right now i have a 91 civic but plan on getting a newer civic 97-00 body style (is it 4th gen or 5th by the way?) anyways what are my engine options and how do they correspond to ex dx lx and si. and which do i want thats gonna be the cheapest to buy with the best engine to soup up.
thanks if anyone can help out

 

97-00 is 6th gen...you engine options for the HB are 1.6 sohc non vtec
which sucks...so you will want to do a swap

 

actually 96-00 is 6th gen.... your current one is 4th gen.

1.6L 106 hp I4 CX, DX, LX
1.6L 115 hp I4 HX
1.6L 127 hp I4 EX (SOHC VTEC)
1.6L 160 hp I4 Si (DOHC VTEC b16a) (only 99-00)

dunno the other engine codes tho.

no point modding the DX motor if you plan on going fast... just swap swap swap, hack hack hack.... etc...

 

so i want an EX with the v-tech right? is that gonna be my bang for the buck or should i find a really cheap cx dx lx and do a motor swap to the Si motor? or is it just gonna depend on what im doing it for (which is to go fast and stay true to my 4 cyl roots id prefere to stay all motor and get as much HP with out spending a but load)

 

if you go with a ex 1.6L sohc vtec D16Y8 motor you can swap a B16A motor in it or even a H22 motor, but I have a SI(Canada) EX(US) car, and I like my SOHC Vtec it may not be the fastest but it is good for me...

 

96 is also 6th gen, you could a 96 dx with a bunch of miles on it(you mught pay $6,000 - 9,000). Then, with the money left over, buy the B16A engine and swap out the old one. MAny have done it so you shouldn't have any trouble looking for help on the h-t site.

 

Wait, forget that Just go with a GSR (B18C1) engine and you will have infinite potential.

 

i have a 97 civic dx coupe should i save up for an si or just save up for the engine and drop one in there would it be safer and better for the car with 97k miles on it to just sell and start over

 

get a swap, 97000 miles doesn't matter. most hybrids have well over 100,000 miles on them. you have a new engine so it really doesn't matter.

 

No reason to waste your money on a car with lower miles when you are going to swap anyway. If you want speed, get a hatch with tons of miles on it so you only spend 2500-3500 and another 3500-4000 on the better GSR(B18C1 engine). If you go that route you will have a better engine than the si and a light car.