first civic, Where to start?

"Thanks" to the feedback that I got from my post a few days ago helped me buy my first civic. I was wrong about the year... It's a 1990 civic dx. I love It!!!
Does anybody have any ideas where to start first?????what would be the easiest mods to do first .
I cut decals for lots of other euro style cars, but now that I have my own I draw a blank. I just don't know where to start. motor,interior,paint or vynal grafix????? Any direction would be cool, Thanx...

Graphics are pretty weak and make your car look like some F&F crap. I would lower your car, get some springs and shocks if you please and that will get rid of your wheel gap. You could then get an intake and exhaust. There isn't much short of swapping out a lot of parts that you can do to a DX engine to make it that great. You could swap the engine out for something better if you want to spend the money and have the time.

im guessing its a hatch, so since its a DX you might want to consider getting a tach. Just a thought ... i dont really remember off hand but i think you can change the console to the Si version that should have a Tach.

actually...i beg to differ, all the graphics on the f&f are very tastless and stupid, but i think graphics like the ones on mycivicisonair's car is pretty badass, his car rawks!! just dont do anything stupid as hell like the graphics on the orange supra on the f&f, that is very, very Ghey

Originally posted by slammed89civic
actually...i beg to differ, all the graphics on the f&f are very tastless and stupid, but i think graphics like the ones on mycivicisonair's car is pretty badass, his car rawks!! just dont do anything stupid as hell like the graphics on the orange supra on the f&f, that is very, very Ghey

werd, mycivicsonair's graphics are hott, i think they are airbrushed on also, not cheap vynal........

If you think stickers make a car look good, plaster your car in stickers.

The first thing I did when I got my car was drop it, then swap it, then got an exhaust, and then rims.. But I'm odd. :)

i agree with siz though, if you like it just disregard everything everyone says and do it!!! i mean, its your car and everyone has different tastes!

here's two more ideas
-get the Si seats
-get windows tinted. (15% on the back three looks good).

do what you want. if you want stickers...so be it. after all, you have to drive it everyday. so make yourself happy :D

as FourthGenHatch mentioned it is really easy to make your DX engine almost the same as Si. you just need to convert the dual port injection to multiport (MPFI) and get a Si tranny.

for interior you can stick a couple of different seats in from del sol to integra. you can also fit in the integra armrest/console.

check around the how to section, engine section, and photos at www.4thgenerationcivic.com for all kinds of ideas. you could also get lost at cardomains looking at all the different rides. http://www.geocities.com/civix1991/ has by far more 4th gen pics than anywhere else on the net. i'm sad to say it has bandwidth issues from time to time. please have patience and check it out.....extremely worth the bandwidth battle (if it acts up).

honestly... even though I'm all for stickers (well, not the HUGE ones) I'm not putting one on my CRX until after it's painted, but then again, that's just me. Personally I'd start with the engine, either swap it to a better one or just at least do the MPFI swap. I'm doing a similar project with my 90 CRX DX so I'm just tellin ya where I'm starting. My 1st real mod will be a MPFI swap which will make my rebuilt Z6 feel right at home, the 2nd major mod I'm doing is either the EX 5-speed conversion (I hate automatic) or the EX front brake install. Ya also need a tach, I had a gage cluster with a tach here so I've already got it ready to swap in (thx Melt). Basic DX to Si conversion is a good start on mods and upgrades.

FIRST AND EASIEST MOD......CLEAR BUMPER LENSES :D

ROFL yeah

dude.....my car is a 90 dx hatch...well........there's nothing really dx about it anymore....thanks to a wrecked si....love my cousin.....anyway......I dropped it....intake exhaust....rims and odds and ends.......I am ANTI STICKER AND GRAPHICS 100%........If I could do it over I'd just swap the motor to a b series or a dseries with turbo or n20......drop it and leave it on steelies.....the ghetto fast look......I love that look....whatever you do.........don't leave it stock......put stickers on it.....hubcaps........glasspack with resonated tip..........rice isn't nice.....oh shit.......I brought up the rice thing again.....sorry..

Put a headlight buzzer in it!

Saved me

Very easy & quick to install

werd, mycivicsonair's graphics are hott, i think they are airbrushed on also, not cheap vynal........

nope they are vinyl

i thought so, because the graphic apear to be really sharp, but then again my beretta has painted graphics and they look like vinyl from a distance

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/993614beretta1.JPG




p.s. dont flame on me, i bought the car that way, yes i know it is a BERETTA but it will be recieving a 350 small block one of these day and will be able to outrun most civics on the road with way less money involved

while we are the topic though, here is my moms 90 ford taurus SHO, that is painted on too (she thinks its hot rod) lol


http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/189989Image2.JPG

and here is a pic of the only thing i like about the car:


http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/425367Image3.JPG



isnt that engine purdy?

it will be recieving a 350 small block one of these day and will be able to outrun most civics on the road with way less money involved

I actually know a guy with a super-charged 3.8V6 (about the biggest engine to swap in a 'retta, a 350 is a hugely involved swap, just like a H22 into a 4th gen) and a 100 shot of NOS and couldn't beat an all-motor H22 accord. I used to be into berettas... a bottle is required for any speed. I tore up a few DX civics in my 88Gt with the 2.8 but I couldn't beat a Si or EX's in it.

Well........as many other people have said.....it's all up to you and your taste. (but they're right about the decals....don't go turning your car into a moving bulletin board. It's really tacky. People who do this usually don't know anything about cars or racing and get looked down upon. Unless if you have sponsors......that's a whole 'nother story. I think a few decals are ok but try to stick with sticking them on the windows cuz if you put them on your car and then want to get it painted.....it really sux......but remember, it's up to you and your personal taste. These are just ideas.

