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Hello everyone new to the forum hope this thread is going in the correct spot if not sorry mods , I have a 04 civic ex coupe with a d17 I was curious on engine mods. I'm new to this but if I wanted to gain some H.P What modifications would you recommend "for the d17" I know some say it's not worth putting money into "don't want to start a war" But that's what some say. Who has experience with these motors are they worth building if so what should I start with please post specific parts so I can find them and order them thanks guys!

Don't flame me I used search and have searched this topic a lot just want to see what some more people have to say or have done thanks.

 
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you wont get much power but the basic little things. Intake header exhaust.
Ive heard the same thing about this engine. its an Ok engine, I like it so far. most people just say go with a K series and your set.

 
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crower stage 1 cam

 
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So the big question is how much money vs hp will the d17 bring to the table already having a engine is a head start to buying a k20 and building it from stock?

 
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pardonnes moi? did not understand...

 
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I think im just going to do a swap with this

K20a2 block bored 2 over
golden eagle sleeves
acl race bearing
micropolished crank
arp headstuds
cp pistons 8.0 compression oversized
eagle rods
golden eagle cosmetic head gasket
skunk 2 nitrate coated valves
skunk 2 pro series dual springs
brian crower retainers
rbc manifold

$3,000 for that...

 
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My $.02. I have a 17K mile K20A complete swap sitting in my garage. I've had this thing in my garage, FOREVER, gathering cobwebs. Why? Well, here's my dilema:

In order for me to swap. I need to do it right. I'm a perfectionist that way. I wanna build it up, out of the car. Port/Polish, Cams, ITBs, Forged Internals, etc, etc. Also need Hondata, Mounts, ad nauseum...

We'll call this another $5K on top of the $5K I dropped on the engine and tranny.

Then I've also got to swap over to 5 lug. Meaning I've got to re-do/modify the $2K that I've got invested in brakes and then swap out wheels and tires, another $2K plus.

And the cherry on top of all this, is that I've got a JDM ENGINE (meaning, I may have to downgrade to a Z1 or A2 to be legal on the road). It's not so easy in SOCAL, like it used to be. Money can't buy you a smog pass anymore. Refs aren't letting things slide.

Where am I going with this? This is a BIG investment for me. The Holy Ghost needs to rise from my D17 first, before I commit to the swap.

All of friends make fun of me that I throw money at the D17. Despite the harrasment, I just picked up a Stage 1 Crower, some UR Pulleys, a rebuilt A2 Head and a Quaife LSD. Why did I just drop another $1700, on this anemic P.O.S.?

WHY NOT? I've got a solid engine that does what I want it to do, go from point A to Point B, reliably. I'm never gonna win a stoplight race, but I don't race on the street, so who cares? I get up to speed fast enough and get into the lane I need to. I don't mind adding some giddy-up here and there, for a few dollars. There's always going to be other cars out there Bigger, Badder, Faster. You want a fast Honda, buy an S2000. You wanna feel some accomplishment, make a D17 fast.

Here's the good:

Civics are relatively light 2500 lb. Tossable and fun. I believe my suspension is nothing to sneeze at, it's not the best out there, but I have a smile on my face everythime I see a set of curves (the ones on mountains and canyons too). Sure, more power would be nice. But to what expense? Adding a K20 will throw the balance off my car. More front sprung wieght, more plow. I can combat that with stiffer springs, but that generates push. More suspension mods, more money...

My car is perfectly balanced now, why mess with a good thing. 150 or 160 HP, at the wheels, thats all I need (will I ever get there, who knows). But then again, why does anyone in a Civic need more than that? To be a streetlight champ, or chump? A superstar track enthusiast, or raceboy wannabe? I think it all boils down to mines bigger than yours syndrome. I love my Civic, it's fast enough for me...

To answer your question about where to start with a D17? Be aware most of these mods are 1 to 2 HP gains (if that).

Never hurts to start with the basics, I-H-E. Drop pounds / parasitic losses where you can. Lightened Flywheel, crank pulley, power steering removal, etc. Stage 1 Cam -good stuff /gains.

Want more? Then it's tune, boost or swap. More HP, toward the latter part of that list. Gotta pay to play...

Good luck!

 
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How did we go from recommended D17 mods to a built K20a2 block for boost? $3000 sounds like a good deal. What about the head, snail, tranny...

Deep pockets, bro. I'd have to sell a kidney.

 
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Welcome to the forum. The D17 is worthwhile building if it interests you, there is somepne who made 425hp and only needed to put in $6K, which is basically the cost of a low end K-swap. You can get to 150hp or a bit higher with hondata, stage 2 head, intake, exhaust, a light weight flywheel and GX pistons to raise the compression. People often overlook EM2s in favour of EM1s, EKs, EGs and even EFs, but they really are great cars that are very innovative compared to the previous generations.You can build a car that handles great and is tons of fun to daily drive with decent power without swapping or building a crazy turbo set-up.

 
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I really don't want to do the swap! but I can see so much breaking , so much coast just to get a couple hp out of my d17. $1700 out of pocket to keep up with a kia... I'm joking but humor is what makes it easy!

 
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wheres that gd facebook "like" button when you need it? lol