Have a 98 Accord EX V6 coupe automatic 110,000 miles. Installed Magnaflow cat back system because the thing was just to quiet stock. LOVE the car but would like to have more juice for it. Being an older retired guy with not alot of money, hoping you all could give me a clue as to what I might do. How about air intake modifications? Also, have a clunk noise when I move in reverse for a distance. Know trans is a weak point on the 98, but what do you all think? Thanks

 

Bang for the buck on Hondas usually means just shelling out the money for turbo or supercharger right off the bat. In your case Comptech makes a supercharger for the V6 and with a good tranny cooling kit and the right fluid they say the transmission actually holds up.

 

Yea, turbos outta the question.

Id go with suspension first.

 

Checked it out-turbo that is. Think this is way passed my available $s. Dont need alot, just maybe more. Know I will not race any 400 HP civic 4 bangers!!

 

What would you suggest suspension wise. Was going to drop 2 inches, but most people have said that is too much. Also thought about going to max of 18 inch wheels with 215/45 or 17 inch with 215/50. I am in South Carolina and some (most?) roads aint too good. Any thoughts?

 

You have to be specific about your question.

what is the car going to be use for most of the time?

is it your only car?

what level of performance will you be satisfy with?

and the answer for 99% of the question would be money.


any 17 years old will tell you to lower it to the ground and slam that accord.
Ignore it, you can use alittle more suspension travel.

some people would be happy with eibach prokit and a decent set of aftermarket shock. do your research and becareful who you ask for advice.

and the first thing i would do it i were you is to flush the at tranny and get some new juice in the sucker. An aux. transmisson oil cooler would probably would be a wise investment for the weak auto trans. Yes it will not add any horsepower but at least your tranny is running

 

best bang for the buck handsdown is nitrous, dollar to power ratio nothing beats it..but im assuming u just wunt ur car to be a little more fun to drive, and its probably ur daily driver so nitrous probably isnt to practical...i wud say suspension and a good set of tires/rims

 

I have a 97 accord.
I installed headers in my car, and one week later bought an intake.
I didn't expect to feel such difference, but Intake and headers..... together, ...are a "lovely couple"....
Having a 4cy and being able to beat mustangs (..probably V6..) not even flooring it....: priceless...
My opinion: get intake and headers, and you will feel a difference, specially because you said you already have a exhaust.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gianinline &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My opinion: get intake and headers, and you will feel a difference, specially because you said you already have a exhaust.</TD></TR></TABLE>



Try to stick with a good Air Filter such as K&N. (million mile warranty)
And if you really wanna pinch your dollar, buy a cheap intake pipe from ebay.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gianinline &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 97 accord.
I installed headers in my car, and one week later bought an intake.
I didn't expect to feel such difference, but Intake and headers..... together, ...are a "lovely couple"....
Having a 4cy and being able to beat mustangs (..probably V6..) not even flooring it....: priceless...
My opinion: get intake and headers, and you will feel a difference, specially because you said you already have a exhaust.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL, intake headerS together beating a mustang..are you sure the driver or the mustang isn't on neutral?

last time i check v6 mustang beats accord with mild N/A bolt on even with e-brake on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iam7head &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LOL, intake headerS together beating a mustang..are you sure the driver or the mustang isn't on neutral?

last time i check v6 mustang beats accord with mild N/A bolt on even with e-brake on.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i agree, im not a mustang fan but i dunt think a accord with i/h/e can take on a mustang, are u sure he wasnt just driving, not racing...lol

 

Letting your engine breath is the most important thing. Just like a human. Intake headers cat and exhaust will make a noticeable difference. The most powerful combo you can do while staying under 1k would would be I/H/E with a chip. That way you let your engine breath and then put a bit more fuel in there and have a nice tuned ratio. just find someone who knows what they are doing and you will love the difference. While no arguement that the nos power to dollar ratio is the best out there it is definately not something you want your daily driver.
As far as lowering it goes... a 1.5" drop would probably be the lowest you would want to go with the road condition you spoke of. You will have better handling without compromising all of your ride quality.

Side Note: Mustangs are slow. i have watched a stock civic beat a v6 mustang... i've never lost to a stock one (v6, v8, or v8GT) except for the Cobras (which eat me alive everytime). granted the new gen is much more advanced and i give much more credit to them. i haven't had the pleasure of racing one of them yet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by goowakjai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i agree, im not a mustang fan but i dunt think a accord with i/h/e can take on a mustang, are u sure he wasnt just driving, not racing...lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

sadly.. no. im a huge mustang fan.. but the day i bought my 95 v6 home i raced my dad in my 96 accord..

my accord smoked me.. :S heck, it was even louder than my mustang and the accord was stock save for a CAI and 18's.(96 ex 4 dr 5 spd)

i lost because of the gear ratio in the mustang. not for performance at all, just for economy. not the v8's are a diff story..

 

I put trains length on v6 mustangs at part throttle.

anyways... I would agree with the person above who said N20 was the best bang for the buck. I used to spray my motor before I boosted it and IMO if it is used correctly... big .

 

Thanks for the advice. Car is used mainly for just getting around town and going on trips--no racing. But, I love to punch the peddle some times. Its not my only car-have a 1981 Jeep CJ7. Yea, the trans is due for a refill in a couple thousand miles along with basic service and the dealer wants $315 to do it. Obviously, I will do this.

 

Mesa Arizona-spent play time there as I was stationed in Gila Bend. Anyway, you mentioned chips--have looked online and didnt really see anything. Bad search perhaps. What have you used? OOPS- sorry, see by reading again you used AMI chip-will check out thanks.


Modified by SpeedyGeezer at 5:34 PM 9/7/2005