MauricioJDM

So Im getting my first car and its my dad 01 civic ex
Ive been around hondas and tuning them since i was in fourth grade
Now Im 17 and thinking about fixing up the EM2

Problem is alot of people say that this model sucks and its not worth putting money into it, and also that the suspension sucks and its a pain in the *** to fix up

I have two ideas in mind with the EM2
1) either keep the D17 and COMPLETELY tune it up and boost it
or
2) Swap in a K20 and go from there

I would like to hear any ideas and opinions good or bad about it

so please help me out on deciding to make this car my first project or
get another car

Pothole987

its honestly your decision their bud. d17s only react well with boost and nitrous. best bet is to swap a K into it.

what is wrong with the suspension? it is different than the older styles but still is a descent setup.

MauricioJDM

I was thinking of boosting it but NEVER nitrous
im not an N20 fan

and supposedly i heard around that the suspension is a pain in the *** because its the samme from an 88 civic and you will always need to align the rear tires and use camber kits over and over again to keep the rear wheels straight

i just was told that an EM2 project may not be satisfying but from wat I've seen alot catch my attention

Pothole987

you must mean while the suspension sags? well it would be the same with the older model cars too. mine has been okay, i think i got 12k on it since i lowered it, and that is alot of trips through town with 5 people in the car, sub in trunk etc. Ill have to look into that though.

DoubleEx

No the suspension setup changed in 01 for the civic. The older civics are easier for suspension in my opinion. Yes anything over like 2inches needs a camber kit but once you get the suspension where you want it, get it aligned and you will be good. EM2's suck haha ES1's rock.

MauricioJDM

yeah thats wat i mean
can you do like a suspension conversion?

I would like to go all out with my EM2
but i dont want to regret all the money i put in it at the end
im just not sure

Pothole987

wow really? 2 doors really make a difference eh?
i used a camber kit on mine and its only 1.5. it needed it though.

Pothole987

I'm not sure about a conversion, but you can use 02-05(06?) RSX suspension and 02-05 Civic hatchback suspension.

Well i'd hate to burst your bubble about modding cars, but at the end of everyday i always regret wasting money on cars. I'd say drive it and figure it out later.

DoubleEx

no you cant do a conversion, just buy GOOD adjustable suspension, not ebay get name brand full coilovers and a camber kit.

the 2dr/4dr was a joke and my preference lol.

MauricioJDM

would i need to keep aligning it consistently after?
cause i was thinking of putting like some 16 or 17 inch rotas and dropiing it about 2.5 inches

DoubleEx

THis is the truth, i am trying to convert mine back to stock and resale value already sucks for these models.

Pothole987

look at the body. it has an odd shape too it so if your roads are bad, i'd think twice about too low.

MauricioJDM

you are trying to convert your ES1 back to stock?

Pothole987

Yeah, its not like what it was when the em2s where just coming out when the hondas were always expensive.
i can buy an exact same car as mine here for 4900 lowered, rims 2 year warrenty. low kms.

DoubleEx

Yes, at the end of this month want to hit one more show.
Well its my wifes. The rear sags on her's because of the extra weight in the trunk since the trunk is all mdf and carpet for system.

MauricioJDM

wait,
i dont get you

are you like saying that you regret modding up an EM2?

DoubleEx

no realigning just normal alignments and dont get 17's, stick to15 or 16

DoubleEx

I do lol

DoubleEx

Pothole987

Lol i didn't really mod mine. just put springs on and a few cosmetics.
but the value is SO LOW for these.

MauricioJDM

why do you regret modding it up?

Im thinking of either keeping the D17 and boosting it and just go all out
cause im from North Hollywood, Its by LA and everyone here either has an EG6, DA9, or a DC2 and they all have B series or K series

a single cam that would own them just sounds insane

OR

I was thinking of swaping a K20 in it

im just afraid of regretting putting so much money on it and not being satisfied at the end

DoubleEx

you will probably be satisfied but you will never get any money out of it. Go troll around 7thgenhonda and see they are very good looking cars but people are trying to sell there kswap em2's for like 8-10k. There is also an all motor d17 build floating somewhere that is like 500hp.

DoubleEx

It is harder to steal this is one good thing.

Pothole987

Well its your money. its about all i can say.



Thats mine. see what i mean about the wheel gaps. it has 17" tires on it. 1.5" drop

MauricioJDM

so would you recommend making the EM2 a project?