so, hi. not sure where to start or if this is even the right forum (though I read the two stickies up top), but I have a 2001 civic ex (auto) 4dr, with all the bells and whistles (and weight). I'll have it almost completely paid off in a few months and I'm just wondering if it's worth my time to invest into modding it. my priority isn't really speed; I know it's a low 4 banger and for a couple grand more I could have gotten a stock gt for pure speed. but, it wasn't that simple. this is a car I bought off my dad for $13k (for irrelevant reasons), with only about 8k on it. now I got it up to around 22k. I like driving it, I'm not a speed freak though I rarely ever drive the speed limit. I've only gotten 1 ticket with this car.

once again, I'm COMPLETELY new to all this so while I'm doing research and searching the forums (I found these to be pretty packed full of info compared to a few others online), I may ask some stupid questions. it seems to me the civic in particular is the most customizable car out there. and I want to be creative with it. I don't really race anyone, and if I ever do that'll be down the road and probably with a car that can be called a "sports car" with stock parts, unless I get way into this.

I'm considering making some modifications to make it look nicer (not necessarily "faster") and be a more comfortable ride overall. speed enhancements are something I will definitely look into if I go this far though. I guess the first set of questions is whether it's worth my time. I mean, it is an automatic (and if I floor it the engine redlines but nothing happens), it's a 4 door sedan with pretty much all the weight and features. it's also under warranty and I'm assuming changing anything gets rid of that. so, should I wait until the warranty expires before attempting any mods? also, it doesn't seem like there are many options out there for 2001+ models yet?

I'm just looking for opinions on whether I should pursue this and at what point (and cost). this is definitely an expensive hobby, just like modding computers (only moreso, obviously), but it's a hobby nonetheless. that said, I've wanted to fix up cars for some time now but never really got into it (my job, my other hobbies and school left little time for it all), or met the people who could help. and I've been wanting to meet some people around the cincinnati (OH) area who are into this sort of stuff, or have garage access, or both.

I've also been thinking about "revitalizing" an old car or two. maybe buy a cheap used manual civic or an older stang or anything that won't cost too much and toy around with it, just to get experience and see if this is something I really want to invest a lot of time in.

anyway this is the beginning of a lot of rambling so some first step advice would be great. thanks.

 

whoa long story, dont feel like reading. welcome to H-T. read the RULE post (2nd post) in the forum.

 

You're from Cincy eh? What part?

 

I would defiantly recommend a suspension upgrade.

Sport or Race springs.
Compliant after market dampers, I prefer Koni and H&R combo.
Camber kit.
Front, rear, lower, and upper bars...

I have a stripped Civic which I only use on the track, and my A4 which I have no engine mods, but all the money is going into the suspension.

Having a finely tuned suspension owns...

I hope this helps... Oh yeah, you might as well just throw an intake on, hell everyones doing it...

 

not new to cincy, new to modding. I actually lived in the clifton area for the better part of 10 years and we just got a house in newport (right across the river). I go to uc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jL iLLuZiOnz 9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">whoa long story, dont feel like reading. welcome to H-T. read the RULE post (2nd post) in the forum.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since you didn't read what he wrote he already read both rules...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jL iLLuZiOnz 9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">whoa long story, dont feel like reading. welcome to H-T. read the RULE post (2nd post) in the forum.</TD></TR></TABLE>
hahha i couldnt read the whole story, but i read most of it, how old are your.. j/w good luck on your Sedan!

 

damn haha. its too early for me to read something that long.

 

I'm 20.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jL iLLuZiOnz 9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn haha. its too early for me to read something that long.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Haha... It wasn't that long, your mind is playing tricks on you.

 

cool, like 976 about throwing an intake on, go for it man, u can find generic ones on ebay for like 40 bucks shipped, and its a nice cheap mod and everyone is doing it, go with short ram though so u dont suck any water up in your beast.

 

Short ram ownz.. CAIs are all they're cracked up to be.

 

well before I get into any of this I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and mod a car that's under warranty and probably not the best choice for mods (I would think a barebones manual hx would be a more viable option) or just spend a grand on a used manual that I wouldn't mind "experimenting" on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mikhailtk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well before I get into any of this I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and mod a car that's under warranty and probably not the best choice for mods (I would think a barebones manual hx would be a more viable option) or just spend a grand on a used manual that I wouldn't mind "experimenting" on.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There ya go. You can pick up CX/VX/DX 92-95 Civics for cheap around us. Or even an older CRX. Very light and inexpensive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IDriveAHonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Short ram ownz.. CAIs are all they're cracked up to be. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, there is two sides to that statement.

Short RAM, is an almost pointless mod for the most part because as we all know the filter is near the engine where heat is generated. The higher the heat, the more dense the oxygen is... Therefore your engine over heats, few degrees - not too much, and lacks oxygen needed to properly burn. Yeah, short RAM can give some HP at low end, just don't expect any improvements at VTEC or higher RPM's. And yes, the other end of the spectrum, CAI, suck water, hydro lock, sucks ***... However the dyno proven performance is always nice, but as he mentioned he isn't looking for speed or performance as much.

 

Is there some guide about the features/pros/cons of these older cx/vx/dx/crx's? And are 92-95 the best gen? I've also never driven a manual so I would most likely kill the clutch if it isn't already dead.

 

best noob evar

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mikhailtk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there some guide about the features/pros/cons of these older cx/vx/dx/crx's? And are 92-95 the best gen? I've also never driven a manual so I would most likely kill the clutch if it isn't already dead.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You havent lived until you've driven a stick...

 

Welcome to H-T.... I would say get some suspension 1st

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 976 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Haha... It wasn't that long, your mind is playing tricks on you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then quit posting and go to sleep.


It dosnt sound like your poor, so why not spend 1500$ on
a hatch, many more options. I say not really worth
it trying to fix that up. Kind of a money pit, and its still
a civic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 976 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You havent lived until you've driven a stick... </TD></TR></TABLE>

true that.. i hate driving auto's