PLEASE Help her doc! Let her LIVE!!

[vinnym86]

I have a *very* old 1993 Honda Civic 1.5L LX that has definitely seen better days. A survivor of almost 200,000 miles of mainly city-driving, and 2 major accidents (legally not our party's fault), this baby is slowly but surely dying...

As a novice in the car world, I ask you readers out there for HELP! I've decided to try and *re-new* my car as much as a college student's wallet will let it. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make an old girl last a bit longer? So far, everything is stock, and only the muffler system, brakes, tires, and c/v joints have been replaced. I've heard there are different types of oil i can ask for at my next oil change that "cleans the engine"? also, whats that stuff you put in your gas tank every oil change from STP or other such companies? does it work much?

my most recent concern, I've been looking into buying a Cold Air Intake system. I figure this may give my car a little more of a kick, seeing as some of the small hills in my town reduce me to a max of 20mph. Is it worth buying? Will I really see a difference in performance in an old peice like this?

Last, a poll.
If I make this car last a bit longer, should I start investing in her some more by buying modifications and more upgrades?

[CivicSpoon]

It's all up to you whether it's worth fixing up or not. If there's any major damage (especially frame damage), junk the car and get something better. A cold air intake won't do much for performance, definently don't go with something expensive. If you're going to buy it; buy a cheap e-bay one and just buy a K&N filter for it, or just buy a K&N drop-in filter for your existing setup. The stuff you put into your gas tank is injector cleaner. I doubt it'd be worth it to put it in every oil change, maybe every year or 2. And yes there are oil addatives that will clean out some of the deposit buildup in the engine, but you will also have to change your oil shortly after adding it (so the deposits don't just sit in your engine and gunk it up). Also do a google search for SeaFoam, it also gets rid of the deposits.

There are also some stuff that should be replaced, some really important (t-belt is a must if it hasn't been replaced for a few years, fuel filter, intake filter, transmission fluid, radiator flush). I recommend checking your owners manual if you have it or buying a service manual for your car (or even downloading one for free).

[Greenblurr93]

if u swap it, it will run like new... then mod that.

[QUICK_EG_B16A]

Originally Posted by Greenblurr93

if u swap it, it will run like new... then mod that.

Even the jdm 1.5 sohc vtec swap will be a major inprovement and they're only like 6-700 at the most. If you can't afford that here's what I'd do:
-Replace the timing belt and accessory belts(Also replace water pump)
-Use a full synthetic oil (castrol syntec, Valvoline Synpower, etc.)
-K&N air filter(or an intake if you want some slight performance)
-Replace the spark plugs(platinum or iridium if you can afford it)
-Replace Cap & Rotor
-Replace ignition wires

You should be good after that.

As far as further mods once you have the money to do it:
ENGINE SWAP!

[iVteC_PoWeR]

[Volume_Civics]

Dont waste your money on that. unless you are going to swap, which i really dont think you have the money to. I would just buy parts that would be nessasary not some stupid intake that will give you like 3.5 hp.