I just purchased my first Civic(2004 LX 4DR, 46,000 miles) ever 2nd Honda if you count the TRX450R. I bought it for its excellent gas mileage. I have always been a mopar/Jeep owner prior to this so all this Honda stuff is new to me. I have read through the FAQ and done some searching. Other then what can be found in the FAQ is there any soft mods I can do for in increase in power and or MPG? Any service updates I should get or something I should look out for? I hope to come across any problems within 60days cause that is the warranty I was given.

 

Well, everything that's common has been covered in the FAQ's and through simple searching, so I would say you're covered in the problem department. Also, the available power upgrades have also been spelled out numerous times, and are also at the ease of a simple search.

Other than that, welcome to honda-tech.

 

ditto

 

If your looking for power, you got the wrong vehicle. The LX has like around 115HP if your luckey and EX has 127HP if your luckey but if your wanting to do stuff like exhaust and intake, its not going to increase power on a D series engine, really it hurts it more then anything, only way to get good #'s is turbo or K swap.
Great cars, don't get me wrong but they are not built for power.

As far as problems go, not really sure on the 04 models i know the 01-02 had auto trans problems but 04 havn't read alot of negitive things about them.

 

If you have an Automatic Transmission, I would recommend keeping close watch over it's symptoms:

2004 Civic 4-door DX, EX, LX, VP with A/T:

From VIN 1HGES....4L000001 thru
1HGES....4L024363

From VIN 2HGES....4H500001 thru
2HGES....4H601037

VINs beginning with JHMES: ALL

Especially if your's falls under these VIN's...If it does happen to fall under let me know, b/c I may have some documents which might help you out

P.S. I have an 04 2dr and it's been great other than the A/T which is currently being replaced.

 

he said he bought it for the gas mileage, not power :doh:

basic mods you should look into are a 19mm rear sway off a RSX Type S, tires, and in my opinion, some better lighting.

 

I am not looking to put an exhaust on it as of yet. I would consider an intake if it actuly produced a HP or MPG increase. Are there any other common/simple bolt on mods?

When you say lighting are you referring to the head lights? I would agree the low beams are rather low. What is done to fix this issue?

I read the write up on the DIY black out head lights, I really like that look.

 

No he said "is there any soft mods I can do for in increase in power and or MPG?" so thats what I was answering.

 

My low beams are good, don't know about that one but the headlight thing is easy and fun if you like tearing stuff apart!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTRX450RCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am not looking to put an exhaust on it as of yet. I would consider an intake if it actuly produced a HP or MPG increase. Are there any other common/simple bolt on mods?

When you say lighting are you referring to the head lights? I would agree the low beams are rather low. What is done to fix this issue?

I read the write up on the DIY black out head lights, I really like that look.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Personally, I would stick with suspension and brake modifications mostly, until you can afford a turbo or K-swap. Bolt-on parts for the engine provide fruitless results. A nice coilover or spring combination with some nice dampers, new blank rotors with some nice pads/stainless lines/fluid, and some nicer anti-sway bars will make the car a blast on the corners.

 

Yeah I have really yet to open it up around a corner, this is my first "Car". I own a jeep with a 2" lift so blasting through corners was not my thing. I had a 87 Plymouth Caravelle in HS that was no where near to what a civic is though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTRX450RCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah I have really yet to open it up around a corner, this is my first "Car". I own a jeep with a 2" lift so blasting through corners was not my thing. I had a 87 Plymouth Caravelle in HS that was no where near to what a civic is though.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had the off-roading side of tuned vehicles as well. I had a '77 Landcruiser FJ40, with a 6" lift and a spring-over conversion. I ran 38" tires on some old school American Racing wheels. Detroit lockers, 9500lb winch, and a few other misc. goodies.

 

welcome! been thru the off road stage too. i had a 1955 ****** pickup only about 3500 of them made that year

 

Is there a way to add automatic headlights? also aside from the DIY is there anyone who sells blacked out headlights or projectors at a good price and good quality? Did the civic come with black outs as an option?


Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 8:48 AM 10/24/2007


Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 8:49 AM 10/24/2007

 

in my opinion, and probably a lot of others, projectors are really ugly. doing a DIY blackout is REALLY easy, you'd just want to take your time doing it.

also, about the auto trannies, adding an oil cooler would be a good upgrade to lengthen the life of your tranny. there's a write-up for it on civicforums i'm pretty sure.

 

I would prob just buy a new set of stock blackouts if they make them. Any form of aresol paint that has left my hands has been a complete disastor. Spray paint is just not my thing.

I have always had good luck with transmissions, I know you can go over board with cooling transmissions sometimes, are the honda Trans known to run hot? What fluid do they take. I only ask because I know in my jeep the dipstick says one thing but what you should actuly add is completely different.(A mistake made by mopar)

Is there anyone who can make it so I can make more then 5 posts?

Well since I have to wait ill post my additonal problem here.

I checked my oil today, I assume checking the oil is like every other vehicle do it on level ground, make sure the engine is cool. I also assume the lower dot/hole is the minimum low level and the higher dot/hole is the high level. Well the oil lever is wayyy over the high dot, am I reading it correctly? there is not some new trick right? I just got this car yesterday and I am giong to be super pissed if they over filled it by that much.





Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 9:41 AM 10/24/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTRX450RCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there anyone who can make it so I can make more then 5 posts?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

you have to wait for your trial period to end. see the FAQ stickied at the top of hte page. lots of good info for newbs!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTRX450RCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there a way to add automatic headlights? also aside from the DIY is there anyone who sells blacked out headlights or projectors at a good price and good quality? Did the civic come with black outs as an option?


Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 8:48 AM 10/24/2007


Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 8:49 AM 10/24/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>
yes password jdm. i have them on my ride

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaTRX450RCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would prob just buy a new set of stock blackouts if they make them. Any form of aresol paint that has left my hands has been a complete disastor. Spray paint is just not my thing.

I have always had good luck with transmissions, I know you can go over board with cooling transmissions sometimes, are the honda Trans known to run hot? What fluid do they take. I only ask because I know in my jeep the dipstick says one thing but what you should actuly add is completely different.(A mistake made by mopar)

Is there anyone who can make it so I can make more then 5 posts?

Well since I have to wait ill post my additonal problem here.

I checked my oil today, I assume checking the oil is like every other vehicle do it on level ground, make sure the engine is cool. I also assume the lower dot/hole is the minimum low level and the higher dot/hole is the high level. Well the oil lever is wayyy over the high dot, am I reading it correctly? there is not some new trick right? I just got this car yesterday and I am giong to be super pissed if they over filled it by that much.

Modified by HondaTRX450RCivic at 9:41 AM 10/24/2007</TD></TR></TABLE>

You cannot buy them blacked out. Its a DIY thing that someone thought was a good idea and it actually turned out to be pretty cool. Its very easy. There is a DIY here if you go up to the search button and type Headlight, choose these car ranges, and archived content and you will find the DIY's on the lights. The only thing is you have to be careful not to break anything so you have to take your time and by take your time most do it in about 3-5hrs depending on how mechanically inclined you are.

 

I bought a 2004 Honda Civic EX, 4 door, auto trans. I love this car and it's not really slow, but I want to make it faster and sound better. Any suggestions for beginners? I didn't know where else to post this so I hope this is okay. Thanks in advance


-Billy; 27 years old from Liberal, KS-

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cementfrog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I bought a 2004 Honda Civic EX, 4 door, auto trans. I love this car and it's not really slow, but I want to make it faster and sound better. Any suggestions for beginners? I didn't know where else to post this so I hope this is okay. Thanks in advance


-Billy; 27 years old from Liberal, KS-</TD></TR></TABLE>

the best things to do are search and check out the FAQ

 

they sell blacked out headlights here... no amber though
http://www.silverimageracing.c...g.cfm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kcari &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they sell blacked out headlights here... no amber though
http://www.silverimageracing.c...g.cfm</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can assure you that those need silicone around the seals.