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I am starting to look at some up grades to my '03 Civic EX and I see some of these posts and what people are saying but to me it seems like mixed messages.

Here is a list of things so far that I am considering on doing would very much like any help on other parts, problems or other suggestions with these parts. Still kind of new to imports and trying to pick it up as fast as I can.

List:
Unorthadox Pullies
AEM V2 Air Intake
Boch Platnium Spark Plugs / MSD Wires
DC 4-2-1 Headers
DC Exhaust ( or something that is quiet as possible. Want my ride to be as quiet as possible but still have preformence.)

That is it so far. Like I said still new to imports and looking for any help.

Thanks

Kaz
"Overlook Hotel"

 
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sounds good. as long as you have fun with your car, that's all that matters.

 
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1st off - the aem cai is MUCH better than the V2
2nd - spark plugs and wires do absolutly crap in our cars
3rd - there is no 4-2-1 hearders for our car, only 4-1

 
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Please explain how you are going to get spark plug wires for our cars when our cars don't have spark plug wires.

 
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1. Pulleys don't do much on our cars.
2. Yup, the AEM CAI is much better and compare it to the K&N FIPK II. Both are nice.
3. Eh, spark plugs aren't gonna do much if your car is still brand spankin' new. Wait a few thousand miles. And yeah, we ain't got no wires, haven't you checked?

 
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doesnt the DC Sports setup actually take away power or torque?
pullies only help throttle response. AEM CAI is much better than the V2 and i dont think plugs do much. Save your money and just turbo it from the get go.

 
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all these guys are right. from the CAI, spark plugs, header, and pullies.

as for your exhaust. since you want a quiet one, i suggest getting the HKS hi-power (hiper) axle back. i have it on my ride and its very quiet. and you should also get 2.25" custom piping. you should get some performance out of that

 
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I thought the DC header isn't that much bigger than the stock. I suggest HP or Kamikaze.

 
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why are people saying that the AEM v1 is so much better then the v2?AEM says they did all the testing necessary and that it still beats the v1, but if you dont believe that then why would you still buy from AEM?

 
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aww man...poor guy. he came out here all beaming at what he's gonna get and one by one, his prospects get shot down. hahaha. i just have one suggestion...instead of platnum plugs, try iridium. goodluck.

 
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I gained .4 sec from iridium plugs. But then again, my car isnt stock

 
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I know, huh? He should've bought something else if he wanted to go fast.

Of course, he could always just get a K20A2.....

 
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You gained .4 sec? Doesn't that mean you're going slower now?

 
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oops

ok, knocked off .4 sec.

That better

 
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AEM V2 Air Intake
Boch Platnium Spark Plugs / MSD Wires
DC 4-2-1 Headers
DC Exhaust ( or something that is quiet as possible. Want my ride to be as quiet as possible but still have preformence.)

1) Unorthodox pullies aren't worth it. No difference.

2) Dyno's have shown that the V2 sucks. Feedback has been overwhelmingly negative. Go for the V1.

3) No idea about plugs ... though a K&N filter does help some ...another cheap lil upgrade.

4) Exhausts. DC's not that good, aside from its manufacturing quality (I gotta hunch they have some inside deal w/ Honda Tuning Magazine). Stay away from Tanabe and Greddy (many people here swear by Tanabe's), as they are not quiet. HKS is pretty good, heard one with it and sounds nice. Apexi WS is a good one so I've heard too. DC Sport's not worth it cus' its a lot more expensive, and not as quiet. Doesn't give you more performance for its high price tag either.

5) Header: Again, DC sports is not a good one. But it is legal? I forget. Kamikaze or HP header. Not legal in Cali.


If you're willing to spend that much, a lighter flywheel/performance clutch might be a good investment. You'll get better acceleration, and a less vague transmission. That will make a difference in how it drives.

-Aki

 
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Well thanks for the info all looks like I have more looking around to do. ( considering everything was denied.) An as for the wire thing... No I had not checked but thanks for the info and yes I did check after I read this and wow that is interesting that they have no wires.

Well other then a Turbo Kit and flywheel and clutch.... What else that is out right now would increase HP and Torque? An can anyone recommend a nice set up for Turbo's?

Thanks for the help everyone like I said still new to Imports so learning as I go.

