Noob Needs Help

hey, i am i total noob when it comes to this stuff, but i would like to learn about it. I have a bone stock 2001 Civic. I was wondering what are a couple of mods (at a reasonable price) that i should get to get started.

Thanks in advance

some of my friends have suggested a cold air intake. I dont exactly know what that would do. But would that help?

Yes it would help with throttle response and you'll pick up a couple of horsepower. There are many different kinds built for your car...go to a NAPA or Checkers Store and ask them...they should have one on hand. You can also order them off the internet if you want. You can install a CAI with very few tools and minimal knowledge of cars...basically if you can follow directions, you can do it. If you have trouble...post your questions on here or PM me and i'll help you out.

if you get a cai make sure you have a by-pass valve if you live in an wet environment like i do. thats why i just went with a rai, since i live around the seattle area.

the hp gains you wont notice, and the throttle response will be fairly limited. just change your throttle cable a lil bit that will be a cheap mod ;)

imo cold air intakes are for looks.. the hp gain is nominal

just buy one that looks really cool when you pop your hood.. and the bypass valve is always a good plan. For somereason your engine doesn't look good when it sucks water in the wrong areas.. who knew?

Other reasonable mods would be plug wires, short throw shifter, headers, exhaust, strut tower bars, and a diet for you. I am currently doing that mod. Lighter I am the lighter the car is. Good luck with it all and work on some pics as you work to show your progress.

HAHA the last mod i need is a diet... im 6 foot 140 lbs... and is a short throw shifter easy to install?

HAHA the last mod i need is a diet... im 6 foot 140 lbs... and is a short throw shifter easy to install?

wait a minute, i found another tall scrawny guy like me? Finally....


anyways dont worry about plugs and wires, you will not notice the different. Since ngk's are the best for this ride they are the oem plug. I think they are a waste of money until you get into a modded ride.

intake is cheap, tower bars can be cheap and is noticeable with handling.

[QUOTE=civicnation425]wait a minute, i found another tall scrawny guy like me? Finally.... QUOTE]

The feeling is mutual.

It took me a few hours to install my short throw because I'd never done it before. Not really hard though. Just read up on it in the forums and make sure you get instructions with it.

Other reasonable mods would be plug wires, short throw shifter, headers, exhaust, strut tower bars, and a diet for you. I am currently doing that mod. Lighter I am the lighter the car is. Good luck with it all and work on some pics as you work to show your progress.
Plug wires are the worst mod ever. You will not gain anything from plugwires except having pretty little colors in your engine bay. Unless you have a completely upgraded ignition system and the extra fuel you need to burn you won't get jackshit from plug wires.

Your best bet for mods for making the car fun to drive is going to be suspension work. Spending nearly $1200 on I/H/E to get a whole 10hp is pointless IMO, hell for $1500 you can put together a junkyard turbo. Lower your car, get some good shocks, good rubber for your wheels, lower rear tie bar, and front and back strut bars. Going around corners fast is more of a rush than getting to the next stoplight in 20 seconds.

I'd never done a shifter, and I got in done in under an hour...