Rep Power: 0

I have a 04 civic vp with 25k miles. I have 5k cash. I would like to make this car faster but I live in California so I cannot turbo. I do not want to swap and Im not even sure if that is legal in Ca. What can I do to make this car better? Thanks for any help. I have looked around this website but am unsure about what gains to expect from different mods.

 
Rep Power: 347

Okay, eliminating swap and turbo from the mix, you're left with...


NOTHING

Do not expect anything more then 10 HP from intake, headers + catback exhaust, Just ain't gonna happen. Even an intake mani swap from a D16y8 is probably going to only net you 5 addidional h,p. N/A, more if you were boosted.


If I remember, engine swaps are legal, only if they're from the same model year as your car or newer. So let's say you find a wrecked RSX-S from 2005, You could in theory swap that motor legally. RSX from 2003....No go. I do believe you have to have to VIN code off the car the engine came from, but not sure. The only other option you're left with is NOS, but if you do that, the rest of that 5K is going to be your engine rebuild fund.

 
Rep Power: 279

Well you could give me the 5 K and we can stap a tow line on my car, and i can tow you around?

 
Rep Power: 309

Sell the vic and buy something else

 
Rep Power: 0

Your only option is a new car.

 
Rep Power: 320

k swaps are legal once you get it bar'ed. Hondaluver got his bar and is legal now.

 
Rep Power: 289

Find a mechanic with a smog cert. Have him do all the work. otherwise you can buy a car that is fast rather than an economy car.

Your Gay

 
Rep Power: 321

$4000 - A decent used turbo setup.

$200 X 5 - Cost of "passing smog" for the next 10 years assuming you need it bi-annually.

That's a "legal" setup that'll last you for 10 years.

 
Rep Power: 0

i gave the dealer 5 grand in cash plus my 01 civic for a base 5 speed rsx last month. never looked back. You can prolly do a k20a3 swap. those are pretty cheap nowadays.

 
Rep Power: 262

lol i like his name rdy2mod! ohhh hes ready but dosent want to swap. heres a tip, keep researching the "d17" and a k20a2 (he prob has no clue what jdm is) So please sir keep researching and....k20 swap would pass smog....if it didnt then all rsx-s' would be illegal

 
Rep Power: 321

Yes it could pass smog but for it to be a legal swap you need to get it inspected by a CA state referee.

The referees check for EVERYTHING and if not done right, you have to keep fixing it until they clear you.

It eventually starts to amount to alot more money than expected, which is why theres plenty of illegally swapped cars in CA.

 
Rep Power: 300

wow, im glad i dont have to deal with that, i could have a civic with a lambo engine (if it was possible) and NYS wouldnt give two *****.

 
Rep Power: 262

mmmm sure love living in NY where we can ride in cars with no CA

 
Rep Power: 257

this is a funny thread he has 5k and doesnt want to swap and no turbo and wants car to be legal and have a fast d17. it isnt like your gonna be pulled over everytime you pass a cop. ok i has a suggestion buy something so you dont do anything. and change you name to sumthin more suitable. he just asking to get flamed on.

 
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Thanks for the input. This is pretty much what I figured. My parents bought me this car because its reliable and safe. I really like the look of civics but there is just no power. Ill probably trade this car in for an RSX as someone had suggested.

 
Rep Power: 302

Yep, in Cali that's your best bet. I'm thinking the same thing this year, get the last 06 RSX.

 
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Man...I feel sorry for all of you guys. Good thing I left Cali like almost a year ago, I knew something like this would arise. LOL!

 
Rep Power: 289

Mount guns in the bumper.

 
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LOL ya but the only ones legal would be paint ball and only in about three counties. Yes its a pain in the *** here but you can still do stuff and have fun. I would suggest keeping your car fairly stock and build up a older 6th gen or some thing. Here in cali the edlebrock turbo for older gens is smog legal. So you could roll the 7thgen and race the 6th.

 
Rep Power: 351

many other options out there and for 5k lots of legal options as well. do a better search.