[mindwaves]

I would like to mod my Civic when the warranty expires in about 10,000 miles. I only want a minor engine modification so no fancy exterior tweaks. The problem is my Civic is SLOW. 0-60 in 10+ seconds is pretty sad. I would like to add 10-15 HP to it.

I will probably hire some guys who are "experts" on it since I do have an engine with VTEC. No, I don't want to do it myself or learn how. I don't know too much about car mods. Thoughts on doing something like this? How much should I be looking to spend?

[FireWire]

I'm not an expert in that domain, but I did own a Civic a few years ago and from what I read, if you only want to add a few HP, your best bet would be to swap the ECU with one from a higher-end Acura, and to upgrade your intake/exhaust system. I'm not sure you will notice the difference with only 10-15 more HP thou.

[mindwaves]

Originally Posted by FireWire 

I'm not an expert in that domain, but I did own a Civic a few years ago and from what I read, if you only want to add a few HP, your best bet would be to swap the ECU with one from a higher-end Acura, and to upgrade your intake/exhaust system. I'm not sure you will notice the difference with only 10-15 more HP thou.

I think I will because I drove a 2006 Civic with 13 more HP and it was very noticeable. Thanks.

[Agasthya]

Have you tried adding flame stickers?

[xi_hyperon]

Originally Posted by Agasthya 

Have you tried adding flame stickers?

No, no, no. This is all that's needed.



Demonstrated to add 34.83% more power than flame stickers.

[the_glassman]

Don't waste the money. If you don't enjoy the car now I would look into something else. Maybe an Si is in your future? Trying to get 10-15 hp out of tiny NA engine is a dead end. Enjoy what you have or find something else.

[Gossamer]

I simple intake/header/exhaust combo would do well, but stick with something tasteful...no huge mufflers or loud drone-y sounding things. Oh yeah, one of these too:

[amsalpemkcus]

add an edelbrock turbo kit?

[keekeeree]

Originally Posted by Agasthya 

Have you tried adding flame stickers?

Flames + 15 HP = total babe magnet

[RAILhead]

I got nothin, so here's a fake model shot while I wait for my Lunesta to kick in:

[centerchannel68]

Well... I know a bit about modifying compacts, and here is the deal breaker:

WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION IS IN YOUR CAR PRESENTLY

If it's an auto, forget about modifying anything, sell it, and if you really like civics that much, get a manual version of it.

Automatics with 4 cylinder engines are just dogs... they are slow, they don't get as good of mpg, and they are NOT fun to drive. On the other hand, my wife's accord only had 98hp from the factory, and since it has a 5spd, it is fairly fun to drive. Here's my best example:

1st gen dodge/plymouth neons. With an automatic, the times in the quarter mile were 17.5-18 seconds. With the 5spd, it was 15.5-15.9s or so. That's a MASSIVE difference.

If you DO have a manual (which I'm kinda skeptical of), I'd just get a cold air intake for it. Exhausts on civics won't net you that much, plus they sound annoying and make you appear to be some boy racer lameass. Other than that, unless you want to spend a ton of money, just seriously get a different car. Honda makes pretty decent power from the engines, and just 'bolting something on' isn't going to get you much more power at all. The only way to make it fast is to turbo the thing, which costs a few grand, and is kinda complicated.

So... in summary, get a different car, or be prepared to learn a lot and do everything yourself and spend a bunch of money.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by the_glassman 

Don't waste the money. If you don't enjoy the car now I would look into something else. Maybe an Si is in your future? Trying to get 10-15 hp out of tiny NA engine is a dead end. Enjoy what you have or find something else.

Nicely said.

[mindwaves]

Thanks for the replies folks and the funny car mod. Yes, I have an automatic. I guess I will stick with it how it is until I need/want another car.

[centerchannel68]

Yeah, if it's an auto leave it alone. What you should really do is just keep your eyes open for a nice used civic with a 5spd, it should be worth LESS than your auto... so there's potentially a way to get a 5spd civic, AND extra cash.

[slpdLoad]

Originally Posted by mindwaves 

Nice parking.

[Y3a]

sell it and get a real car.

[macfantn]

I say keep it as a daily driver and get a 2nd car, one with some real power.

[drnkn_stylz]

It's VTEC, not VTECH. VTECH makes phones. I can't stress this enough.

VTEC = Variable valve timing and electronic lift control.

I doubt there is any aftermarket for your motor, which is most likely a D16Y7. So unless you wanna rip apart the motor, all you can do is get a generic cold air intake and custom exhaust. You might get 5whp out of it.

[Fett]

Put some AEM cold air induction in it. I don't know how much horsepower it adds, but it improves gas mileage and feels much quicker through the higher rpms ( at least in my Integra).

