After years and years of wanting a perfect Honda Civic, I finally found the right one. I decided to name her Dannica. This isn't after some race car driver, it's about my friend/ex-girlfriend from highschool who recently passed away. I miss her a lot, and I feel like the name fits the car.

1998 Honda Civic Coupe EX
130,XXX Miles
Stock Wheels
Stock Stereo
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Stock Height
Stock exhaust
Paid $4,000 from a dealership

The gas pedal is really sticky. Any recommendations?
















Future plans:
Lower it
New wheels and tires, possibly something JDM because I want something unique.
S2000 Front Seats
Stereo/Speakers/Sub woofer
Si Wing
Quick release steering wheel
50/50 tail lights
Short throw shifter
OEM fog lights
HID's with projector headlights, no P&P bs.
GSR swap?
Turbo?

 

Here's my $0.02 of research (based off a collected opinion of many Honda-Tech members)
Koni/GC suspension would be your wisest choice.
Something JDM? So you want stock wheels made in Japan? or a brand that hasn't come to 'Merica? lol
Short throw shifter: There's an Integra short shifter DIY mod, do it, and get a heavier shift **** (I recommend a PWJDM Brass Knuckle 530gram). This combo will change your life!
GSR Swap/Turbo? Build a B and turbo it! or build a D.

 

I think you got those two mixed up!

 

I already decided what I'm going to get for wheels. I made this thread when I first bought the car and I just copy and pasted it from CC. :p
These are the wheels:


I was talking about lowering my car with my dad and he said I should wait on the wheels/tires until after I lower it. So I might just buy the wheels, hold on the tires, and lower it, 50/50 tail lights and much needed Projectors/HID's. Probably the short throw as well. Just gotta wait to get my taxes back.
Swap is down the line. I don't have that sort of cash right now. I'm looking to get a second job because my bills are killing me.

 

I was also thinking about a Stage 1 clutch in the future.. Just so I can **** around and not have to worry about the clutch at all. I'm not sure if that's quite necessary but that will come when I do basic bolt-ons probably.

 

Build and/or turbo a B
or Build AND turbo a D!

Nice choice! Honda Fit HFP's huh? I'd like to see how they go on. I'm always a fan of a Honda on a set of OEM wheels instead of replicas.
woop woop, good luck with that. Keep it clean.

Best to do it when you need to, if you're going to upgrade the clutch, do it whilst you're going to upgrade the engine (or swap for example a B) or a simple D-series LSD transmission swap.

 

Scrap the speaker/subs idea. A good component system will sound better than ***** ***** rhyme ***** night lil Wayne ***** ***** ***** AND you'll be able to use your damn trunk!

 

All the censoring in my post above is another word for negro rappers use. You get the idea

 

I don't have a big sub, it's just a tube sub that enhances the bass. That tube that's in one of my pictures is it. lol.

I think it'd be cool to build/turbo the D, but I've heard it's a waste of time? Yeah, I'm planning on keeping this as OEM as possible. I like these wheels, most people around here run the same thing. I've kept an eye out and I don't think I've seen these HFP's on any other Civics around here.

Yeah, I wouldn't do it right away. The clutch is fine for now, but I wanna put an intake, header and exhaust on it soon as well. My exhaust badly needs redone. I want something that can handle some abuse because I do like messing around. I wouldn't go to a stage 2 or anything like that but I think a stage 1 would be perfect. I'm pretty new to mechanics in general but I'm taking my time on this, and it helps that my dad is a mechanic.

Someday, I'd like to re-spray my car black. My dad also can do bodywork/paint we'd just need to find a booth which probably wouldn't be hard because my dad has some connections at a car dealership.

 

This is my sub.
Attachment 533446

 

I agree though. The rear deck of an EK coupe (More accurately, an EJ8) has 6x9" speakers in the deck, which is *more* than enough to have satisfactory bass with the right setup. Remember quality, not quantity. The space behind the speakers is free air in the trunk, which helps sound quality as well.

I'll warn you now though... having done it, getting to those rear speakers is kind of a pain in the genitals. Dedicate a few hours to doing it properly.

