like them)
Final Edition springs rather than a suspension kit because from memory my old Evo 1 handled well on standard suspension.
I would fit new discs and pads all round - probably fast road spec rather than a 2k brake upgrade.
A nice suede dished Sparco steering wheel would be the only interior upgrade.
In terms of engine mods? Probably again keeping it on the milder side I would fit a full stainless exhaust with De Cat pipe, tubular manifold, hybrid turbo, Eprom upgrade and different air filter.
Hopefully with all that I reckon it would be a good fast road car that was useable without putting too much stress on it.
I know that all that sounds a bit sensible for a dream 'Grale' but that would do me. I'm in my 30s now so I cant go too mad
What would you do ???
I would like to start with a good standard Evo 2 in Rosso Monza, white or even the special edition Giallo although that maybe a bit loud for me.
Definitely would fit a set of 17" Compomotive TH1780 in anthracite (not the usual wheels people fit but I like them)
Final Edition springs rather than a suspension kit because from memory my old Evo 1 handled well on standard suspension.
I would fit new discs and pads all round - probably fast road spec rather than a 2k brake upgrade.
A nice suede dished Sparco steering wheel would be the only interior upgrade.
In terms of engine mods? Probably again keeping it on the milder side I would fit a full stainless exhaust with De Cat pipe, tubular manifold, hybrid turbo, Eprom upgrade and different air filter.
Hopefully with all that I reckon it would be a good fast road car that was useable without putting too much stress on it.
I know that all that sounds a bit sensible for a dream 'Grale' but that would do me. I'm in my 30s now so I cant go too mad
What would you do ???
Hmmm, where to start.... It's an old car, a great car, historic with huge road presence, but it has many short comings so I would address those to make my perfect integrale.
You can go on and on and on repairing these cars as you go along or you can draw a line under it, take a deep breath and say 'Right, lets start again'. This would give you a car that won't need anything serious doing to it for years to come.
I would modernise it, make it so it could be used on more than just the occasional dry day, but still keep it looking standard, well apart from the only wheel which should grace the car - the Speedline Montecarlo in 17 x 8 (IMO of course)
.
It rusts, the handling isn't good, the engine (apart from the cam belt) is strong and of good design, but old and underpowered, the shell is weak and cracks in a few places.
I would start again from scratch with a rust free example, or as close as you could get, strip it and weld hidden strengthening plates in and seam weld here and there, underseal it, blow preserving wax in all the cavities.
Maybe have some plastic rear wheel arch liners made.
Handling wise I would fit a set of Intrax suspension, not hard, just sensible, lower it just 20mm.
AP brakes at the front, something lesser serious at the rear.
Strengthen the gearbox, overhaul the transmission, maybe fit a higher 5th gear.
The jewel in the crown would be the engine and it would be taken out to 2.2 litres, high comp pistons fitted, ported head, cams, etc. Proper tubular manifold, 3" exhaust well silenced, roller bearing turbo.
These and many other parts would come together to make around 360 -400 bhp with a high torque figure for effortless driving.
I think that would do....
You can go on and on and on repairing these cars as you go along or you can draw a line under it, take a deep breath and say 'Right, lets start again'. This would give you a car that won't need anything serious doing to it for years to come.
I would modernise it, make it so it could be used on more than just the occasional dry day, but still keep it looking standard, well apart from the only wheel which should grace the car - the Speedline Montecarlo in 17 x 8 (IMO of course)
.It rusts, the handling isn't good, the engine (apart from the cam belt) is strong and of good design, but old and underpowered, the shell is weak and cracks in a few places.
I would start again from scratch with a rust free example, or as close as you could get, strip it and weld hidden strengthening plates in and seam weld here and there, underseal it, blow preserving wax in all the cavities.
Maybe have some plastic rear wheel arch liners made.
Handling wise I would fit a set of Intrax suspension, not hard, just sensible, lower it just 20mm.
AP brakes at the front, something lesser serious at the rear.
Strengthen the gearbox, overhaul the transmission, maybe fit a higher 5th gear.
The jewel in the crown would be the engine and it would be taken out to 2.2 litres, high comp pistons fitted, ported head, cams, etc. Proper tubular manifold, 3" exhaust well silenced, roller bearing turbo.
These and many other parts would come together to make around 360 -400 bhp with a high torque figure for effortless driving.
I think that would do....
Sounds great with sensible and practical mods too.
I will probably end up keeping the next one I buy so the bits and bobs would get done over time.
The Ferrari 348 I had was the mintest available at the time and it only needed a few bits here and there to make perfect.
I like to find a Grale of equal condition without paying 30k for the pleasure
I will probably end up keeping the next one I buy so the bits and bobs would get done over time.
The Ferrari 348 I had was the mintest available at the time and it only needed a few bits here and there to make perfect.
I like to find a Grale of equal condition without paying 30k for the pleasure
Your car looks great in the pics btw, I can see why you're regretting getting rid, I think a lot of people do. It's obviously not, but it looks like you stopped in the outside lane of a dual carriageway to get one shot!
So what would you be looking for now, a mint Rosso Evo 2 for about £20 - 25k? Hard to find I guess, but if I see the right car anywhere I can give you a shout.
So what would you be looking for now, a mint Rosso Evo 2 for about £20 - 25k? Hard to find I guess, but if I see the right car anywhere I can give you a shout.
HAHA, its a layby near Jct 27 of the M1 near where I live. I have just finished building a house which we'll be moving into within the next month, then I've got to buy an estate car for the Mrs, probably a D3 Alpina. So really I need to recharge the bank account but I suppose if a good car came up I could beg steal and borrow!
I'd ideally like to pay sub 20k as I feel that's the real value but again for the right car I'd probably pay more. Walkers and Nick Johnsons are offering the same Evo 2 for 30k which pretty much has all the bits I'd like. If that's around in the next few months I might low ball them and see what happens. Would save me a lot of hassle and I could concentrate on some of the mods you mentioned to make it more useable.
We usually do an annual trip to the ring so it would be nice to have one that you would be confident in driving there.
I have been looking at Alfa 155 Q4s as well as they are a fraction of the cost and I love the old 155s (had 3). But they're not a Grale and most are overseas which could be complicated.
We'll see.....
I'd ideally like to pay sub 20k as I feel that's the real value but again for the right car I'd probably pay more. Walkers and Nick Johnsons are offering the same Evo 2 for 30k which pretty much has all the bits I'd like. If that's around in the next few months I might low ball them and see what happens. Would save me a lot of hassle and I could concentrate on some of the mods you mentioned to make it more useable.
We usually do an annual trip to the ring so it would be nice to have one that you would be confident in driving there.
I have been looking at Alfa 155 Q4s as well as they are a fraction of the cost and I love the old 155s (had 3). But they're not a Grale and most are overseas which could be complicated.
We'll see.....
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