[centerchannel68]

The other option is ENGINE SWAP! Throwing a built h22 into it would be fun.

[awaspaas]

I suggest some blue LEDs where the windshield washers are. Also, those rims that spin around when the wheels aren't turning. That will make it way faster.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by awaspaas 

I suggest some blue LEDs where the windshield washers are. Also, those rims that spin around when the wheels aren't turning. That will make it way faster.

Bah, who needs rims when you can get hubcaps that do pretty much the same thing!

[Kevin]

A cold air intake WILL get you noticeable HP.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by mindwaves 

Yes, I have an automatic. I guess I will stick with it how it is until I need/want another car.

BS. Modern cars have such restrictive intakes/headers/exhaust. Forget the header add a good quality cold air intake and a decent free flowing exhaust. It doesn't have to have a huge tip and lots of noise to make power. It can be discreet. A few hundred bucks and you will see some decent gains. I agree with ca$h that automatics are not the 1st choice when it comes to performance cars. I wouldn't make a track car out of a slushbox. However as a daily driver there is nothing wrong with making these mods. You'll be amazed at how free revving that engine becomes. Best part is you don't lose drivability.

Just watch for puddles.

Its not worth selling just cause its an auto.

[centerchannel68]

One problem with that: A freer flowing exhaust might net you a bit more power, but at the loss of LOW END TORQUE. This wouldn't matter if it were another car, but it IS a honda, and honda doesn't really believe in torque. I think it'd be peppier around town with the stock exhaust, unless you were wailing on it.

As for the intake, who knows. Maybe it'll get you 5-7hp. But is that worth $150+?

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by maximusbibicus 

Its not worth selling just cause its an auto.

Yes it is. Autos suck. I have never driven a car with an auto that didn't piss me off unless you're talking big boats from the 60s and 70s. Those cars can have autos.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

One problem with that: A freer flowing exhaust might net you a bit more power, but at the loss of LOW END TORQUE. This wouldn't matter if it were another car, but it IS a honda, and honda doesn't really believe in torque. I think it'd be peppier around town with the stock exhaust, unless you were wailing on it.

As for the intake, who knows. Maybe it'll get you 5-7hp. But is that worth $150+?

He isn't a performance freak. The 2-3 lbs-ft he loses won't kill him, and he'l get the pep he is looking for.

As for the intake: Yes.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Yes it is. Autos suck. I have never driven a car with an auto that didn't piss me off unless you're talking big boats from the 60s and 70s. Those cars can have autos.

Its still a Civic, which is pretty much the top of that class. Whether its an auto or not, he has a nice car. I have only ever driven manuals in my life, on bikes (of course) and cars. Obviously thats my preference. That said, I am not going to knock this guys car just cause its a slushbox.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Yes it is. Autos suck. I have never driven a car with an auto that didn't piss me off unless you're talking big boats from the 60s and 70s. Those cars can have autos.

I thought your car was an auto.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

I thought your car was an auto.

It is.

But its an SVX and its AWD, and it only came in auto yadda yadda

[el chupacabra]

In any case if you do get a new car make it a manual. Its lighter (better mpg and excel.) and wayyyyy cheaper to fix all tranmissions go out at some point and manuals can cost up to 70% cheaper to fix. I hated my first manual for the 1st 9 months I had it, but then I went back to auto and was terrified. Manuals are way safer. You can feel the detail of the road much better. I can even feel where the level of oil is through the pedals. Much more control of your speed as well. Autos just go when you take your foot off the brake, this results in delayed reaction time when you need to stop and you also cant feel the ice or rain on the road at all....if thats an issue. Thats why I can do 60 on the highway in CO with no sno tires and no 4wd and yet SUVs start falling off the roads at 30.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

I thought your car was an auto.

It is. And you know what? I HATE THAT TRANSMISSION. It saps a ton of power, mileage, and fun outta the driving experience. Eventually, it'll be converted. Until then, I just have to be annoyed with it until I swap it for a 5 or 6spd.

Also, if I could have purchased an SVX with a manual, I would have, but there weren't any for sale at the time.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by el chupacabra 

In any case if you do get a new car make it a manual. Its lighter (better mpg and excel.) and wayyyyy cheaper to fix all tranmissions go out at some point and manuals can cost up to 70% cheaper to fix. I hated my first manual for the 1st 9 months I had it, but then I went back to auto and was terrified. Manuals are way safer. You can feel the detail of the road much better. I can even feel where the level of oil is through the pedals. Much more control of your speed as well. Autos just go when you take your foot off the brake, this results in delayed reaction time when you need to stop and you also cant feel the ice or rain on the road at all....if thats an issue. Thats why I can do 60 on the highway in CO with no sno tires and no 4wd and yet SUVs start falling off the roads at 30.

