Hello, new to the board and new to honda. I would like some help in wisely spending some cash to improve the car. Like the topic asks, what would be the best way to start out improving a stock 2000 Honda Civic EX? Starting out with $2500 of cash.

Many thanks.

 

A....N E W.......M O T O R.....!!!!

 

turbo = 1800$
clutch=300$
exhaust =400$

 

If it's bone stock now it depends on what direction you want to take the car in. For me, it would be a turbo. Here are some other suggestions though. You could do all of these ver reasonably for 2500. Del Sol seats, rear disks, suspenion, rims, tires, and bolt ons. If you plan on a swap, save some more before you jump into a swap and end up short on money and with a car that you can't drive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by u0f &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">turbo = 1800$
clutch=300$
exhaust =400$
</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Nice.. turbo was definatly something i was looking at... Im assuming the price doesnt include installation? If so, how much would a typical installation cost?

 

turbo would be nice with some internals

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Expunged &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice.. turbo was definatly something i was looking at... Im assuming the price doesnt include installation? If so, how much would a typical installation cost?</TD></TR></TABLE>

A 6 pack or two and a couple of friends. Seriously, it's really not that hard if you have ANY mechanical inclination. My first turbo install took me and one friend the better part of a weekend, and that included pulling the oil pan and tapping it. Plus, if you plan on paying someone else to work on your turbo setup for you, you are going to end up spending an arm and a leg and I would NOT recommend turbo. If you don't have very much turbo knowledge and don't plan on learning, I would'nt get one. Stick to bolt ons, which require no extra maintence.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by u0f &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">turbo = 1800$
clutch=300$
exhaust =400$
</TD></TR></TABLE>


definitly.

why get a new motor? that one is new and has alot of potential.

u can see 200whp on the stock internals easy.


turboing d16s is the best bang for the buck and the best thing to do with any sohc.


check out http://www.turbod16.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

A 6 pack or two and a couple of friends. Seriously, it's really not that hard if you have ANY mechanical inclination. My first turbo install took me and one friend the better part of a weekend, and that included pulling the oil pan and tapping it. Plus, if you plan on paying someone else to work on your turbo setup for you, you are going to end up spending an arm and a leg and I would NOT recommend turbo. If you don't have very much turbo knowledge and don't plan on learning, I would'nt get one. Stick to bolt ons, which require no extra maintence.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea i would agree. I am certainly a newbie at this and not confident enough to tackle this project on my own. Even with reading turbo installation guides online I am definatly nervous. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places but I am certainly willing to learn. It would be best to start out small.


Modified by Expunged at 10:01 PM 10/25/2003

 

I used to have the Greddy Kit on my car, I installed in in just under 4 hours with the help of my neighbor. Hardest part was tapping the oil pan. Other than that, it was pretty damn easy.

 

id go with a greddy kit, act clutch , and some custom 3 inch exhaust

 

If you dont want turbo do a nitrous setup :
I/h/e 500
zex kit 500
fuel pump 100
zex cam with springs and retainers 600
cam gear 100
skunk 2 intake manifold 275
some used 270cc injectors 100
msd ignition 300

 

o yeah a clutch would be around 250-300

 

you should get your parts from a junkyard or get them used...that might save you some money for appearance if u wish. get a decent turbo setup and some internal work. that way you can play it safe. exhaust headers and wutever small stuff can come later and as time goes by that stuff will get cheaper

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Expunged &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yea i would agree. I am certainly a newbie at this and not confident enough to tackle this project on my own. Even with reading turbo installation guides online I am definatly nervous. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places but I am certainly willing to learn. It would be best to start out small.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My expert advice is to put $750 or less into suspension upgrades, learn how to deal with your car on a bolt-by-bolt basis, save the rest of your money and, after meandering around on this site for a couple months, make a detailed plan for what you want to do.

You don't want us spending your money vicariously, do you ? It's all well and good that many of us would turbo that bitch in a heartbeat, but many of us have extensive experience and mad hookups to get awesome prices AND we can all do the work ourselves. Don't rush this: it's your car. Figure out what YOU want to do and then how you want to do it.

Fast is easy. The right kind of fast eludes many people the first time around .

 

I would say right now since your not confidant with your mechanical skills as of yet, i would start with some bolt ons, I/H/E, suspension, Gsr Shifter, and maybe a Vafc. Then after you do all that and have learned soe mechanical stuff about your car and start to a knack for it then go ahead and do a turbo setup.
http://www.homeadeturbo.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by u0f &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">turbo = 1800$
clutch=300$
exhaust =400$
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your forgot fuel management and tuning which is something you shouldn't cheap out on. Hondata for his car once he swaps the ECU and harness with boost will run another $700, plus injectors, plus tuning with wideband if you want to do it RIGHT.


For starters I'd slap a good set of tires and brake pads on it then hit up a local auto-x. Then maybe a decent little suspension setup if you like that.

Ever thought about doing an B18B swap? They run pretty cheap $1,500 or so with tranny and everything. You could probably sell your stock engine too for a decent bit to recoupe cost. Even in stock form it would give you a nice bump in power and make an even better platform for a nice turbo setup in the future if you plan on going that route.

 

i agree with archidictus. i wouldnt just slap a turbo on there with a stock suspension and brakes.

make your car capable of handling more power, then get the power.

dont build your car by the addition method (get this, ok now this, this, etc). make a good plan first so you can build by subtraction (i want this, this, and this).
also do your homework before you just go out and buy stuff so you dont have to learn the hard way (like me and many many others have).

 

b16

I assume this is your daily driver... so don't grenade it with a turbo. My friend has a 11 second hb with a b16 in it, turbo'd T3/T04. Built internals, AEM EMS (I think)... the thing was built right. Anyhow, he grenaded his within 2,000 miles. Turbo is unreliable and will definitely reduce the life of your engine.

 

turbo - $1500
slam - $300
rotas - $700

who needs exhaust piping with a turbo

 

I think a kick *** suspension set-up rules! Thats me personally though.

 

honestly, don't do anything. $2500 is gonna get you a pos setup that you're not gonna be happy with. Just do some cosmetic changes like a very reliable drop (not just springs).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Archidictus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My expert advice is to put $750 or less into suspension upgrades, learn how to deal with your car on a bolt-by-bolt basis, save the rest of your money and, after meandering around on this site for a couple months, make a detailed plan for what you want to do.

You don't want us spending your money vicariously, do you ? It's all well and good that many of us would turbo that bitch in a heartbeat, but many of us have extensive experience and mad hookups to get awesome prices AND we can all do the work ourselves. Don't rush this: it's your car. Figure out what YOU want to do and then how you want to do it.

Fast is easy. The right kind of fast eludes many people the first time around .</TD></TR></TABLE>


I agree with Archidictus work on the suspension first, then later on down the road and few months on H-T reading the post, then decide what you want. don't rush it with I/H/E since you'll eventually won't like the setup and waste the money buying it. if you plan to boost it don't even waste you're money I/H/E since you'll have to replace it when you add the turbo. just my .02

 

Ground Controls w/ custom rates and Konis - 850
Alignment - 100
Comptech rear sway/tie combo - 375
GSR/Si front upper brace - 30

New rotors f/r - 100
Axxiss Ultimates f/r - 125
Brake fluid - 10

15x6.5 - 15x7" wheels of your choice - &lt;600
205/50-15 Falken Azenis - 300
Mounting/Balancing - 50

Have fun.