Wanna help a newbie do good?? Help!?

[wheel1856]

Here's the thing. (Disregard that "which gen?" mistake of mine please)
I have a '92 Civic VX. It has about 225,000+ miles on it. I have done a new air intake and that's about it. I own the car and don't have the money to buy a new one. So I figure might as well make what I've got into something good. Problem is, I'm no better a mechanic than Anna Nicole Smith is a rocket scientist.

My question to all of you: Can you help me to build this little rice beater into a respectable Honda? I don't have a lot of funds, and can only do about $100 at a time with the occaissional pricy buy if need be. I've got access to the right tools and such, but not the know-how.

Good parts to buy, worthwhile parts to buy, layman's terms, and neat tricks are things I need to know.
Advice, tips, comments, not so much snide remarks, and experience welcome.

Thanks for any and all help.
-wheel1856

[CustomBlackCivic96]

i dont know ....hookin up honda's gets really expensive....on a tight budget i would get some rims .... 16's of ebay ...one of my friends got some nice 16's with new tires for 300 bucks....then save your money to get a header, exhuast, and lower it

[95civicman]

isn't the vx engine the low hp one. well you've probably heard it before and will again but i say save up all those 100 dollar things and just get a swap when you can. because i don't think that you could get the hp up to the level of say a b18c or b16a.

[wheel1856]

Thanks for the advice guys. BTW, I can save about $100 bucks at a time (meaning saving cash for bigger ticket items isn't too difficult and have access to cheaper parts and free help for install if need be. Actully a header and exhaust were to be my next buy. What I really need to know would be order of importance for projects as I don't have lots to spend, and some of the better parts to buy -- who makes a good muffler for my car? Should I get a custom manifold or a set of headers? Stuff like that.
Thanks again (in advance if so) for all the help.
-wheel1856

[wheel1856]

Here's a question for you that hours in the FAQ didn't answer for me. I want bigger, better, grippier, tires!! (Who doesn't?) BUT The thing I never understood, and didn't see an explanation to was how the hell you turn out of a parking spot with 15'' or 16'' wheels when your wheel well was desinged for (in my case) 13'' wheels. Is there enough room to fit these wheels and keep the turning radius? If Im gettin the wheels, you bet your b-hind that Im gonna want the car all but kissin the ground, so new shocks/struts/whatever and springs are needed (whats the difference between shocks and struts anyway?)

So essentially: How to I get bigger wheels, keep the turning radius, and lower the car with new springs/shocks/struts/whatever for better handling and aesthetics?
please help my dumb as* I don't know nuthin but Im willing to listen and learn