Got a 1991 Acura Integra LS AT. Going to change it to a MT soon enough but besides that I could use some ideas as to how I should modify it to make it run quicker and smoother. Maybe some look changes too? I want rims, new muffler (exhaust system maybe?), perhaps a spoiler, body kit?, new intake, lighting (thinking of altezza for rear), new interior design, sound system...you name it. If any of y'all experts got some advice or whoever just wants to post some cool stuff I'll check it out. Now mind you I've got about $2000 to get as much of this, but only quality grade stuff, into my Integ. I'll have more money later but thats it for now so suggestions for things I could do currently and in the future will all help.

Thanks....

 

No body kit, no altezzas, no muffler, no sound system, and no new interior design if you want to make it quicker
get i/h/e tires, suspension to start

 

well if your not joking. i'd say you got a lot of reading to do.
but the first thing that i'd do is save up for a motor swap or build the motor for FI. don't waste money buy lights and flashy crap if your car got nothin else. you end up spending the money you could have use to do a major improvement like a motor swap, on stuff that doesn't do anything useful. although a good suspension could also be a good start. it depends on what you want. do you want your car to look nice in a parking lot then go for looks. if you want to drag build the motor, and if you want to race on a track upgrade the suspension.

 

you beat me. i thought i'd get the first reply.
tire and suspension sound ok, but i don't think I/H/E will do much for an 91 teg ls auto, other than make noise. save buying those things for either a better motor or more useful mods. but if your satisfied with the performance of the motor now, but if you just want a slight bit more power, then I/H/E will do i geuss.


[Modified by Sukebei Oni, 11:31 PM 3/27/2003]

 

But even if he does want stuff later, he still needs the basics to give his engine some flow

 

I've been thinking of modifying the body slightly just for a different look. Almost as to reflect my personality on my car. Don't care much for a sound system, I'll probably just get a CD player for it. I'm not a subwuffer guy so that eliminates a good amount of weight addition. Would lowering the car be a first for better handling or do I need to look into the other areas of the suspension system? Since I will be getting rims it will be better to change to thinner tires so that I have more tread on the road correct? Also, is weight reduction more important than increased horse power? I know with more weight handling will be worse, and with more horse power drag racing will be improved but is there a medium for all of this? I probably will never race this car hardcore, but I expect after putting several grand into it it should take turns pretty well and have enough power to take on better than stock cars.

 

As I just replied, I'm not looking to turn this into a really high performance car. I plan on keeping it in once piece, just putting a few mods here and there to make it a better car. Add a little horsepower, swap a few parts for less weight, give it better handling and make it look somewhat "bling bling".

 

i don't think having thinner tires puts more tread on the road. it can however help with the responsiveness (sp?) of the car.

heres some bling you could convert your lighs too



but yeah, going with a good suspension first sounds like a good place to start.

 

Thats a fair opinion. Now...know how much giving my suspension the old two would run?

Also, do most people here work on their own cars or get a mechanic to take care of it all? I'm pretty knowledgable of cars, but I am new to these high tech ricers. Sure as hell isn't much room to get my hands into that engine bay!

 

Save the money you would have spent on altezzas and get jdm 1 piece headlights. They will make the front end of your car look much cleaner.

 

Start with shocks and springs. It will lower the car and really improve the handling. Also this is a easy mod to do yourself.

 

best advice i have heard for a new comer

 

Hey man - welcome to Honda-Tech.

My personal tastes do not lie in altezzas first of all, however, if you like em go for it. Personally, I would spend the money on JDM one-pieces. They are gorgeous.

I would personally do suspension first. Get some nice springs and shocks. Youll love it....and it will really enhance the look.

 

It depends on how much you wanna spend. What I have learned, after spending thousands on the engine, is that the car will never be fast enough for my tastes. If you are a complete speed freak like me, I would maybe just get an intake, that will have the best hp to price ratio of any mod you will do. Then I would focus on your handling, which is what Im just starting to work on. Look for some nice lowering springs, new shocks, camber kit, and a ITR rear sway bar. Then buy some better tires once you need them. Thats my .02 cents on your situation. I would lay off the bodykit, bling bling rims, and altezzas. Not to mention a very heavy system, but you said your not into subs, so thats not too big of a worry. Good luck.
gmoore

 

It all depends on what you want: All show, no go OR performance. That's all up to you. But if you want something different looking, DONT go with altezza's, that's not different, everybody does it(unfortunately). But, Like I said, it all depends on what you want. And bottom line remember, do what makes YOU happy, not everyone else. But that's just my opinion.

 

why not a sound system? im not talking about t huge 12's and the neon **** but a small box nice speakers and deck. your car wont go faster but some people love to listen to clean music.


[Modified by DI9ITAL, 7:54 PM 3/28/2003]

 

i would think about really what your goals are for ur car first be 4 spending money stuff u might not need later...so many people like myself had bought stupid **** that i later had to rebuy or swap out because i did not know really what i wanted ...anyways just trying to help out..