So I have a 96 Accord EX 2.2 Vtec, and while I don't have any illusions of turning it into some kind of street racing work of badassery, I do want to have a fun ride that looks nice. When I bought the car from a friend's sister, her stepfather had already welded in a straight pipe where the resonator was (instead of buying a new resonator). So I plan to add a CAI and do some light cosmetic mods, ie paint job, wheel painting, replacing busted front plastic grille bearing Honda logo with a mesh plate for looks (it's not like I'm going to put an intercooler there haha), and possibly head- and tail-light replacements. I'm more of a "bolt-on" kind of guy, I think that's the proper term. I am interested in working on cars, I have a scattering of knowledge and can do a few things, but I'm definitely no mechanic. So I'm wondering, aside from what I've mentioned, are there any other simple mods I can make for a little more HP and so forth? I'm more into acceleration than top speed, and who doesn't love good gas mileage? (PS, I've been told the straight pipe adds a few HP and increases fuel efficiency. True?)

 

Also, can anybody recommend a good brand of CAI?? I don't want to go bottom-of-the-barrel, but I can't afford top-dollar stuff either.

 

A CAI is just an aluminum tube. You can buy a cheap one from ebay, throw out the garbage filter that comes with it and buy a good quality K&N dry cone filter for it.

The replacement of the resonator with a straight pipe will not add Hp or increase MPG. It only changes the tone of your exhaust.

Other than your usual CAI, header and exhaust there really aren't any more bolt-ons that would add HP. Now if you want to get into swapping intake manifolds and the such you can switch your F22B1 VTEC intake manifold for the '98-'02 Accord F23A VTEC intake manifold.

Check the FAQ.. there is a lot of information about visual mods and suspension stuff that you may want to take a look at.

 

Thanks!