hey guys im fairly new to any and everything related to cars . i just got my first car and its a 96 accord dx 2.2 non vtec has an aem intake, eibach springs, and thats pretty much all i know about it. its an automatic and the speed is pretty weak . im gonna be working on it and would just like to get some advice on what changes i should make to the car a ballpark estimate of how much each mod will cost and what will i gain from each change. i mean i know im kinda asking alot but the advice is much appreciated. any advice hints or tips would be great. thanks.

 

pick 2

Reliability
Cheap
Fast

 

^^^^^This is the greatest advice you will ever read.

Right now, your car is cheap and reliable. But it's slow. You can get go fast parts that are cheap, but you'll have to buy new ones every month. Or you can go the extra mile and pay the extra money and get something that'll make you go fast and last forever.

Your BEST bet for the money is an H22 swap and an auto-manual conversion. If you do this yourself you're looking at $2k-$3k for parts.

If you have an independant shop do it, don't pay a penny over $6k or you're getting ripped off. Keep in mind your mileage will suffer.

If you only want a LITTLE bit of go power, then get an automatic H23 transmission from the 92-95 prelude and bisimoto stage 1 street cams along with bisimoto headers.

Then you're looking at about $3k parts but less headache. Your mileage will still tank though.

 

Honestly, just do maintenance on the vehicle and get it running in tip top shape.

When was the timing belt done?
When was the tranny fluid changed?
When was the brake rotors/pads/fluid changed?
When was the coolant flushed?
When was the oil changed?

Is the motor leaking anywhere?
Spark plugs?
Wires?
Battery?
Accessory belts?

etc

Jumping the gun and saying to swap isn't the right approach.

Personally I'd work on getting everything back to 100% (personally including the interior and exterior condition in addition to the motor) and then worry about modifying stuff. Start with smaller things like suspension components, wheels/tires, bushings, etc. Most of those things are 10+ years old and would perform a thousand times better when replaced.

 

Do a 5 speed tranny swap , thats the first thing im doing to my 99. I cant roll automatic anymore lol. And i dont race or anything but im tempted to do a low boost with like a volvo turbo or something....im not wasting any money on random boltons except my 3 inch fujitubo exhaust....

 

This.

If the timing belt is of unknown or questionable age/mileage change it. Otherwise that's going to be a headache.

Your car is a base model auto, its going to be slower than some models. Take care of it, learn how to do basic maintenance, then when the car is working fine and in sound condition modify it.

 

thanks guys I appreciate all the advice as far as the the timing belt and regular maintenance got done already when my godfather purchased the car but great advice I see your point and as for pick 2... I would say semi-fast and reliable. I don't plan on racing the car frequently or having the fastest accord in Florida so I'm looking for balance.

 

also as far as fluids and types of brands for maintenance would would be ideal kinds. (ie. Type of engine oil, type of tranny fluid, best cleaning products, kind of brake fluid, ect.)

 

for the tranny fluid stay with oem

 

thanks.. Is there a specific reason?

 

its just better to go with the oem stuff, i cant answer why because i do not know but some other people use this stuff called gm syncromesh or something like that.

 

It is an auto...

Stay with Honda fluid Z1 being replaced by DW1. Why, they just seem to like and will last (5th gen here) forever. I've seen hard cold shifts, bad lock up and a few other things when non Honda fluid is used.

 

alright thanks for the advice guys and yeah it is an automatic as of now