I just got rid of my "93 Accord EX and got a red '99 Si. I'm familiar with Hondas but this is my first fast one. I was wondering if I could get some tips and feedback from others. The car goes like this:

'99 Civic Si, Red
103K Miles

Motor:
-Normal B16A2, no internal mods
-AEM Intake
-AEM Pulleys
-Comptech GSR Header (the previous owner said this is for the Integra GSR, to make it work he had to flip the cat. Does this sound right?)
-Thermal 2.5" Header Back Exhaust, only loud when my foot is heavy

Wheels, Suspension, Etc.:
-17" Enkei Wheels, 205/40/17 Tires
-H & R Race Springs & Shocks, 3" Lower, puts car 6.5" off ground (Does that sound correct?)
-Skunk 2 Short Shifter

Its definetly a fun little car, and seems to run pretty strong. My friend had a 2000 Si that was pretty modified so i'm judging it based on that. Its not as fast as his though as I remember. I dont plan on racing the car so i'm not worried about it being the fastest in a straight line. However, I do plan on driving the car as a touring machine. Curvy highways in some wine country that have elevation changes ranging from rolling to canyon like. I just have a few questions and would greatly appreciate any feedback. Like I said i'm new to having a fast honda myself so any help is great.

If it helps any I will try to explain my hopes for the car. I have spent time behind the wheel of two different BMWs, one a Z3 and the other a 3 series with a straight 6, and loved the way they drove. My favorite was the 3 series, super smooth horsepower, and the handling and balanced feel of the car as a touring machine. I'd like to recreate as much of that in my new Si. The car already seems to handle well and is pretty predictable.

-Does the suspension and wheel setup sound like this is a good match for driving the car as a touring machine? Also, I need to get new tires, at a reasonable price, any recommendations? I get a little snow during the winter so something all-season is what i'm thinking. What about Kuhmo?

-Do the motor mods sound like they are a good match?

-Without going inside the motor what would some smart mods be? I'm more interested in smooth, predictable horsepower to help a touring car?

-And if I went inside the motor for mods?

-My transmission grinds just a little when I go to 5th gear. I usually double clutch it and that will keep it from happening. I dont shift 5th hard so when its time to go there is I give it an instant it wont grind either. Should I be worried?

-When I hit the brakes the car shakes pretty bad. The previous owner said it just needs new tires, get them balanced good, and an alignment. Should that fix it?

-Lastly, the car came with a set of Z3 fenders. I dont think i'm going that route but the original fenders have some damage. Anybody interested in trading for a set of original red ones?

Thanks

 

wow thats alot to answer....

The only advice id give you is get a good security system...dont go cheap or your car will be gone before you know it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-Does the suspension and wheel setup sound like this is a good match for driving the car as a touring machine? Also, I need to get new tires, at a reasonable price, any recommendations? I get a little snow during the winter so something all-season is what i'm thinking. What about Kuhmo?</TD></TR></TABLE>

15's with a 205/50/15 tire would be much better if you want a fun ride. i'd also do an asr rear brace and itr 22mm rear sway bar.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-Do the motor mods sound like they are a good match? </TD></TR></TABLE>

they're your standard bolt on's. nothing neckbreaking.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-Without going inside the motor what would some smart mods be? I'm more interested in smooth, predictable horsepower to help a touring car? </TD></TR></TABLE>

short of a turbo, you're not going to see any noticeable hp without digging into internals. or you could do a 4.9FD and have some real fun.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-And if I went inside the motor for mods?</TD></TR></TABLE>

depends entirely on your budget and turbo or NA

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-My transmission grinds just a little when I go to 5th gear. I usually double clutch it and that will keep it from happening. I dont shift 5th hard so when its time to go there is I give it an instant it wont grind either. Should I be worried?</TD></TR></TABLE>

try changine your tranny fluid and see if that helps

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">-When I hit the brakes the car shakes pretty bad. The previous owner said it just needs new tires, get them balanced good, and an alignment. Should that fix it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

sounds reasonable

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bmoua &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow thats alot to answer....

