stanimal8

That was the most important improvement to me.

The 05's clutch was maybe 30% lighter and engaged at a normal height. The high engagement point of my 03's clutch is a ***** on stop light controlled freeway on-ramps and stop and go traffic all too common in Los Angeles.

However, my friend, the new 05 owner, like the heavier and more consistant steering and in general, less civilized feel, of my 03.

I, on the other hand, like the lighter steering and lighter clutch of the 05.

I was hoping someone on this board can lend some insight to these changes, bacause I'd really like to incorporate some of them on my 03.

thatsMR2u

iTrader: (19)

i know you stared in envy at the larger cupholders also!!

stanimal8

I didn't even notice.

turboex

I drove my 03 with dynoflash ecu, and my boys 05 with only a exhaust and deletepipe. His shifter smother, but not any easier, his cars heater knob turns very easy like a honda and mine does not. Both cars ride totally the same suspension wise. My car was faster from a 20mph role with my ecu than his was with his exhaust. He would fall behind cause he had to shift earler due to lower rpm shift point. But other than that both cars were identical. well besides the other points that have been pointed out.

housedj

iTrader: (2)

there are a couple reasons for the different feel:

1) the front lsd on the 05 is hooking up a little better especially when coming out of a corner.

2) there is a little more pull in 3rd & 4th gears due to the larger turbo hot side.

3) brakes & clutch are still new/there were no changes in that area.

housedj

iTrader: (2)

i use the center storage as my cupholder for those BIG SLAM 1 liters!!

urbnprsutvhicle

that's where i put my beer

abcdef

LOL

stanimal8

I guess I'll believe it when I see the parts list.

It's just very hard to believe; my 03's clutch is easily 30+% stiffer then my friend's 05. Maybe both of the 03’s I drove had the clutch setup incorrectly from Mitsu. If I find that they have the same parts, I'll adjust mine to the 05's measurements. IMHO, some things are better stiffer, just not my clutch in rush hour traffic.

My 03 brakes had the racing pad grind from day-1. It has actually gotten quieter after 2-3K. My friend's 05 simply don’t have any grinding noise at all from the brakes. However, the stock brake pad formulation is not a big deal to me as I don’t plan on using OEM pads after the 1st set any way.

abcdef

What kind of things affect the clutch stiffness? I went to the LA Auto Show and I sat in an 05 RS and MR. The shifter between the two felt the same. Both of them felt a lot smoother and easier to shift the my 04 RS. The clutch pedal also felt a lot lighter. I would also like to know what's different.

turboex

yeah clutch pedal feels like a honda in my boys 05 totally diffrent from my 03. his 05 has 2,000miles my 03 has 5,000 miles on it.

urbnprsutvhicle

i have both and the stock clutch on '03 was stiffer than my mr

mitsuorder

iTrader: (106)

in the '05's mitsu claimed to have to have done something different to the clutch disk I believe.

urbnprsutvhicle

it still smells the same when it slips!

mitsuorder

iTrader: (106)

that's the smell of money