I own a 95 Civic EX.

I want increased performance, but I don't really know where to start.
Yes, I'm a newbie.

Any suggestions.....

 

Okay Kamin.....Search function......what do you want to do...Fast...Super Fast...All show....You will prolly want to start with a motor swap. Then go from there


[Modified by Blown90hatcH, 8:03 AM 11/23/2001]

 

bahh blown dont be a meanie
yes the serarch button is VERY important. if you dont use it some of the mods will break your arms. but if your nice to them they are usually nice to you *looks around*

the first thing you need to ask yourself is what do you want the car to do when its done. if you want an 11second civic your going to have to have a big *** budget. if you want a 14 second one its going to be alot cheaper but still a little expensive.
welcome and pay attention! there is ALOT if informational stuff here.


[Modified by KAMiN, 10:31 AM 11/23/2001]

 

Yes, what do you want. Do what yields the results you want

You're going to have people (not on this board though ) tell you that an intake will give you 20HP and an exhaust another 15. Thats not accurate at all.

I'm not sure what they yield on an EX, but it probably isn't much more than what they would give most other Hondas/Acuras...except headers on a 3.0-3.2. Adding power to a Honda is very expensive.

If you want to notice a huge difference for not a lot of money...Maybe start with rear SWAY bar of about 19mm. SWAY bar, not strut bar. Strut bars are next to useless. Speed shops may not stock it...it will be a special order just like anything useful You may have to get Integra rear lower control arms too if yours aren't beefy enough...they're cheap used.

Some low-cost shocks/springs would be good too...maybe a used Integra suspension (if it fits, which I believe it does on a 95). Also, get some GSR wheels with good 205/50/15 tires and not only will it look nice, but it will perform better too because the 15's are comparable in weight to your stock ones but have better, lower profile tires.

Of course, if you want all style and no oomph, get 16 or 17 inch aftermarket rims...they'll slow your car down nicely

 

Get a cold air intake for sure...

 

Ok, my goal is to have a faster car than what I have now. First, I'll work on fast, then (hopefully a soon then) I'll work on really fast, and eventually kick ***.

I'm getting a cold air intake but explain the sway bars to me.

oh yeah! why would bigger rims slow me down? weight?
unfortunatly I just bought some 17's. How much will they slow me down?

 

start out by going to your bank and asking for a loan to pay for all the mods you are about to do, ask for 5G at first then come back after a week when thats gone and ask for another 20G, you may be happy with the power that 25 large can buy.
Just go to the FI forum, youll see real power there

 

nice picture rtype, kinda suits your disposition.

I'm not lookin for ferrari speeds here guys, only what I can do.

 

much nicer blown
hehe tryin to watch out for da newbies.
dont want to **** them off
thats just 1 more member of clubsi

 

Yes, the 17s slow you down due to weight. Its not just weight, its unsprung weight. Your grip will be better, but at the cost of speed/agiity.

For speed...your first mod should probably be a cold air intake. On a power/$ ratio, this has the best return...you may get 5-10HP from it. An exhaust system with a header is the next step, but the gains will be less for more $. With I/H/E, you will have added about 12HP for $1000.

The sway bar is something that you will notice. It essentially transfers body lean forces from one side to the other, cutting your body roll and reducing understeer. Its not a flashy mod at all...in fact its not visible from the outside really. When you see a bar...its a strut bar...they're basically useless.

Making an EX into something quick is expensive...making it handle llike a dream however doesn't have to be

 

Yeah, I don't expect a whole lot out of it, it's basically a "get-by" car.
When I get out of school and get a better job, I might be able to afford a better car.

Thanks

 

First mod...is always suspension... (well atleast in my book)..
then go from there..if you just bought 17's and u want speed i would say ur off on the wrong foot. some lightweight 15's would a nice lowered stance will give some increased handling, not to mention some sway bars.
THen comes the almight SWAP.....

 

Sell those 17s and buy some 15s...

Use the extra money on shocks\springs and a rear sway bar.

Then stop.

Save all your money from then on for a swap.

Suprdave