Hey guys, little background on my car...

I picked up a '97 Civic Ex, automatic for a temporary DD, the car already has over 200,000 miles and I'm trying to decide what order I should take things with it. This is my first real car project on my own, otherwise I've helped my father build a couple engines (all pushrod V8s however) and cars here and there over the years. It may help in answering to mention that in 2010 I'll be getting a full time DD and retiring this car for whatever I may end up doing.

I've been researching about the car and swaps and my only real goal I have set is a reliable 300-350hp. I assume from reading that the stock Y8 is capable of making those numbers with the vitara/GT30R setup but I'm also open to B-series swaps. Also of course I'll be doing a manual trans swap.

Now my question is...What order is best to do this in? Ex: Buy a bare block and build it then do the 5-speed and motor change in one go, rebuild the stock motor, or even worry about other things like suspension?? Sorry, like I mentioned...I'm new to this whole thing!

 

Any takers?

 

A D-series with a GT30R would lag too much for a DD, in my opinion.

Anyways, If I were you, I would buy an engine and build it...then put everything (including the 5-spd swap) in all at once.

 

Oh I should have mentioned...The car won't be 300-350+ until AFTER I pick up my full time DD.

Thanks for the input.