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Just bought my 2003 LX 5-speed Coupe today! 100 miles so far. Very fun, spiritied car.

I am not a racer (track or street), but I'm a former miata owner who loves the driving experience. I don't have too much money to spend... whats the greatest impact I could have on power and handling with a budget of about $2000-3000? I know its not much money, but this would be purely for pleasure on the road, not for competition.

Never done any car mods before, so any pointers would be appreciated!

 
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some nice springs or a nice set of coilovers...
not much you can do with performance...you can always go with the I/H/E, but that is roughly about a good $1000 that WONT provide much performance, so wouldnt recommend wasting your money if only want to spend so much...
try a upper front strut bar, lower tie bar, and upper rear tie bar

 
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you could try intake header and exhaust but you really wont see much gain from that. or you could go custom turbo but i pretty sure you would have to spend more money then you r budget, or you can get nitros but you only feel the difference when you use it.

 
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Wonder why you chose the Civic for handling? This is surprising coming from an ex-miata owner. For a econo car with awesome handling you should've chosen the Protege 5.

 
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Handling

1. B&G coilovers or Teins ($1000) (Check the GroupBuy forum)
2. Neuspeed Front Strut Bar ($100) (www.tornactive.com)
3. Any upper rear strut bar ($30-80) (www.tornactive.com & ebay.com)
4. RSX Rear Anti-Sway Bar ($50-92) (www.clubrsx.com sale forum or www.hondawerx.com)
5. Any Rear Lower Tie Bar ($30-100) (www.tornactive.com & ebay.com)

Power

1. AEM Cold Air Intake or Injen CAI ($200) (for AEM adventon.com or Injen CAI
http://www.ptuning.com/html/discount_code.cfm?clubid=pt2k1civic&CFID=6403&CFTO KEN=74825185)
2. Header ($???) (search around)
3. DC TCS exhaust ($550) (same as above)

That's about it...not much performance out of the civic.
Enjoy
-ak

 
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As a note: If you are quick to act there is a Group Buy going on for some Neuspeed and Koni parts by Rob@Tornactive.

 
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get a set of springs, and some nice 17inch wheels with good tires good place to start[IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

 
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An excellent bang for the buck product is a chip. Try the Jet V-force or think about the stock chip reprogramming. I have only heard of one person with it, but they said it was great and could feel the difference. I don't see how there won't be a significant power increase (10 hp) when the timing is advanced and better octane is used (89 required). I would buy this now, but I'm thinking about all my options when it comes to modding a car. I might just get something else (99-00 civic Si or Integra) or a project car (CRX hybrid).

For 3000 I would get wheels, springs, sway bars, strut brace, AEM CAI, chip, and exhaust. I think that would cover the 3000 just about. Thats my opinion.

 
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Good job laying that out AK..........i would pick a Tanabe over TCS exhaust though.

 
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Read this regarding intake/header/exhaust.

Go to the suspension section and check out the Suspension FAQ. It's should be the first or second topic there.

And I recommend getting a 22mm rear anti sway bar to eliminate all unnecessary body roll from the car. I say research this as it will be one of the cheapest and most effective ways to gradually improve handling and the car's ability to turn.

 
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power
nitrous oxide $700 MAX

handling
rsx rear lower anti-sway $95
really good tires $400-600