I have a 96 civic dx and I'm looking to start modding it and have a few questions.

-First I want to upgrade my exhaust but don't want a real ricey or flashy system so I was thinking of just having the exhaust pipes re-done to 2 1/4" piping and removing the resonator. Has anyone done this and if so how do you like it.

-Second, I want to squeeze some more power out of the stock d16y7 motor but don't want to break the bank. How much will adding a cold air intake and aftermarket fuel rail along with the above mentioned exhaust help with power? Is there anything else I can do that is productive but also cost effective?

Thanks for any help I really appreciate it

 

if you want a good exhaust that doesnt look flashy. then get a RSR exhaust system. the muffler looks close to stock mufflers. and will still give you that power.

theres no point in just getting bigger pipes, and still have the stock muffler. your mufller will start to rattle after awhile.

i wouldnt suggest a fuel rail for the first few mods. you really dont need it just yet.

if youre working on your airflow, then i suggest you complete your setup. get an intake, headers and exhaust.

 

To be honest, Id leave that motor alone. The D series doesnt respond to bolt on's well. The intake will just add noise. And the exhuast may help but the Exhaust manifold on the y7 with the CAT right there doesnt help. To get any real power out of these motors you would have to boost or put a y8 head on your motor.

What i would do is Find a nice suspension and some wheels, Even if the car isnt fast it will be 10x more fun to drive if it handled well, im assuming your car is all stock.

 

I have it on some skunk2 springs and the 99-00 SI rims.....handles pretty good .... and looks like I'm gonna have to start saving for a swap then lol

 

I have a D16Y8 and even that motor and all doesnt respond that well to mods theres not much wow factor unless you boost a D series and even then most of the time its still eh. About the resonator and removing it... dont! When you remove the cat or resonators or both you start getting that real high pitched rather annoying sound unless you have a turbo because a turbo decreases the sound by like a 1/3 and its not so bad.

 

So basically its rather pointless to try to do any performance mods to the engine? lol

 

just work on the handling, like rear sway bars, since bolt ons on a D series is a waste, u can put an Ex transmission since the Dx gears are longer, i have a z6 i regret buyin bolt ons except for the intake i just like hearing vtec

 

I would just really like to put a little more aggressive sounding exhaust on and I have a guy who will upgrade the piping for nothing just need to find a sleeper style muffler I guess....anyone have any suggestions?

 

only way to make it run good is with a turbo. like everyone else is saying go handling something that will always matter and be there regardless of what engine you put in.

 

Yea thanks for all the input before I went and spent money for nothing lol

 

You can however have an intake setup and catback exhaust. That is usable regardless of motor unless you go K series.

 

i have 96 DX coupe like yours did all the same bolts ons and i regret doing them since i bought my b16 swap. it is pretty much pointless to do anything to a d series unless your doing a turbo setup IMO.

 

maybe just do a mini-me swap? that was good for me for about a year or so. i went with a pacesetter exhaust and painted it black. cops haven't pulled me over yet cuz it looks like i just put a shitty tip on the end of the stock muffler. 2.5" all the way tho, test pipe, 4-1 headers. its a lil loud in the highs but normal street driving its pretty quiet.

 

What's the most that you could get from a turbo without building the internals? Would you get to the stock output of a B18C1?

I know there is a cult following for the D-series, but you can make the same power, reliabily, with a stock engine.

I totally agree that a car that handles is more fun that just raw acceleration. Work on handling and save you pennies for an engine swap.

I had an exhaust shop bend an exhaust for me and they used a generic "turbo" muffler along with a resonator. I had them put on enough "tip" to bring the exhaust up to the bumper and painted it all black Steath exhaust! http://importnut.net/thehatch/blackexhaust.JPG

Do the exhaust but save your pennies on the rest.

Have fun!
Alex

 

Yeah same here. I spent about 3ooo on a single cam (no boost)before and ended up nowhere. After the single cam vtec I went with a b20 . .. . . satisfaction at its best. Go b series and youll notice the big difference.

 

Just get a cheap turbo kit... And you will own stock bseries...

even tho i have the same car and just put in a B18c... LOL


Do you happen to have pics of your car with those springs? I have the same one just havent put them on yet...

 

1 - Vibrant flat black and reputable muffler shop will take care of that.

2 - Air intake will help but you aren't going to get a large amount of HP without breaking the bank on any occasion. Save up for a B or K swap and enjoy your car for now.