Hi i bought a 110K MILES USDM 97 LX (EJ6) last summer with a few minor upgrades, mostly cosmetic plus a short ram and 17" rims. I was reading a couple of posts more or less concerning my issue but still haven't made a proper decision. So i'm gonna ask you guys since this is a pretty good forum and a lot of you out there are very knowledgeable. ( respect )

What would be the best way to go about upgrading my car performance-wise?
i was thinking of a minime. the mini me involves a header change from the y7 to a y8 or z6? which one is better? i'd have to change the tranny as well...shud i get the y8 tranny? how much would everything be? or should i get a better AI or just an intake and exhaust manifold swap. turbo it or keep it NA?

i know thats a lot of questions...but just concerning your own or your friends' experience i'd appreciate any sort of input especially if it's backed up by some facts. Thanks and hopefully this gets some posts.

my goal is to have a reliable half-beater (i take ttc to work/school) for another 2-3 years at most, fun to drive, occasional lead foot, not much racing..not going for most possible HP or anything like that. and my budget...dont wanna spend much...500-1k maybe...MAYBE towards 2k but wouldn't really invest that much in this car..just put yourselves in my position..thx again

 

just get bolt ons ($500 to $1000 for cheap brands) and around $1500+ for better brands but at the end of the day....that motor is not designed for performance so dont expect much out of it. even with the mini me, you are looking at 10-12 hp...even less to the wheels and maybe 2-3 lbs of extra torque at what....4300K.

u do the math.

 

for that you should buy a b20b or even better b20z or a b18b and swap it in, best possible upgrade for that kind of money. Or spend $2500 or so and boost the D.

 

szuberi, what exactly do you mean by bolt ons? sorry im still tryin to get used to all the terms , altho i've come a long way..

and forcefedsi, those cr-v motors and the b18b1(1994-2001 "RS/LS/GS/SE" (DC4/DB7)) ..will they be in the price range with installation and everything..and will they keep the 140-150 bhp they supposedly come with? i guess i shud start lookin for some junk yards around etobicoke or sauga...i haven't seen any articles about these swaps...every1 goes for more high end stuff...so confusing..so many decisions..hehe

 

an si tranny and good clutch would probably make more of a d series than other mods if you aren't willing to spend at least $2000 on a decent n/a or turbo setup.

anyway i'm far from a professional but i don't see any point in spending money on a d unless you're willing to put in the $1500+ required for a proper effort or just have an unhealthy obsession with the d series like the fellas at d-series.org

i remember when i had my last car i spent $200 on a CAI and the sound + feel of an extra hp on the butt dyno wasn't even ****ing worth it. performance upgrades just aren't worth it unless you're planning on upgrading to at least 30hp+ imho

 

what is your budget razvan? cause if your willing to spend money on a turbo or even a mini me swap, id just get a b18 or something imo. I went through the same dilemma lol and yeah, i decided to keep my d series for now and im saving up for a B series.

 

bolt ons shall be your air intake, header and a catback exhaust. the Y7 is an economy motor so dont expect it to really pull the car for ya but you can have reasonable performance and gas mileage if you just do the bolt ons. a mini me swap would be a plus but you will have to replace your ecu. what transmission u have on the car right now?

also...it is tricky to throw numbers cuz they are just wild estimates. dont really say...my goal is to achieve x amount of horses cuz you never know.

a well maintained Y8 with bolt ons should definitely make you happy for starters.

 

Change the tranny this will give you the biggest differance

then go to the junkyard and pull a y8 intake and exhaust manifold

And see how you like it then it'll be a huge differance

beyond that unless you do turbo or nitrous don't waste your time and effort on a D ya you could make 150 whp but it would be soo much easier to swap a b20 or b18

 

thanks a lot for the input guys. well i got a manual transmission and it's a lil jerky in low gears plus it makes a weird rattling sound in hi rpm 1st and 2nd..dont really know what it is..i kinda abused it when i first got it(stalling and jerkin) cuz it's my first car and i hadn't driven a manual since i was like 16 back home in europe.

szuberi: a well maintained Y8 with bolt ons should definitely make you happy for starters.
would this be cheaper than the b18, how much would it come out to and how much gain rough;y? feel free to throw some numbers i won't hold u responsible

lilmoh16, budget is 1k or maybe 2k the most, i don't feel it's worth putting too much in this particular car..97 sedan...plus i gotta pay for 4th year and other things.

BUT,... what would be a ballpark for the b18 swap with installation and everything..incl the ECU swap..

 

ballpark i think would be anywhere from 1500-1800 for a b18b. (complete i.e,. ecu, engine, transmission, driveshafts, etc.)

and then install, that price can range depending on who does it for u, im guessin 600-1000 bucks maybe?

but u also got things that u should replace with new if your going to bother with a swap, at least i did. things like clutch, timing belt & water pump, cam seal, sparks (lighten flywheel is a real plus too). you would probably be looking around.. min. 2300 max. 3000

but if you dont replace parts u can shave off 500+ right so its up to you.

 

thx bro..thats a big investment imo..and it woould just take me to around 150 hp..thats like 60$/HP..:P