Bolt-on Engine Performance Post questions/information about intakes, exhausts, headers, lightweight pulleys or flywheels? It belongs here.

If you had $1000

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #1  
LDB's Avatar
LDB
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Rep Power: 0
LDB is an unknown quantity at this point
If you had $1000

If you had $1000 to spend on performance upgrades for a 2002 EX coupe with A/T that already has a Flowmaster exhaust on it as well as an Eibach kit and your goal was better performance when you want it without killing mpg or drivability the rest of the time what would you spend it on? Please list items in the order you would add them considering that goal as there could be time between mods and I want the results to work up to the goal.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #2  
smoke4's Avatar
The Dude
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
From: Gamehendge
Rep Power: 0
smoke4 is an unknown quantity at this point
CAI for starters, only about 150-175.


(i'd also say SEARCH)

This question has come up many many times, but you did "re-phrase" the question a little bit, so I'll let it slide, but I can't speak for everybody else!

Good luck and welcome to the site!

Last edited by smoke4; Sep 10, 2003 at 01:31 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #3  
Pharoh's Avatar
Bobaganoosh!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564
Pharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud of
CAI

PULLEYS

NOS
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #4  
BlueFlame's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, Montana, US
Rep Power: 0
BlueFlame is an unknown quantity at this point
I'd out it towards my American Express Bill, which already has the last performance upgrades I bought - HID kit, Intake, & new Tires

but to maintain &/or improve fuel efficiency, I'd reccomend an IHE (Intake, Header, Exhaust) combo. Also, you cuold put it towards a turbo kit ...
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #5  
IronFist's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528
IronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond repute
What gains did you notice from your Flowmaster exhaust?

Here are some things you might want to get:

RSX rear sway bar
Front upper strut bar (get Neuspeed so it will fit with an intake)
Rear upper strut bar
^those 3 will run you about 200 or less. You will notice a big improvement in handling.

Intake (so many to choose from, don't get a cheap one)
^that will be about 150-250 unless you find a used one.

Other stuff that hasn't really been confirmed:
throttle body spacers (helix power tower)
pulley (RVM, Unorthodox, AEM)

Depends on if you want to stay legal or not. The good headers for our car make you not pass emissions.

I dunno.

Good luck.

Last edited by IronFist; Sep 10, 2003 at 01:48 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #6  
PunkingCivic's Avatar
I need TP for my bunghole
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,103
Likes: 0
From: OXNARD, CA. SoCal. "805", North of L.A.
Rep Power: 360
PunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud of
This is what I would get with engine performance in mind:

Headers - $100 to $300 and up

Intake - $100 to $200

Grounding kit: search HKS , Arospeed, or ebay (also there is a forum discussion on them) $20 to $200

AEM tru power pulleys/belts $100 to $200

Ingnition solutions - plasma boosters $450 to $500

DIGITAL VTEC AFC - http://www.apexi-usa.com/electronics_vafc.asp - $150 to $ 300
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #7  
IronFist's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528
IronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond repute
I heard plasma boosters were useless, especially for $500.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #8  
Pharoh's Avatar
Bobaganoosh!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564
Pharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud ofPharoh has much to be proud of
Originally posted by PunkingCivic
This is what I would get with engine performance in mind:

Headers - $100 to $300 and up

Intake - $100 to $200

Grounding kit: search HKS , Arospeed, or ebay (also there is a forum discussion on them) $20 to $200

AEM tru power pulleys/belts $100 to $200

Ingnition solutions - plasma boosters $450 to $500

DIGITAL VTEC AFC - http://www.apexi-usa.com/electronics_vafc.asp - $150 to $ 300
Do you have proof that those plasms boosters actually worked. I got some not so good reviews on them....

Plasma thread

Last edited by Pharoh; Sep 10, 2003 at 01:54 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #9  
GideoN's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Rep Power: 0
GideoN is an unknown quantity at this point
I have the same car and tranny. I would go with:

Intake: Injen CAI RD (approx. $250)
Header: HP w/ Hi-flo cat (not legal)(approx. $250)
Ignition: Denso Iridiums IK20s (approx. $45)

Nitrous and the suspension mods that ironfist mentioned. I will get on later tonight and figure out the exact prices for all new. My opinion.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #10  
PunkingCivic's Avatar
I need TP for my bunghole
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,103
Likes: 0
From: OXNARD, CA. SoCal. "805", North of L.A.
Rep Power: 360
PunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud ofPunkingCivic has much to be proud of
Do you have proof that those plasms boosters actually worked. I got some not so good reviews on them....
I don't have them. but here is the data from the ignition solutions website regarding the 7th gen civic, http://www.ignitionsolutions.com/tec...da_civic_2001/
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #11  
CivicRookie's Avatar
Jeremy's Iron
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Baytown, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0
CivicRookie is an unknown quantity at this point
New, beefier tires. I got some 205/55/15 on the front and I noticed a huge improvement over the stock Firestone tires.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #12  
EnProceso's Avatar
98% of people will die in their lifetime
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Rep Power: 401
EnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questioned
torque converter
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #13  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
Most small performance upgrades are a waste. You don't have enough for a turbo, so I would say spend it on mods to make the car look nice. You already have exhaust so maybe rims, ICE, gauges, grill, etc.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #14  
75shot's Avatar
I <3 my Evo
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,732
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles (right by UCLA)
Rep Power: 0
75shot should not be trusted
air freshner - $12....money in pocket, priceless.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #15  
IronFist's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528
IronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond repute
See my signature

