The Evo X Upgrade Journey of Project Neko

 

    I am the proud owner of a Phantom Black Pearl (Paint Code: U02) 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR. I spent 3 years diligently saving up my earnings. Fate granted me the opportunity to purchase

the vehicle that I toiled for years over. I forgone visiting family, friends, and the chance to breakaway from the Mid-West to get it. It wasn't some childhood obsession, it was a symbol of being able to realize one of my potentially tangible dreams. A chance search changed my life forever. I am forever grateful of the opportunity of being the owner of this car for the last year.  It was a long journey. I won't bore you with the details. I would rather discuss the future, potential updates, and the eventual goal of this car. I often discuss leaving a legacy; this car is a small part of what I wish to leave behind to the next generation. It's not much, but this is my desire. I affectionately call this car Felix. This is in honor of my favorite cartoon character and US Navy Fighter squadron VF-31 mascot created by Pat Sullivan - Felix the Cat.

My 2008 Evo X After Personal Detail

     On February 9th, 2019 I drove from Toronto, Ontario, Canada back to SE Michigan, USA the proud owner of this magnificent Evo X. I imported the vehicle at the border with all of the necessary paperwork that the US Border Patrol and NHTSA ( National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration - United States of America) Requires. After a week of owning it, I stripped all of the "modifications" off of the vehicle and returned the vehicle to stock. The previous owner installed and ETS intake with NO TUNE to the turbo charger. Afterwards I diagnosed the car's CEL (Check Engine Light) Code that came on about half way to Metro Detroit.  It read the dreaded P1875 - Damper Speed Sensor failure. There was nothing wrong with the transmission. It shifted normal. After installing the OEM air induction box (air intake), the CEL went away. I sat back asking myself, " What direction should I go now that the problem has been 'rectified'." The month of April was going to be the determining factor. I was going to put it through it's paces in a short shakedown.

Bridgestone RE71R

     I decided to only participate in 3 Detroit Region SCCA autocross events for the 2019 season. I figured giving it a proper shakedown would allow me figure out what it needs along with to getting used to the car. This would allow me to figure out what I wanted to upgrade. The car came with the paltry Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, the first problem. The vehicle needed a grippier tire compound for the track. I didn't need a set of tires that would allow me to slide I had on a pair roller skates. So I decided to move to the Bridgestone RE71Rs. I previously ran those on the on my Lexus IS300 in the 2018 season. It is a substantially grippier compound. It helped me win my class. It is also a very popular tire within the competitive autocross community.

     As the season progressed, while running the Lexus IS300 in Detroit Council of Sports Car Club (DCSCC or commonly known as the Detroit Council), I burned through what ever remaining rubber was left on the Lexus. So the Evo X went from shakedown to full active competitor. I found that the springs and dampers (shocks) are great but I need to minimize body roll to maintain my line. I don't want to change spring rates. The car rides very stiff as it is. I just need to get the car pointed in the right direction. I contemplated a sway bar set but I wasn't sure. I eventually agreed with my assessment. I need to get a set of sway bars (Anti-roll or stabilizer bars). The All Wheel Control (S-AWC) System kept power to the wheels, but my turns were off. I knew I could have carried more speed. I just needed to minimize the roll so I can improve in that area. I am getting a set for the front and rear. I am looking at Whiteline brand. There is a video on YouTube that showed there is a 25% reduction in roll. Reducing body is roll is key. I need to keep the lateral center of mass close to the center as possible. Not having that reduction will cause to you to take wider turns at slower speeds. It will also allow you to carry significantly more speed in a turn.

     Because everyone wants to be louder. Having a booming exhaust is not enjoyable for me. I am not expecting performance gains. But I love a good sounding exhaust. I chose to go with the HKS Hi-Power Exhaust System. HKS provides a solid note from the 4B11T power plant. I also love how their products sound. I have the Hi-Power Carbon-Ti system on the Lexus. This exhaust system gives a nice low growl that you would hear if WRC rally cars went through puberty. The exhaust note is nice but the OEM muffler keeps it very quiet.

