Stock 2000 Civic Ex, what to do

[Mybrainisawaffle]

Hello.

I've been lurking in these forums for about 4 months, trying to learn anything and everything about car modifications. I've learned ALOT in a small space of time, but I still do not know enough about alot of things.

I just bought a stock 2000 Civic Ex from a local dealership, with just 5000 miles on it, still has that new car smell in it. It was the rental car they would give out while people waited for the car they ordered to come in. They got new ones for that job so I got this for a fabulous price.

Like I said, it's completly bone stock. I have about $6,000 set aside for this. My goal is to turbo it. If I turbo this, should I do I/H/E? If I were to turbo this, what all would I need? Should I just buy a kit? What else should I get for this? I need to keep this all down under $6,000.

Thanks in advance.

[Beastiek2]

just get the exhaust first intake and headers are useless with the turbo - also look into getting a cam for the engine,retainers springs, pully, high flow cat even..then think about getting a turbo..do some internal work to the engine so it can withstand the boost..remember its only a SOHC engine..i am currently working on mine and its no fun hooking up an SOHC..is it manual or auto?

[Mybrainisawaffle]

Manual. Should I do an engine swap to a DOHC? Or whould that be too expensive.

[Beastiek2]

if you want speed and somthing to buid on...do a swap ask anyone in this forum they will say the same.. but you'll blow your 6k on that alone then another 5k to turbo the swapped motor so beware your money will dissapear - if you dont plan or racing or car about CRAZy speed then stick with your car and work the balls out of it

[Mybrainisawaffle]

So exaust and cams. What are the pulleys, retainers, and springs? What other engine work would I need to do on the engine so I could turbo it? Should I get CAI?

[XixGenuinexiX]

how will he blow 5k swapping? swapping cost around 2500-3000 if you do it yourself.

[Beastiek2]

yea if you do it your self
u answered ur own question

[Jas_M]

Originally Posted by XixGenuinexiX

how will he blow 5k swapping? swapping cost around 2500-3000 if you do it yourself.

I was quoted about $1000 for labor to do my swap. And if you add that to the cost of, say, a B18C5, you're right around the $5k mark.

[LunchBox]

If you go to a swap, just get something with a DOHC valve cover. VTEC is nice and all, but believe me, there are plenty of non-VTEC engined warriors out there that can clean up at the track no problem... even automatic wonders do it. Might I reccomend the B18b? Or if you really want that VTEC, the B18C1 GS-R. Thea latter will run in the neighborhood of $3-4k, while the prior around $1500. You may even be able to turbo that if you think you can DIY.

Just my 2 pennies.

[Ricochet]

If you turbo that car you'll spend about $3k-$4k and mop up almost any Civic with a dohc vtec. However, a swap is more reliable because you're not cramming more air into the block than Honda intended, it's just a high-performance engine.

If I were you I'd take my car to a shop and have them install some forged pistons and rods, then use the rest to turbo the hell out of it. You will be able to run 14-18 psi with some good internals, which will give you about 250-275hp.

There are downsides to turbocharging your car though, like you HAVE to warm it up before driving and let it idle a few minutes to cool down afterwards. If you turbo and get 100,000 miles I'll be impressed. I went all out and swapped engines because it's safe, reliable, and still has a nice little punch. It's your car, it's your decision.

[jameskersten]

[quote=Ricochet]If you turbo that car you'll spend about $3k-$4k and mop up almost any Civic with a dohc vtec. However, a swap is more reliable because you're not cramming more air into the block than Honda intended, it's just a high-performance engine.

QUOTE]
i disagree, raced a 97 civic cx hb with a t25 turbo at 12 psi a few months ago and i beat him pretty easy, couple car lenghts on the 1/4.

[Ricochet]

Were you using nitrous?

[kicker1_solo]

Originally Posted by jameskersten

i disagree, raced a 97 civic cx hb with a t25 turbo at 12 psi a few months ago and i beat him pretty easy, couple car lenghts on the 1/4.

and I disagree with you. I have a B18C1 with a few bolts ons and a clutch, I got smoked by a sohc turbo that just had an exhaust. It was a pieced together, small town boy garage turbo, nothing special. He toasted me. My set up is almost $5k, his is less than $1k. If you want the best bang for the buck, boost it.

[Mybrainisawaffle]

Ricochet:

I want this car to last me awhile. So I guess a turbo is out of the question for now. So's, it's looking to be:

B18C1 GS-R or B18b swap- $3500, or $1500
I/H/E- How much would this run me?

Am I missing anything?

[kicker1_solo]

Originally Posted by Mybrainisawaffle

I/H/E- How much would this run me?

Header $300
Intake $100
Exhaust $300

for decent stuff....

You'll basically have my set up, B18C1 with a few bolt ons. It's still slow