First mods to a '98 GSR?
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First mods to a '98 GSR?
Hey everyone I usually run with the enemy(I race Mustangs) but my friend just bought a very clean 1998 Integra GSR. I think it's pretty much stock except for some minor suspension stuff. It also might have a mild catback exhaust system. Do they come with stock adjustable coil overs? He wants me to help him out with his first mods and he has about $500 to spend. What are the best first mods for a GSR that will improve performance? I want the best bang for the buck. And please don't say "cold air intake!" or "exhaust!" like it's going to add 50 horses.
I was thinking about either a homemade intake tube or a cheapy eBay one. I know on my 94 Mustang the intake elbows off of eBay are just as good as quality as say a BBK or comparable import manufacturer. How difficult is it to install a header? Do you guys use adjustable cam gears and if so how many degrees do you advance or retard your cam timing? Is an intake manifold a good beginning modification on these cars(I mean the whole manifold not just an intake pipe)? And what are the best places to buy these parts online? Thanks for all the help. By the way I love imports but I hate ricers...
I was thinking about either a homemade intake tube or a cheapy eBay one. I know on my 94 Mustang the intake elbows off of eBay are just as good as quality as say a BBK or comparable import manufacturer. How difficult is it to install a header? Do you guys use adjustable cam gears and if so how many degrees do you advance or retard your cam timing? Is an intake manifold a good beginning modification on these cars(I mean the whole manifold not just an intake pipe)? And what are the best places to buy these parts online? Thanks for all the help. By the way I love imports but I hate ricers...
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Re: First mods to a '98 GSR? (StangJon347)
Well first performance mods should be intake, header, high flo cat, and exhaust. You'll want 2.25" piping the whole way out but most headers are either 2" or 2.5" so get the 2" and make sure everything else is 2.25" For the intake, get 3" piping off ebay, throw away the shitty filter and get a K&N. CAI or SRI differences in power gains are negligible so get whatever your bud wants. Just make sure you get a bypass valve if you get a CAI.
You won't be able to get 50hp or anything substantial without forced induction or nitrous. If he wants to spend money on mods for the twisties, go with the ITR rear sway bar (search for it on here) and springs for looks. He can also get a lip kit and such if he wants to look good.
A header is easy to install. Take off the bolts on the block and the catalytic converter. Pull out the driver's side fan. Yank that **** out and put the new on in and everything back together.
Where do you race? I hope not on the street because that's dumb.
In addition to i/h/c/e, learning out to shift quickly and smoothly will improve your performance. IMO, cam gears are more for bling than anything if you dont have serious mods on your car where you would really need to retard or advance timing like forced induction. Waste of money for me.
You won't be able to get 50hp or anything substantial without forced induction or nitrous. If he wants to spend money on mods for the twisties, go with the ITR rear sway bar (search for it on here) and springs for looks. He can also get a lip kit and such if he wants to look good.
A header is easy to install. Take off the bolts on the block and the catalytic converter. Pull out the driver's side fan. Yank that **** out and put the new on in and everything back together.
Where do you race? I hope not on the street because that's dumb.
In addition to i/h/c/e, learning out to shift quickly and smoothly will improve your performance. IMO, cam gears are more for bling than anything if you dont have serious mods on your car where you would really need to retard or advance timing like forced induction. Waste of money for me.
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cai & headers will be the best overall bang for your buck for 500$...
you want 50hp? go spend 3g's on a turbo setup.
you need to understand that 1.8l hondas do not respond to mods like mustangs do.... yes, you can substantially increase your power with bolt ons, but its all relative. say with i/h/e you gained 10% more hp on the gsr. thats 17hp, you say big deal... but you got to realize that the car has a significantly smaller motor (and also weighs much less)...
doing the same mods to a much higher displacement motor will yield bigger gains, at less cost. period........
its not about how much hp you can make. its about having a well balanced car. you can add 50hp to a car that weighs 5500 lbs and it wont do much, but you can add 15 to car that weighs 1800 and notice a serious difference. power to weight ratio owns you.
you might want to consider getting a afc also if you can afford it.
cam gears will also do nothing with stock cams.
you want 50hp? go spend 3g's on a turbo setup.
you need to understand that 1.8l hondas do not respond to mods like mustangs do.... yes, you can substantially increase your power with bolt ons, but its all relative. say with i/h/e you gained 10% more hp on the gsr. thats 17hp, you say big deal... but you got to realize that the car has a significantly smaller motor (and also weighs much less)...
doing the same mods to a much higher displacement motor will yield bigger gains, at less cost. period........
its not about how much hp you can make. its about having a well balanced car. you can add 50hp to a car that weighs 5500 lbs and it wont do much, but you can add 15 to car that weighs 1800 and notice a serious difference. power to weight ratio owns you.
you might want to consider getting a afc also if you can afford it.
cam gears will also do nothing with stock cams.
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Re: (xdjoynerx)
haha, mustangs don't weigh 5500 pounds... well, if it was a fat farm shuttle car, it might.
its already been said, intake, header, high flow cat.
then exhaust,
then nitros would be good!
its already been said, intake, header, high flow cat.
then exhaust,
then nitros would be good!