The last thing we need is another car running around buzzing and rattling. Make the community look like a congregation of sirs, not ghetto lowlifes!

 

I know how you feel there, keeping it as OEM as possible. You could look for another D16Y8 and rebuild that for a turbo setup, may run you ~$2500-$3000 DIY labor for most parts.

Intake, Headers and Exhaust on D-series Civic's only change the sound of the car, no performance whatsoever. Just because it sounds faster, doesn't make it faster, lol.

What kind of black? Keep it OEM and do the Flamenco Black Pearl? Tony M's own SI coupe is what comes to mind:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8...f23f9e6f_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8...36316976_z.jpg
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=47837287

 

Don't worry, I'll do it right. I can't stand rattles. I'm as bad as my dad is about that.

Yeah I love the OEM black. I'd love to have picked up an Si really, but they're going for 5500-7000 up here. I was actually on my way to pick up a similar condition, same year Civic at a dealership. They told us when we got there that it was a non-negotiation dealership (lol wut?) and they wanted $4950 for the car. The one I ended up getting was listed at 5100 at a dealership, and my dad somehow talked them down to 4000. Benefits of having a dad who also used to be a car salesmen on the side of being a mechanic.

Oh, and if I add stickers I might get another 10 HP
But no really. Basics should give it a bit more power. I'm not expecting a dramatic increase. Eventually I want to do a swap, but I'm new to this so I'm still doing my research. I need to get the cash flow in so I can start ordering parts and start getting my hands dirty! It's hard though working at the job I do, and having like $1200 in bills every month when that's about all I make. Though I do have time for a second job, but if I do that then I'll have no time at all to work on the car. Dilemma!

 

2006 Fit is a 16 by 6.5 with a 55mm offset.
I wanted to use FIT wheels on my 93 hatch. From my research on this board they will rub if your car is lowered.


https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...&highlight=fit

 

I thought it was when you have a big a$$ system and when the bass hits it wipes out the rest of the sound. So the ****** ****** **** **** sound like "BRRRRRRR BRRRRRRR BRRR BRRR".

 

I have a civic just like yours! Same color and everything and my hood latch broke off too >.< remember to always carry some pliers to open it in case of emergency I forgot it one day and I was stranded 50 miles from home with an over heating car and I spent 30 minutes yelling at my hood latch trying to open it

 

A new hood latch cable is like $15 at the dealer

 

So much ignorance to the world of car stereo. If you want some kick, you can remove the sub from that tube and put a JL 10W3, W6, or W7 in there. The W3 is great for adding a little bit of bass to your life without rattling the windows. The W7, if set up correctly, can set off car alarms. A component system will only get you so far - you can't replace a quality subwoofer.

Are the HFP Fit wheels 17"? The increased rolling weight will be seriously noticeable, and will slow down your car. Just something to keep in mind.

As for why your throttle plate is sticking, try removing the intake arm and spraying some carb cleaner in there, then rub it down with a rag. It probably just has years of gunk built up.

 

post #14 I don't think they come in different heights/sizes.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...2&postcount=11

 

If you have a crap system it does.

 

6x9's supply *more* then enough bass? To who?
Also getting to the 6x9's is a piece of cake.

Personally, I'd throw that tube in the trash.


Car looks like a nice start, it's always fun starting with something that hasn't been trashed by some idiot.

 

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!

It's a pain in the *** ._.
But that's cool bro! I love the color on this car.

The sub is pretty good in itself. I don't want a huge system just so I can turn it up and still sound good.

No they're 16's. Hmmm. I don't really plan on racing the car nor do I really need too much speed at the moment.

Thanks, I'll try that and see what happens. It's seriously annoying because I have to press down really hard sometimes and it causes the car to lurch.

I love this sub!
For sure though, it's completely stock. The interior is nice too.

Also, do I just need lowering springs to lower it? Or do I need to buy struts too?

 

I completely disagree with this statement. Yes you may have less trunk space, but if you are any level of a music fan, it is worth it imo. Besides, I don't see this car seeing track days (at least in the OP's near future), and even then, subs can be pulled out fast and easy if needed if it is dual duty.

