Actually, I don't even know how the maintanence is on these systems. I'm just replying as a worse-case scenario and in direct response to people who claim it IS a maintanence liability. But yes, it would seem the systems have survived just fine in the Japanese and Euro market, so there's absolutely NO reason why it would take such a beating over here. The only exception I can see is that Americans DO tend to put more miles on their cars on average since everything is so much more spread out. Either way, I want these systems

 

I still point to the W8 4motion as proof that a complex, AWD system can be warrantied and sold by a major manufacturer in America.

 

If Americans aren't harder on things than why does the Wrx tranny do fine in Japan but here in the US they are breaking them left and right?? They are driven more, driven but more unskilled drivers, and driven differently. That is what is taking into consideration plain and simple, like it or not. They simply don't want their "flagship" car that is supposed to improve image become a problem car here in the states. Get over it...if you want EVERYTHING on a J-spec Evo and don't give a crap about maintenence, reliabilty, a factory warranty, etc. just order a j-spec Evo VIII from E.I., problem solved. Myself, I'm going to put that extra money into other things.

 

Like I said, skill-less, ***** happy american drivers.

 

Okay, the point about Americans putting more miles on their cars is a given. Comparing transmissions to differentials is a whole different ballpark. A bad driver can VERY EASILY damage their transmission (or any number of other things) over time, but how does a bad driver add more stress to their computer controlled differential than a good driver? That is a system that would be very difficult to DIRECTLY effect via bad driving technique. This is all really beside the point to me, though. For one, I am much more skilled than the average driver (American or not), and I'm also not throwing the whole reliability issue to the wind (assuming there is an issue). I do want warranty coverage for damage. If Mitsu includes these systems, they will be covered for the duration of their warrantee. If they don't think this is reasonable, they obviously won't include them. While I will be happier if they are included, I will still be plenty happy if they are not available. I don't personally consider EI as an option either; I don't want these advanced systems unless they are already offered over here seeing as nobody will no how to fix them.

Bottom line: I want them, but if I can't have them, I'll still be grinning

 

as long as the dealer can fix them, the reliability is not an issue. but if the dealer mechanic doesn't even know how to fix it, that would create a mess. mitsu used to produce all these gizmos way ahead of the big three and the japs and germans but the dealer have no idea how to service them that is why we have the basic mitsu cars now. the montero overseas have electronic suspension, mivec and fuzzy logic tranny before they came here because of the same reasons. I brought my car for an oil change and what the dealer did was stripped the drain plug and break the spark plugs which I was able to remove easily. I had to replace the whole sump/crankcase. for the plugs, I replaced it myself. bummer really.

 

dealerships will be able to fix any problems that can happen. The company always trains and helps any techs with problems that are unknown, not to mention the fact that diffs, elctronics and most transmissions are replaced as units. Usually they dont want the techs getting involved in intricate repairs. American drivers are more demanding of their cars. Hard launches by kids that dont know what damage they will cause can snap a drivetrain into pieces. These drivetrains aren't supposed to absorb abuse, it just so happens that Japanese as well as European performance car drivers are better schooled than we are. There is no excuse for repeated abuse. these are not Gran Turismo cars that wont break.

 

Exactly. All diffs and most transmissions are replaced as whole units at our service center. The 6-speed Getrag from the 3000GT VR-4 was also replaced as a whole. One part number and a $6000 pricetag. If a base version of an Evolution exists with a 5sp and no electronic diffs and it is called an RS overseas, and we get it here with a few other options. We will all still be driving Evolutions.

 

The thing is that 5 speed doesn't exist any longer according to the specs we've seen for the Evo VIII. The only 5 speed available on the RS is the Super Close (High Ratio) tranny. That tranny wouldn't work so well on our freeways. Will Mitsu have a third tranny available for just the US Market? Or do they just change the ratios on the JDM RS 5 speed and send it our way?

 

Good question Rax.

I wonder. Will it be the same trany that was used in the AWD Talons and Eclipses of old?

 

Oh, okay. I thought I saw a 5speed option on one of the VIII site postings. No matter, if it is a europe only option. I still don't have any vehicle detail sheets yet, but the only tranny code that keeps showing up is "5MT" maybe they did change the ratios in an already reliable package for our use. Or maybe the system has a misprint, I don't know. To reiterate what I've posted in other threads, all I can tell is one basic model, four options groups and six colors: Apex Silver, Rally Red, Weightless White, Tarmac Black, Blue By You, and Lightning Yellow.

God I hope not. The DSM tranny is a weakness. The synchors are finnicky and grinding and crunching and overall vagueness are common everyday occurences.

 

DSMs have a drivetrain type/orientation as the EVOs 1-3. Since then a lot of things have changed. Lately (I think for the EVO 7, but not 100% sure, tough) they lost one of the shafts in there and they have only two of them inside (intermediate shaft is a history). Also, front and center diffs have been moved out of the trainy and now they reside in the transfer case.

Way too different form what DSMs have.

Just keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best!! If not, you might feel miserable (maybe for no reason at all) and since you can't change a damn thing anyway, enjoy while you can!

Also, remember to have a

Mr. AWD

 

Good Point there is always beer! I sincerely hope it's not the DSM trany. That would be enough to turn me off alone. WAY to vague.

 

Well, I have seen a lot of complaints about the DSM trainys, and I am wondering where this is really coming from? I have a lot of friends with a different generation DSMs with 300+ and 400+ HP and trainys are nothing to worry about. The weakest link in there is a center differential which will brake if you have 300+ HP, strong clutch and lead foot! Mine is rebuilt by the Speed Design and it has 4 spider gears in there instead of the stock two. There was not a case as of yet that someone broke this diff.

The original problem for the stock diff is that usually it comes loosely shimmed and that is the reason for the breakage, not the lack of couple of spider gears. This is also true for the stock transmissions over all. leaves it too loose and once you start pushing higher number of ponies through the clutch, you get issues.

So, to kind of close on this one, DSM trainys are not a problem as long as you are not too far up in 400s HP wise. For all the rest of us, stock trainys are pretty damn good if you ask me!!

Mr. AWD

 

My prob. is with the syncs. The shifter feels rubbery. The throws are too long as well. It does impove when you get on it though