Evo 3

D.D.A · 13-01-2021, 14:58

Looking at a evo 3
Problems to look for please
Are parts still available
Engine reliability
Anything that may help
Ant 1s old car I believe
Thanks

thetyrant · 13-01-2021, 15:25

Engine is strong and lot of parts from later cars like pistons etc can be fitted if needed, but the E1/2/3&4 can suffer crankwalk issues as the thrust bearing design is poor compared to later cars, when this wear the crank endlfoat goes out of spec and can destroy engine, although if caught early it can sometimes be sorted with just a bearing swap but all depends how far gone it is and condition of everything, some cars go many miles without issue as well.

Other potential issue is Gearbox as they have a weak 4th gear especially if tuned and can spit off a tooth which usually shoots out the bottom of box casing!, i did 3 of these when i had my Evo2

, casing can usually be repaired but problem is getting the new gears if they do break as im pretty sure discontinued now and while you used to be able to get in japan i would be surprised if any left now, there was a guy in europe doing a stronger straight cut 4th gear setup but not sure if still available.

Other than that great cars when everything is good and i prefer to drive to laters Evos, ive had a E5 and E9 as well as 2 x E2 in past and the early cars served me well over the years and many many miles, i would have another if gearbox parts were available easily, last gbox i had was full rebuild many new parts and lasted 40k+ miles before spitting 4th off again, that car was a 2.3 stroker motor with 400lbs of torque and driven hard though.

Mita · 13-01-2021, 15:45

I always fancied doing a later engine swap on an early. Solves a lot of the above issues but is a big old project

thetyrant · 13-01-2021, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mita

I always fancied doing a later engine swap on an early. Solves a lot of the above issues but is a big old project

Yes same here if i could get a car cheap enough i would do it but price of the cars is silly now so makes it a hard pill to swallow, the later E5-9 engine/box swap isnt that involved if you have all right bits but there is some fab do to of course with engine and box being 180degree rotated, from memory looking at that one NR did notching the subframe to make space for transmission being main part of it.

Mita · 13-01-2021, 16:21

You’re not wrong, proves now make it a bit of a dead end

Would be awesome to do

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetyrant

Yes same here if i could get a car cheap enough i would do it but price of the cars is silly now so makes it a hard pill to swallow, the later E5-9 engine/box swap isnt that involved if you have all right bits but there is some fab do to of course with engine and box being 180degree rotated, from memory looking at that one NR did notching the subframe to make space for transmission being main part of it.

Pushpex · 13-01-2021, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mita

I always fancied doing a later engine swap on an early. Solves a lot of the above issues but is a big old project

Don't talk about doing another project, you'll scare Dave-Cee

ant1 · 13-01-2021, 15:47

Not seen that car in years.

I would be checking for rust, the underside used to be mint. Like new in fact but I used it with no underseal as it was dry use only. Not sure what has been applied since.

grants · 13-01-2021, 15:56

Good thread here

https://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=580743

RSgeoff · 13-01-2021, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ant1

Not seen that car in years.

Do you not look at your Avatar?

ant1 · 13-01-2021, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSgeoff

Do you not look at your Avatar?

Good one

Mita · 14-01-2021, 09:41

VR-4Squid · 17-01-2021, 00:45

Aside from everything mentioned above:

Check the firewall near the clutch master cylinder - really common for them to develop cracks in this area as the firewall flexes when used with a heavy clutch.

Rear subframes are prone to cracking near the mounts for the diff "moustache bar" on cars that are launched hard.

Roof rust. The number one issue with early Evo's. The sealant bonding the roof skin to the cross bars breaks down and the roof skin rusts from the inside out. If you can see bubbles on the outside it's stuffed, if you can't it's probably on it's way. Black cars are usually the worst (because heat accelerates the process) but they all do it eventually. The only solution is a brand new roof skin.

Gazzor · 18-01-2021, 14:31

Its still solid engines strong just needs a bit of TLC, roof is rust free too, pulls like a train gearbox diffs brakes all good

youask · 20-01-2021, 18:33

I got straight cut 4th gears as well as oem on the shelf

Skickat från min ANE-LX3 via Tapatalk

13-01-2021, 14:58	#1
D.D.A Senior User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 1,629	Evo 3 Looking at a evo 3 Problems to look for please Are parts still available Engine reliability Anything that may help Ant 1s old car I believe Thanks __________________ Need evo

17-01-2021, 00:45	#12
VR-4Squid Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Zealand Car: CP9A Evolution V Posts: 563	Aside from everything mentioned above: Check the firewall near the clutch master cylinder - really common for them to develop cracks in this area as the firewall flexes when used with a heavy clutch. Rear subframes are prone to cracking near the mounts for the diff "moustache bar" on cars that are launched hard. Roof rust. The number one issue with early Evo's. The sealant bonding the roof skin to the cross bars breaks down and the roof skin rusts from the inside out. If you can see bubbles on the outside it's stuffed, if you can't it's probably on it's way. Black cars are usually the worst (because heat accelerates the process) but they all do it eventually. The only solution is a brand new roof skin. __________________ E39A vr-4 - Project 燃えないゴミ (Unburnable Junk) - Stolen!

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13-01-2021, 15:25	#2
thetyrant Senior User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cumbria.... Car: BMW 130i & MR2 Roadster - Previously: Evo9, Evo5, 2 x Evo2, all gone but not forgotten. Posts: 16,906	Engine is strong and lot of parts from later cars like pistons etc can be fitted if needed, but the E1/2/3&4 can suffer crankwalk issues as the thrust bearing design is poor compared to later cars, when this wear the crank endlfoat goes out of spec and can destroy engine, although if caught early it can sometimes be sorted with just a bearing swap but all depends how far gone it is and condition of everything, some cars go many miles without issue as well. Other potential issue is Gearbox as they have a weak 4th gear especially if tuned and can spit off a tooth which usually shoots out the bottom of box casing!, i did 3 of these when i had my Evo2 , casing can usually be repaired but problem is getting the new gears if they do break as im pretty sure discontinued now and while you used to be able to get in japan i would be surprised if any left now, there was a guy in europe doing a stronger straight cut 4th gear setup but not sure if still available. Other than that great cars when everything is good and i prefer to drive to laters Evos, ive had a E5 and E9 as well as 2 x E2 in past and the early cars served me well over the years and many many miles, i would have another if gearbox parts were available easily, last gbox i had was full rebuild many new parts and lasted 40k+ miles before spitting 4th off again, that car was a 2.3 stroker motor with 400lbs of torque and driven hard though.

13-01-2021, 15:45	#3
Mita Senior User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 10,468	I always fancied doing a later engine swap on an early. Solves a lot of the above issues but is a big old project

13-01-2021, 15:47	#7
ant1 Senior User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: At you mums Car: Evo TME RS Posts: 11,601	Not seen that car in years. I would be checking for rust, the underside used to be mint. Like new in fact but I used it with no underseal as it was dry use only. Not sure what has been applied since.

13-01-2021, 15:56	#8
grants Senior User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 9,653	Good thread here https://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=580743

14-01-2021, 09:41	#11
Mita Senior User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 10,468

18-01-2021, 14:31	#13
Gazzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cheshire Car: TME #36, Lancer 1800 RS, Libero GT estate Posts: 4,773	Its still solid engines strong just needs a bit of TLC, roof is rust free too, pulls like a train gearbox diffs brakes all good

20-01-2021, 18:33	#14
youask Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 77	I got straight cut 4th gears as well as oem on the shelf Skickat från min ANE-LX3 via Tapatalk