More power needed
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More power needed
I have a standard 1.7 vtec lev automatic and need more power. Any ideas on cheap mods I can make to help this car perform faster, handle better and look nicer.
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From: San Jose, California, US
Rep Power: 0 you cant really gain more power since its a civic and auto. if you want you can get nos. thats always the quick way out. as for handling better, get full coilovers, front/rear upper strut bars, front/rear sway bars and good tires 
YoUnG N SuXsExFul
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From: guam--> Bay area
Rep Power: 0 yup...do what weapon said..you can do alot of stuff on our car...and the results are tiny....you could always swap a k20 in there...but start with the basics intake/header/exhaust..
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From: Oakland, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by STL01Civic
I would said start with the basic like i/h/e
I would said start with the basic like i/h/e
For the cost of intake header and exhaust which will more than likely slow your car down, why not just buy a torque converter for your transmission so you can actually use more of the power your automatic transmission is already sucking up?
And on the topic of transmissions, why not upgrade it?
Get some lightweight 15s or 16s. Small lighter wheels = faster car. (Do not forget the word small.) Wrap them in wide/low profile Z rated rubber.
Nitrous is fun, but I hope you'll be smart enough to upgrade your brakes, too. It certainly wins as being the cheapest-fastest upgrade.
If you DO go with the I/H/E, make sure your header comes with a downpipe to replace the catalytic converter.
Upgrade your intake manifold.
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From: Oakland, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Oh, and for handling.
I'd say get some springs and Koni struts, or if you're willing to spend a lil more money, get some full coilovers that're adjustable come with dampers, pillowball uppermount, and (most importantly) struts. http://www.jic-magic.com Lowering the car is the most effective way to make it look dramatically better without feeling like you might've over done it and with coilovers you can choose how high/low you wanna go. Get some rims (no larger than 17 but I would actually recommend no larger than 16 if you wanna go fast - 17s are nice for handling purposes), and... tint your windows. Stand back and look at your car.
If you have a 2k1/2k3 EX or any 2k2 model, upgrade your rear anti sway bar to something thicker (research in Suspension section) and save strut bars for last. A strut bar will do no more to your car than i/h/e would do for your engine.
Upgrade your brakes. You can never have enough stopping power even if you were driving a golf cart to work.
I'd say get some springs and Koni struts, or if you're willing to spend a lil more money, get some full coilovers that're adjustable come with dampers, pillowball uppermount, and (most importantly) struts. http://www.jic-magic.com Lowering the car is the most effective way to make it look dramatically better without feeling like you might've over done it and with coilovers you can choose how high/low you wanna go. Get some rims (no larger than 17 but I would actually recommend no larger than 16 if you wanna go fast - 17s are nice for handling purposes), and... tint your windows. Stand back and look at your car.
If you have a 2k1/2k3 EX or any 2k2 model, upgrade your rear anti sway bar to something thicker (research in Suspension section) and save strut bars for last. A strut bar will do no more to your car than i/h/e would do for your engine.
Upgrade your brakes. You can never have enough stopping power even if you were driving a golf cart to work.
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Rep Power: 0 If you wanna get I/H/E you might as well get something worthwhile like Tanabe Racing Medallion exhaust, HP Header and K&N SRI w/ heat shield so far the best from what I have heard from. The idea for torque converter makes sense and would probably be the best way to free up some loss in the automatic tranny.
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From: Oakland, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by Todd1
dont waste your time or money on a auto!!
dont waste your time or money on a auto!!
Engine, chassis, wheels, transmission makes a car go. In fact, some of the fastest cars happen to be AUTOMATIC. Why? Because of how fast the gears change. Of course many automatics out there have power loss due to the transmission - just another reason to put money into a car and fix that lil' problem, eh?
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Rep Power: 0 if you want power, then you should start with the basic bolt ons. Do intake, full catback, header, pulleys, iridium IK20 spark plugs, and maybe some Nitrous. Just be careful with that stuff. Dont worry about your car bein automatic, that doesn't mean anything. just do your car for show instead of go.
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IHE = +2-3hp in our cars.... I agree with soniccivic...not worth it! (Unless you upgrade the intake manifold and get a downpipe)
If you want performance right away, nitrous... or else just save for that turbo or k20
If you want performance right away, nitrous... or else just save for that turbo or k20
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