First timer hello...Plus the questions...

[JIGGA]

Hi all,
Been wanting to write to all of you since I began reading your posts. Beautiful and informative stuff, I tell you!

Well, I don't know if you guys have read my profile. I'm a yank that drives a E5 GSR in New York City. Yes, Evolution in the States,
wouldn't swap my car for a ferrari! Been lucky enough to find this chick from Liverpool that imported hers to the US while she was attending school here.
She recently returned to England, and didn't want to take her car back. My brother-in-law lives in Port St. Lucie, a small city in Florida, and noticed the evo
driving around with a for sale sign on the back. Yes, had to jump on that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and didn't have to cough up big ticket dollars that
some of these abussive freekin importers want for such cars. I've been planning on taking some pics of the car to post to the car section; waiting for my lazy ass brother to let me borrow his cam.

The first drive was AWESOME! Had driven a right hand Pajero in Jamaica a few years back, didn't take me too long to get used to the idea of being sooo
unique. People around here give me the weirdest looks, especially when driving alone. The only thing that's beginning to really bother me is when kids come up and ask, Hey man, where'd you get that bodykit? , or Cool Mirage! ; if you guys see somethin on the news about a local New Yorker strangling a rice boy, then its probably not me. : )

The car rocks, brothers and sisters! Yes lord, thank you for Evo heaven (or hell, since thats what I've been givin' em)! Love killin the local rice-burners. Raced an M3, destroyed him. Raced some dork on a GSX, stabbed him with an ice pick. Supra-man, got yo cryptonite right here baby! Mustang was definetely missing his horses. Camaros and T-Birds are on my anthrax list, only if they get the confederate flag, or Puerto Rican, off their hoods, or bonnets like you guys say. The other day raced a kid with a highly modified Prelude (jackson racing supercharger, induction, ignition, exhaust, suspension, the works), he's now going back to the shop. BLOODY WAINKER! Sorry, thats the only brit slang I know! ; P

OK, I'm already in the proccess of doing some upgrading to its performance: HKS cat back, extension and front pipe, HKS R suction kit. Got some parts from Justin over at TorqueIC, AWESOME guy (thanks brother). Even waived shipping charges, and lucky me, don't have to pay your local taxes, I believe you call it VAT. 17.5%, How do you guys put up with that crap?

Well, enough with the useless chat. Please don't get mad at me for such a long post. Just too excited about owning the Evo!

Alright, this wouldn't be a post with out a question. I've read what most of you think about the different suspeinsion kits available. Currently I run a modified celica on our local road racing circuits, mosport, lime rock, pocono, summit raceway, etc. I'm a long-life, and proud, SCCA member here in the States. Due to the economic decision I made when I decided to purchase my Evo, I'll have to sell my car. Got a buyer already, even gave me a down payment.

I need something that will work both on the street and track. Dont want something that requires servicing and rebuilding like ohlins or proflex. Just want some good shocks and springs, nothing too excesive and/or expensive. I'll probably go for the forge front and rear struts. I have the right stuff to adjust for camber. All I want is something that I can put in and not have to worry about it later on. I'm sort of inclining towards Eibach, HKS, or Leda springs, but have no clue on shocks.

thanks ahead for any insight. It's great to be able to share my feelings with all of yous. I only wish I can roll with some of you fine individuals.
If anyone visiting this side of the world, don't hesitate to pay me a visit. Again, a billion apologies for such long post...

[oli goon]

wellcome to the world of the Evo. Good to see your smokin the others in the US.

I've still got the stock setup but would probably go for the Leda setup. This is about £1000 but can be rebuilt when its worn. This kit seems a reasonable compromise between price, performance and durability. As you say with the top of the range ohlins/proflex stuff (~£5k) you will probably need to lubricate them quite often if only used on the road. Search this forum on ohlins/proflex and you will get a good feel for the situation.

[Wazuptommi]

Congratulations on buying your first Evo .I also would recomend Leda good value for money.

Best Wishes Barry:)

[SHORTY [paul s]]

Good post,

Rice burners briiliant.!
How do you get around the emmission law as quite a few Americans want the Evo and can't have it .
Does it vary from state to state.?

[blade]

The Leda stuff is OK, but not great quality - I wouldn't buy it if you are outside the UK as the servicing becomes an issue.

Best thing for you would be Drummonds (either the 40mm lite kit, or 50mm kit) both are adjustable (20 way) while the 50mm kit is adj. for both bump and rebound. Other than that, maybe something like Tein or Cusco from Japan, but the Drummonds will be easier to get hold off. Drummonds do not need regular rebuilds etc and are sealed units (no gas tanks).

[JIGGA]

Shorty, emissions here can be a pain in the you know what... A few years back one would take any car to the inspection station a get it tested, yet giving the inspection guy at the gas station a few extra dollars to switch the information (id number, mileage, etc.), thus really inspecting your vehicle in its decoy/ghost form! Beautiful technique, and some might say how corrupt is the system. You didn't even have to know someone at the inspection station, all it took was 20 dollars extra and every station was ready to do what you wanted.

Now, New York State got smarter. About one year ago, emmissions got tougher, and to add to the dilemma even further, they added continuous cameras to every inspection booth in the state of New York. Following this concept, several other states took their example. Changes were that you now had to pay an extra 15 dollars to compensate for what the stations would have to pay to get the new system with the camera installed in their shops. Also, inpections were noe held every year, rather than every two prior to this bulls**t! Now, there are still ways around the system, but I've yet to try...

My solution was registering the vehicle in the state of Florida. Florida has cities that are considered clean air cities , meaning vast land, not enough vehicles. There are saw my opportunity. I have a brother-in-law living in Port St. Lucie, Florida (a clean air city). NO EMMISSIONS FOR THE REST OF MY EVO'S EXISTENCE!! No probs, no hassles, just the way I like it, if you know what I mean! ; P

Updates: Just mounted the HKS R suction kit. What an amazing suction kit! The sounds are incredible, would definetely recommend it. Those Japs think of everything, even the tiny-est of details are included in the box. But, had one small problem: As soon as I took off on first gear with the new system installed, I believe I experienced a fuel cut. Don't know this for shure, just know that I had my foot on the gas, and the car wasn't accelerating nor responding. A few secs. after and it grabbed road taking off. Haven't had a problem after that! Then again, this was yesterday, will test it again today.

Will take a look at drummond, although Leda is still prefered...

thanks guys for all replies...