Engine swap?Exhaust?what to do.....

[yoohoochoc.]

i just got a 97 civic lx and i was wonderin wat to do. im not gonna b like "damasta" and do this to b kewl. i want to get hp outta my car but the problem is i dont know anythin about engines. i am gonna b like my newbie self and ask dumass questions but just try to go along with me. i need to stay below 3,000$ so i want to know the cheapest way to do things but i dont wat the parts to screw me over in the long end. if anybody can help it would b great. i was lookin at a catback exhaust but wat should i get first? I should prly do an engine swap first but i wanna b under my budget and i know those can get pricey and sense i have no idea how to do it could a auto place put it in or what? and if i get an engine swap wat other parts would i have to buy to keep my car runnin like if i got an engine swap would i have to get an exhaust right away? worded like a newbie.
thnx if u help and i dont want my thread bein flamed thnx.

[Kafziel]

If I were you, I would forget the engine swap. That will take up your whole budget. For that much you can get a cat-back/header/CAI, new ECU, nitrous, and still have some left over for better rotors and pads (last one is just my suggestion, if you're putting out more HP you should have better stopping power). If you get an engine swap done you'll blow all your money at once and it will most likely still be a stock engine, just a stock engine from some other car.

But I'm probably biased, because I would NEVER swap my engine.

[yoohoochoc.]

would a cold air intake add any hp what so ever?

[Kafziel]

Ahhhhh.... if you can definitively answer that, your training will be complete and you will be a Jedi master.
You may have opened a can of worms here; that's one of those questions that will always get people arguing. Everyone thinks they know the right answer, everyone backs it up with specs and stats, and nobody ever really proves anything to anybody else.
In my own limited experience, yes, it helps. Especially combined with nitrous and a new ECU. It's not going to send you into orbit all by itself, but it works well enough as part of the system.

[Jas_M]

Every little bit helps, but a CAI by itself isn't going to make any noticeable difference, aside from the hissing/whistling sound it'll produce.

[NerveAgent]

from experience you need all "cat-back/header/CAI"
one or the other doesn't really do much. btw.. I think you should go with the swap. Its always good. and 3g's is your budget?.. that a good budget man. YOu can get an integra LS engine. (B18B) 142hp @ 6300 rpm and 127 lb.-ft @ 5200 rpm. and i think you should be able to feel the difference from that. YOu should be able to get an engine for no more than 1200 and install no more than 700. 1100 more or less left over for anything else..but if you really really want alotta power.. i guess you could get NOS. I am not too big of a fan of forced Induction.. well nos..in that case.

[yoohoochoc.]

should i get 4-2-1 or 4-1 headers if i get them

[Kafziel]

I would (I did, actually) go with the 4-2-1 header. Good all-around power, where the 4-1 sacrifices some on the low end.

I recommend getting a ceramic or powdercoated one (or pay extra for real stainless steel) because most chrome will turn blue INSTANTLY with that kind of heat going through it. Ceramic will look good for a long time.

[Civic_D16Y5]

how come no one has suggested a turbo?

[Kafziel]

Just seemed a little advanced to me. I'm not opposed to it, I just figured if he's just starting out it's better to do all the rest first. He would have plenty of money for a turbo or at least a supercharger after catback/header/CAI, ECU, and brakes so it's not a bad idea.

[Miataracer]

if he wants to turbo the header and cai would be a waste

[NerveAgent]

Originally Posted by Civic_D16Y5

how come no one has suggested a turbo?

oh yeah TURBO!! that shouldn't be more than 3g's.

[exman98]

i hear that your engine life is limited to about 100,000 after a tubo is installed
they also may require matanince
the civics have small engine and

that often pushes the capasity
but i may be wrong

[NerveAgent]

Yeah 100,000 miles ehh .. there is a lot of factors that need to be put in place. Like how hard you drive, how often you drive it hard. How much psi is set. You shouldn't go over 8psi with stock internals..treat your car nicely and it will treat your wallet nicely. but im not too sure lets wait for more posts.

[yoohoochoc.]

if i got greddy headers would i have to get a greddy exhaust system prly not right? rem. NEWBIE