Whats up guys, just bought a 1998 Civic DX Hatch - 5spd - I think the engine is the non-VTEC

What are some must have mods and what can I do to the engine, dont really want a loud car so .. probably no exhaust.

I'm also in the process of looking for SI Rims .... is that impossible these days?

 

Si rims are possible. Check hondamarketplace or craigslist... maybe you can pick some up in your area. I'd say $300-400 is a decent price for a clean set.

That car should be non-vtec. Aftermarket isn't going to help you a whole lot on that engine unless you go turbo. However, there are a few cheap OEM mods that will make a difference on that car.

Hit the junkyard, craigslist, or the marketplace and look for Civic EX stuff. Pretty much everything is compatible. You can swap the head/ECU, intake manifold, intake, and exhaust manifold, and all of that should get you about 22 HP, as well as making it more fun, and giving you a vtec engine. The EX manual transmission is also slightly shorter than the DX transmission, and will help acceleration. These mods will give you more power for cheaper than anything aftermarket other than a turbo. I've seen heads/transmissions go for as little as $100. Hell, I've seen whole y8 engines go for that much.

Or, you can either turbo or B-swap right away, but that costs $$.

Then you can start on suspension.

 

i think you should start with look if you don't want a loud car. I personally think a lowered ek with gsr blades looks clean as F^%*, Throw on Mugen lip. mugen duckbill , spoon mirrors, window visors and you will be cleanest ek in your area. Or k swap it and keep the stock headers etc and you will be pretty quiet and fast

 

Lower it, throw some wheels on it. lip, visors and drive it

No point to do anything to the engine unless it involves boost, or major NA build.

 

I agree, lower/rims/lip kit

 

GSR blades would look good on a black hatch. I think Si wheels are overrated/overpriced, but whatever you like. A duckbill wing and lip would also look nice/ I would also definitely start with suspension, but I like handling. Koni yellows and ground control coilovers are a really popular set up. I have yellows with lowering springs and an Integra rear sway bar and I like it, but I want to upgrae to a bigger rear sway bar and probably add a front one. Don't forget good tires for better traction.

After this look into getting more power. Check out B, K, and H swaps, boost, or a mild mini me swap like vindicator mentioned if you don't have a lot of cash.

 

Nice find by the way, your hatch is in really good condition. How much was it if you don't mind saying?

 

got it for 3500, had about 220k miles on the Carfax ... odo says 115k from an engine rebuild.

 

and sidemarkers are a must. U can find oem stanley side markers for about $50 or even less online. and it really makes your car stand out. And slap some $40 ebay hids in and ur gonna be ready to rock.

 

can you give me a link to some compatable decent HID's ... i would really appreciate it

 

Just bought an ek as well for 3500 already got the mini me swap obd1 conversion, full exhaust ground control coilovers but i agree with these guys lip duckbill blades and you'll be lookin' alot better then focus on your suspension setup.

 

whatever you do.. don't remove those mud guards! they're so hard to find.. if OEM

 

Obd1 conversion? Sry I'm a noob with Hondas. Can I get a link or something? And how much?

 

basic b20/vtec swap, lowered, gsr seats, si wheels. = bomb *** whip. good luck with build man

 

+1 gsr blades. Also polish them if you get the chance.

 

i agree with blades, i think they look better on an ek than si's by far.

 

anyone who puts oem wheels inplace of oem has no ambition, lower it and throw some real rims on it

 

I second that..

That depends on the person. I have always tried to use the idea "to each his own". I also personally think that a set of volk's or some other type's of high end wheels look way better than most stock wheels. But, if he doesn't want to afford them right now or want's his car to still appear stock then going with a set of SI wheels isn't a bad idea.

 

Check out Retro Solutions, theres cheaper out there but you pay for what you get. Clean pickup though. If its been rebuilt, I'd rock that for a while, plus you don't seem like you need to go terribly fast, suspension work (quality stuff), oem wheels (blades/si's), lip, duckbill, ect ect. Just do what you like to it.

 

i agree, but people throw them on their ride expecting for people to react like their limited edition bbs wheels, im not preaching to you my friend just saying people shoulded make something its not