Inherited my wife's '91 Tahitian Green Pearl DX Hatch. All standard with 5 speed. I love driving this car but want it to do more. Been toying with the notion of "ricing" it up a bit, but not sure I want to go crazy. A friend (probe enthusiast) wants to help. Any suggestions on cold air intake, tires and rims, and exhaust that two newbies can do in their spare time?

Thanks

 

looks=rims, tint, lowered, etc

performance=MPFI swap, CAI, header, exhaust, etc

depends on how far you want to go.

 

...whatever you do, dont listen to your friend w/ the probe!! hehe. every probe I've seen, has been riced to the extreme hehe.

 

It always starts with "just a little", then "a little more", next thing you know, you're a hardcore addict doing monster swaps with turbos and nitrous!!!!

Get away before it sucks you in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Your best start on performance will be an engine swap. The anemic 1.5 you currently possess won't get you very far.

 

Won't a cold air intake give me a little bit of a boost. The stock engine is kinda spunky as it is.

 

did you paint the car that color? and also if you don't know post the color code in the door

 

Nope. She shopped up and down the east coast looking for that color. Every one we know swears it's blue. It's actually more of a teal or an aqua color but somewhat metalic. Looks sharp.

 

are you sure it is a dx? i just didn't think that dx's came that color. only the si's did that is why i am asking. look at your paint code in the door sometime, then post what it is.


ok and to answer your question the cold air intake does give it a little push. i have on on my si motor and i felt the difference. i would get a header also though and a nice exhaust

 

I remember it being very difficult to get the combination of that color with a 5 speed in that package. OK, checked the code and it reads BG-28P-4 (whatever that means) Interior code is Type O "Off Black"

I was thinking something like a stainless exhaust and cold air. I know she has had to replace the factor exhaust at least once because of rust. Supposedly a defect of some kind. Any suggestions on where to purchase cold air for a first step.


[Modified by Don Vincenzo, 3:56 PM 2/1/2002]

 

'Pick up a Sport Compact Car mag. And look around in there for prices...Or look online...just browse around a bit youll find some good places. Good luck with the car...It all starts small....

nothin' says 'n like a in the oven

 

...I'd do the MPFI swap personally....cant go too far w/ only two injectors

 

Is there any one who has info on building a cold air intake? I heard once that the manufactured cold airs don't have direct access to the cold. Is that true?

 

well, they're not 'ram air' or anything, but they suck the air from the bumper, so shoort of being fully exposed or in the hood, I dont think you can get any better than that....

 

You can actually fabricate one out of PVC pipe found at Home Depot. The PVC is a poor conductor of heat (unlike the steel and aluminum "cold air kits"). If you measure the outside diameter of the air inlet on the throttle body housing, you can surely find a rubber "sewer" coupling to join the PVC to the TB. Same goes for the air filter end - K&N makes a wide variety of "universal" cone shaped air cleaners and again, use a sewer reducer to go from PVC OD to K&N ID.
On that little 1.5, I wouldn't get anything bigger than 3" pipe. Be sure to paint all the surfaces that have been cut and joined with cement - you don't want any "splinters" going in the motor.

As some have stated above, if you really like the car and want more power, an engine swap is the way to go. The Home Depot cold air intake won't cost much, but I certainly would not pour a lot of money into that 1.5. If you want to upgrade the exhaust, I'd only consider replacing the most restictive part - the catalytic converter. Carsound and Catco make decent inexpensive units - stay away from the pricey Random Technology units...

good luck,
-TJ

 

Thanks for the info on the Home Depot cold air. Might be doable as a first project.

As for the more intricate engine swap, any ballpark on the cost for such a venture?

 

dont use pvc...pvc melts, if you're really gonna use plastic, use abs (the black stuff)....

 

As an intake, it won't get hot enough to melt, unless it's behind a turbo. I've got a 3" ID PVC intake running on my supercharged D16A6 since July.



Ballpark on an engine swap, if you do it yourself - anywhere from about $500 and up. $500 being a ZC (DOHC 1.6 with MPFI) or a D16A6 (the motor that came in an Si). There are plenty of options, just depends on what you want (torque? hi revving? turbo?....)

 

thanks dude. Think we'll start small with the intake. I'll shop for a pre-manufactured.

How bout wheels? How big and wide can we go without heavy modification to the wheel wells?

How bout interior? Any suggestions for replacing the seats with a comparable car (read without modifiying brackets and so forth)?

 

I had 16x7" wheels (38mm offset) on my '91 Civic hb. You've then really got to lower the car to avoid looking like a 4x4. When lowered with eibach sportline springs (conservative drop - 2") the rear tires would rub the fender lip if you hit a bump. I had 205/45-16's

I sold those big (heavy) wheels and went with some 15x6.5" (38mm offset) and now have 195/50-15's with no rubbing at all. The 15's are light, they fit well, and have plenty of grip.

 

Yeah, from what I could gather on this site, 15" seems to be the right size for this car. Is there any spring replacement required or can you just bolt them on and go?

 

Thanks for the support. Don't get nasty, now. I'm looking to scan a photo for your viewing pleasure.

 

? only si's came that color where are you getting your info from???????

 

I say, if you want some real kick, go for the CRVTEC....that shouldnt be too hard for a couple of newbies (much like myself..... )

Ju$+iN

BTW, i was just kidding, go for a simple engine swap, zc, or something....plug and play type stuff.....


[Modified by sappsycho, 4:57 AM 2/2/2002]

 

Any brand recommendations for all weather use in the 15" size?