So, a brief overview of what I am working with.

I totaled my bike about 3 years ago (it was my only vehicle) and I saw an 8 MR up for sale. Insurance payout on the bike mostly covered the price of the car, I always wanted an Evo, so I jumped on it. Paint is thrashed, lots of ricey parts on the car, trans and t-case needed rebuild, but all of that was going to happen sooner or later anyways (well...except the paint, but oh well).

Since getting the car I have addressed the immediate issues. I swapped the 6-spd for a built 5 speed from Jacks (stock ratios), and had a Jacks Stage 3 T-case rebuild as well. A few other minor things like whiteline roll center adjustment kit, moved the battery to the trunk in anticipation of short route piping. Next week I am doing timing belt/water pump/etc, stainless brake lines, pads, drive line fluids, etc. Its also time for a tune.

The guy who sold me the car made some bad decisions. Injen piping running HKS SSQV VTA on stock ecu is really the icing on that cake. Oh, with Vishnu piggyback too. Haven't heard that name in a while, right? FMIC is some no-name, radiator is DNA, used to have a working AEM Tru Boost, but now it is a turbosmart MBC. The exhaust is obnoxiously loud and that needs to be replaced as well. There is also an AEM fuel rail in the car. Seems like a random thing to add.

Coilovers...I don't know the brand, they are orange and black. Either way, my girlfriend refuses to ride in the car, so they gotta go at some point. Probably for Ohlins R&T. The car rides too low for my likes anyways.

So, I would like some input. I don't post much on any forum I frequent (as you can see I have been a member for a while, but just recently made a few posts), because I like to read and research. This time I think I need some direct input for my situation. My inclination is to replace LICP, UICP, Intake, and FMIC, get a Synapse DV, and a tune as my next move. That would probably be coupled with replacing the front bumper with a 9 front bumper as well, because mine needs serious work anyways. I'm leaning towards the ETS 3.5" FMIC and accompanying piping. That would be followed by a JDM rear bumper and Buscher turbo back with hi-flow cat.

Opinions? Am I on the right track with my priorities? What would you do?

 

Its sounds like you may have gotten a "return to stock" car. Coilovers could be stance, which aren't teribble. If they're adjustable, try softening them with the clickers.


The ETS parts and the synapse are definitely a good route to go for. The Buschur exhaust, even with the magnaflow, isn't that quiet, but it is tolerable until the muffler blows out (mine lasted about a year). I then had a local muffler shop install a slightly bigger magnaflow and it's been pretty quite for 6 months now.


You do seem to be on the right track for quality parts.

 

Bilsteins with robi springs
Eats licp, 3.5 fmic, uicp
Find an exhaust you like and do that, but do the jdm rear first so you don't have to modify the exhaust.
Ditch all the crap the previous owner put on and get a good base flash on the stock ecu

I would port some stuff while you are there, curt brown intake manifold and exhaust manifold. Maybe an injector upgrade and fuel pump before the tune, fic 1050 or 1100 high z.


Biggest thing is to figure out your budget and your timeline, start with the easy to replace items and go from there.

Also if the old lady hates the way the car rides deal with the suspension first .

 

What are your goals? I would say focus on 1 area of the car at a time.
Step 1: Make sure the engine is running well. Replace any parts that need to go and get a reliable tune.
Step 2: Replace your suspension so your GF will actually ride with you. Stock MR Blisteins with GTWorx springs are a great cheap solution.
Step 3: If the paint is really bad, maybe get the car wrapped. Wraps have gotten very affordable.

Keep an eye on Ebay and the FS & Part out sections of these forms for deals on quality parts.

 

If you haven't already, compression test the engine. Also do you have a handle on what the fueling situation is like? You mentioned a fuel rail, but are the injectors stock, how about the fuel pump? I too once had an exede (2005ish)...get an ecuflash cable and rip that thing out, and never look back lol.

 

Actually, just picked up an exhaust manifold in the classifieds. Worth doing the throttle body at the same time as the intake manifold?

Did a compression test when I got the car, all clear. Maybe time for another though, as that was 3 years ago. Not sure on fuel pump or injectors, but that will be easy enough to check.

 

Check for all existing mods on the car motor and body write a full list down BEFORE you do a single mod