Just so everyone know, I'm new to tuning and am learning more.

So I've been thinking about tuning my car a bit in the future. Nothing major, just light tuning like intake, head gasket swap, header swap, MAYBE a head swap or something like that, not messing with piston rods, piston types, valves, ECU tuning, etc. I have a 2000 Civic EX coupe 5-speed stick with 140,000 miles on it and it's a little champ. Like I said before, just light tuning, something to give a little more kick. Before anyone flames me, I have done research. I've looked at Y8 and Y7 differences, Z6 benefits, bolt on upgrades, compression ratios, etc. So I know the myths that short-ram intake doesn't do much, exhaust won't help much (just make me louder), and NA on a SOHC D series is hard tuning and won't get me in the upper echelon of power. I'm actually interested a little more in increasing that appalling number they call "torque" (109 ft-lbs.).

What I'm looking for is some sage and fatherly advice, NOT a flaming. I've done the research (and I plan to do a bunch more) and I've looked at what I can do with a low budget ($1500) and I was hoping some of you could point me in the right direction of what I can start out with as a beginning modder. What would be good beginner mods that can get me started out on my tuning journey?

 

Turbo..save up more $

 

If you're not boosting and you're not swapping then save your money. And what you're talking about are just bolt-ons. I wouldn't qualify them as "tuning" because they make little to no power.

 

Like I said, I'm not trying to make 160whp, I just want a LITTLE bit more kick and strong running engine. I thought that bolt-ons would be a good place to start since they're easy to install.

BTW grumblemarc, I have read your links in your signature and found them very useful and informative. Thank you.

BTW, I have heard that an AEM cold air intake gives a little more mid-power. Is it true or is it just marketing and advertising BS?

 

Honestly, if I were you, I'd save myself the $1500 and not just dump it into my car. But hey, if you got money to blow go for it! At $1500 you might as well save for a B16 swap. Or that may even be enough for a B16 swap in your area.

 

So you want some power but not too much?
That's kinda pointless, but I'd say drop in a b18b. I'v seen them around the NE for as low as 400$.

 

So you're not trying to make 160hp but you only want a little more?

Sorry to tell you but if you rule out a swap, you rule out boost and you rule out an N/A build there's really nothing you can do to get more power. If you have a Z6 or Y8 already you can't even do a mini-me. Even if you were to get it tuned you wouldn't feel a thing plus it's really not cost effective.

 

But OP, if you're really interesting in dumping $1500 to make an extra 10 horsies we'll be more than willing to help you out. We're just trying to help you be cost effective.

 

What I would do - What everyone is saying, which is boost/swap.

Anyways, your budget is 1500 bucks, buying quality parts, like Header/Intake/Etc. 1500 bucks will not get you that far. Quality intake = 150-200 dollars - Quality header = 300 dollars - Quality exhaust kit = 600 bucks. & throw in a quality clutch or camshaft = 300 bucks *** All this is without installation.

Just with that you're already at $1350-1400 at least.

You could have exhaust custom made for about 250 bucks + muffler + cat = AT LEAST 450 bucks. In the end just with I/H/E and a clutch/camshaft you're looking at at least 1200 dollars. At least. And like I said, this is with quality parts.

You could go with all knock off parts and get away with 4-500 dollars or so...but they will be whack parts.

 

I've always heard that higher compression means higher octane fuel, but how high of a compression would I need to go to switch to the next octane up from 87? I've heard that any compression 12:1 and up requires 93/94 octane.

Also, are there any general tuning guidelines I should be aware about?

 

there's no replacement for displacement

either boost or swap would help you.

 

I vote b18b , their cheap, will give you more power then boltons, its a strong platform to start on with other performance upgrades and just as reliable stock as any other honda engine with basic matienance

 

Plus if you do.it youself youll have atleast a few hundred bucks left for you pocket