Im getting a little bored with my 350z, and the expense of modifying it is beginning to make me wonder if it's even really worth tuning on.

I've been looking at various cars in my price range, and the Evo has always interested me. I've done some poking around, and it has gotten some pretty awesome reveiws from the car mags, and the couple of owners I've talked to (and even one Subaru owner who regrets not buying one) have talked them up quite a bit to me.

I do have a couple questions though:

Are these cars "big guy" freindly? Im 5'11 & 300lbs, built like a keg. I fit in my Z just fine, but many import cars are just too damn small for me.

The MR semi-automatic powertrain sounds really interesting, and since this will be a daily driver occaisionally used for "spirited" driving, it appeals to me. Are there any major drawbacks to selecting this as the transmission?

What mods would you recommend right off the bat? Im guessing intake work and a new BOV, but Im curious to hear what the more seasoned Mitsubishi tuners have to say.

Thanks in advance!

 

I understand what you mean about getting tired of the Z.
I mean they have great handles, and looks, but power to cost ratio in modding them and etc is not so great. My friend Alex just came out of an integra to a Z, and he's already looking for more out of it. I can wipe the streets with his Z all day from any kind of race.

My friend with a 04 stage 2 sti also spanks on them pretty badly, but honestly I dont know many subie owners who'd prefer the new evo over there cars.

If It were me Id say get a used Evo9 MR or Evo8 and build that.
But thats just my tastes. ( or whichever of those is better, cant remember)
As far as modding the EvoX , talk to BVP about that.
They already have theirs running high 10s, so they can tell you what to expect etc.
They are well engineered cars, with great potiential as the older Evos.

As far as physical space, Id say youd have more room in the EvoX than you will your Z, with back seats and a larger trunk to boot.

 

^+1 dont forget it hows paddle shifters and doesnt offer a manual version yet

 

i had my EVOX for about three week. Im 6"2 and 240. I hated the seat not a confortable car at all. I drove the new STI and that car was amazing for driving to and from. Deff sit in one for a wile before you buy it

 

Yeah, Im planning on taking one for a test drive this weekend just so see how it 'fits'.

I gotta lose some weight, I cant fit into fast cars! LOL

Thanks for the advice everyone, Im going to price some used Evo VIII's and IX's as well for comparison.

The not having a manual thing isnt that big an issue for me. I have to drive for work 2-3 times a month for 4 or more hours a pop, so automatic and Cruise control are really nice to have.

 

Just save your money and go FI on the Z. The Z is a better car trust me. And very fast boosted.

Grab a used Vortech kit for 2500 bucks and make 400hp.

Not to mention the Z is a far better looking car to boot then any EVO or STI.


What mods do u have done to your Z??? What year and model?? I hope your not bored with it and u havent even got a tune or Re-flash on it yet. Mine was a different car after the flash. Yea I cant beat modded STI's but those cars get real fast real quick with little money. I ran mid 13's with mine and im happy. Im saving for a Stillen Supercharger, ive seen them go for 1800 before used. And I can get over 100hp out of one. Thats pretty good since im getting around 260hp now.

 

Centrifugal superchargers are a big waste of money. The "make 400hp" statement you made only applies to maybe 400rpms of the powerband. Thats why there a waste of money. The peak numbers appear big and flashy but the actual useable power is crap.

 

Well It doesnt have to be a Vortech Supercharger then, grab a used Turbonetics Kit for around 3500 usually and make real turbo power. Or Greddy twins low boost, and have power left over for when u build your motor.

 

the MR, so far, has been pretty tuner unfriendly. The trans has it's own separate computer that has to be reprogrammed as you mod, which no one that I've heard of has had any success at cracking the code on. Adding to this, its widely been speculated that the MR trans will not have a high threshold for holding hp. At this point in time, I'd only recommend the MR for light modding, and if you're a hp junkie (or your first turbo car), I'd get the non mr for simplicity's sake. Now's a great time to buy because no one is buying cars right now; dealers are pretty desperate and willing to come down quite a bit.
For your size, you'd be pretty snug in a Evo 8/9 but the 10 has a little more room.

Now let me get my plug in If you do decide to keep the Z and are interested in FI options, we have done quite a few at S&R, with built and stock motors alike. We just finished a 350z with a Greddy TT kit and built motor that turned out awesome

I think you'll be happy no matter what choice you make, all are great cars

 

Get a Evo 9.The stock turbo will make enough power to destroy a 350z stock longblock to longblock.