mattvivsound

I am looking to building up my 97 Civic EX a little and right now it has 151k miles on it. So at the same time I am looking at replacing stock parts with upgraded parts as needed.

The civic has been pretty much left stock for the last 10 years other than the SI wheels, Radio and Tint. I recently ordered a Tanabe Super Medalion Hyper exhaust (not yet installed); in the next 3-4 months, I am looking at installing a Short Ram intake and Header on the D16Y8 motor.

I also wouldn’t mind lowering it 1-1.5”. I would like to work on the suspension a little more than just slapping some lowering springs and shocks on it. True race coilover’s are too pricey for me, but adjustable springs might work.

I am looking for a nice commuter car but a sleeper at the same time. I am not going to be a hardcore or weekend Auto-X’er or Drag Racer. If I do end up at one of those events it’ll be for fun and enjoyment.

But where else should I look at focusing my goals on with the Civic?

rSol93

Slap a turbo on and that will help. Sway bars and braces will also help with your handling. How much is too pricey for coilovers?

roycivic92

yeah turbo is a must. i have a sohc now,good on gas but if the car looks good give it some ***** too.

CivicSOHC

If you wan to gain hp at a reasonable price, then get a turbo indeed. It will set you back a few dollars, but then again you will make noticable hp gain.

Therefore overthink the turbo choise. It would be a waste of cash if you would buy a header and then sell it because you want to boost.

mattvivsound

I would like to stay away from boosting it; I am planning on a doing a B-Series swap with an ODB2 ECU and a trans with an LSD.

I would like to spend about $700 on the springs and struts. I am not looking at spending over $1k for a suspension as I don’t need a Race Prep coil-overs.

On the suspension/handling:
Is the USDM SI sway bars a good match for a DD or should I look at an after market sway bar kit?

Is there a benefit to replacing the suspension bushings with Poly? If not which joints would you put the poly bushings? Where can I get these? What about the Engine and Trans mounts?

What about Strut Bars? Would a 3 tie in one be too much for a DD or will a basic 2 mount one work?

I used to have a 96 Probe GT (4-5 years ago) and Poly suspension bushings made the car too ridged, but poly mounts in the engine and steering worked wonders. Also the front end didn't need a strut bar, but the rear definitely needed one.

CivicSOHC

Than why are you planning a short ram intake and a header for your d16y8, if you suddenly want to swap?

92civic_hatch

why is it going to take you 3-4 months for an intake?? you don't need to buy some $200 intake.

mattvivsound

I was looking at an engine swap in 1.5-2 years from now.

I was saying in the next 3-4 months I'll buy an intake and header... that’s when money will become available for me to spend. I just don't have $2k sitting in my bank to spend at the moment.

4doorek96

? 700-1k will buy you a very nice set up for suspension