Forget all that E36 M3 about a new car, stupid.
What do I need to know about the EVO IV. This has spent most of it's life as a rally car. What breaks on these? How does the transmission hold up to around 300hp at the wheels? What are the trouble spots? Where do you find parts?
I know nothing about these, but I may have found one at a good price.
Thanks,
Jeff
Wait, an Evo 4!? We never officially got those...make sure the VIN isn't missing. Every one I have ever seen was NOT legal for road use. Good luck with parts.
He's in Canada. 
I see you are in Canada. I don't have anything useful to add here -- but I have to ask, is this a RHD import? I thought the VIII was the first to be brought to North America by Mitsubishi -- did Canada get earlier LHD models? Does your law allow importation prior to the 15 yr cutoff if its a track only car? Or are these showing up in Canada now that they are >15 yrs old?
I would love an early EVO (4g63, AWD, and less than 3000 lbs, yes please). These won't be eligible for import to the US for quite a few years unfortunately...
EvanB wrote: He's in Canada.
Even then, they are JUST hitting the 15-year rule. All four of them I have seen in real life as rally cars either had no VIN at all or had been dubiously registered as a Mitsubishi Mirage. The fact that it's a former rally car would have me wondering about the title status regardless of where it is.
That's true.
I saw this one over the weekend. Road legal as a regular Lancer.
No experience with them but I want one.
EvanB wrote: That's true. I saw this one over the weekend. Road legal as a regular Lancer.
I legitimately wonder how they managed to get that registered...we didn't get the Lancer for another five years after the IV set sail. DMV people out there must be a lot less draconian than ours!
Something about being brought in as parts or a parts car, registered as a collectable. I don't know the whole story but it was plated and drove to the event. RHD and everything.
I've heard rumors about shipping cars in, minus engine, as "parts." I still wonder where the VIN comes in short of blasting one on from another car, unless it's registered as "show and display" (which basically means you can't drive it).
I have been trying to wrap my head around this for a while because I would totally import a Peugeot 106 if it was feasible...
In Canada, as long as it's over 15 years old, we get to import whatever we want.
Why an Evo 4? I mean, one could argue it's a better car than the WRX/STi, but it really comes down to how different you want to be.
They are strong. The motors and trannies are durable. I'm sure if you imported one with below 100,000kms, you'd get another 100+ thousands kms out of it with nothing more than basic maintenance. Getting parts will be painful (everything from Japan) but that's the way it goes.
You say 300+whp, how do you expect to get there? There aren't individually developed tuning systems and chips for Evos (afaik), so you are looking at standalones (possibly plug and play, but then again plug and play from across the pond that no one will have experience with).
Old RHD JDM cars are very common over here because until a year ago, if it was older than 15 years, you could register anything you wanted. They have now changed the law to exclude RHD cars, but they are still pretty loose.
For those that like to shop around: Sorry, mostly in French
To the OP, if I remember well, they are a DSM in a sedan body. But I am no expert on those, so...
HiTempguy wrote: In Canada, as long as it's over 15 years old, we get to import whatever we want. Why an Evo 4? I mean, one could argue it's a better car than the WRX/STi, but it really comes down to how different you want to be. They are strong. The motors and trannies are durable. I'm sure if you imported one with below 100,000kms, you'd get another 100+ thousands kms out of it with nothing more than basic maintenance. Getting parts will be painful (everything from Japan) but that's the way it goes. You say 300+whp, how do you expect to get there? There aren't individually developed tuning systems and chips for Evos (afaik), so you are looking at standalones (possibly plug and play, but then again plug and play from across the pond that no one will have experience with).
If I read the OP right, it sounds like he is looking at a car that is already on North American soil and has already been tuned.
