I'm new to imports...

[rileyrat]

Alright guys, I have been building classic customs for many years now. After having a hand in just about every aspect of custom calssics I want to try my hand at an import and have settled on a 96-98 Civic coupe (yes I am dead set on the coupe not the hatchback). I know it's not the most powerful car around and requires alot of work to get it going decently fast but I'm not scared of the work. My problem is, while I have general engine/car knowledge, I am clueless on where to start on an import. I am looking to build a pretty fast, turbo charged car, that can destroy the average wannabe with an exhaust and intake while looking good doing it. I'll list some very specific questions below, hope you guys can help me out.

1) What are the +/-'s of stock engine vs. JDM?

2) If my main goal is overall performance what are the largest wheel/tire combo, within reason, I should look to put on this thing?

3) Can you guys throw down your favorite sites for body kits, engine/performance parts, and electronics?

P.S. The car will be sitting on a trailer so no need to keep it road worthy. Now give me what you got guys!

[Shaguar47]

If your lookin for a civic that is already quick from the get-go, the dx-ex will not settle from your saying. The best one would be the 99-00 civic si. It has the same body style as the one your looking at, only the front bumper is different.

[Plastic_Fork]

Originally Posted by rileyrat

1) What are the +/-'s of stock engine vs. JDM?

2) If my main goal is overall performance what are the largest wheel/tire combo, within reason, I should look to put on this thing?

3) Can you guys throw down your favorite sites for body kits, engine/performance parts, and electronics?

P.S. The car will be sitting on a trailer so no need to keep it road worthy. Now give me what you got guys!

1) JDM motors generally have to be imported and have to go through some parts changing and emissions stuff to be legal here since JDM motors are designed for a different market and different emissions standards. For all your trouble, most JDM motors typically have a net gain of about 10hp at best. They usually have a slightly higher compression. If you're building the motor, then that rather defeats the purpose other than coolness factor. Stick the with USDM (domestic) motor for overall cost effectiveness and availability. Only reason to go with JDM really is if the motor isn't available here (B16B for instance).

2) Best wheel size for Honda performance on your 6th generation Civic is 15" wheels. If you want bigger for show, 16"s are fine. Even the Type-R Civic and Integra come with 15"s from the factory.

3) Too many to count. Just run a search and you'll find more than you can handle.

Shaguar47's right - if you're looking for a 6th gen Civic coupe, might as well go with the '99-'00 Civic Si. It's the body style you want, and comes with a B16A2 (DOHC VTEC) from the factory. It's one of the quicker motors Honda made. Most B-series parts are interchangeable and there's a lot out there for upgrading performance. If you decide on another trim instead such as a DX or LX (SOHC non-VTEC) or EX (SOHC VTEC), you can just as readily perform a motor swap.

Honda's are very plug and play (relatively speaking) when it comes to motors and parts, so you really have a lot of options available to you. The Acura Integra motors will also fit as well as any other Honda Civic motor. And with some work, even the Prelude motors or the newer K-series motors will fit. All comes down to what numbers you're looking for, how much you have to spend, and how much time you have to work on it.

[00civicsir]

your best bet is to stick with an 99-00,civicsi

[00civicsir]

your best bet is to stick with an 99-00,civicsi

[00civicsir]

get the 99-00,civicsi an get-r-done

[AudioGuy93DelSol]

Cause we didnt get you the first 2 times.

[mattyoung33]

if you want to build a real fast honda civic coupe you are either going to want the 99-00 civic Si with 160HP stock, or get a normal civic with high mileage and swap a new engine in it. You could swap anything from another B16, to integra B18, H22a prelude, etc. etc. I suggest you do a lot of reading up on honda engines and stuff before you go ahead and start ordering stuff. THere is alot of good books that people have wrote that could also benefit you. It mainly comes down to how much doe you are going to throw down on this beast.

[sohcfreak97]

If Ur Just Coming Into The Import Scene, From Old School Clasics, Perfomance Wise, The 96-98 Is A Bad Year For U, Not Only Is It Under-powered, It Has Less Tuning Capabilities, Like Most Said, A 99-00 Si Would Be The Leg Up, Dohc With Vtec On Both Cams, Jdm Is The Same Motor With Less To No Emissions, Which Means More Power Could Be Made, Def. Go Dohc. 15 Or 16 Inch Tires, Stock Wheels R A Must, Mugens If U Rich, Rotas For The Less Fortunate, And For Looks, Jdm Parts All Around, Lips Not Kits

[exman98]

[quote=sohcfreak97]If Ur Just Coming Into The Import Scene, From Old School Clasics, Perfomance Wise, The 96-98 Is A Bad Year For U

just wondering what was so bad with the 6th gens. i have a 98 ex and it seem to keed up with the rest of gens.
but i would agree they could have put a lot more power and still be efficiant. i don't know, thats just honda

[sohcfreak97]

Nothings Wrong, U Have Better Tuning Abilities With 2 Cams Then U Do With1, I Have A Single Cam, I Love That Thing, But If I Had Money For A Dohc I Would Get 1...i Knoe Sohc Can Keep Up With Dohcs

[MexSiR]

It doesent have to be a civic Si 99-00, you can make a 98 ex really fast with enough experience and money, you dont need to have DOHC to be fast, this is coming from a 99 civic Si owner. Of course its better to start with a more solid base, but its not like if you dont have a b series or a high end engine you wont be able to smoke many or most cars...

[sohcfreak97]

i knoe what a sohc can do, and si's aren't that kwick...but their a better start then sohc....i'd smoke your si anyways

[sohcfreak97]

mexsir....i jsut saw ur times....ur car slower than my civic sohc stock

[~ls/vtec~]

i wanna c you smoke his si with your stock sohc at sealevel