MaxPower17

My girlfriend just bought a 2000 Civic SI with only 35,000KM. The car is in mint shape and looks like it has sat in a garage most of it's life. I did some reviews on the car and noticed most sites state thet the SI is only standard, but hers is automatic. I did a histoy check and everything is legit, no crashes or anything and it is an SI. The car also has hubcaps instead of alloys, but those could have been swapped years ago. My main question is about the timing belt. Some people have told me to change it because it is 7-8 years old while others have said it is fine and that KMs do more harm than age. Also a car with only 35,000 KM and 7 years old, what are some normal maintanence routines that should be done right away? The only problem I've noticed is that it vibrates a bit in drive with the brakes on, but in neutral or park it is fine. Also, it has gone through the first half of the tank in only 150 kms, I'm not sure if that is normal for the SI or does that sound like it needs a major tune up? Thank you.

NorCal EM1

First off, the Canadian Si is the American EX. That explains the first part. Secondly you dont need to replca the timing belt yet...its way too early. I would Give the car a major tune up(plugs,plug wires, fuel filter,oil change, and valve adjustment), because you do not know how the previous owner treated it. As for the vibrating, you will probably need to turn your rotors. Hope this helps...

jdmracer12

its due for a MAJOR tune up. go all out. fuel filter, plugs wires cap rotor oil change. that should take care of yer shimmy. as for the timing belt it should be alright but if you feel it needs to be changed then do it. better safe than sorry.

VRD^don

if your not so sure..change the timing belt just for insurance..like the guy above said..you have no clue what the car has actually gone threw..if you gonna do a full tune up change the timing belt should help u not worry about it not breaking on u..

MaxPower17

Thanks for the advice. She just spent about $750 on a compustar alarm/starter installed. I've read through the forum here and it seems that wasn't a bad idea, I guess people like to ****** Hondas. What would a MAJOR tune-up cost? Thanks Again.

jdmracer12

if you do it yerself yer looking at roughly 200 bucks

MaxPower17

Thanks. Would it make any difference in power or fuel economy to go with a K&N air filter and higher end spark plugs? Would switching over to synthetic oil be worth it or just a waste of money. Mostly everything I've read about the SI has been U.S. info, so since the Canadian version is really only an EX does it need premium, middle or normal grade gas? Thanks again.

NorCal EM1

Regular grade gas would be fine. OEM parts/ Base products should be fine because it doesnt sound like you're gonna be doing anything crazy withe the car. Regular oil, regular spark plugs, K&N would be a nice add-on though.

fdavie

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaxPower17 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks. Would it make any difference in power or fuel economy to go with a K&N air filter and higher end spark plugs? Would switching over to synthetic oil be worth it or just a waste of money. Mostly everything I've read about the SI has been U.S. info, so since the Canadian version is really only an EX does it need premium, middle or normal grade gas? Thanks again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you want an upgrade air filter, get an aftermarket drop-in. SRI's and CAI's don't do much except make your car loud anyway. Stick with NGK spark plugs, and OEM wires, it doesn't need anything else.

As for synthetic oil, I love the stuff. I run Mobil 1 for 7.5k, with a new filter halfway through that, roughly. But it's really up to you, dino oil works well enough and it's cheaper per quart (but doesn't last as long).

Your car only needs normal gas; only the DOHC VTEC engines require premium.

forenzixEJ8

try to stay with oem parts, japan based parts will do ngk, beckarnley, etc