My Mitsi Evo 6
Discussion
I have had a few Jap cars in the past, varying from FWD (Honda Prelude 2.2 vtec, Ep3 Civic type R) to RWD (200sx, MR2 turbo), and even though I very much liked the EP3 Civic type R I felt that it was a little too sensible for the amount that I got to drive it. I also had a feeling that I would like to try a good AWD car.
That left with me with the choice of either an Impreza or an Evo. I looked at both for a while, but I have always been in the Evo camp...
I have always liked the 6 particularly, so I began my search. My ideal car was a blue one, but in the end I found one in the right condition and the right price which was silver, so I figured I cant be too picky!
This is how I bought it, sitting with my mates modified 200sx:
Upon buying it I made sure I took care of many items that didn't necessarily need attention, but I wanted the car in good fit state as much of its history in japan was missing (it has only been in the UK since 2009).
So far:
Underneath cleaned up and undersealed (it was in fantastic condition, and I wanted to keep it that way)
New cambelt kit fitted (to be safe)
New Engine mount (worn)
Front suspension top mounts (worn)
New floor mats
Full service including AYC
New Evo 9 Actuator (rusty and worn)
While I was at it, I was recommended to put in a better 255 lph fuel pump, a 3 port boost solenoid, a decat pipe and get a custom remap done (as it was unknown what map was on it).
Pretty good result, 347.9bhp and 355 lb/ft of torque. Sorry about the poor pic:
Looking fairly good, but a couple of bits cosmetically that bothered me, the OEM Oz wheels had seen better days with paint flaking and the Brembo brakes had faded to a pink and were also had lacquer flaking.
I managed to get a set of refurbished Evo 8 Enkei wheels in anthracite grey which I liked for a good price . While changing the wheels I decided to spend the day repainting the Brembos in blue.
This is how its looking now:
These nuts arent on there now, as they were not the right type (tapered), back on the standard nuts.
Yes, the fogs were only on for the pics...
And one last picture of me out enjoying the snow (which it did very well, even on summer tyres!):
Plans are to DIY Refub the old OZ wheels, ready for a set of winter tyres. Also I want to get some bits flocked in the interior. I also need to stick the new Brembo stickers on the brakes.
Comments welcome!
That left with me with the choice of either an Impreza or an Evo. I looked at both for a while, but I have always been in the Evo camp...
I have always liked the 6 particularly, so I began my search. My ideal car was a blue one, but in the end I found one in the right condition and the right price which was silver, so I figured I cant be too picky!
This is how I bought it, sitting with my mates modified 200sx:
Upon buying it I made sure I took care of many items that didn't necessarily need attention, but I wanted the car in good fit state as much of its history in japan was missing (it has only been in the UK since 2009).
So far:
Underneath cleaned up and undersealed (it was in fantastic condition, and I wanted to keep it that way)
New cambelt kit fitted (to be safe)
New Engine mount (worn)
Front suspension top mounts (worn)
New floor mats
Full service including AYC
New Evo 9 Actuator (rusty and worn)
While I was at it, I was recommended to put in a better 255 lph fuel pump, a 3 port boost solenoid, a decat pipe and get a custom remap done (as it was unknown what map was on it).
Pretty good result, 347.9bhp and 355 lb/ft of torque. Sorry about the poor pic:
Looking fairly good, but a couple of bits cosmetically that bothered me, the OEM Oz wheels had seen better days with paint flaking and the Brembo brakes had faded to a pink and were also had lacquer flaking.
I managed to get a set of refurbished Evo 8 Enkei wheels in anthracite grey which I liked for a good price . While changing the wheels I decided to spend the day repainting the Brembos in blue.
This is how its looking now:
These nuts arent on there now, as they were not the right type (tapered), back on the standard nuts.
Yes, the fogs were only on for the pics...
And one last picture of me out enjoying the snow (which it did very well, even on summer tyres!):
Plans are to DIY Refub the old OZ wheels, ready for a set of winter tyres. Also I want to get some bits flocked in the interior. I also need to stick the new Brembo stickers on the brakes.