Nice write up.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

It is. And you know what? I HATE THAT TRANSMISSION. It saps a ton of power, mileage, and fun outta the driving experience. Eventually, it'll be converted. Until then, I just have to be annoyed with it until I swap it for a 5 or 6spd.

Also, if I could have purchased an SVX with a manual, I would have, but there weren't any for sale at the time.

The SVX was never available with a stick.

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by maximusbibicus 

The SVX was never available with a stick.

Correction: Never available FROM THE FACTORY. There are lots of manual SVXs running around now, and they show up on ebay and for sale on the SVX network on a pretty regular basis. So like I said.... when I bought mine, there were not any for sale at the time. A buddy of mine bought his SVX for $1000 with a bad transmission, and swapped in a 5spd from a forester with 4.11s, and ran 14.5s with that change alone. Now he's turbo.... who knows what it'll run once it's tuned. >shrug<

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Correction: Never available FROM THE FACTORY. There are lots of manual SVXs running around now, and they show up on ebay and for sale on the SVX network on a pretty regular basis. So like I said.... when I bought mine, there were not any for sale at the time. A buddy of mine bought his SVX for $1000 with a bad transmission, and swapped in a 5spd from a forester with 4.11s, and ran 14.5s with that change alone. Now he's turbo.... who knows what it'll run once it's tuned. >shrug<

The SVX was never available with a stick.

[centerchannel68]

Well, I know of one available to purchase right now, and it has a stick. So you're wrong.

eBay Motors: Subaru : SVX (item 220067526153 end time Jan-08-07 20:11:35 PST)

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by maximusbibicus 

The SVX was never available with a stick.

He means they were modded for one after they were bought.

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by Kevin 

He means they were modded for one after they were bought.

I know exactly what he means.

[Kevin]

Then why did you keep arguing as if you did not?

[maximusbibicus]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Well, I know of one available to purchase right now, and it has a stick. So you're wrong.

eBay Motors: Subaru : SVX (item 220067526153 end time Jan-08-07 20:11:35 PST)

I am not wrong. When the SVX was offered for sale by Subaru it wasn't available with a manual transmission. Sure aftermarket wise you can add one on, but I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. I don't know who did the work. The car was never intended to be sold with one, there is a lot of crap that can go wrong in a conversion. Now if a mechanic I know did it maybe I would trust it. Either way, its more hassle than its worth for that car. There is much else available on the market to have tunnel vision on that one car.

If we look at things with your glasses on, we could probably shoehorn a LS6 into your car and get it to run 12's. So, the SVX is available with a LS6 engine. Happy?

So...

The SVX was never available with a stick.

[maximusbibicus]

^

Originally Posted by Kevin 

Then why did you keep arguing as if you did not?

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by maximusbibicus 

I am not wrong. When the SVX was offered for sale by Subaru it wasn't available with a manual transmission. Sure aftermarket wise you can add one on, but I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. I don't know who did the work. The car was never intended to be sold with one, there is a lot of crap that can go wrong in a conversion. Now if a mechanic I know did it maybe I would trust it. Either way, its more hassle than its worth for that car. There is much else available on the market to have tunnel vision on that one car.

If we look at things with your glasses on, we could probably shoehorn a LS6 into your car and get it to run 12's. So, the SVX is available with a LS6 engine. Happy?

So...

The SVX was never available with a stick.

Yes, you are, because there are currently SVXs that ARE AVAILABLE, that have manual transmissions. You are claiming there never were, and are not any available with manuals, and quite simply, there are. I linked to one available right there.

As to the conversion, it's really not very difficult at all. It bolts right in. The only pains are welding the pedal assembly in place, and trimming the console for the shift boot. It's a bolt in modification. The reason that subaru did not offer a manual was that they had never made a car so powerful, with so much low end torque, and that much weight before. Since 1992, subuar has strengthened their 5spd to handle similar power and weight (WRXs, foresters, etc). The 6spd, available in the STi, is even stronger.

And why would you put an LS6 into an SVX? It wouldn't fit, and subaru is all about the boxer engines. This isn't some frankenstein modification. It's removing the old transmission, bolting in the new one, grinding a tad off the subframe so that the transmission doesn't hit it under load, trimming the console, and welding in a new pedal assembly from a donor subaru. It's NOT very technical, hard, or complicated.

As far as having tunnel vision, you're the one modifying a FWD 4 banger, not me.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by maximusbibicus 

^

No, you still argued with him after you knew what he was talking about. That didn't answer my question.

[mindwaves]

Ok, I got my answer. Thanks.