So I have a 1999 honda civic ex, I need help on a budget build for it.

First thing on to do list, is to get rid of this automatic tranny and swap for a manual. I was thinking about just doing an si swap, considering its like the same car as mine. So that would consist of swapping my sohc for a dohc and im not sure how much of a pain in the *** that might be, but i don't really mind the hard work. I know by doing this, most likely everything under the hood must go including the ecu.

I'm not sure if i should just swap the tranny, but i know the y8 is pretty much the best in the d series but im considering a b-series but its somehat pricey.

I'm Planning on putting a turbo in it, but i want to do the cheapest things first because a turbo is definatly not cheap....well the reliable ones anyways


So what is the first thing i should do? Can i put an si trans on my ex block without having too many problems? Or should i just gather all the parts and basicly turn my ex into an si. Honestly im not trying to make my car an si, I would just sell my ex for an si but this is my first car and i'm not sure if i want to get rid of it!

So far, i got a short ram intake and a fuel rail i picked up for like 40 bucks...please help!

EDIT: I don't need a step-by-step guide, i just want some input so i dont end up losing out on a lot of time and effort

 

Stop buying parts if you don't know which direction you're going. Second, read up on what it takes to do a swap then decide. If a B-series is too expensive then leave it stock and move on.

 

You should decide what u want out of a car ? Second depending on that , Id decide the right building block for ur needs/wants and sell ur current car and start by getting a car that's manual to eliminate money spent on a auto to stick shift swap since u stated ur on a budget .. Then figure ur budget to spend and go from there.

 

Get the transmission first because you will need it either ways B-series is better platform to work with more potential

 

Well I would like to do a b16a swap, but thats around like 1,600 bucks total i read in a few different places...Listen if i had the money like some of you guys, i would be putting a k-series in it. I only made around 5 grand last year, not including car insurance, gas and all that. Not only is a b16 swap expensive, but its going to put my car out for days and i work 6 days a week!

I'm not planning on going ***** out with this car, its not the car i want to build around. I want just enough speed to keep me from getting my *** kicked by damn near every kid in my school.

My path with this is to put a clean turbo build, manual transmition with a stage 2 clutch and maybe a small dry shot. This should be enough to keep up with say a stock pontiac grand am? If not, then its time to get a new car

 

Are you gonna go turbo or all motor? I personally would wait and save a few more dollars and buy a gsr swap

 

Wanted to turbo, i have considered that but after that i wont be able to afford a turbo. What would be better, gsr or single turbo? i could afford twin turbo but i dont want to blow my motor up, considering i have to learn how to do a single first

 

I did the Auto to Manual conversion it was really easy considering you already pulling the motor, hanging pedals and bolting up a clutch master cylinder isnt that hard comparing it to the motor. All the hole are there for the pedals and master cylinder and line mounts are all there and pre-threaded. Pedals are cheap in a junk yard as well as the other smaller items. Use car-parts.com to get the best deals. and as far as the hole for the shift linkage compare to some some else's to help but its really forgiving. The Auto can and Manual cars are the same bodies and frame just about and if they differ you can see where the manual stuff goes. Hope this helps some.

 

Ya i have a transmittion for it already i think...i got it for free from a guy, it got a big chunck taken out of it so im gonna try to weld a peice on or just find a new case for like 50 bucks.

Ya its not really the price im worried about for the transmittion, i just know if i mess up on something especially with the firewall, i might not be able to fix the mistake for a price that i can afford. The clutch pedal is already pre-drilled? what is all pre drilled, i would really like to know that!

Ya that does help thank you!
Edit: Its a transmition for a 89-91 awd civic. best tranny for around that time i guess.