Why do most people do these mods first?!?!?!?!?! For a little more than the cost of all three, then you can do an engine swap. Personally, I would think that most tuners would the kind of HP gain you get from an engine swap than the whole 5hp you would get from I/H/E.

 

i think its kind of a step by step process, you get one thing at a time. the more parts you buy the bigger they get. my reason, is b/c i cant wait for a motor, i need some mod for my car soon.

 

I would think that people do I/H/E first because: 1. They're new to the honda scene and don't know much, at least not enough to swap in a different engine. 2. You can buy I/H/E separately, and the car will see minimum downtime when installation occurs. It is kind of a waste, though, if someone hops up a D15 and then swaps in a B16A, for example... some of the parts, like the header, will be useless or not perform properly.

 

Let me give you another example too...For the last year and a half, I've been upgrading every little part of my 88 DX hatch. New stereo system, seats, engine, brakes, lights etc...I think with all the changes and mistakes, I've spent a little over $12K. If you ask me again if I would spend $12,000 on my old Civic all at once, I would say no way...but little things add up and before you know it, you've over spent. If I would do it all over again, of course I'd do it differently and will probably save over half I spent and a better set up...
Just my .02 cents...

 

why ihe? bc it helps

 

Well it all comes down to what you want. If you are happy with your engine, people get the i/h/e first because that is the logical first upgrade to let your engine breath better. Now of course if you are not happy with your current engine, an engine swap should be done first. Cause it wouldn't make sense to spend thousands on your current engine and then swap it out.