Evo 6, 7 or 8? First proper turbo car.

[Kay]

Hi guys.

Recently got off my p's 4 months ago, ready to start a new journey.
The idea is to keep the car for a long time, as I hold things like this with a lot of sentimental value.

Assessing my budget and plans, I am only left with 10-12k
I understand that I can't get a Evo 8 with that budget at the moment, but:

- Besides cosmetic differences, is there a huge difference in terms of power / reliability / engine between the 3? Besides obviously a better ecu, turbo, etc. Since I will be tuning the engine, I can't justify spending close to 20-22k on a Evo 8 if it's the same thing.
- Besides being old, does the Evo 6 offer a more raw ride? Being lighter I can only assume so.
- Are parts between the Evo 7 - 9 range interchangeable? I'm mainly looking to swap out the rear bar from the 8 to the 7.
- Any pointers I should be aware off when shopping around.

Sorry for the long post. Hopefully, I can be here for the long haul.
If there isn't a huge difference in the motor between the 6-8, I think I'll be buying a 7.

Thanks!

 

[JayRome]

Welcome

CT9a parts are interchangeable, Evo7-9 (except Mivec parts, body panels and interiors can be switched around)
Evo 7 seem to have the weakest rods (known to snap with just a 200kw tune)
Rear Diffs are also known to just snap in evo 7-9 more often vs the evo 4-6 (maybe cause there are more CT9a's around)
Evo 5/6 are probably the best handling (as they are basic, lighter, but debatable)
Evo 8MR/9 seem to have the strongest stock bottom end


You can make fairly good power on stock block on all the evo's, with the correct combination of parts, and a good tune..
Dual map tune E85/98 tune is very common.
Considering your age, you will also have to take into account your insurance will be around the 1.5-2k mark for full comp with an evo per year.

 

[bazeng]

Forget the evos. Get a Galant. Haha.

 

[evo-gsr]

5/6 are definitely more fun !

 

[khubner1]

aparently evo 5+ are now fully programed up via reflash for full flex fueltuning now

 

[evo-gsr]

7+ ^

5 and 6 ecu are not capable of this as far as I know.

 

[Kay]

Thank you for the replies!

That's unfortunate for the E85 side as that was a first mod in mind for me.

I've done some more research and apparently Evo 7+ have stronger rods compared to the 6? As far as I know, it's the same engine which is comforting to know.
I'm liking the 6 more and more, but I don't want to have more chances of things going wrong as I'd like to enjoy the car for a few months before going into the tuning side.

 

[4piknup]

The rods will take 500hp. By that point you should be looking to forge the engine anyway.
you can change to the later ecu pretty easily.
If you like the 6, get one. Cheaper and jamo says more fun, thats gotta be a good thing.
If i was going newer id go to a evo9 rather than a 7 or 8.

 

[evo-gsr]

The factory ecu in a 5/6 can be tuned for e85 just not for flex fuel capabilities.
They are 2 different things.
And...the 7 rods are the weakest of all....anymore than 270-280kws and they are a ticking time bomb.

 

[BYBY5L]

Have to agree with jamo.
7 rods = poo, same thoughts on 5/6 ecu too
5/6 are imo the best balanced all round, without all the computers driving the car that the newer ones have means the car does what you want when you want,

 

[evo-gsr]

Exactly...which Is why I originally said they are more fun!
I love getting out of my early Evo and into my 5....two completely different kettles of fish

 

[Tweetbix]

Before I say anything, just know I'm going to be biased due to owning an E6.

E7 has the same fuel tank size as the 5/6.
E7, due to being a CT9A, will have a larger aftermarket due to the E8 and 9 having been released in larger markets across the world.
Would you you want to swap the rear bar from an E8 to your E7, they are almost identical, you must have it confused with the E9 rear bar.

E5/6 Ecu's can be reflashed to suit a dual map, E85 and speed density, if a flex tune is wanted, an E7 or E8 ecu can be swapped in with a few minor pin changes
Thread here on how to: ( http://www.evolutionoz.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=19453 )

The E5/6 is lighter due to smaller body (AWD dyno's need to be brought closer due to being slightly shorter) but unable to run a larger tyre that 235 without cutting the rear flares.

Turbo on E5/6 and 7 should be the same, engine is a point of discussion and opinion.

I love my E6, on the track I can keep up with a more powerful (~50kw) E8 or E9 because of the weight advantage.

It all comes down to what you plan to do with it, are you keeping it as a street car, or are you going to be tracking it once in a while.

This is purely my opinion here, but the E7 (CT9A's in general) feel nicer to ride in on the street, but for the track the E5/6 (CP9A's) are where it's at.

 

[JayRome]

E5-9 are all TD05HR 16G rear end housing change (evo9 gets a bigger front housing)
E7 GTA runs 9.0 rear (auto gear box)
E7-8 (excludes MR) runs 9.8 rear
E7RS runs 9.8 rear with Titanium/Aluminium front 16G wheel (great spool characteristics)
E5-6 (includes 8MR and E9) have a bigger rear with 10.5, which accounts to a few hundred rpms worth of lag (but a tad better top end)
Late model E6.5 share the same rods with the 7 (revised for lightweight design, then changed again for strength evo8-9)


If you can find a fully optioned Evo5 RS..... would probably be the best package in my book, out right drivers car (or an evo 3)...

 

[BYBY5L]

Doesnt the 6.5 also have the ti wheel?
I feel I personally know/ knew my gsr better and could do almost anything with her and would know how it'd react, the V is alot more direct and also planted down.

 

[khubner1]

my bad i missread the post it's 8g vr4's that are now full flexed the people that did it are now working on doing it for the 5-6.5
https://www.facebook.com/TransformanceMechanicalEngineering/photos/a.477691722334946.1073741826.236221856481935/717276745043108/?type=1&fref=nf

 

[evo-gsr]

Same here^^ (Jamie) the early is a lot more predictable I think.
I feel like my early is a lot more planted then my 5?
Jamie....you rolling your GSR tends to contradict your claims above!

 

[BYBY5L]

Haha, knew it was coming,
But dickheads always remain unpredictable, lol, and I knew what was coming, thus why I braced the mrs
maybe one day I'll be up towards the gong an I'll tell ya the story over a beer/ bourbon... Dont get me wrong, I'll always own it- my own laziness is what sealed the deal,

anyway, I think it was the size and its nimbleness, maybe yours being genuine (extra factory bracing) and not having the chassis splitting apart keeps it squarer and feels more planted?

 

[Tweetbix]

If they managed to flex fuel the 6 ecu that will save me a tonne of money and time next year.

 

[evo-gsr]

Haha, knew it was coming,
But dickheads always remain unpredictable, lol, and I knew what was coming, thus why I braced the mrs
maybe one day I'll be up towards the gong an I'll tell ya the story over a beer/ bourbon... Dont get me wrong, I'll always own it- my own laziness is what sealed the deal,
anyway, I think it was the size and its nimbleness, maybe yours being genuine (extra factory bracing) and not having the chassis splitting apart keeps it squarer and feels more planted?

Maybe.......