I just got my honda civic last week... it is a 93 CX with 200,000 kms on it.... i want to sup it up a bit but don't know if i should do cause iam not sure how long the motor will last me.... i was thinking about doing some little things like an exhust and stuff like that..... i don't care about the looks right now i just want a quick car that will haule *** when i need it to.... any help would be very much appriciated....... i have no idea about honda, i went from a pontiac to a honda and i love this car..... iam also looking for little things that will add a few hp.... iam not really looking at buying something that will cost me over 1000

 

An engine swap is the only way to go. CX is a **** motor, don't waste your time or money on it. However you do have the lightest of the 5th gen's, which works in your favour if you have a swap. Save your cash and drop on a B16A2, or a B18B and turbo that puppy. If you really want to spend cash and make some improvement, do your suspension.

Some cheap engine mods are, dryer hose from the front to your TB with a K&N filter on it (custom CAI). Also, take out your intake resonator. Advance your ignition timing by like 1 degree (maybe more). Put in some platinum plugs, do full fluid changes for the whole car, use 94 octane gas. These things should help the car feel quicker. Even if you only get like 5 horsepower.

Also you could try swapping on a SOHC V-tec head, although I'm not sure if you can on the CX motor. Someone on here will know that for sure. Anyways, hope this helps.

 

well that's a tough call since you dont want to spend more than 1000. i say just save up your money and not do anything right now. any bolt-ons wont do much for that motor. listen to promoking and get a swap in the future. then your car will really fly.

 

Even with a swap in the future you can still make improvements to...

Suspension (may fav.)
Exhaust (no header)
Intake (assuming you swap to b16/18/r and not gsr)

But if you want to have fun and stay within your 1000 budget and "haul *** when you want to" I suggest a little nitrous. It's cheap and will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Mind you that bang may be your motor blowing up but then it is swap time so it is a win/win situation.