Comments welcome!
Thanks for the comments guys!
Yeah its mapped at a safe 1.4bar, goes really well. The traction is amazing to me coming from 2wd cars, not just off the line but how you can exit corners. Having a brisk drive with friends its amazing how much you can pull away just by being able to deploy the power so much earlier out of a corner!
Yeah I liked the standard Oz wheels too, I am going to refurb them and they will be my winter wheels, not sure on colour yet, any suggestions?
Yeah its mapped at a safe 1.4bar, goes really well. The traction is amazing to me coming from 2wd cars, not just off the line but how you can exit corners. Having a brisk drive with friends its amazing how much you can pull away just by being able to deploy the power so much earlier out of a corner!
Yeah I liked the standard Oz wheels too, I am going to refurb them and they will be my winter wheels, not sure on colour yet, any suggestions?
Bought some new coilovers to replace the tired old standard suspension, they are fantastic!
They arrived on Friday, so as they look pretty simple to install I thought I would have a go at putting them on the car Saturday morning. I'm no mechanic and I hadn't attempted to replace suspension before but my mate did give me a hand.
The bolts on the old suspension were pretty well stuck on, but with a little bit of heat they came off.
Old ones off.
New ones going on
Forgot to take any more pictures of fitting, but it was pretty straight forward.
We set what we thought would be good heights (you adjust on the lower mount so you don't change the spring rate), but I wasn't interested in going really low.
We then set the damping to about 15 clicks in from soft on the front and 17 on the rear. Took the car out for a test drive and to let the coilovers settle in, felt pretty good. Bumps and pot holes are well damped, the ride is firm but actually better than the standard springs/dampers. Took it around some roundabouts and it felt good and flat, the front did understeer a bit but at this point I hadn't had the geometry correctly set.
Then I drove it to the garage to get the 4 wheel geometry set, regular settings on toe with 1.5 neg camber on the front with 1 on the rear, it now corners much better than my old suspension.
They are XYZ branded, which I know doesnt sound like a great name, but they supply suspension in the WTCC. Also there were so many people saying how good they were I had to give them a try.
The ride is fantastic - firmer but so much better damped than the standard shocks. The handling is 10x better, body roll is non existent. 110% happy with them, recommended.
They arrived on Friday, so as they look pretty simple to install I thought I would have a go at putting them on the car Saturday morning. I'm no mechanic and I hadn't attempted to replace suspension before but my mate did give me a hand.
The bolts on the old suspension were pretty well stuck on, but with a little bit of heat they came off.
Old ones off.
New ones going on
Forgot to take any more pictures of fitting, but it was pretty straight forward.
We set what we thought would be good heights (you adjust on the lower mount so you don't change the spring rate), but I wasn't interested in going really low.
We then set the damping to about 15 clicks in from soft on the front and 17 on the rear. Took the car out for a test drive and to let the coilovers settle in, felt pretty good. Bumps and pot holes are well damped, the ride is firm but actually better than the standard springs/dampers. Took it around some roundabouts and it felt good and flat, the front did understeer a bit but at this point I hadn't had the geometry correctly set.
Then I drove it to the garage to get the 4 wheel geometry set, regular settings on toe with 1.5 neg camber on the front with 1 on the rear, it now corners much better than my old suspension.
They are XYZ branded, which I know doesnt sound like a great name, but they supply suspension in the WTCC. Also there were so many people saying how good they were I had to give them a try.
The ride is fantastic - firmer but so much better damped than the standard shocks. The handling is 10x better, body roll is non existent. 110% happy with them, recommended.
Never been in the evo Camp but kinda fell out with the scooby's as well after 8 month's with one lol.
But that looks stunning and the 6 has always been the one i have loved the most. It looks the most bonkers out of all of them, The wrap look great in the blue. Well done Sir keep up the good work lovely motor you have there
But that looks stunning and the 6 has always been the one i have loved the most. It looks the most bonkers out of all of them, The wrap look great in the blue. Well done Sir keep up the good work lovely motor you have there
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