share your performance upgrade wisdom
I just picked up an 01 Civic EX 5 speed. This is my first Civic and I'm looking to avoid making bad choices. I would like to make some minor performance upgrades. I won't ever add a turbo or nitrous. I was thinking about starting with a K&N FIPK for the intake and then I wanted to move on to the exhaust. I want something that sounds good, but not super loud for a daily driver. I will probably look to add headers at some point as well. Is there a proper order to this, or will I want to wait and do the headers and exhaust at the same time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
ive got an 03 EX. engine mods, ive got mainly bolt ons.. Injen CAI, DC 4-1 Headers, Random Tech HiFlow Cat (courtesy of Dezod.. thanks by the way) and HKS HiPower Exhaust (axle back). the HKS Exhaust is very quiet (without other bolt ons).. put on the i/e and cat and exhaust sounds CLEAN. most ppl like HP Headers for the EX model Civic.. i personally should have waited and got the HP's, but DC's are fine for now..
anyway, this is my setup, i did most of my research by searching on THIS site. TONS of DIYS and INFO about our cars, prolly more than ill ever need.
anyway, this is my setup, i did most of my research by searching on THIS site. TONS of DIYS and INFO about our cars, prolly more than ill ever need.
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Originally Posted by cambo
if you're looking to make some good power, then don't even bother. You'll spend close to $1000 on 5 whp.
COMPLETELY depends on how much cash you've got... a header, intake, exhaust, perf cat, upgrade your ground, some sort of minor ignition upgrade, full coilovers, upper strut bar, rear sway bar, camber kit, rims, headlight modification, and some piggy back ECU upgrade are all simple upgrades that will work well together... at least imho... these are the upgrades I plan on doing... I don't care that my car won't be as fast as someone with a turbo... but my car will be dependable and I TOTALLY enjoy doing the upgrades with my cousin...
Holdamayo beat me to the punch. In picking out your cat-back exhaust you may want to check local regulations about modifying the exhaust system and sound ordnances. Some exhausts come with a removable silencer that cuts the noise down. The silencer in my A'PEXi N1 has actually saved me from a couple of tickets.
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Here is my setup. It's still not done exactly, and cost almost as much as turbo. Car feels better, but still not too fast.
Remember that alot of little things add up.
-Thermal Rear Section Exhaust -Upgraded Ground Wires -K&N fipk intake-NGK Iridium Spark Plugs -Apexi VAFC-II -Optima Yellow Battery -Sun Hyper Voltage System -Ceramic Header -DH Racing Ported Head Work
Remember that alot of little things add up.
-Thermal Rear Section Exhaust -Upgraded Ground Wires -K&N fipk intake-NGK Iridium Spark Plugs -Apexi VAFC-II -Optima Yellow Battery -Sun Hyper Voltage System -Ceramic Header -DH Racing Ported Head Work
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