But, for some really cheap (some even free) and easy mods.......

1. You can remove your passenger side wiper to create the "1 wiper" effect

2. You can install the 94+ 2 door acura integra center console. It's much nicer than the stock one in the civic.

3. You can Paint all your trim and dash pieces as well as door panels inside your car.

4. You can do-it-yourself clear taillights.

5. You can remove the restrictive plate covering your intake inside the airbox.....this helps to create a better airflow.

For some very low cost mods.........

1. add a CAI (cold air intake)

2. Add either an exhaust tip (if you're really cheap) or add a full exhaust.

3. Add an aluminum Spoiler (if you like the look of it on your car)

4. Add clear corners to the front

5. Add clear bumper lens.

6. Buy fog lights (I personally like this combination. it creates a clean look at night with the clear corners, bumper lights, and then fog lights....3 sets of lights...really nice!)

For some cheap interior mods.....(if you like this stuff...some people think they're tacky)

1. Add seat covers(or buy new bucket seats if youd like but its more expensive)

2. Add floor mats (colored or chrome)

3. Add shoulder pads (or buy the seatbelt harnesses..again more expensive)

4. Add a stearing wheel cover(or for more money...you can just buy a whole new steering wheel........its up to you)

5. If you do these and custom paint your interior to make it color coordinated.....i think it looks very sharp.


For some relatively expensive mods........

1. Add a body kit (xtreme with invader front bumper)

2. Add new tires and Rims

3. Lower your car (there are numerous ways on how to do this: cutting your springs or heating them up or just buying new stuff)

4. Replacing that stock stereo system

5. Get a new paint job (do this after you decide to get a body kity)
After all this.........your on your way....you now have a nice ride.

If you're really serious and want to race..
theres not much you can do to that puny 92 HP stock engine so it would be a good idea to swap it in for a more HP engine. Common swaps are for the B16 or the ZC engines but there are many to choose from.

I hope this helped...
If you have any questions about anything I mentioned above...like how to do anything like make clear taillights or how to install the integra console or how to do anything..feel free to email me or drop me a message. Peaze!

... or buy a Haynes shop manual and book called Civic Duty by Alan Paradise ISBN#0-8376-0215-7. Civic Duty is the basic of all mods for civic's it doesn't really have how-to's but it does go each mod & the ups/downs to each.

Originally posted by bambam89lx
Well........as many other people have said.....it's all up to you and your taste. (but they're right about the decals....don't go turning your car into a moving bulletin board. It's really tacky. People who do this usually don't know anything about cars or racing and get looked down upon. Unless if you have sponsors......that's a whole 'nother story. I think a few decals are ok but try to stick with sticking them on the windows cuz if you put them on your car and then want to get it painted.....it really sux......but remember, it's up to you and your personal taste. These are just ideas.

But, for some really cheap (some even free) and easy mods.......

1. You can remove your passenger side wiper to create the "1 wiper" effect

2. You can install the 94+ 2 door acura integra center console. It's much nicer than the stock one in the civic.

3. You can Paint all your trim and dash pieces as well as door panels inside your car.

4. You can do-it-yourself clear taillights.

5. You can remove the restrictive plate covering your intake inside the airbox.....this helps to create a better airflow.

For some very low cost mods.........

1. add a CAI (cold air intake)

2. Add either an exhaust tip (if you're really cheap) or add a full exhaust.

3. Add an aluminum Spoiler (if you like the look of it on your car)

4. Add clear corners to the front

5. Add clear bumper lens.

6. Buy fog lights (I personally like this combination. it creates a clean look at night with the clear corners, bumper lights, and then fog lights....3 sets of lights...really nice!)

For some cheap interior mods.....(if you like this stuff...some people think they're tacky)

1. Add seat covers(or buy new bucket seats if youd like but its more expensive)

2. Add floor mats (colored or chrome)

3. Add shoulder pads (or buy the seatbelt harnesses..again more expensive)

4. Add a stearing wheel cover(or for more money...you can just buy a whole new steering wheel........its up to you)

5. If you do these and custom paint your interior to make it color coordinated.....i think it looks very sharp.


For some relatively expensive mods........

1. Add a body kit (xtreme with invader front bumper)

2. Add new tires and Rims

3. Lower your car (there are numerous ways on how to do this: cutting your springs or heating them up or just buying new stuff)

4. Replacing that stock stereo system

5. Get a new paint job (do this after you decide to get a body kity)
After all this.........your on your way....you now have a nice ride.

If you're really serious and want to race..
theres not much you can do to that puny 92 HP stock engine so it would be a good idea to swap it in for a more HP engine. Common swaps are for the B16 or the ZC engines but there are many to choose from.



I hope youre kidding about some of this stuff....

Originally posted by bambam89lx
If you have any questions about anything I mentioned above...like how to do anything like make clear taillights or how to install the integra console or how to do anything..feel free to email me or drop me a message. Peaze!

seeing as you have an lx i would be interested in some pics of the tails .. I wanna clear the amber out of mine.

I was surfing civic4g.com earlier and rememberd this thread, check out this hatch.

http://www.guideauto.com/AlbumPhoto/Lacroix7916513.JPG

Originally posted by Melt
http://www.guideauto.com/AlbumPhoto/Lacroix7916513.JPG

I love the look of rear mudflaps on the hatch and it looks so much better when its slammed, yummie :D