Hey all,
I have a decision to make and I need you guys/gals help. I am looking into purchasing a Civic Si. How would a civic si compare with a hybrid let's say Ex. [engine swap, exhaust, CAI, shocks etc] I am not gooin to modify the Si, if i get it, to the fullest. I am just thinking of a CAI, exhaust, maybe better headers, spark plug wires and plugs, shocks, and brakes] So what if i would get the ex and amke those mods , performance wise which would be better and which woudl you guys choose? NOTE: i am not a mechanic nor do i work on cars, or know much about cars. I am starting to read dn familiarize myself with the whole ModCar life. But I am converting adn falling for it liek a cult, I need guidance......can you guys/gals help me.

nasTyneF

 

which Si? the new ones or 6th gen? whats your budget?

 

I am interested in a 1999 2 dr coupe. I wnat to spend no more than like 10-13 k for the car, the mods I will deal with after. I might be able to get a EX coupe for under 5 K, that i swhy I am considering a hybrid. maybe I can build adn save money while getting the performance out of the vehicle. what do you think? and what is it i am overlooking?

Nef
thanks for the reply

 

id say get a ex for hella cheap and drop it a dohc vtec(gsr or delsol vtec ) motor for an extra 2-3500 dollars. and u said that ur budget for a SI is no more than 13gs. most si's out there sell for 15+g's coz they are rare. id say get a ex for 5k then drop a motor for 3k and then put it ur CAI, exhaust, headers, brakes and suspension. that adds up to about 10g's. u save and u get a better performance car. just my opinion. peace.

 

Thank kb,
So,
I would get good performance out of buying let's say a B16a4 engine, then buying better supporting parts? Siince I am new at all this I can't judge correctly what I will get. And you know how it goes when you have a budget sometimes things can happen and you budget is lower. So you think I can get this thing done in under 10 to be safe and still get qulity and perfromance. I do not want the fastest car. I want a car that can kick. I do like the power and I am doing what I can to add more but I wont be racing or anything. I wont be putting any racing decal, I rather stay quiet. Not letting others know what under the hook. So you guys stilol think this Hybrid is a good way to go? and If The perfromance is good do you guys know engine swap prices, an estimate would be fine?

Nef

 

if ur looking for something that can KICK, get a LS motor coz it has more torque. do u really need the vtec? LS doesnt come with it. but it sure has a lot of power. ot has more power than a SI engine and the diff is the si has vtec and has 20 horses more. in ur case, u said u dont really need the fastest car but u want somethng that can kick. so id go with a LS swap price is around 1500-2000 not including installation. if u have any friends who can do it that would be better coz u save about 2-300 dolars. plus LS is more relaible than a SI or any b16 coz it has lower Compression ratios.

 

an LS engine, i havetn seent eh specs on that one, i have read on a few forums,. I dont think i "NEED" a vtec. I want somethign strong, dpendable and fast. I do liek speed, and i wnat speed [in case i need it] but i am not racing, does this make sence? I am hoping I can get that Ex for less than 3 from a friend let's see how that goes. I was researching engines specs and i saw some frm JDM and USDM, what the difference other than japanese and US markets. Price?quality? dependability? sorry if i am boring you with these questions i have no one around me to guide me or help me. I must be so redundant to you. can u send me the link for an LS engine? so i can check the specs. I am looking in to getting a Ex 98-99 if the Si seems harder to get and more expensive, cause if i can put the money in doing the engine swap and all the other changes then at least i can personalize the car more and enjoy My New Car more. thanks for all the hope kb8 and others who replied. I truly appreciate it.

Nef

 

this should help. http://hybrid.honda-perf.org/tech/engine.html

 

between and SI or EX , i say SI is not just the fact that everything is set for the car but also it comes equip with rear disc braks , nice suspension as far as sway bars .much better cluster! and besides you could always modified it if you want more hp out of it ,also no worries with a swap and no done time and trying to find some one that would by your old motor if you do the swap !

 

out of all the civics i test drove...i bought the SI, I love it! Except the shitty part is i think you have a better chance of walking outside and seeing that its not there anymore ( speaking from experience)...and yeah, i love the cluster for some reason, one of my favorite parts of the car.

 

Wow,
I dont know. Either way I go it alright depending one the money and time and commitement. You guys/gals are great. One things tho, what are clusters? yes I am not on your level, just YET! But I will.

Nef

what are the benefits of the disc brakes on a Si? I guess compared to factory Ex.

 

cluster is where the gauges are. that whole thing in front of ur steering wheel is the cluster

 

If performance is important to you, stay away from the SI. Basically, anything with the SI badge is WAYY to heavy to be truly fast. An EX swap would be a little better. But still somewhat heavy. The best would be to go with a swap in a lower trim Civic. As far as motors, I would go with the B16A over the LS. I have had both motors. And the torque increase of the LS is minimal compared to the difference in power. Of course, the B20 is MUCH better than the LS. This might be a good way to go.

 

On thing, since I am no mechanic myself,is there any way I can figure out whether a mechanic around here is truly fit to do an engine swap? I don't want to go around and hear yes I can, and I've done it before and go with that as a decision factor in choosing a mech to do the swap. I am far from home to utilize my resources. Any info on how to evaluate a mechanic on his/hers knowledge?

Nef