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Re: (crxcess)
reading comprehension is obviously not your friend.
that was an extreme example of power to weight ratios... a gsr doesn't weigh 1800 lbs either
and hi flow cats are pretty much useless... ive known people that have entirely gutted there cats and felt no gains... not to mention that most fail before you can even get your car smogged again
that was an extreme example of power to weight ratios... a gsr doesn't weigh 1800 lbs either
and hi flow cats are pretty much useless... ive known people that have entirely gutted there cats and felt no gains... not to mention that most fail before you can even get your car smogged again
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Re: First mods to a '98 GSR? (StangJon347)
Cam gears are only really useful if you have upgraded cams. Does your friend have any goals or power ideas he wants. How much power does he want to make? These are all the questions he needs to answer before anyone can help him, if he wants to go turbo, then buying a header will be wasting money since he would have to get a turbo manifold. The best mod you or your friend can do for nothing is search this forum, there is tons of useful information about what works better that what, there is simple things he can do especially in the "best mods under 150.00" thread. Get some more info about what he wants from the car search around. Then go out and have some fun. Check all of the classifieds for parts that are really cheap, and there are always good group buys going on. Good luck and have fun working on the teg. Welcome to the forum. 
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Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't mean to ask what is involved in installing a header, I've done that plenty of times, just never on an import. I know that in my current Mustang I would have to partially lift the engine to install headers again(luckily I installed them when I had the whole motor out). I'm not really trying to do that much work for my friend. So would an intake MANIFOLD help at all? He already is planning on an intake tube of some sort and of course I'll get him a K&N filter.
My friend just wants to have a little fun on the street. He doesn't ever intend on any kind of forced induction or nitrous. Nitrous was actually the first thing I suggested to him; I wanted to mess around with it on his car before I put it on mine... I didn't mean to say I wanted 50 hp, I meant I didn't want people saying that "brand x" intake is a bolt on 20 hp. I want real results! How are the throttle bodies on these cars? Do they have mass air meters?
My friend just wants to have a little fun on the street. He doesn't ever intend on any kind of forced induction or nitrous. Nitrous was actually the first thing I suggested to him; I wanted to mess around with it on his car before I put it on mine... I didn't mean to say I wanted 50 hp, I meant I didn't want people saying that "brand x" intake is a bolt on 20 hp. I want real results! How are the throttle bodies on these cars? Do they have mass air meters?
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Hey can anyone link me to the "best mod for under $150" thread? I did several searches but I can't seem to find it. I don't race on the street too much anymore, but I haven't taken my new Mustang to the track yet. If anyone's interested here's a link to my car domain site: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/619179 . I've done some pretty extensive engine work that's taken about a year to do. If any of you ever want to race in Phoenix or Seattle I'm down! And where is a good place to buy import parts from online?
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Re: First mods to a '98 GSR? (hollaATyourBOY)
people always want to do things the easy way...
i say, save up, and either go turbo, supercharged, or all motor. either one is gonna cost money, and it's much better to get it done all @ once, save up and have it done correctly, than waste your money on i/h/e that will set u back a pretty penny and won't be that much improvement over stock.
save about 1500-2000 and then throw it in your car... you'll see a definate improvement and be happy with it.
i say, save up, and either go turbo, supercharged, or all motor. either one is gonna cost money, and it's much better to get it done all @ once, save up and have it done correctly, than waste your money on i/h/e that will set u back a pretty penny and won't be that much improvement over stock.
save about 1500-2000 and then throw it in your car... you'll see a definate improvement and be happy with it.
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Re: First mods to a '98 GSR? (StangJon347)
Intake manifold would be a waste of money because with out cams it won't make much of a difference like it would on a V8. Same thing with throttle body, you could always bring the stock throttle body to a machine shop and bore it out a little more but don't expect anything serious out of it. There are some tricks from the domestic side that work, but not too many. Since he wants to keep everything simple and no nitrous or boost. Get a ebay intake tube. K&N filter will be good, and then get a ICEBOX. DC JDM header would be nice and then pick a nice exhaust. If you want to buy stuff online, use our vendors that is what they are for, and check out the groupbuys. 500 dollars won't get him very far. Maybe if he opens up the wallet a little more he can do more with his money, like proper lowering. Maybe Integra Type R sway bar with BSQ kit.
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500 bucks can get you pretty far if you ask me, especially with vtec.
ebay intake, header, and afc could all be had for 500$, and you would deffinantly notice some gains.
spending 500$ on an exhaust will not yeild much of any gain at all.
......... you could probably get a nice set of hi-comp pistions and a hks head gasket for 500$ too.
ebay intake, header, and afc could all be had for 500$, and you would deffinantly notice some gains.
spending 500$ on an exhaust will not yeild much of any gain at all.
......... you could probably get a nice set of hi-comp pistions and a hks head gasket for 500$ too.
