Rep Power: 0

Ive had my 05 civic for a while, and im just about done with payments and was wondering what else besides intake and exhaust would i be able to do the car thats relatively cheap... at least under $500. i knows theres loads but im looking for simple things to improve performance. any hints or advice would be greatly appreciated.

e: i also dont have much car experience...

 
Rep Power: 294

My choices (in no particular order or combination - under $500):

Performance (taken with a grain of salt) - Crower Stage 1 Cam, UR Underdrive Pulleys (No eBay or AEM. Love it or Hate it - You will spool up faster, regardless of the static around the forums), Power Steering Delete, Battery/Ground Wire Upgrade.

Suspension - Front Strut Bar, Master ES Poly U Bushing Kit, 22mm+ Rear Swaybar, Better Tires, Any Forged Wheels (used - for this price range), No Drops under $500 bucks - Sorry, unless you find a used set.

Brakes - Axxis Ultimate Ceramic Pads (or any street ceramic), Braided Lines, ATE Super Blue Brake Fluid

Transmission (Manual) - Motul, Redline, Royal Purple, etc. MT Fluid, B&M Short Shifter (there are others out there, but none come close to build quality/appearance), Transmission and/or Shifter Bushings, ACT or Exedy Stage 1 or Organic Clutch, Lightened Flywheel (11 to 12 lbs minimum, any lighter will drop RPMs too quickly. I still don't know how people rev match with these, to this day)

Interior - AP2 Steering Wheel (are always cheaper than DC5s or EP3s for some odd reason), Any Honda/Acura Seats other than a EM or ES, Radio Delete (I'm really not an I.C.E. person, haha)

Exterior - De-Badge, Painted Emblems, Carbon Anything (Hood/Trunk/Sunroof Slug), Headlight Retro/Paint/Bulb Upgrade. Sorry, not a tint guy, either.

My list. Others will add their $.02 soon...

 
Rep Power: 285

It's difficult to add to that.

Engine performance:
Cheap ebay pipe, with a quality filter. Used decent quality exhaust, like the hks for sale in the marketplace. Crower stage 1 cam. You could probably do that all for $600-700.

Suspension:
OEM type-S rear sway, $50 at most junk yards. ES Control arm bushings, ES engine mount inserts. A drop would require a minimum investment of around $700-750 on tokico struts and springs.

Brakes:
Prelude, S2K, Legend, NSX or ITR OEM calipers with rotors redrilled to 4x100, the legend calipers are actually larger than those found on an NSX just very heavy. Type-s MC, SS brake lines, motul brake fluid, Axxis or Hawk pads.

Interior:
S2k, EP3, DC5 cluster swap. Climate control LED mods. S2k start button. EP3 seats. Steering wheel swap or possibly a used wheel with quick release.

Exterior:
Debadge, side skirts, retrofit, fog lights.

Wheels:
Good quality tires!!!! a decent low diameter, lightweight wheel.

 
Rep Power: 257

with only 500 dollars i would just get aesthetic upgrades like window tint,lip kit, side skirts, rear lip or find a set of used rims and tires.

 
Rep Power: 0

Agreed, I would just tint/hid's/fogs and call it a day. Just say for bigger items like suspension and wheels, personally I wouldn't even touch the motor.