     I don't know what I will do with the creature comforts of the interior. The radio isn't bad. I don't need a navigation unit because I don't plan on doing cross country traveling. The most I can see myself doing is going to Saginaw, MI. or Toledo, OH. for Autocrosses. I will go to Gingerman, M1 Concourse, Waterford Hills, and Grattan Raceway for open track days, but all of those places are in Michigan. It would be something nice. I can connect an OBD II via Bluetooth. This will allow me track the car's performance data. The jury is still out on that decision.

     That is my list so far. I have considered going back home to New Orleans for Open track days and Delta Region SCCA for events. But I will have to get a new set of tires or at least send the wheels via Greyhound in advance. I'm not sure I trust them for expensive wheels and tires. But I will consider the option once I have a logical plan. I do not plan on changing head studs, and cams because I'm not trying to increase the boost. I would like to keep this car for as long as I can and have fun. I would like to pass it down to someone who would appreciate it as much as me, and take care of it for as long as possible. This car symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and the will to be patient. Truly good things come to those who wait, and I enjoy every moment of this opportunity. 

Done With Twitter, Not For The Reasons You Would Think

     Can you really express a thought in 140 characters? Can you do the same in 280? You can convey simple ideas, but not really full concepts. My breadth of expression is limited by the lack of ability to fully express my thoughts. I need some space. So I decided to step back from Twitter, but not for the reason you would think.

     I will only use twitter to post updates to this blog, my YouTube Channel, and notifications of my next adventure... either on the car scene, day at the track, outdoor life, travel, music, or some encounter of the geek kind. It is just my schtick. Trying to convey anything more than that is just not possible. Anything outside of the brief post to draw in people to the content I create develops cohesion and focus problems for me. I need to stay on task.

     Twitter is a great way to post notifications, brief updates, simple ideas, and basic in the moment thoughts. I can see why so many people can get addicted to it, especially now when people seemingly have short attentions spans or don't have the time to read long form content. You log in, review what people are doing, take in a large amount of content in a short time, and go about your day. Is there any value added in your life. It's a 140 to 280 character blurb - a disjointed incomplete thought. You don't express your full thought because it leaves the thought open to interpretation, here say and conjecture. How do I really know your intention, your point, or even context (which matters heavily).  I would like to use the platform to get your attention, rather than have you decipher disjointed thoughts. I rather open a window to the world.

     Four years ago, I lay sprawled on my couch sick from some strain of the "flu", I wondered what is my direction in life. I saw car culture lifestyle vlogs, and videos that poked fun at unknowledgeable car enthusiast. These were all produced by people who had a simple camera, and a goal. I saw that they used the twitter platform to connect with their audience. I joined twitter not only to connect but to get people off of their couch.. I wanted to focus on notifying my audience when I was going to produce a vlog and expose them to my world. It was that moment I started doing more things in my life besides getting up and going to work. It was a way to motivate people to get up and enjoy life, find inspiration, and expose people to something they may have interest in but no way of networking with those who share that interest. I rather open a window that encourages people to enjoy life. We shouldn't be sitting on the couch wondering what to do. There should be something that inspires people to come together, find a purpose, or just something to do. So I rather spend time making content that inspires you, rather than make a frivolous post that adds nothing.

     This Blog is just an audience touchpoint. It's a way to fully convey my thoughts and the content I create. This is one of those jewels of the Late 1990s/ Early 2000s that we no longer seriously appreciate because many don't want to sit down and enjoy a good read. Reading a good insightful blog is like savoring a great well cooked piece of meat. Instead, many would rather go for the hamburger. I rather use this as a creators thought page than use Twitter; giving people sustenance as well as enjoyment of flavor. I can fully express my thoughts beyond the limit of 140 to 280 characters. You can understand my intent, my point, and context. Plus, I can expound on the stories that were never told behind the camera. I challenge you to find and follow someone that adds value to your life by inspiring you to get up, and get out... but also has you keeping coming back for more. See you all a lot more in the future.

Photography and Hosting

Along with vlogging and my other usual shenanigans, I have a passion for photography. This means I am looking for a site to host the photos I take. I thought about using my vacant google plus account to host photos, but I am not sure. I usually like to keep my Facebook account exclusive to people I know or have networked with on the groups I am a member of. That means FB is out of the question. I may need to ask around and see.

If any of you readers have any suggestions I am open. I am looking for a site that is viewer friendly, can be organized, and is easy to link to other social media sites. Suggestions are appreciated.


Regards