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Ok thanks for the responses guys. Just to clarify it's for my friend not me. We were looking at some of the eBay CAI, I think a cheapy BOMZ or something like that. What is an AFC? His car is SLAMMED to the ground right now. Are adjustable coilovers part of the stock suspension on a 98 GSR? His car is so low he's actually going to raise it an inch. And yeah, I know about saving up and doing everything at once, but I think beyond intake and exhaust he's going to leave his car stock. Me on the other hand... well I bought my newest Mustang for $5000 and put almost twice that under the hood as soon as it was in my garage. O we were also looking at some of the cheap headers on eBay, anyone had experience with those? Thanks for being helpful guys.
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Re: (StangJon347)
1. afc is an air fuel controller
2. no his suspension is aftermarket they dont put adjustable coilovers on the car from factory.
3. I wouldnt buy a cheap ebay header (It will crack on you eventually) stay with DC Sports, Comtech, edelbrock, toda(if u got the loot).
I have i/e/h and msd ignition It made 165whp on the dyno. With my mods its way faster than it was stock.
2. no his suspension is aftermarket they dont put adjustable coilovers on the car from factory.
3. I wouldnt buy a cheap ebay header (It will crack on you eventually) stay with DC Sports, Comtech, edelbrock, toda(if u got the loot).
I have i/e/h and msd ignition It made 165whp on the dyno. With my mods its way faster than it was stock.
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Re: (StangJon347)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StangJon347 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey can anyone link me to the "best mod for under $150" thread?</TD></TR></TABLE>
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=874701
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=874701
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Re: First mods to a '98 GSR? (StangJon347)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StangJon347 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey everyone I usually run with the enemy(I race Mustangs) but my friend just bought a very clean 1998 Integra GSR. I think it's pretty much stock except for some minor suspension stuff. It also might have a mild catback exhaust system. Do they come with stock adjustable coil overs? He wants me to help him out with his first mods and he has about $500 to spend. What are the best first mods for a GSR that will improve performance? I want the best bang for the buck. And please don't say "cold air intake!" or "exhaust!" like it's going to add 50 horses.
I was thinking about either a homemade intake tube or a cheapy eBay one. I know on my 94 Mustang the intake elbows off of eBay are just as good as quality as say a BBK or comparable import manufacturer. How difficult is it to install a header? Do you guys use adjustable cam gears and if so how many degrees do you advance or retard your cam timing? Is an intake manifold a good beginning modification on these cars(I mean the whole manifold not just an intake pipe)? And what are the best places to buy these parts online? Thanks for all the help. By the way I love imports but I hate ricers...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Hope you guys are doing the racing on a track. For your friends begining mods what are his goals for the car street strip or track? Dont waste your money on bolt ons you wont gain real power, I/H/E will prolly only give u 10hp together and changer your power band slightly. Buy upgrades that help utilize the power the GSR already has. CLutch/lightened flywheel, N2O, performance tires, suspension and light weight rims 15"-16". Good luck and try not to waste your money on hyped up parts
I was thinking about either a homemade intake tube or a cheapy eBay one. I know on my 94 Mustang the intake elbows off of eBay are just as good as quality as say a BBK or comparable import manufacturer. How difficult is it to install a header? Do you guys use adjustable cam gears and if so how many degrees do you advance or retard your cam timing? Is an intake manifold a good beginning modification on these cars(I mean the whole manifold not just an intake pipe)? And what are the best places to buy these parts online? Thanks for all the help. By the way I love imports but I hate ricers...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Hope you guys are doing the racing on a track. For your friends begining mods what are his goals for the car street strip or track? Dont waste your money on bolt ons you wont gain real power, I/H/E will prolly only give u 10hp together and changer your power band slightly. Buy upgrades that help utilize the power the GSR already has. CLutch/lightened flywheel, N2O, performance tires, suspension and light weight rims 15"-16". Good luck and try not to waste your money on hyped up parts
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Re: (AznInvasion)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AznInvasion »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">one word : turboooo</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StangJon347 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">he has about $500 to spend</TD></TR></TABLE>
two words
reading comprehension
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StangJon347 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">he has about $500 to spend</TD></TR></TABLE>
two words
reading comprehension
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From: Central Maine area, ME, USA
Re: (-iLLuZioN-B18C1)
-JDM DC header. Best bang for the buck definately.
-No cat (basically free except the work and the small pipe)
-Exhaust (anything 2.25"-2.5")
-VAFC (tuning purposes, just incase down the road he indeed wants more power/mods).
-ITR cams (around 300-350 bucks, great gains)
-Skunk2 Intake Manifold (after cams this would be a good choice, this is where a dyno trip would be nice, to tune that powerband and get some extra power.)
-Then, tranny work. Either Final Drive, LSD, Clutch, Lightened flywheel, etc.
now you just pick and choose. down the road he is going to want more. just to let you know
-No cat (basically free except the work and the small pipe)
-Exhaust (anything 2.25"-2.5")
-VAFC (tuning purposes, just incase down the road he indeed wants more power/mods).
-ITR cams (around 300-350 bucks, great gains)
-Skunk2 Intake Manifold (after cams this would be a good choice, this is where a dyno trip would be nice, to tune that powerband and get some extra power.)
-Then, tranny work. Either Final Drive, LSD, Clutch, Lightened flywheel, etc.
now you just pick and choose. down the road he is going to want more. just to let you know
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