In my daily I have a full kicker audio set-up (6.5"s, 6"x9"s, tweeters), pioneer deck, and two kicker comp 10s, 4ohms,150 watts each through a kenwood amp wired at 4ohms, @170 watts a channel each because that is all the shitty oem alternator can handle in my car and I don't need a high output one for my set up. I personally hate all that n****r **** and hipster crap, hip hop, rap, it is all **** to me. I listen to rock & roll, country, and metal all day long, with some trance thrown in there late night highway driving. I have one the cleanest, most crisp sounding system out of anyone I know or have met. I tuned my subs properly, perfect balance between highs/mids/lows, bass complements music, not overpowers. Volume turned up 40/60, which is where I have it always for highway driving, CLEAN, CRISP double bass back massage haha, max volume I can set off alarms or give myself migraines. Still not as good as my friend's $5000 system in his 93 300zx, but it definitely gets the job done.

For my example, the kicker comp subs are a WORLD of difference compared to just component speakers, and yes I do know what component systems sound like, one of my navy buddies used to compete at shows for kicker and all he does is sound systems, I have heard countless different set ups he has installed or done, including the fact he changes his set up all the time. I'm not focused on "buurrrrrrrrrrr (rattle) ***** what! burrrrrrrrr (rattle)" just crisp clean bass/double bass. On the other hand, I do agree with that statement refering to little wayne. Wayne is a POS, but that is another topic. Some fool in a civic with 2 kicker L7 15" subs, being able to hear that from a mile away, not to mention how bad the car is rattling, I can't stand that ****. I don't support the fast and the furious sound systems either, with neon lights and fiberglass boxes molded to the body, etc. **** looks horrible. Just a box that can be pulled out quick if necessary.

I'm a music guy. Music is one of my passions. I play guitar/bass/piano(keyboards)/drums, and at the moment, I am learning violin purely out of just wanting to learn whenever I have the free time for it. I spend roughly 1-2 hours commuting a day to work and home, depending on traffic, not including the school commute. For that drive, I much rather listen to some tunes as opposed to just road noise. Just my $.02.

@ the OP, there is no harm in having a good system imho, anyone feel free to argue/discuss. If you ever decide to upgrade or redo your sub/system, if you are more of a rock/country/metal person, I would highly recommend a pair of 10's. If hip hop or techno is your main thing, not mine haha, I would say get 12's. 10 inch subs are cleaner, 12 inch subs have more bbuuuuuurrrrr if that's your thing. 15 inch subs in a civic are retarded. Remember, a bigger sub does not always mean it will hit harder. Also, as with aftermarket car parts, get good quality music gear. There is no comparison in good sound quality. Jbpnoman already said JL Audio, also check out Kicker, Alpine, Orion, Infinity, and Rockford Fosgate, as those are typically the proven go to brands for great subs. Hifonics is decent mid range and Kenwood makes some ok subs, I've heard many, but I have only had experience with JL's, Hifonics, and my current Kickers.

EDIT: Purely for example, regardless of being a metal fan or not, play the following songs on a component speaker system opposed to a full system with subs, all properly set up of course. Pay attention to the bass. I would bet my left nut that there is a huge difference. There is no such comparison in my book, not at all

Asmegin - Vargr I Véum

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the thunder god

Slipknot - Sic

 

Thanks for the post man!
This car will NOT be seeing track time. Eventually I'll do a swap, but that will just be to have some fun around town. If I ever want to build a track car, it'll be a hatch.

I don't plan on running a huge system, but everything I will put in it will be quality brands. The sub I have may not look like much, but it works for me. It's plenty loud, but not too loud where I have to worry about getting pulled over all the time.

I'm into hip-hop, but not lil wayne. I really only listen to hip-hop that has significant meaning. I listen to pretty much everything, lol.

 

Our cars don't need a huge system because they are so small haha. I had 2 12" hifoics before in my hatch, my GOD, I got migraines with the volume above half way no matter what song it was. All that matters is that you're happy. As far as gear, Kicker and Alpine have my votes first hands down, followed by JL Audio and Rockford Fosgate. There is a reason so many people have them.

You won't ever hear hip hop in my car, I am that guy with the civic driving down the road blasting death metal or toby keith hahaha