joshhulebak

what are some inexpensive things to do to my car to increase the horsepower?

It Wasn't Me

I realize you're new here and all, but come on.. lol

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That's about as "inexpensive" as it gets.

Better off leaving it stock. Use the money for maintenance items.

lostforawhile

like the old saying goes, cheap ain't fast, and fast ain't cheap! more true words have never been spoken about car modding,, I'm working on a vintage Accord, I make all my own parts or source what I can from friends,junkyard etc, and even it's not cheap, thats doing all my own machine work etc, if you need to have stuff done better start scratching off those lottery tickets

lowlife9

there is no cheap way to increase hp bolt ons don't do jack.

sdaidoji

add a four legged one in the front, don't forget to feed it....

if you have an EX, the crower stage 1 cam.

lostforawhile

depends on what your definition of bolt on means, to me taking off a head, doing a bunch of work to it, and bolting it back on is a "bolt on" combine a good exhaust, cam, head work, intake and proper tuning, add in additional fuel delivery if needed, in the form of bigger injectors and pump, depends on what you are making, you can make power, but no cat back exhaust, and intake is going to do anything, you have to increase air flow through an engine, and have the tuning to take advantage of it

j13

iTrader: (2)

The cheapest way to make it go faster is to pay someone to sell it and buy a b/k/h/f series car. But you can save that money and sell it yourself, so that makes it a free upgrade

lostforawhile

amazing how this site discourages anything different

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Huh? There's a huge difference between discouraging innovation, and knowing the limits and availability of what's out there. There are legality issues with running older engines, and NO solid information regarding engine swaps that are not already out there. I, personally, wouldn't waste my money investing in a J-swap... primarily because they don't have the same aftermarket support as a K-series engine. I just don't feel like machining everything for the engine myself, just to make it what I want. Also, the power from a K-series, for the weight of the drivetrain, is exceptional.

What, exactly, were you desiring from "outside the box" creativity here? Someone to do a funky engine swap? Perhaps some sort of odd body panel creation? All these sorts of things require money, in a far greater amount then the standardized stuff you're complaining about. Seeing as it is a Honda Civic chassis, it is safe to assume most owners do not have unlimited funds to go hog-wild on their cars and truly create something unique, unless they have tons of resources at their disposal to do the work themselves. Sadly, that's just the way it is these days. A lot of kids don't have the drive to learn a craft, just so they can achieve a goal making something truly unique... so we end up with a ton of people buying knock-off's, stretched tires, and cheap coilovers just to achieve a look that seems most prevalent currently.

j13

iTrader: (2)

A properly done tuned Kswap would cost 2x more than the civic he owns if not 3x. bolts ons don't do jack, building the engine internally wouldn't do much and would cost ALOT. He said "Inexpensive ways to increase horsepower?" this thread has been repeated many times. It's like running backwards in a circle. The cheapest way to go faster in that car would be to pay for an add in the paper and sell it

drigo951

Weight reduction helps acceleration

rallyeredem2

Stage 1 cam only makes much of a difference with an intake and full exhaust system. All that won't be inexpensive either.

lostforawhile

nope, power isnt cheap, I was lucky to have stainless exhaust tubing I could use and bends, and friends who were really good welders, plus I fabricated my own intake manifold, I can't imagine what this stuff would cost if I bought it, actually it's not even available anywhere. If you want to go cheap, learn to do your own work,and your own fabrication, it's the only way you aren't going to pay out the ***

Curiouz_G

I remember when I was the first one ever to run the Crower stage I cam before anyone. Everyone said it couldn't make squat for power for the cost. Those were the good old days.

lostforawhile

OP if you want to learn to make power on the reasonably cheap, and learn to do your own fabrication, etc, then come over to the dark side with the vintage Honda's, you wont be builing any 500 horsepower motors like some new stuff, but you'll have fun doing it

Curiouz_G

Or switch platforms to stuff that have forced induction to begin with. How does 60whp-80whp and 70wtq-90wtq gains from a reflash sound? (can range from a free flash to a piggy back that runs anywhere from $200 used to $400 new).

lostforawhile

thats not the point in the vintage cars, the point is to do it the hard way, anyone can do it with later engines and computers, not everyone can build power the old school way, if you don't get it, you never will

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Bud, not everyone can afford a pair of BMW's.

Curiouz_G

I was thinking Evo's and STI's

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Meh'... played out.

shotoutacc0rd

What's wrong with a j30a4 or a j32 or even j35? All of those engines easily make 300whp with removal of the cats and ported intake. Add a super charger and they're very quick

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

That's not really inexpensive at all.

There aren't any mount kits out there for a J-series in a 7th Gen. Civic chassis, so you'd have to make your own or do a fair amount of research to make the engine fit properly.

Curiouz_G

A pieced together turbo kit would be way cheaper.

shotoutacc0rd

IMO the only disadvantage is the increased weight of the v6 vs a smaller I4. 300hp all motor is better than 300hp w/ turbo lag any day.

a complete J series engine is only worth like 700$ at most, but a 6speed can be difficult to source and they're worth as much if not more than the engine. But I'm not familiar with the 7th Gen I only like the 5th and 8th, the mounts may be a problem. I'll never understand why the swap isn't more popular, there are intake manifolds that fit the hood nowadays, and exhaust bits that dont cost much and bring out the potential of the engine.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

There's not much similarity there. You may want to rethink strategies for giving advice.