I just picked up my first CRX; I've wanted one since I was a teenager. It's an automatic that a lady down the street was selling since she was moving to Arizona and she didn't want to take with her. It needed some engine and body work so I took it for a full tune up (based on advice from other threads) and it's in the shop right now getting some new paint and the body undented in a few spots. Other than a few leaks, and some badly needed love to the body, my mechanic says she's in great shape.

My question is, what's next? I'm not a street racer and this'll mostly just become my daily driver but I want to make sure I treat it right. My only gripe with the car so far is that on hills, it's a little gutless (I live in a really hilly area with steep inclines). I'd like to see if there's someway to easily bump the HP to climb hills better, but I'm limited on budget (about a grand left) for the next year or so.

Any suggestions on areas I could upgrade to improve HP or increase performance for that budget or should I just save up at this point?

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a scrub when it comes to cars; though I really want to learn. Ask me anything about software engineering, web development or mobile development and I can talk your ear off, but mechanical engineering, I'm still extremely green.

Thanks!

 

i have an automatic and was thinking about this as well. i wanted to keep the auto and swap in a complete auto DA subframe, engine, trans, ECU, and wiring harness. it seemed like too much work so I ended up buying a 5 speed parts car and will do the auto to manual swap instead.

also, in my case, the 5 spd parts car fell into my lap a bit - I wasn't searching far and wide... so it seemed like fate. but the DA auto swap, I haven't been able to find anyone with this setup, but I don't see it as being impossible.

the other issue, most people will tell you to do the DPFI to MPFI swap at least. But then, what about your auto trans??? I'm not sure what ECU would give you MPFI and still allow you to run the auto transmission.

bottom line is... make sure the engine is just in tip-top shape and makes all 92 (is that the rating??) hp that it's supposed to make. leave any heavy garbage out of your car, no big stereo equipment, maybe keep the tank 1/2 full instead of totally full... etc... that should help it feel nicer.

FWIW, I didn't think the car is slow by any means. Mine gets around quite nicely, but no hills around here. Also, make sure the throttle kickdown to the trans is properly adjusted, maybe that's why yours feels sluggish.