Engine Mods

Hello, im new here. Im 17 and i just recently purchased a 1997 Honda Civic 4 door, its a metalic like green with beige interior. I got big plans, but the car is automatic even though i was looking for a standard but it was a deal i could not refuse.

Since im only 17, i got a part time job and school and i want to do some work on the car, nothing exterior for another year. Now i just want to do engine mods first.

I was wondering if anyone can advise me on some inexpensive mods that i can do, i was wondering air filter? but which one? and where?

and any other ideas are very welcome!!! Please help me out.
Also im not that depressed since its automatic cause i can replace the trans to standard for $500 canadian.

$500 does that include tranny....ecu...linkages...clutch master...clutch slave cyl.....clutch pedal assembly and the sort...if so that a damn good deal. anyways as far as upgrades....everyone starts off with a intake system to begin with being one of the easiest mod available. AEM V2 is a great cold air intake system(over $200 us) or you could just get a K&N drop in filter and remove the resonator under your pass front fender. exh sys would be next. most start with the basic axle back exh. headers....high flow cat if you have emissions...complete thr rest of the exh sys.....many other items can be done inexpensivly.....Delta makes a great cam for honda non vtec egines. $85 for the regrind but you have to send you current cam to them....down time is very minimal.

yeah everything, got a friend who is a mechanic.
Cause before i bought the car i told him, its perfect for my project but auto, he offered to change that for 500 at anytime,

The air intake system is a DIY right?
and how much will it help? power wise and all...
also is there any intake you got in mind thats more affordable? $200 us is alot for a student.

right now i got my eyes on gauges too, off ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38634&item=2429750628

US $69.99 cheap but comapred to the other 1?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33659&item=2429272844

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38634&item=2429279045

^ personal favorite,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38634&item=2429279065

^since i got a four door i suppose its EX?



could u advise me which 1 is the best?

can anyone please advise me?

Hey listen, I have a 2000 Civic Ex coupe. I started off with getting a 2 piece generic cold air intake off of ebay 58bucks including shipping. Reason for 2 piece is so you can switch on and off from real cold air to short ram air when it rains. I also bought a testpipe from ebay for 35bucks including shipping. And got an HKS Hiper muffler for $150 from a friend. When i pull up to another import and rev up. It sounds like a turbocharged civic, plus i can stay up with a bone stock 99 civic si, since mine is also a 5speed. So get a 2 piece cold air intake, testpipe, and exhaust, and see the difference for yourself.

start with the usual i/h/e n work from there...u can get a lot of stuff from ebay real cheap.

damn cant go wrong with the price on that tranny conversion stuff.......yeah i/h/e basically the first thing everyone does to there cars.....easiest cheapest gains.

50 shot of nitrous is the quickest cheapest power...

the intake is a DIY no-brainer, and so are the exhaust and header IF u go that route.

if u WANT to go for performance on a limited budget, i'd suggest not wasting money on things such as gauges, BUT it's ur decision.

btw, that is a great deal on the tranny if it includes EVERYTHING.

i just sold the car :)

bought it for $2300 sold it for $8500

not bad at all, i thought about it...

like all the changes i would have to do to get it the way i like it,
so in 2 weeks im going to the auction and looking for a beauty!

The problems with the civic were,
a) beige interior
b) auto i could put 500 bucks into a new tranny but... that 500 could go somewhere esle?
c) im going more sporty i think, or if i come across a 4 door with a black interior and stick im taking it!

sorry for the long reply, school is in!