So I'm in Lincoln Nebraska now..where I have access to an import junkyard and I currently have a nice little silver civic dx (97) that is an automatic D16.

Would it be possible to put a Vtec head on it? If so what all would I need from the salvage yard?

Also, a transmission (manual) would be nice but I hear installation for that can be quite tricky.

Finally, B16 motor and everything i need...from a salvage yard how much do you think this would be?

I will probably not go FI just because that can be more pricey than anything listed thus far but in the distant future it might be possible...

Let me know what you guys think would be the best way to go.

 

After reading a bit, Forced Induction could be done from what I have read on here. Any links to full kits?

 

My opinon, Start off with Wheels and suspension. It makes any car 10x more fun to drive. Even if its an Automatic. Do some cosmetic stuff.

Luserkid did a write up on Auto to manual swap for 96-00 civics. Its not as hard as it sounds.
We did my car in a weekend.

Also, Search Mini me. (swapping Vtec head)
And if looking for a swap check Hmotorsonline.com

 

somewhere in honda-tech.com they did a full auto-manual swap with like hella pictures. i followed step by step and my swap was successful 99%, CEL was on, and i had to redo the ecu and some other stuff, but it was no biggie. i recommend not doing the swap, and just save up for a big B18 swap with everything like axels, ecu, engine, tranny, shift linkage, wiring harness, motor mounts, and whatever else im missing. i hated messing with the tranny, and swapping that out. the time you spend is better off spent on a the whole motor swap. 14+ bolts in the tranny, i swear.. well iono i forgot, but yeah!!! lol.

 

oh yeah sorry, i had a 2000 honda civic ex. swapped in a jdm d15b tranny. i got all my parts except the tranny and shift linkage from the junk yard.

 

I don't have any pictures but right now I have 17in. chrome rims, TYC projector headlights, chrome grill, chrome windshield sprayers (lights not hooked up), some crappy alteza taillights, and we took off the emblems in the back and made it look fairly clean. I will probably put the stock taillights back in unless i can find something that wont look bad and doesnt fog over like what I have.

I actually considered selling it to buy either an RSX type s or Civic SI...2000 and up. I was also considering an S2000 but insurance would rape me if I'm only 19.

Would it be worth it to buy one of the 2000 SI's...would it be enough of an upgrade from what I have?

 

Sell and start with a manual unless u have all that time to do a tranny swap

 

First step: auto to manual swap. Don't bother doing anything until you do this. That, or get a manual car. This will be the best mod you can do to your car.

Second: get a VTEC head. Extremely easy.

Third: boost it. Bolt-ons aren't even worth it. If you don't want to boost it, maybe get an intake (but anything else isn't worth the money).

 

well i have a 99 ex automatic and im in the process of getting a b16a3 witha 5speed dropped in there, its costing me about 2500 with everything

 

Well then there you go. Maybe when you get more money, intake/header/exhaust and you'll be good to go for a loooong time no doubt.