I'm completely new to all things related to tuning. I don't know anything. My car knowledge is, well, virtually nonexistent. However, I enjoy reading about people's builds, looking at modified cars, and simply the idea of fast cars. I've always enjoyed the hobbyists car over what you generally see on TV. I own a 2003 Honda Civic EX.

So where do you recommend I start? And I think I should start with the basics. My question isn't so much 'what should I upgrade first', as much as it is 'what should I do to learn?' I don't have any local friends that are into cars, so I have nobody to learn from. I don't even have any tools beyond your basic wrenches and home repair things. The only thing I've ever done on my own with cars is your simple replacing a battery and headlight bulbs. So I'm... that guy. Any modifications that I get into, will have to be done on my own or I'll have to pay a shop to do them. But I would like to learn how to make them myself, as I want to be able to work on my car.

Any help is appreciated.

 

do your research, read up on anything. get yourself a haynes repair manual. i suggest search for a local car forum or car club website. you can meet fellow enthusiasts that way. going to car shows and car meets. as for first mods, most people get bolt on motor mods. or work the suspension. get her sittin right. you post something about doing headlights and you're "That guy" lol have confidence. you can do anything you want. I suggest going out and buying a small tool set, mostly metric lol start snooping around your car. see how **** works. see what does what. ask questions. this is a good site do that on, just be sure to look it up before you do. there is a FAQ thread on here with many useful links. along with build threads. hey, if you like the way one guys car looks, get those parts... nobodys car is 100% original. (excluding that b series swap em2) everyone copied somebody at some point. last off, have fun with it. dont be afraid to spend money.

 

welcome to the tuning world there's not much you can do with own year model civic.

You can lower your car with either springs or coilovers. Springs are a little bit harder to install then coilover because you have to either install over stock struts or aftermarket struts. Coilovers can be adjustable height wise as springs can not.

Bolt on will not help you get faster but you can install Cold Air Intake (CAI), headers, and exhuast to make it sound better.

Exterior not many people like body kits they lean more toward lip kits weather it's OEM honda kits or Ebay kits. Rims are your choice on what you want too

if you have anymore question there is a FAQ at the top of the page and remember it's your car build it however you want too

 

i'm right there with ya bro, i'm new to this honda thing. for whatever reason i dig maxed out hondas all of a sudden. am to interested in learning. so far have found out my d17 motor is not very easy to get parts for and i suspect it ain't worth building up. will probably leave this 01 civic for my wifey to drive and get myself something to build maybe a 99 civic ex or something. anyways, don't feel like lone ranger, i'm green to this and excited about learning how-too...

 

where are you located? i'm sure there's someone on this board that lives near you, that may be able to help you out...

with me, i upgraded my annoyances, back when i first got the car. that was the long shifter, i installed a short shifter, then i got rid of the aweful ride height and lowered it...

then it's kept evolving from there...

 

i think the same is true for my 01 civic lx as you said for this guy with 03 ex. ummm...does a lip kit replace my front bumper? is a rear window spoiler effective? or just for looks. any feedback on this would be appreciated.

 

Like said earlier, read the FAQs and do research. 7thgenhonda.com has a lot of active members that can help, but use the search button first. A lip kit does not require a new bumper. The D17 is considered to be one of Honda's bastard child engines, to get an serious gains you either turbo or K-swap and you will need Kpro.

 

thank you bro, am going over to 7thgen right now. appreciate the straight facts and cool attitudes i have found on this site.