hey help on my 00 civic

i heard lots of ppl complaining about not using the search bar, but i cant seem to get the precise help i need on my civic

i bot a 00 civic a month ago, its a stick but it is amazingly slow. but it gets good gas mileage so im happy

i have 200 dollars avail, nd i was wonderin if i should put it up for an exhaust or a cold-air intake (both which i have no ideas about except increasing hp) and what they would do to my gas mileage/hp, and if u can the product name ($200)

it's lowered 1.5 inches if that matters...

i am a complete noob wen it comes to cars, so please be descriptive.

p.s. and my engine light keeps coming on no matter how many times i take it to the shop and they tell me theres nothing wrong with it (they did a full check)

thanks for takin the time to read

If your engine light comes on there should be a code stored.
The question is , what does it say?
That is probably your low power problem.
If you can't find anyone to retrieve the code go to
a Autozone parts store (if you have one)
and they will read it for you, for free.
You need to fix this problem before doing anything.:2cents:

fsho ill do that,

but can u js refer me a exhaust/intake in the mean time,
i wanna get one asap, but ill make sure to get my car checked in

Exhaust & intake don't really add any power - 4 or 5 HP at most. Honest.

However you do get more power from an intake than from an exhaust. So if while you're out choosing an intake, keep in mind that filter quality is of the most importance. K&N or AEM filter or similar filter is the best way to go. The intake piping can be any brand/material. Or you can make the intake piping yourself (with aluminum pipe) and just slap a filter on the end of it, this way is a lot cheaper too.

Unless you're running a turbo, exhaust is basically a waste of money & has little, if any performance gain. Not to mention a loud exhaust is illegal in most areas.
***
Yea, the lack of power is probably caused by whatever code is on the check engine light, get the code read and fix whatever the problem is first.

Or it could be that your car is "amazingly slow" because it amazingly slow. Civics aren't powerhouses. Not flaming at all, just stating the facts. my Accord is no better. As for your check engine light. It could be coming on at its scheduled interval, mine comes on every 25k i believe. You can reset it on your own but it definitely wouldn't hurt to take it to Autozone and have them check the code to see if something really is wrong. And as for your intake/exhaust, the major points have already been made. It can cost up to $150 if you want or as little as $20 :2cents:

edit: to clarify your cars perceived sluggishness, are there any particular symptoms occuring that lead you to believe there is something worng with the car? Hesitation? Stuttering? Low Idle? High Idle? Noises? Squealing?

actually your check engine light differs from what your explaining to be your maint. required.....your check engine light only comes on to notify you that your cars not meeting its emission standard...

If it really is sluggish I'd check the timing and the cat converter,
make sure it's not partially clogged.
If the car had a timing belt installed it may have the cam sprocket
one tooth off, it happens. I would have it put on a analyzer at the
dealership and have it checked out. That would be your best bet.
You need someone that knows your car. Good luck!

Once you get the engine light issue resolved, I would go for AEM cold air intake. It gives you an additional boost of HP and doesn't really affect your gas mileage. That's the first engine mod. I did and I'm pleased with it. Like others have said, a new exhaust is a waste unless you are running turbo. And besides, $200 won't get you much of an exhaust. Good luck!

... I would go for AEM cold air intake. It gives you an additional boost of HP and doesn't really affect your gas mileage...

Actually, it should make your gas mileage go up. I know mine jumped a considerable amount, which was great considering the amount I lost after putting on the 18's. I guess it might be less noticable in the civic since the mileage is great to begin with.