Alignment 12/8/16

Today I had my alignment done by The Alignment Factory. One of the best places to have an alignment done in Miami. Since I was down here, it was the best time to take advantage of their awesome service.

MR Suspension Install

Spent the weekend getting the car back on stock MR suspension that I bought from a fellow member on the EvoM forums. Claimed they only had about 40k miles which there is no way to prove, but figured if they'd last me anywhere between 30-50k, I'd be okay with it until I figure out a proper suspension route for what I want out of the car.


So as of now, the car sits on original Bilstien MR's all the way around on factory springs. The car handles amazing. The front sits a little higher then I'd like, but the performance handling makes up for it.

Misc Purchase

Some goodies have arrived!

Things Done Log #3

This labor day weekend was both unsuccessful/successful in terms of working on the Evo.

I attempted to yet again raise the suspension on the Tien Coil-overs after a week of aggressively spraying PB blaster on the gears daily. Saturday came along only to find myself defeated after about three hours of trying. Why the previous owner would change the MR Bilstien suspension for Basic Tien Coil-overs boggles my mind. To me it seems they simply wanted the "drop". So now I'll either need to get a better suspension setup, or purchase a used set of MR Bilstiens.


What did go well.


Today I installed the lower front mount grill mesh ( which the car did not come with for some reason ). The thought of removing the front bumper on a car I've never removed it from kind of scared me. But it is actually very simple on this car! I can probably have it off now in about three minutes if I am quick about it. ( AKA: Don't go chasing after missing tools! )

No OEM grill mesh on the lower portion of bumper. ( before pic )

Removing the plastic clips. If you are careful and take your time, this is easy.

 Front Bumper off

While the bumper was off, I decided this was a good opportunity to paint/plasti-dip the rusted part. The plan was to actually have it powder coated, but will be replacing the rusted parts in the future.

While I was at it, I thought long about possibly spraying the top half of the inter cooler black, as it looked "tacky" to me having the aluminum front mount stick out from the top. So I decided to try it out and Plasti-Dip the top part of it. Should I not like it, I can just peak it off.

( I did mask it off even more after this pic to prevent over-spray )

BEFORE: Test fit W/Mesh on

AFTER: End result.

So glad with how it came out. It looks that much more elegant. Now I'm wanting the under tray to help keep things clean in the engine bay.

Gave it a much needed detail

End result.

A/C Repair

MAINTENCE LOG // 8-27-16 // A/C – Fix

So I finally got around to fixing the A/C on the car.Was definitely a pain doing it alone, but I managed.

Notes:

·         Prior to any work, I had the A/C system completely vacuumed/discharged at Aamco

·         Removed the old/defective A/C compressor and installed a new one purchased from Pittstop.

·         Re-charged A/C at Aamco

A/C is now blowing Ice Cold, and is working with no further issues.

2 Steps forward, and 4 steps backwards.

This weekend was quite the struggle with the Evo.

After attempting to repair the A/C compressor by replacing the clutch and adding the shim from a spare A/C compressor I got, I believe I pretty much killed my compressor. After sparks flying out of the compressor, and a bad burning smell, I deam it toast.

So I can do one of two things. Purchase an A/C clutch kit for around $50 which will bring shims, a new A/C Clutch and coil. Or spend $133 on a brand new A/C compressor. Think I will go with piece of mind and get a brand new second hand replacement from here:
http://www.pitstopauto.com/products/2003-mitsubishi-lancer-co-11161t


For now, I went ahead and ordered a A/C delete belt which is just a shorter belt that does not loop around the A/C compressor until I can resolve that. Makes the car drive-able. Just with no A/C.




On the positive side, I did do it's first official oil change with Amsoil and a new OEM filter.



Also detailed the car quite a bit and gave the under carriage a good bath.

Things to do this weekend:

• Fix A/C compressor again ( Shim removed was a bandaid, now is making noise )
• Oil Change (Amsoil was purchased)
• Wash 
• 
  

Things done log #2

Things done this weekend:

• I relocated the A/C controls and installed the double din (this was actually done on Tues/Wed).
• Removed front license plate
• Changed oil to Mobil 1 Synthetic - Will be driving for about 1k miles and switching to Amsoil

The A/C relocate was a bit harder then anticipated. With a lot of fiddling around, I was able to make it fit. I also discovered that the roof itself is not in fact faded! It's simply a black vinyl that they put over it. So this weekend I will be removing it.

A/C Restored

So I actually got quite busy with the car this weekend. I was determined to find the cause of no A/C issue. So my investigation began.

You can actually find a thread on my A/C here: http://www.evolutionm.net/forums/evo-general/731102-evo-ix-c-problems.html

Wheel had to come off, and had to pretty much move the oil cooler

Here is the clutch itself. You can see it's pretty rusted and worn. Removed the shim

Long story short, the issue turned out to by the clutch being out of spec. Once I removed the shim, A/C started to eventually work!

Things done log #1

Did a couple things this weekend to the Evo.

-Plasti dipped the rims grey until I can have them powder coated to their original color
-Took/peeled off the red from the OEM chrome mitsu logo in the front.
-Replaced battery in key fob and re-programmed.
-Washed the car for the first time.




Before:

After:

Next on the agenda for the car is:
-Fix A/C
-Raise the over-all height of the car ( not by much )
-Oil Change
-All Trans/Drive-line fluid change.
-Remove the front license plate bracket  ( this has proved to be very difficult.. )

A new Evolution

Finally purchased my dream car. 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX.

Picking up this vehicle was no easy task. Couldn't have done it without the girlfriend either. We traveled about 8 1/2 hours from Southern VA, all the way to Buffalo NY to pick up the car.

After the test drive, and fully inspecting the car, I made an offer and was off with the car.

Pics of picking it up.

SOLD/Bought the car. Paper work done, and off to home I go

First fill up ever ( for me at least )

Stopping at MC Donald's for a quick late lunch on my way back

( I immediately received a compliment when someone was walking in )

Continuing drive home

The drive was actually a blast. I got to go on roads and view sights that I other wise wouldn't be able to see. ( Remember, lived in Miami all my life. Everything is flat there lol ). You can definitely tell the car is lowered, and the A/C not working was a bummer. But the way the car drove and handled more then made up for these negatives.