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Hello everyone! I’m very new to the car scene and I wanted to clarify this because I will not hold back any of my stupid questions. I lack simple knowledge about engines and whatnot. I got my first car this year- an 03’ civic EX 2D coupe! It’s adorable and I love it with my whole heart.. but it could be better, faster, modified.

I’ve never touched an engine, let alone install something onto it but I feel like I’m ready to mess around and start learning.

Now, just to get this out of the way, I do not want a new car. I know slamming an old car, specifically mine, is frowned upon because I could just buy a better one instead of putting all this money into it, but I love her and refuse lol.



The first mod I want to start off with as a beginner is a cold air intake. I’ve watched a lot of videos on how to install them onto my car but the problem with it is despite the name of the videos “cold air intake”, it’s a short ram which to what I’ve seen, is counterintuitive. I could be wrong, please correct me if so. But since there’s clickbait or misinformation, I’m needing some help finding one that fits my car correctly, isn’t a short ram that will suck the engine heat into it and won’t inhale water if my car goes through a puddle. I was unsure if they are universal and I could just get whatever I see recommended when searching for a CAI. Are they universal? Would it be useful to get one even if it’s just 5hp? Please, if you could share some links to one’s that would work/fit and is beginner friendly to install, I would highly appreciate it.



Onto my second question, turbo kits… daunting. As someone with a rather.. slow car, why would I not give it a little kick? Now, I would not be installing this solely on my own as this involves actually TOUCHING the engine in which I know nothing about. I have a few mechanic friends that I could ask for a babysitter of sorts just to watch over and make sure I don’t damage or ruin my engine. I just want to be hands on and learn as I go rather than pay them to do it completely for me.

Are turbos universal or are they specific to the car/year/model, etc. I haven’t done nearly as much research in this as I have a CAI but im trying. Turbo on a 03’ doesn’t seem popular.. for obvious reasons lol so it’s a bit harder to try and find installations, explanations of how they work and whatnot. Could someone drop some links for some that would be compatible with my car or even just share some knowledge of turbos so I don’t go in blind. This part is really scary and daunting to me but I’m really intrigued and want to try! One of the biggest fears I have is buying the wrong equipment and then not being able to make it work lol.



Third and final question! (I’m sorry you’ve endured this torture for this long, although I appreciate it dearly. Being a newbie in this and being surrounded by knowledgeable people is intimidating but I can’t learn without some help.) exhaust system! I would love to change out the exhaust as mine is gross and rusted but also, my car is meant to look cute and dainty. Being cute and dainty means I can add some bite, sting or whatever you’d like to call it. I want to find something loud and intimidating but not stick out visually like a sore thumb if there’s even anything like that. I don’t believe I could do this part on my own since I don’t have a lift for my car, but I wouldn’t mind having to sit this one out. Too many shards of rusted metal in my eyes!!!

Are exhaust systems universal or is it just the bit that shows out of the tail end that I see at autozone and Amazon left and right. Do y’all have any recommendations for what exhaust I’m looking for?



My car is a fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee type of car.. or at least that’s how I want it lol.



Thank you to everyone who made it this far and is helping. Don’t be afraid to message me, email or share some links. I really do appreciate every bit of help.



Below, I’ve dropped some pictures. What my car looks like and what the engine looks like stock.

 
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What is your budget? Do you have another car that you can drive while you work on that one?


CAI just adds noise. That being said I enjoyed having one and the extra intake noise the car made.

You can buy an exhaust made for the car so it’s “direct fit”. You can just replace the muffler or do a full Cat back. A muffler shop could even make you up one and pretty much use any components you want (muffler, resonator).

They probably don’t make a kit for the D17 anymore.

 
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If the car is automatic the trans can't handle the extra power of a turbo. The automatic transmissions were weak from the factory. Adding a turbo is also alot more expensive than just buying the turbo.

 
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Hey! Sorry, I’m not quite sure how to respond on this website so I hope this is correct.

I don’t have a budget really. If I can make it faster and smoother, than I’m willing to throw anything and all at it. Also, I do have an extra car to use as a daily.. just not as cute :P Although, it would be nice to have it on the road as quick as it came off, I have no need to rush the process.

I’ve never considered a custom exhaust, I wasn’t sure that was a thing to begin with, but for right now I just want a plug and play if possible or the closest thing to. I’ll look into a custom one, there’s just no place around me like that.

 
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Is it Automatic? Like Colin said if it is then sell it and buy a manual. Better yet if you need to do that sell it and buy an Si.

There is info on the internet about Turbos and everything you need to know about them.

Google exhausts and see what is in your budget. When you find one go to YouTube so you can listen to what it sounds like.

 
Rep Power: 224

It appears to be an auto (no clutch reservoir in the engine bay pic). Your options are limited. Manual swap your current car, sell and buy a manual version, K swap and keep auto (K20a3 from an RSX, maybe a K24a2 from a TSX), or make due with what you have.

 
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Do not get a CAI. It only adds noise and dirtier air than a paper filter provides. Unless you actually pull the trigger on a turbo system, keep the stock intake.

You can certainly add a turbo system to an automatic Civic. The transmission may not last all that long because it was not built to handle that kind of power. If you got one, you'd have to keep the throttle response to about 50% if you expect the transmission to keep up for longer than a month.