One owner (me). 111k miles. GREAT shape.

What's it got, like 96 HP or something like that? So, I admit, I watched F&F once too often, so shoot me. Wife gave me $4k to trick it up a bit. Already spent $900 on wheels/tires. Need some advice from you youngsters. I want a full body kit and spoiler; seat replacement; nice paint job (hopefully finding good airbrush guy); and a little pep. I plan to post the progression on my coming website. So, could be a great thread, or you guys could tell me to "forget it!".

Thinking of new exhaust system (this one kinda ready for replacement, anyway...rust and all), from headers on down...some sort of "good-flowing" cat converter w/ no muff...just pipes after that. Good idea or bad?

What are cheap ways to pull an extra HP here and there? Something easy on the block. Oh, and some tricks on passing emmisons testing would be nice, too...hehe.

Hope I not boring all you kids with all that HP already under your foot. Like I said, is it worth it? Should I search the "graveyards" for an Si engine?

Tks (in advance) for replys.

PS: Maybe, just maybe, if it comes along nicely, I can sneak a little extra $ from my wife.

 

daaaamn! that's badass, wish my wifey gave me 4grand to play with

but honestly i would spend that money on the motor. i'd get a B20, and if it's in the budget, a vtec head to go along with it. buy a nice catback exhaust (you won't like it with no muffler for TOO long) and header, and K&N drop in filter. and instead of spending 900 on wheels/tires, i would have looked for some OEM 15s (GSR, Si's...usually go for around 250-500). you coulda spent the money saved on those for a set of springs and some strut bars. as long as the body's in good condition, then i wouldn't worry about a body kit or paint just yet.

thats just my opinion. i don't know if you could swing all that for 4gs tho. if i had that kind of money, i'd much rather have a clean car that could spank anything with twice to three times your displacement, than something flashy with wheels and a full kit.

 

yea im wit homoco on this one. if you liked fast and furious, then i would say get the fast first before you get the looks. if you say the crx is already in great shape then you are lucky as hell to get a crx that old in good shape. keep it clean.

how mechanically inclined are you? if you think u can do an engine swap, take homoco's advice..B20 (honda crv engine) all the way. this is exactly what im doing into my '91 crx. it will be a bit more of a pain because you have the dx model, but if u can wire a radio up im sure you can wire this thing up. my friend jus picked up an '89 hf and that thing is about as fast as a snail in molasses. i used to have an '87 crx dx so i feel your pain. dude just spare yourself and dont get the bodykit/paint before u can back it up. a stock b20 puts down #'s comparable to a boosted - yes - boosted - stock sohc. i think you'd like the torque. and $4k is perfect...if u can do the labor u should be able to pull off a swap for about $3k (reality).

 

do a first gen b16. you can get the complete swap from www.hondamotorsonline.com for around $1150. and that has pretty much all you will need to do the swap, and you will be more than impressed with the power....i do agree with the other guys on the wheels though...go newer model honda or acura. imo the 94 or so gsr's look great....but do the b16 and throw on a dc header, some form of catback, and intake, or if you want to go a little faster find you some itr, or ctr cams (they usually go for around 300 or so), and a skunk2 manifold, and have a blast. i promise you that will make you forget about body kits and stuff to make it fnf looking. all of this and you're still under $2500.

what ever you decide to do, don't fall short of your own happiness to do what others say you will like. Good Luck.

 

I am definatly with everyone else on this topic. Do an engine swap first, you will thank yourself in the long run.

 

Think about this. If you don't do an engine swap you can only go so far with that pos d15. If you don't want to spend a g on an engine swap get a zc for about 600 i think and it just drops in. Go with i/h/e get some smaller pulleys and a cam gear. With just those bolt ons you should be a lot happier. But for the same price of all that I belive you could get the b16. But you would probalby have more torque if you went with the zc and bolt ons. But seriously leave the body alone. My car looks hella fast people expect it to be but its sooooo slow. you'll be a lot happier with a sleeper.

 

If you haven't already seen it, this page will give you a general idea of what you can possibly do in regards to engine swaps: http://hybrid.honda-perf.org/tech/4gtech.html

Personally, a B18C would be the ideal choice, but it will be a tight fit and you'll have to weigh out your options. Also, the swap with labor will drink your current car funds dry. On the other hand, you'll have plenty of power for your car. In the interest of money, a ZC engine would be the engine for you.

Of course you can forget everything suggested and go for a bodykit, paintjob, etc. It's all up to you. But whatever you do, take caution when buying from people (especially online). The Import world has a lot of shady people. If you'd like recommendations of reputable shops, try out the board sponsors. Good luck!

 

I wish I had 4k to spend. I would definately go with a B-Series swap if I were you. I have a ZC and I am very happy with it but if I would have had the cash I would have gone B-Series. To me it just gets boring with body kits and stuff. With actual performance mods there is always something you can do to make it run a little better.

**Surgeon General Warning** Addiction to speed may cause harm to your wallet, bank account, or credit cards. Modify at your own risk.

 

I'm with HOMOCO also on this one. Go B20/VTEC. With bolt-ons in that car its gonna spank a B16 or B18 with comparable mods. If youre gonna put the money out why not go with a setup that is truly gonna give you your moneys worth. CRVTEC is def. gonna do it!!! Skip on the body kit and paint. All show no go just dosent cut it anymore.

 

LISTEN TO THE ROCKET WORRY ABOUT THE GO AND JUST KEEP A CLEAN LOOK TO YOUR CAR ITS ALL ABOUT BEING A SLEEPER!

 

too bad you already spent almost 1/4 of your money just on wheels and tires..... go with an engine swap. i think its obvious that since every single person here including me has said swap the engine you should swap the engine. prolly the b16a swap is a good choice since its cheap and will leave money for other things. do some research. and for gods sake dont buy a body kit!