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Hey everyone, I'm getting ready to fix my '01 Civic DX up, but I really don't know where to start. A friend told me to start with my engine, if so, what should I do first? Any suggestions would help. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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I'm pretty new at this as well, but from what I know or hear
If under the hood...
-Intake, Exhaust, etc.
And exterior looks...
-"RIMS", a drop, a kit, etc.
It all depends on what kinda look you want, or are you going race, or show?
But majority of people I talk to and know, try to hit up the RIMS first....it brings out the look.
But all of this is just pretty much what I've heard and seen...so......

 
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I agree with BlueBoyCivic. If looks are important the first thing is definately rims, then suspension (drop). If performance is important to you (engine wise) start with a CAI or SRI, then exhaust and go from there.

 
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The first thing i did was tints.........

 
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Yeah I'd get some tint first. I got mine done for 150. So thats a cheap way to add to the appearance and give you a little privacy. I love it when you look at my car and all you see is a mirror

 
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well whatever you do make sure you plan properly. if you fail to do so you'll be regreting the money you wasted on something you could have done without.

 
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I think the quickest route to make your car look better is... tint, rims, suspension, system, engine. In that order. Thats what I've decided will make me happiest.

 
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i went with tint first lol
my first mod

 
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Hey guys thanks for all of your sugestions. Tint does look like a good place to start and I will be careful about what I buy. Thanks again. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

 
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hey, you have a sedan or coupe? I started with rims, and a drop...it looks great, but it took a long time to save...rims probably have the biggest effect on the exterior of the car. It might be easier to start with the engine, since intakes and the like are easier to buy.

 
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hondah1, I have a taffeta white coupe.

 
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i'm ashamed to admit it, but the first thing i did to my car was tail lights. I thought it was one of the cheaper mods to help the exterior IMO, then I did intake and exhaust.

 
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Yep my first mod when I bought my car was transfer in some PIAA Xtreme H4 bulbs, then went with Limo Tint, cleared the headlights and added Xtremes to my parking lights and turn signals. Then finally a few mths ago got my rims and tires, but I wimped out saving $300 when I should have got 18" rims oh well I don't use the 17" as much for performance as I thought. My next ride will have some nice big rims, when I am getting more money for my new job.

Nick

 
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Personally, I'd swap out the engine. Go for either a k20a2(Acura Integra RSX type-S) or a k24(CR-V). More than likely you'll need a mounting kit, and you'll need to modify the shift linkage. From there, you can do whatever you like to the engine. Trust me, it's probably more cost-effective than modding your stock engine.

If, however, you either want some quick performance upgrades now and you haven't been able to save more than $200 at a time, I recommend:

-Cold Air Intake
-Throttle Body
-Ignition Coils(doubt it'll provide much performance improvement without some other mods first)
-Mod/swap your ECU(do some research first [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG])
-Exhaust(don't spend any cash on a larger exhaust without first improving the intake; otherwise it's pretty much useless. Heck, it's virtually useless anyway IMHO)
-Tires(You don't necessarily have to get the lighter rims; a tire with a higher speed rating will let your car get more traction, thus you can launch at higher RPMs, therefore you get better times)

I don't recommend modding the shocks, as Hondas already have impressive handling. Lowering your car is kinda useless unless you plan on doing a lot of cornering at the Daytona 500. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]

I'm outta ideas.

 
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Stick to simple mods. Or just make it look good. I mean, truthfully, you're just not gonna get the performance you want out of it, unless you do an engine swap.

So do this:

Buy an SRI. (or CAI, whatever)
Tint your windows.
Clear your headlights. (if it's legal)
Put on a bodykit.
Change the plugs after about 20K miles.
DON'T mess with your exhaust, unless you wanna wake up the neighbors at 2 in the morning.


I wish I had planned things out on my car first before I just started going crazy on it..

 
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Start out with the cheap stuff to get a feel for what you're doing. Get stuff you can do yourself or is inexpensive.
Clear the lights, Intakes are easy installs, short shifter (if applicable), get the windows tinted, etc....
Then get the big expenses out of the way... Rims, drop and a kit if you want.
Then you can go into the details....
You're not going to add much power to the engine with bolt ons, so it's gonna take quite a bit to get you moving in a hurry unless you opt for giggle juice.
There is no real order to it... do what you want. I would make up a list of things that you want to do then prioritize them. Then go off of that.

 
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I also have another question. Would any of you recommend I use a vinyl dye to change my interior? I originally wanted a black interior and nighthawk black pearl outside, instead of the beige interior. If not, what else could I do to change my interior, trim, setas, etc.? Or should I just keep the stock interior and my taffeta white color? Thanks again for all of your suggestions and help.

 
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nativetaffeta- I have never heard of the dye for interiors. Thats pretty cool. You know, leather would be really tight! Especially since, where I live leather installed is about the same price as just replacing the stock fabric. And leather looks great no matter what color it is (with a coupe of exceptions). I really like the Taffeta white civics, in fact, sometimes I wish I got the white one. They look so tight with carbon fiber hoods!! Good luck!

 
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I would clear your headlights, all that really costs is a tube of silicone. I think that changes the whole appearance of your car like rims do.

 
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I started with the rims and lowering springs because I think that that is the fastest way to make your ride look good. Then I relaxed a bit and got the hyperbrite bulbs for the headlights and some blue bulbs for the parking lights, and my speedglo pedals. The last things I have purchased has been the AEM CAI and a DC exhaust.

Basically my method of civic madness is too purchase an expensive item, than a cheaper item, than an expensive one again, etc. It seems, IMO, to bring me the highest satisfaction of feeling like I am almost always doing something to my ride.