So I recently just bought a manual 98 Honda civic HX coupe. Ive always been a Honda civic person. And have always wanted to find a Honda I can just build, swap parts, and upgrade everything so that it has that clean JDM look. I don't know too much about Hondas. But I do know that I love them as vehicles and I will always own one. So I need some advice and some help as to what I should do to it. I have a 98 HX and it is l stock. This summer I want to dump atleast 3-4 grand into it and swap out and convert the body and some engine parts. Starting with the body... The people I bought it from said that it has a 99 front end. But the whole thing isn't there. Because the bumper isn't flush with the headlights and I can't screw the bumper completely on. It's a nice car but kind of a mess. And I want to fix that and turn it into something I can be proud of. What exactly should I do to the body and what should I swap and convert for the body on my 98 civic HX? It's silver and I do plan on painting it navy blue this summer as well. Any advice or suggestions as to what I should do to it?

 

Since it's your car, you should be doing what you want to it. No one here will be driving it for you, so their opinions shouldn't matter. There are plenty of picture threads out there for you to get a concept of what you'd like to have. Then, just take sample pictures from those threads and ask what kind of components the owner's took to make them look that way.

Starting with an idea of your own is far better then asking strangers.

 

Do what you want to do to it. Not what others will tell you on here. Unless its technical information that you need to diagnose some kind of problem.

 

I'm definitely going to do what I want to do to it... I just need some help and general ideas cause I'm not good with this kind of stuff yet. I know what I want it to look like, I just don't know what parts I may need to get it to look like that, what's the best way to go and what tricks to use, and what would look the best so I can get that JDM flush look. I'm still learning on how to customize and dress my civic. Like I said I know what i want it to look like, I just don't know what's to be used exact. And I would like to see things from another's point of view and learn the processes of it all. For example:::: I have 2 pairs of jeans. Both are blue, but they fit differently and my true religions are a lot more better looking than my Levi's. I'm gonna go with my trues because they cuff nice around my Jordan's and doesnt look funny... See what I'm saying? I just need some help and a few different suggestions as to what would be best.

 

Given the absence of tech in your topic, perhaps this thread is a better fit for the Appearance/Cosmetic forum. Shall I move it there?

 

Do yourself a favor and spend that money wisely on your own instead of asking people for direction on just that. There will be different setups and configs that you will not understand and there will be opinions on how it should be setup and configured. You have to educate yourself to know whats safe and whats not, whats feasible and what isn't, whats worth getting into and whats within your budget as well as your understanding of the work that will be needed. I only tackle projects if

I have the "know how" but only after I research enough to be able to come up with a hypothesis that could work within the terms and specs of what information I had gathered and documented. Knowledge is king, remember that.

 

As I said, there are several threads with images on that chassis. You should gather references and ask what components are used to achieve the goal. "JDM Flush look" is such a random array of different topics, I don't even know where to begin. "JDM" is a reference to components made for the Japanese Domestic Market. "Flush look" is just a current trend in fitting oversized wheels on undersized tires, then lowering the car to make it look as if the tires will touch the sheetmetal. In short, it's kind of ruining a car's functionality for the sake of it's appearance. However, to large quantity of the automotive enthusiasts out there, sacrificing functionality for a trendy look... ruins the car's appearance all-together.

So, again, it's going to entirely depend on what you want to do with the car. Come back with some references and maybe you'll get a more productive response.



I don't have the slightest clue for that reference, since I hate blue jeans (in general), and overpaying for "named" shoes seems idiotic to me.

 

Why don't you post a picture of your car and a picture of a car with the style/parts you like?
Might be easier than talking in riddles and comparing a car to the clothes you wear.

 

the paint looks good on it.. why spend 2500 on new paint?

 

The picture was also taken by a potato, so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

OP, you're new here, so I'll be nice. There's a rules sticky, and an FAQ sticky. Neither of which are optional reading. On forums in general, not just this one, it is considered polite to read all stickies before posting in a subforum. It is also considered proper "netiquette" to make sure that your post is relevant to the section you're posting it in. This subforum is specifically for technical issues and questions for your car. Opinion polls neither fit here, nor are allowed here. Please read the Rules and FAQ stickies.

https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d...sting-3002401/

https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-d...tions-1998336/

 

I think the car would benefit from some spacers or new wheels.

 

do a k swap

 

Go the blazedd route...

 

incorrect grille if you are keeping the ghey 99-00 front end. you should find a coupe grille to replace that sedan grille.

i would personally do the correct 96-98 front end since there is obviously PLENTY of reasons to look into it further; that front end on there is barely hanging on and doesn't even fit. probably missing the bumper stay and siffener brackets, possibly the foam bumper cover as well.

I would swap to EX front knuckles for choice of brake upgrades, do the rear disk conversion and associated prop valve and master cylinder.

As for wheels, etc... choose wheels you like, then get a solid suspension. Something nice like Progress, Tein, etc., then get OEM sway bars front and rear; and correct geometry via hardrace roll center adjusters (tall lower balljoints). I can't wait to get my hands on these hardrace parts to try them out.

Swaps, I don't care for engines that don't fit with OEM parts. That means turbo D or B series are your choices. Personally I have a built turbo D16Y8 and a B18C 98+ spec type R w/ LSD. But for a budget car, I'd buy any LSD VTEC swap and a B20 block, and make myself a lil 2 liter LSD equipped OEM parts-supported hybrid. If you have more of a budget, I would consider ITBs.

 

^^^ Everything but the ITB's.