**FAQ** Another Definitive "How should I spend my money" thread.
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Las Vegas, NV
**FAQ** Another Definitive "How should I spend my money" thread.
So, you got some cash and you're looking to upgrade your car. You ask, "What should i spend it on?"
Well, this is a guide to hopefully help you figure out what to spend it on.
First, if you don't OWN the car (ie. paying your parents for it, paying a loan off for it, bought it from a dealership), DON'T WORRY ABOUT MODS! Pay the car off... nothing is worse than owing money on a 13+ year old car.
Next, if your car has anything important broken on it (ie. windshield, door locks, bald tyres, brakes, etc), FIX IT! Make sure your car is running in tip-top shape before trying to make it faster/handle better.
One thing to always remember... There's ALWAYS someone with a faster car. With that said, spending money on "go-fast" goodies isn't always the best FIRST choice. Spend your money on better tyres, better shocks, springs, anti-sway bar, bushings, etc. Making your car DRIVE better will go further in the grin factor than the acceleration mods.
Once you got the suspension done, worry about engine mods. By the time you've gotten the suspension done... you SHOULD have money saved up for a swap. Sorry, but the D-series motors are great motors for the late 80s....however, aftermarket for it is dwindling. Would you want to spend $300 on a header for a D-series than realise, "hey, I want a B-series"... now you're out $300 on that header.
Engine mods are endless. There's rarely a person who says, "I can't do anything else to my engine." There's ALWAYS something they can improve on. That's why it's best to leave it last...as it'll be an endless money pit.
If you seriously need bling...clear corners and bumper lens are a good start. rear discs are another bling item as well that have a benefit for brake feel. racing buckets (get reclinable if you don't have a rollbar, fixed if you do) are another option for interior bling.
Mods that have very little (if any) performance gains, but will make the car feel better:
- Bigger brake booster ($5-$100)
- short shifter ($5-$90)
- rollbar w/ accompanying harness (there's chassis stiffening, but, it's hard to tell when you don't know what you're looking for) ($150-$500)
- strut tower braces ($20-$100)
- different shift **** ($5-$45)
- different pedal layovers ($5-$60)
- different steering wheel ($100-$400)
- air filter/intake tube ($20-$150)
Well, this is a guide to hopefully help you figure out what to spend it on.
First, if you don't OWN the car (ie. paying your parents for it, paying a loan off for it, bought it from a dealership), DON'T WORRY ABOUT MODS! Pay the car off... nothing is worse than owing money on a 13+ year old car.
Next, if your car has anything important broken on it (ie. windshield, door locks, bald tyres, brakes, etc), FIX IT! Make sure your car is running in tip-top shape before trying to make it faster/handle better.
One thing to always remember... There's ALWAYS someone with a faster car. With that said, spending money on "go-fast" goodies isn't always the best FIRST choice. Spend your money on better tyres, better shocks, springs, anti-sway bar, bushings, etc. Making your car DRIVE better will go further in the grin factor than the acceleration mods.
Once you got the suspension done, worry about engine mods. By the time you've gotten the suspension done... you SHOULD have money saved up for a swap. Sorry, but the D-series motors are great motors for the late 80s....however, aftermarket for it is dwindling. Would you want to spend $300 on a header for a D-series than realise, "hey, I want a B-series"... now you're out $300 on that header.
Engine mods are endless. There's rarely a person who says, "I can't do anything else to my engine." There's ALWAYS something they can improve on. That's why it's best to leave it last...as it'll be an endless money pit.
If you seriously need bling...clear corners and bumper lens are a good start. rear discs are another bling item as well that have a benefit for brake feel. racing buckets (get reclinable if you don't have a rollbar, fixed if you do) are another option for interior bling.
Mods that have very little (if any) performance gains, but will make the car feel better:
- Bigger brake booster ($5-$100)
- short shifter ($5-$90)
- rollbar w/ accompanying harness (there's chassis stiffening, but, it's hard to tell when you don't know what you're looking for) ($150-$500)
- strut tower braces ($20-$100)
- different shift **** ($5-$45)
- different pedal layovers ($5-$60)
- different steering wheel ($100-$400)
- air filter/intake tube ($20-$150)
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 1
From: west Texas
Re: **FAQ** Another Definitive "How should I spend my money" thread. (Driven)
very good points. Also before buying any aftermarket parts a good full tune-up will go a long way. Before buying that CAI change those plugs and wires with 50k on them
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