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I have recently purchased 2002 Civic LX. It was all stock so it has the D17A1 non-VTEC motor in it. I want to start making some performance upgrades. This is my first time tuning a car so I am looking for some beginner tips to tuning civics. I have done a fair amount of research on what others have done with similar cars, and it looks like I have about three options on where to begin. I can either upgrade the engine, upgrade the naturally aspirated parts, or I can turbo or supercharge it. I think my best bet is to upgrade the engine so I can go ahead and get one with VTEC then it will be easier to upgrade my ECU. I guess my question is what is the best way to go with this type of car. I don't know if it will matter but the current stock engine has 172000 miles on it I know Civics have a long life-span, but I'm not sure how long this one will last. My other question is if I do decide to do an engine swap to a VTEC engine how hard will the swap be (i.e. how much fabrication if any will be required, what other parts will be required)? Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 
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Welcome to the site

First of all, supercharging is not an option for a d17, no company has ever made on we can use.

If you want to move from your D17a1 non-vtec, to a D17a2 vtec engine you just need to change the head. It's will cost a few hundred dollars and give you a 10-15 bump in horsepower, as well as vtec. There's a DIY here: https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...p-ex-vtec.html.

 
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Is there a place or website that I can find that ex head?

 
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There's one for sale on here right now for $450, which is a bit pricey.

They pop up on ebay occasionally, or you could just go to a local junk yard.

 
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i seriously don't think 400 dollars is worth 12hp if i was you i would spend my money on suspension upgrades. your car mite be slow but you can make it drive like its on rails.

 
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^ +1

IMO, unless you have lots of time and money you are not going to make your car very fast. I prefer to go for a clean look and smooth ride.

 
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the vtec head will give you more flexibility down the road though wont it? Check craigslist I find Honda stuff on there alls the time

 
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It gives more flexibility, yes, but flexibility on a d17 is relative. It will allow the op to run a stage 1 cam, engine management and that's about it haha

I'm subscribe to the d17 is worthless side of the debate, and putting any money into it is essentially thrown away, unless making it louder with an intake and exhaust is worthwhile to the op. I put all my money towards the suspension. I can't beat many cars on the straight line, but on mountain roads very few cars can keep up.

 
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I said this in another thread on a similar topic but the K20 out of the EP3, is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP and as far as I know can be stuffed in the 7th gen pretty easily right? I mean I have a buddy here that owns a Honda only junk yard and hes got a K20a base and type s that he sells for less than a grand I think with warranties and they are still in the car so you can hear them run and such. I'd rather do that, I mean even the EP3 k20 is a bump up from d17 and is great for an adequate street build.