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Hi, Im new to the honda, just aquired a 91 civic sedan with stock D15B2, auto, wanting to do some upgrades for performance and fuel economy,
Im on a slim budget, what are some simple and cheap upgrades for the DIY shade tree wrench turner?

 
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Intake. Consider replacing the upstream O2 sensor and fuel filter. Maybe exhaust manifold unless it's attached to your catalytic converter. Synthetic (or at least high-mileage) oil. Use top tier gas. Run injector cleaner every so often.

 
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Poopies is right...

Focus on the general maintenance first, who knows how the original owner treated the car?

In general it is very expensive to make a civic fast. (source: I'm an auto X racer)

It is possible however. I will give you a few options to think about.

***all pricing is taking into account that you are doing the labor yourself***


Suspension
For the least amount of work/money and to gain the most amount of driveability/fun I would point you in the direction of suspension mods.

-Coilovers $500-$3000 to lower center of gravity.
- rear camber correction arms $50 to correct for the drop and add rear traction.
-larger rims, used $200-$400 to increase traction
-large rear sway bar $200 to stiffen up the rear end

-optional mods strut tower bars

Head swap
Normally I would recommend a head swap however for your engine the D15 you would only gain 10hp if you swapped heads. Your head while new mad 92 hp.

However, since the engine is old and has probably lost a few ponies you could swap the head and replace the piston rings while your at it and would probably notice a good boost in power (not fast but quicker)

it is possible to unbolt the head and bolt on vtec head from a d15z8 (114hp), d15b7(102hp) or d15b3(105hp).

It may also be possible to drop in an aftermarket camshaft which could produce an additional 15-30 hp.

Head $300 scrap yard (advanced automotive knowledge required)
piston rings $100

camshaft if options exist $300

Engine swap

This will cost you a lot of time and working with a friend is handy.

Engine $300
transmission $120
engine mounts $200
other $500
time one week to two months depending on skill level

this will be hard but doing so could increase you hp from 92 to 208hp using a Honda engine.

Turbo
Since ièm guessing you are new to engine work, I would not suggest turbocharging or supercharging your ride... until you have learned more.

This would require thousands of dollars or money.

Cheap turbo kit
$2000
transmission upgrades $400
Engine internals $1000
exhaust upgrade $200
ecu $500-$1000
tune time at a shop $500-1000

 
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Thanks ,, Not new to engine work , but new to Hondas,, and limited on the budget, and ability to do some engine work such as changing cams, or head work just no experienced enough.