So I'm looking to give my 240k mile EJ6 some love. I'm unsure what kind of build, I should do to give it some character, and where to find the parts for cheap. Nothing crazy, I just want something fun that doesn't sacrifice the insane reliability this machine has given me.
Right now I'm looking at upgrading the front and rear suspension, some very light cosmetic bodywork, and perhaps an intake and an OEM replacement exhaust. I like the sound as is.
The craziest thing I'm considering doing is a manual swap.
The hardest part I'm encountering is I'm just unsure what I can do to the car without breaking the bank. I'd like to do all this stuff for as close to 1k as I can. Any recommendations?

 

$1000 is your budget?

Rebuild the suspension, put a slightly larger diameter exhaust system on it. Change the Trans fluid/filter, put an external trans cooler on it ( personal preference for ALL automatic trans) Good tires, maybe some used decent rims. Good tuneup, fix all the little oil leaks. replace the brake pads new belts and hoses.
Then start saving for a hobby car. This is your daily driver. You need this thing to get to work/school whatever on a daily basis. The last thing anyone needs is to wake up late, and have the car not start because of a mod that you did. Hence the hobby car.
You said you wanted to do something fun, I get that. And mean no disrespect by giving you the list of fix its, but I have been there done that. If you dont have a second car, then playing with youir primary car can be disastrous. Case in point. Replacing the rear strut on wifes old civic in an apartment parking lot. The lower mount bolt snapped in the strut as I was attempting to loosen it. Had I not had my car I would have had to arrange a ride to Orielys to get new bushing/bolt and what not. AND arrange for her to get to work that evening. Instead going full "oh crap " mode, the conversation went "hey babe, I broke it, Ill fix it, I just have to drive you to work and pick you up , but Ill have a Margarita waiting for you when we get back"
Get a hobby car and just drive the wheels off this one

 

not much you can do with $1000.00.

suspension itself will be over budget unless you want some no name stuff.
are you doing the work yourself? if not, then you will have to put labor cost into consideration.

a 5 speed swap will likely be at your budget as well esp with the cost of parts these days.

trans, clutch, flywheel, starter, shift linkage, master cyl, slave cyl, pedal set, misc hardware, ecu, etc.

- use your money on maintenance and gas.
- save up
- figure out what you want to do with the car
- have a realistic budget for those plans

 

There is no "build" you can do with $1K, but a general refresher would be nice

-replace suspension bushings
-correct any exhaust leaks, replace any leaking gaskets
-up to date on general maintenance IE spark plugs, wireset, oil, valve lash, air filter, etc

And maybe if you had anything left over you could consider something like a front or rear lip - For little body cosmetic things like that going no-name eBay is fine.

 

Hey there! It sounds like you're looking to give your EJ6 some upgrades without breaking the bank. Upgrading the suspension is a great start and can really improve the handling and feel of the car. You might want to look into some adjustable coilovers or sway bars to start with.

As for cosmetic work, you can often find good deals on used parts on Honda-Tech or other online forums. Check out local junkyards or online marketplaces for body panels or other parts you might need.

As for the manual swap, it can be a bit more expensive, but it can really transform the driving experience. If you're on a tight budget, you might want to look for a used transmission or do the swap yourself to save on labor costs.

Overall, it's important to prioritize what upgrades you want to do and focus on the ones that will make the biggest difference to you. With some patience and smart shopping, you can definitely get some quality upgrades done for under $1k. Good luck with your build!