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I just bout a 1995 Civic Del Sol for $2,000 and want to make it my project car. I have a laundry list of things I want to do but I don't know where to start. I plan to put a new engine in, but I have no idea what kind, size or where to even start looking.

 
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Let me tell you this first, we are only going to help you if you are honestly trying to make it a project car.
Try to learn a bit about engines and how turbos work first

If you say "I want to put a LS1 in here, with 20psi of boost", please get out now

With that out of the way,
What is a priority in your books?
Paintjob?
Interior?
ICE?
Speed?

Del sols arent meant to be fast either, just like civics, if u wanted a little more speed out of it, should have gotten a lude.

Please post pictures of your new ride, and maybe we'll be able to help you.

 
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You need to look at your budget and goals, then go do some crazy research.

An engine swap could run anywhere between a $1000-$15000.

 
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My first priority is performance. I'm not trying to do some fast and the furious crap but I would like to be able to get up and go when I'm feeling antsy. I have no idea what you where even talking about with the PSI boost or what ever.

 
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Why do I need to do a RWD conversion?

 
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Who said you needed to do a RWD conversion?
Thats just part of mind's signature

I'm not positive, but i'm pretty sure you can stuff a lude engine in a del sol with some modifcations.

a bit of header/catback/intake will give you good sound when you hit the gas.

That's all you should do performance wise, del sols arent exactly aerodynamic

 
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By lude do you mean Prelude? If so are there different sizes or models

 
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Yes, Prelude

I'm not exactly sure on which engine and how it all comes together, as i'm not an engine kind of guy, maybe someone else might be able to answer those questions

 
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Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 
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do you want all around performance or fast in a straight line?

straight line, an H22 would do you good. It's heavy, but it'll give you hella pep to your step. With the weight of the engine, it'll hinder handling, hence the straight line emphasis.

For all around performance, a B16 or B18 would be your best bets.

 
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I definitely want all around performance, I still plan to use this as an everyday car.

 
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It's not like a H22 would be too much for everyday use, it's just a heavy engine, so your handling would be slightly compromised.

If you could find one for cheap, i'd rock a B18C5 in it (Integra Type-R)

 
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What about the K series?

 
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I dunno.. just going off of what I found on other forums.

 
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Cool thanks for the advice.

 
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Try to stick with one thread please, it keeps us from bouncing all over the place

 
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Welcome to the forum. For Del Sol Sexiness, look here:

http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread.php?p=416727

http://www.tunedbylorange.com/h22delsol.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bgcanon/3693383872/

Do ANY of these swaps, and you del sol will be FaSt

 
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Do you have $6k for a low end K series swap?

 
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I will officially coronate you as a fking BEAST if you manage to do K20 swap.

 
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I'd like to see that, in person... one day

 
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me too! k20 in a del sol, badass!

 
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start first from the suspension/brakes/tires. They are what will keep you in contact with the rest of the world.
define an idea of the engine you will likely to put in and then you will have an idea of the suspension you will need.
By suspension, i am also referring to the normal maintenance, likely ball joints, bushings, if something is broken, lubbing, sway bar endlinks, etc, etc.
Keep in mind that we are mainly civic's.

 
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I've seen it done before, but there really is no point to a K20a del-sol unless your looking for something show quality and money's no object. Remember, unlike an EM2, you can swap a H22 into a del-sol and a type R H22 is 220hp just like a K20a.

 
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^ Agree.. but the K20 is hands down the best swap engine... you CAN make it faster. It all depends on how far someone wants to go.

 
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ok first heres some possibilities BESIDES engine swaps that could really give your car some push.acceleration i found is a key component majority of the time.first, Full cat back,try to get a custom job and get the pipes as straight back as possible.while thats going on,you could get high flow cat,custom headers,custom exhaust manifold,wider throttle body.customize your fuel delivery for better fuel injection.bump up your ignition like msd is a good brand.new flywheels,upgrade clutch assembly and/or tranny.as for engines i would have to agree with the h22 or k20 they both push and you can use them in your everyday car

 
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just fyi.. the d-series only has a single exhaust manifold.. and it would be counter productive to get a custom header and exhaust manifold.. just sayin.

also, if you don't have adequate backpressure, the engine will perform like crap

 
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A customer header and exhaust would be insanely expensive compared to a production equivalent and it is completely unnecessary. A larger exhaust often results in inadequate back pressure on an engine with just a couple bolt ons, so all it does is add unnecessary weight. You need a good EMS before you can expect any real performance from adding larger injectors, intake, exhaust and such.

This thread is pointless though, the owner needs to figure out what there budget is and what exactly they plan on doing before the come start asking questions. I'll paint my car with purple house paint if I see the OP drop in a K20a, no offence guys.

 
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come on bomber! purple is not even bad ... that a B/A mopar color.... try hot pink with bright yellow flowers

 
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I'm very new in this forum and I'm hoping to get the right answers. I'm in Los Angeles CA.

I was handed down a 97 Civic DX, to cut the chase, I just want to add more horsepower in it, I have no plans to race it, I just need more horsepower in a non expensive way. Pls. advise what to do and where to go to get it done. Thank you.

 
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Putting on an exhaust with a nice header and full exhaust system is basically $500 minimum for maybe .. 10 hp? Also, a cold air intake is good for 5 hp and a good set up is well over $150 where i live. So 650+ for 15 hp, not smart. You have a 4 cylinder, not going to get much out of it unless you do a b18 or h22 swap which could be done for cheap depending on if you can locate a nice running engine.