How much of the performance difference can be made up with easy bolt on additions? I looked far and wide for an EX worth a crap for $9000 or less around me but turned up empty handed... I found an LX that I may be able to purchase tomorrow that, judging by the photos, is in much better shape than all the other cars I have looked at.

I notice that the EX has a totally difference header setup... is this responsible for a good portion of the HP differenece? Can I follow the directions in the FAQ and swap on some aftermarket EX exhaust parts and come out close to a stock EX?

I test drove the EX and as my daily it's plenty of power, I was quite happy with it. I'd like to get this LX up to around the same performance if I do indeed purchase it. My quest to get a 99' Si was ended when I found that the only one in my price range I can find anywhere near me was a salvage title.

Any other LX related tips would be fantastic. I don't want to go beyond exhaust and headers on this one... my 94' hatch is getting the turbo treatment and I don't want to go through that again anytime soon

 

the power comes from higher compression. I'm sure VTEC has a little bit to do with it, but its very little.
The LX has a manicat, whereas the EX has a three way cat under the car.
The easiest thing to do is buy an LX and a VTEC head, the mini-me swap is pretty simple.

 

well if u dont want to go beyond exhaust and headers then you arent gonna get there lol cuz u need that VTEC yo and higher comp

 

Ah, I didn't even think about that one... I'm used to the 92 - 95 models so I forgot to check if the 02' LX had VTEC or not.

Thanks guys. Any FAQ on here about swapping heads on this generation Civic like the "mini-me" topics in the 92-95 section?

 

There's no FAQ needed. You bolt a head on and hook a VAFC II up to it. Boom, you got VTEC. All the oil passages in the block are there already.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boilermaker1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There's no FAQ needed. You bolt a head on and hook a VAFC II up to it. Boom, you got VTEC. All the oil passages in the block are there already.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ah, so I just use a VAFC and no need to swap the ECU or anything?

 

Correct.

 

Get Vtec

 

When I drove both I honestly could tell little performance difference. The EX adds about 50 lbs of options over the LX, so a 0-60 sprint will maybe have the EX winning by about .1-.2 seconds.

Personally I'd get the nicer of the two cars, unless you must have a sunroof.

FWIW, neither the EX or the LX is going to take well to modifications.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fidencio74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Get Vtec</TD></TR></TABLE>

Great contribution.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When I drove both I honestly could tell little performance difference. The EX adds about 50 lbs of options over the LX, so a 0-60 sprint will maybe have the EX winning by about .1-.2 seconds.

Personally I'd get the nicer of the two cars, unless you must have a sunroof.

FWIW, neither the EX or the LX is going to take well to modifications.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree, I can't notice much speed difference at all really.

I liked the sunroof and some of the other stuff in the EX... but I did pick up the LX today as it was in WAY better shape inside and out compared to any of the EX Civics that I drove.

Not looking for a ton of speed here... just thinking about a few little things for it. I've got my 94' hatch getting the turbo and whatnot for going fast.

 

what ever you do...dont get an automatic,I heard that some people run into problems with them for our gen, and it robs power.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BojeEM2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what ever you do...dont get an automatic,I heard that some people run into problems with them for our gen, and it robs power.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Blasphemy! I absolutely can't stand 4-cylinder cars with an automatic, especially not a Honda. I totally agree with you here! Something about a Honda with a manual... it's the only way I can even think about driving one.

I know exactly about the problem you mention, MSN Autos said that the 2nd gear clutch discs burn out as a common problem. Good call

PS: The one I got has one of those "rice-tastic" mufflers on it but isn't loud whatsoever... is this due to the cat right up at the header on these cars? I didn't realize it had one when I first hopped in and drove it, then when I did a complete walk-around with the car still running I was shocked to see the giant coffee can muffler back there!

 

Well that's on u which choice ur gonna make but also think if ur going to drop in a k swap its much easier on the ex than the lx. if u havent noticed the ex has the same power braking system as the ep3 si and the dc5. If u look over towards the drivers side of the car u will c that the lx is missing a box that has all the break lines etc right above the battery and ex has it. some things to think about

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM DC5-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well that's on u which choice ur gonna make but also think if ur going to drop in a k swap its much easier on the ex than the lx. if u havent noticed the ex has the same power braking system as the ep3 si and the dc5. If u look over towards the drivers side of the car u will c that the lx is missing a box that has all the break lines etc right above the battery and ex has it. some things to think about </TD></TR></TABLE>

There is no chance I'll be swapping this car anytime soon, although I appreciate the information.

 

Yea i figured the same thing but after doin a lil research i found k series longblocks dirt cheap mounts etc now i have to just build it which is the hard part.