\/
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #16  
MagicRacing18's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
From: D-TOWN MI
Rep Power: 304
MagicRacing18 will become famous soon enoughMagicRacing18 will become famous soon enough
Go to the casino, hope you win 3000, buy a turbo! Or, save for a few months, then buy a turbo.. BEST MOD EVA

~nick~
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2003
  #17  
dragoon's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,939
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Rep Power: 0
dragoon is an unknown quantity at this point
blow it all on beer and women
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #18  
LDB's Avatar
LDB
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Rep Power: 0
LDB is an unknown quantity at this point
I think I'd be better off putting it into an FIPK or similar mods than casino's, beer and women. That would get me a longer life span and even if it didn't give better performance it would add to the looks of my car.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #19  
MatrixShark's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: New England
Rep Power: 0
MatrixShark is an unknown quantity at this point
Save it towards the down payment on your next car, an RSX-S or (If it comes out EVER) type-R.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #20  
WannaBFast's Avatar
Prowlin' with a Purpose
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,239
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Rep Power: 339
WannaBFast will become famous soon enoughWannaBFast will become famous soon enough
i would get a torque converter and tranny cooler... that will make it last a LOT longer
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #21  
cryption's Avatar
2003 Nissan Frontier
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Rep Power: 0
cryption should not be trusted
a lighter flywheel, it doesnt actually add HP but it acts like reducing weight off your car, significant improvment, or a CAM .. you can get some custom ground cams for a nice price.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #22  
mclean987's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
mclean987 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally posted by IronFist
What gains did you notice from your Flowmaster exhaust?

Here are some things you might want to get:

RSX rear sway bar
Front upper strut bar (get Neuspeed so it will fit with an intake)
Rear upper strut bar
^those 3 will run you about 200 or less. You will notice a big improvement in handling.

Intake (so many to choose from, don't get a cheap one)
^that will be about 150-250 unless you find a used one.

Other stuff that hasn't really been confirmed:
throttle body spacers (helix power tower)
pulley (RVM, Unorthodox, AEM)

Depends on if you want to stay legal or not. The good headers for our car make you not pass emissions.

I dunno.

Good luck.
the rsx sway bar fits the 7thgencivics ? i dont know the difference between a sway bar and a strut bar, i have front and rear upper strut bar and rear lower so far on my civic 2002 ex m/t and it feels much better, where does the rsx sway bar go ?
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #23  
MatrixShark's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: New England
Rep Power: 0
MatrixShark is an unknown quantity at this point
The sway bar or anti-roll bar goes underneath and acts to resist body roll.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #24  
loco01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Rep Power: 0
loco01 is an unknown quantity at this point
com on guys you all are not helping the guy he needs some good advices on what to spend his money on, i have the same budget and i don't know what to do, so seriouslly guys help us out. thanks
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #25  
honda_2k1's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
Rep Power: 0
honda_2k1 is an unknown quantity at this point
save it for a down payment on an RSX
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #26  
kjgracing's Avatar
Hail to the king baby
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Rep Power: 315
kjgracing will become famous soon enoughkjgracing will become famous soon enough
suspension,

don't get pulleys...they only come into play after 90mph.

Intake will be most noticable performance gain.
get the K&N FIPK II

JETCHIP upgrad is good but you have to use 89 or higher octane
gas or your car will ping.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #27  
IronFist's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528
IronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond reputeIronFist has a reputation beyond repute
Originally posted by mclean987
the rsx sway bar fits the 7thgencivics ? i dont know the difference between a sway bar and a strut bar, i have front and rear upper strut bar and rear lower so far on my civic 2002 ex m/t and it feels much better, where does the rsx sway bar go ?
Yeah, the rear one fits. The RSX and RSX-S one is 19mm. The RSX-R one is 23mm I think. The stock Civic one is 13mm I think. I have an 02 EX, too, so you're will have the 13mm one, too. I think DX's or something don't have them.

I've heard that the 19mm one is the best size for us and the Type-R one is too thick unless you're planning on upgrading the front one as well. The thicker rear sway bar will help eliminate understeer.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #28  
Elite's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Rep Power: 0
Elite is an unknown quantity at this point
well yeah no duh, thicker is better, considering that the fact, the smaller you get the easier chance it will break, Those aluminum ones from dc sports for the rsx and si look pretty sturdy to me.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #29  
EnProceso's Avatar
98% of people will die in their lifetime
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Rep Power: 401
EnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questionedEnProceso should not be questioned
i laugh at the people that say save it for a downpayment on a RSX
save up a little more get a turbo, and you'll have a better looking car, lower insurance and you'll be able to own RSX's on a daily basis.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2003
  #30  
Gryphin's Avatar
00 Hatchback Owner
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0
Gryphin is an unknown quantity at this point
1) CAI or SRI (depending on rain in your area)
2) Nitrous

sad but true... the only thing that can help a 7th gen, besides a swap, or turbo.. is the bottle

Last edited by Gryphin; Sep 15, 2003 at 10:04 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:38 AM.