Kaz
"Overlook Hotel"

 
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Unorthadox Pullies - Pulleys are suppose to make you acellerate faster, tho your rpms top out sooner....
AEM V2 Air Intake - Injen CAI
Boch Platnium Spark Plugs / MSD Wires - Spark plugs don't do a whole lot, but it makes it feel like you've done somthing, also it wont void your warrenty if your concerned. I've got the NGK Lazer Platinums.
DC 4-2-1 Headers - HP
DC Exhaust ( or something that is quiet as possible. Want my ride to be as quiet as possible but still have preformence.) - I'm with you on the quiet thing, but it dosent seem that you can get quiet AND good preformance.... you can probly do alright, but personally I want the most speed - just don't want to wake up a whole neighbrhood. Hard to decide. I had a post about it awhile back.

Also, remember that the exhaust will take away low end so you should have a intake in already, or do it at the same time.

Hope this helps.

 
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I just know people are going to argue about this.....

Turbo isn't the best on your engine over time.... neither is NOS for that matter. They do make you faster tho.

Other suggestions that don't cost a bloody fortune....
lightweight wheels/tires - will improve accelartion and handleing
weight reduction (i.e. spare tire) - will improve accelartion
those hyper ground wires might get you like 0.5-1.0 more HP
YOU DON'T NEED A WING TO GO FAST
K&N replacement stock filters take away like 0.1 or 0.01 hp, they just last forever
don't run stuff that takes power (i.e. A/C, radio/system, etc.) gives engine more power
keep the windows and sunroof closed - less wind resistance
lowering only helps handling (I believe)
those octane boosters might help alittle

Things that DO cost alot....
Honda Civic Si engine swap
Acura RSX engine swap
Acura RSX-S engine swap
Turbo
NOS, NX, whatever
bodykit might help with aerodynamics


I know there is more, but I'm tired....

 
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There's Stafford Fabrications turbo for our D17's. You can talk to SFpower or Catalyst about that. Or check out the Forced Induction section for more info.

 
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save for turbo..

 
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why cant we have superchargers?

 
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not enought space in the engine bay and no companies want to develop one for our cars

 
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also why do people say get the v1 CAI, cause they dont trust the v2, then why not go with Injen or a different company? if you dont trust a company then why still buy a product from them?

 
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Kaz,
The AEM air filter is a good product, but it follows the
usual solution of surface filtering with a non-reusable
air filter. Sure, you get less restriction when the filter
is new, but suffer a big drop in air flow when it gets
clogged. Since the first holes in the filter to get filled
up are on the surface, it's effective time is short. I solved
the problem with an AMSOIL foam air filter I had to cut
it down somewhat to fit the 7th gen Civic but it works
fine. It presents much less restriction and is effective
even though it may be dirty. It is reusable and takes only
a few minutes to wash and return it to the engine.

 
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lmao... cat is AWESOME!!! i think we all knew what you meant...

 
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look at Dr5D downing on the turbo kits!!! wtf?? noones even had one long enough to see how it will effect the longevity of the engine.. and our engines are like $400-600 anyways... who cares?? you gotta pay to play man.. and i think you just might be jealous of the 230whp possibilty with 9psi and alcohol injection.... are you? are you??

 
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Ok,

Exhaust-As far as quite, A'PEXi WS & RS*R (stock looking one) are the quitiest ones

Headers-DC is about 1/8" bigger than stock and legal, no fabrication required. No gain on low end & very minimal gains on mid-high end torque. ---FROM EXPERIENCE! I HAVE IT! Kamikaze & HP are not legal and require some fabrication from various threads

Plugs-save your $. For the $50 your gonna spend on Denso Iridiums your not gonna get any gains.

NOS-OVER RATED!! Have to refill all the time! Nuff said @ $3.38/LB. Not to mention highly Illegal in NYS. CA cops are being trained to do road-side inspections for NOS and such and give tickets for it....COPS are gettin crazy about this ****!

Turbo- I say a waste of $ on our motor. $3000 To only get 165HP. Thats 5 HP over an Si thats BONE STOCK!! Swap the motor would be better, but requires $$$. a donor, skill, fabrication....Then turbo your swap for the ULTIMATE SLEEPER. But your talkin easily like $8K to do all that.

Intake-Injen is far better quality than AEM ver 1 or 2. The quality is unmatched in Injen. I have had both and installed both....Injen EVERY time!!

Theres soem heads up!

 
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the $3100 turbo kit i sell made me run a 13.6 sec 1/4 mile at 101.887. I had the $100 alcohol injection upgrade, and that is it.

 
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type-s swap with turbo or supercharger haha