Honda Civic: Top 5 Affordable Modifications

This article applies to the Honda Civic (1992-2000).

The Honda Civic has been around long enough, and has been purchased enough times to have developed a large market of aftermarket modifications. Given the stacks of catalogs and companies offering the options available for purchase, here are the top five affordable modifications you can do to your Civic.

Air Intake Systems

DIY Cost – $110-300 per system

Professional Cost – $200+ for parts and labor

Skill Level – Easy; it is a simple plug 'n play installation.

The best part of air intake systems is that they are a fairly easy, plug 'n play installation. Not only does this installation increase power, it also helps the car "breath" better, which in turn can increase the car's fuel economy. But of course, the easier your car breathes, the more likely you will see an increase in performance. Recommended for its easy installation and increase in performance.

Exhausts, Mufflers, and Tips

DIY Cost – $50-300

Professional Cost – $150+

Skill Level – Easy to difficult; while the tips are easy to install, installing the entire exhaust system can be difficult.

Exhaust mufflers and tips provide a wide range of modifications to install. Exhaust tips can be simple installations, but installing an entire exhaust system can be complex because it requires extensive bending of pipes. In general, the parts for modification are fairly inexpensive; however, the installation cost can add up significantly. You can improve your car's horsepower and sound with most of these options. Recommended for its horsepower and sound.

Headlight Replacement Bulbs

DIY Cost – $30+

Professional Cost – $100+ for parts and labor

Skill Level – Easy; it is a simple headlight bulb replacement, but it can be difficult to reach some connections in the engine bay. .

Generally, you wouldn't need a professional to help you install aftermarket headlights. This is a very easy and inexpensive way to give the front end of your car a non-factory look at night. It can also improve visibility while driving. Headlight upgrades include High-Intensity Discharge (HID), Xenon lamps or (Halo) Angel Eye Projector LED headlights. Other upgrades include smoking out the headlight assemblies, completely replacing them with compatible aftermarket housings, or even modifying the fog lights. Recommended for its non-factory look and night visibility.

Window Tinting

DIY Cost – Less than $100

Professional Cost – $200-500

Skill Level – Moderate; it is time consuming and it needs to be applied properly.

This is definitely not one of the easier self-installation options; however, if applied properly, then it won't look bad. Most cars look great with tinted windows, Civics especially. During the summer, it can keep the temperatures down inside your car. It can also help to increase the life of your dash and trim pieces. It is recommend paying a professional to do this job. It can be very time consuming, and it requires you to be very detail oriented. Recommended for its looks and dash protection during the summer.

(Related Article: Window Tint Modifications - Honda-Tech.com)

Interior Bulb Change

DIY Cost – $30+

Professional Cost – $200+ for parts and labor

Skill Level – Easy; it is a simple bulb replacement.

This is another easy and inexpensive modification. Prices can vary depending on which products and colors you choose to purchase. Believe it or not, there are ways to make this a higher priced option. Labor costs will vary based on the auto shop you choose, but this modification is definitely something you can do yourself in a couple of hours. The interior LED installations could be costly, but it could make for a great light show if it is hooked up with the stereo. Recommended for its interior looks.

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