The only advice id give you is get a good security system...dont go cheap or your car will be gone before you know it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
agreed. Those cars are very stolen.

The car is set up pretty well for what you want to do, I guess. Without sacrificing ride comfort, and practicality, it might be hard to pull more handling out of it. Though Hondas are usually at the top of their class in handling. It's amazing what you can do with even a FWD honda.

I would suggest not going inside the motor if this is going to be your daily driver. It's hard to find a competent person to put it all back together. But if you do choose to go the internal route, I would suggest staying with OEM parts. Example: CTR pistons, CTR/ITR valve train, etc.

Although, the CTR/00-01 ITR valve train would be a nice, reliable kick without much of a consequence in gas mileage.

Bimmers are heavy. They are, though, RWD. To achieve properly made RWD balance is usally impossible. However, you can try to mimic it. An larger rear swaybar (22mm, i think is the magical #) and a subframe re-enforcement kit will dissolve the understeer a little bit.

I really hate the way 17s look on pre 06 civics. But it's your car. I like the way 15X7 +40/45 offset wheels look and handle. I guess 16s are OK too.

Your spring/shock setup is probably more than adequate for what you want to do. Dont let ricers fool you into getting a "race" setup since you're building a street car. I see too many people on this board building "race cars for the street". It's stupid, and they will all have back problems when they're older from all the bouncing lol.

Your shake and brake problem is probably due to warped rotors. Get those machined or get some new BLANKS. Get some good street pads to keep them from warping again. Honda OEM pads are usually very very good. My S2000's pads faded only once after probably 30 mins of a 45 min session at road america. But I think those are special pads....well whatever. Usually for a street application, OEM pads work great. You can get them wholesale from places like http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com
If your car needed an alignment or balancing to fix the problem...why would it ONLY be happening under braking? It's the brakes.

 

Just thought i'd get on here and say thanks real quick. All the advice is greatly appreciated. Like I said i'm new to this and all the info is a help. Keep it coming.

 

If you want advice from someone who's wasted enough money on "mods"

The best thing I can tell you is to NOT waste your money on bolt ons unless it's a turbo.

You're car will be just as fast stock as it will with bolt ons. Better tires make a bigger difference than Intake, header, and exhaust do.

Save for a turbo, or some displacement. That's the only way to get anywhere.

 

the more and more I look into it the stronger i feel that lowering the suspension is mostly for looks. if i wanted something real nice handling on the road and especially if i got snow where i lived i would want something pretty close to stock height. you can get stiffer springs that only lower the car slightly. H&R oe sport come to mind.

as far as the engine, keep it as is. like some other guys said you won't get much gain unless you turbo or really get into the internals. keep the oil fresh the air filter clean and the plugs new. you know, the regular maintainence. you would be amazed what a difference it can make to drive and car with a dirty filter, old oil, worn plugs and the ignition timing a little off. then drive it after all of that is fixed.

you said your trans grinds, do you notice the clutch sliping any? clutchs get beat up pretty bad in these cars, especially when the owner has put some money into it going faster. they want to feel that money when they drive... look into that.

remember it's a honda, not a BMW. high resale value, great mpg, and you have to rev a bit higher for power. have fun

 

A 99 Civic Si is far from fast.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bmoua &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow thats alot to answer....

The only advice id give you is get a good security system...dont go cheap or your car will be gone before you know it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If he lives in Carbondale,IL I don't think he'll have to worry about theft all that much as long as it is parked in a garage at night

 

hahaha my friend had one, we were leaving some place , went outside and his front bumper , headlights, hood , fenders, and wheels were gone. i would really worry about car security first. good choice tho.

 

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

If he lives in Carbondale,IL I don't think he'll have to worry about theft all that much as long as it is parked in a garage at night</TD></TR></TABLE>

bunch of SIU fruitcakes. lol

 

yeah i need to adjust my terminology.

i know it should be quicker than my dx... we'll use the term "sporty." i think that's all honda had in mind anyway.