The car is here with a rally logbook. The big challenge is plating it. Still trying to wrap my head around how that will work.
fanfoy wrote: Old RHD JDM cars are very common over here because until a year ago, if it was older than 15 years, you could register anything you wanted. They have now changed the law to exclude RHD cars, but they are still pretty loose. For those that like to shop around: Sorry, mostly in French To the OP, if I remember well, they are a DSM in a sedan body. But I am no expert on those, so...
I'm pretty sure that there is no RHD exclusion - that ALL cars 15 years or older are admissible. If I'm wrong - I wouldn't mind seeing the documentation. www.riv.ca
FWIW in the US there is a small loophole on the 25 year rule. Apparently you can import the car for off road use only, but are allowed 2500 miles per year on road to allow for driving to and from local events, and to keep the car in good mechanical condition.
At least there is to my understanding, I could be completely wrong. And it is also supposedly almost impossible to get.
moparman76_69 wrote: FWIW in the US there is a small loophole on the 25 year rule. Apparently you can import the car for off road use only, but are allowed 2500 miles per year on road to allow for driving to and from local events, and to keep the car in good mechanical condition. At least there is to my understanding, I could be completely wrong. And it is also supposedly almost impossible to get.
Yup, that is the "show and display" exemption I mentioned - thank Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates' 959s for that one.
Nathan JansenvanDoorn wrote:fanfoy wrote: Old RHD JDM cars are very common over here because until a year ago, if it was older than 15 years, you could register anything you wanted. They have now changed the law to exclude RHD cars, but they are still pretty loose. For those that like to shop around: Sorry, mostly in French To the OP, if I remember well, they are a DSM in a sedan body. But I am no expert on those, so...I'm pretty sure that there is no RHD exclusion - that ALL cars 15 years or older are admissible. If I'm wrong - I wouldn't mind seeing the documentation. www.riv.ca
Well I don't know for you guys in Ontario, but for us in the "Belle Province", since October 26th, 2009 (wow, hadn't realized how long ago it was), the SAAQ (Quebec's DMV) has issued a decree to stop the plating of RHD cars.
I would like to link it, but the stupid SAAQ website is down...WTF.
A few months ago, there was a White House petition to get the US gray import limit lowered to 15 years, but it failed due to lack of signatures.
There is an engine management option called DSMLink, but its not available for the Evo IV unless you swap to an ECU from a DSM or Evo I-III. I know of at least one guy on the New England DSM Forums who equipped his Evo VIII with a 2G DSM ECU and DSMLink, so it can be done. However, it took about a month for him to get the Evo to pass Mass. emissions inspection.
I'm not sure what you can do about driveline parts, but there is plenty of aftermarket for the 4G63. Just stay on top of those timing belt changes!
fanfoy wrote: Old RHD JDM cars are very common over here
Yea, Quebec isn't Canada. It's kind of important to state that fact.
To the original poster, email me (aevokes (AT) ShAW D0T CA) and I can forward you a list of shops that do inspections for these vehicles across Canada. When you say "rally car", that doesn't really mean anything. Does it have a logbook (you say it does, but you don't say where from)?
Are you being obtuse and vague for a reason? For someone who is going to be spending a minimum of $10k (and if it is any Evo4 rally car I know of in Canada, we are talking well over $15k), you don't seem to have your ducks in a row. Maybe a link to an ad? Maybe ask some folks on mlrc.ca ? We just had one individual in Alberta who ran into a problem with bringing a car in from BC because he didn't do his research and get ahold of the proper people. Now his car is ineligible for importation to Alberta and he is stuck with a $20k car that can't be legally registered.
My first ride in an Evo(III? IIV?? It's been a few years) rally car was awe inspiring. The first time we launched, my head snapped against the seat back hard enough to feel it strongly. We were on gravel. And I was wearing a helmet. 
He beat that car mercillously, but I don't remember any mechanical DNF's. Then again, he did have TAD handle the prep and service, and those guys seemed to know what they were doing.
In reply to HiTempguy:
Sent you an email. Thanks.
You'll need to log in to post.
