What to do first with my 1999 Dx?

[randoaus000]

I have a very clean 1999 Civic Dx (coupe). I have been going back and forth between purchasing another 1999/ 2000 Civic Si, but i'm not sure if it's worth the risk and uncertainty of going with a car that has been pushed or not taken care of. The paint on my car is nice considering how old it is, AND it only has 81k miles.

If i don't purchase a new Si, I want to swap the stock engine with a B16 and also swap the tranny with a 5 speed.

Is this the right way to go? Or should I start by doing something else? I am trying to save as much money as i can, but also go with the most reliable way. I would appreciate all the advice I can get (as well as other ways to begin making my dream car!).

 

[Wreckless Hype]

As I am doing with the car I recently purchased, I'd drive it for a bit, save a few bucks and take care of any quirks it may have. It'll give you some time to look at options. Mostly I'd go through the other member's projects and see if anything catches your eye, see what you like. I wouldn't go full bore into replacing a motor and find out you have some suspension issues or something, unless funds aren't really an issue. In that case, just decide what order you want to swap things out in and start doing some research! What are you going to be doing with it mostly, end goal?

Also welcome!

 

[randoaus000]

The car is super clean and was my parents since 1999 and then given to me. I'd hate to part with it. I have always loved the 6th Gen Si, and if i could, i would like to get it performing like one and eventually continue improving its performance as I'm financially able. I don't think I want it to look like an Si. I want to give it its own look (Fog lights, great exhaust system, HID's, etc.) but of course, those things are more aesthetic than something like an entire engine swap.

The car has been regularly checked up on throughout its lifetime and it's never had a performance issue besides normal things that wear over time. I just want some advice of where to start putting my money.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[CO671]

What are things that bother you about it? Cover those first, make sure everything is up to date and maintained

I did an integra map light install, integra dual bend shifter, CRV front seats, CRV cluster, LED interior lights, broadview mirror as my first interior upgrades on my 99 DX Sedan. Whilst also maintaining it and repairing the necessary things.

See the link in my signature, personally I'd like to maintain and restore the vehicle before I mod anything. After working on my Civic as my first car then dealing with other projects i've realized to knock out the necessities before you tackle unnecessary modifications. Here's a copy and paste from another post i made:

1) Reliability/Restoration (repair things that are important/necessary)
2) Maintenance/Service (since you're the owner now, give it a full tune-up)
3) Functionality/Comfortability (tires, suspension, do you want comfy seats, tint, wider rear view mirror to see out of the rear glass, do you want keyless entry if it doesn't have, sounds, etc
4) Power, Aesthetics, whatever you want!

> for foglights, get clear lights and you can always tint it yellow.
> for HID's, don't install HID's into the stock housings, they're horrible, get projector retrofits and if you do it right they look beautiful

Answer this question:
What do you want to turn this build into?


Go through the 96-00 4dr thread for inspiration, there's TONS of photos and lots to learn. I spent a few days going through it from page 1, it's a great read through and if you want to read less pages sign into Honda-Tech, go to User CP>Edit Options>Number of Posts to Show Per Page>Show 40 posts per page

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2238014

 

[Wreckless Hype]

1) Reliability/Restoration (repair things that are important/necessary)
2) Maintenance/Service (since you're the owner now, give it a full tune-up)
3) Functionality/Comfortability (tires, suspension, do you want comfy seats, tint, wider rear view mirror to see out of the rear glass, do you want keyless entry if it doesn't have, sounds, etc
4) Power, Aesthetics, whatever you want!

> for foglights, get clear lights and you can always tint it yellow.
> for HID's, don't install HID's into the stock housings, they're horrible, get projector retrofits and if you do it right they look beautiful

Pretty much agree 100% with his 1-4, that's kinda the route I'm going myself.

Foglights I found when I bought the car had knockoffs, but look surprisingly close to Raybrigs, everything was the same, mounts and even the plate that mounted on the back of the housing was the same. I used the knock off plates to cut up and fit HID bulbs in when I got my Raybrigs. Do yourself a favor, don't put HIDs in your fogs, they suck

HIDs in the stock headlights put out WAY more light than your normal halogens, but it's so scattered, it's everywhere. And everyone assumes you're that guy driving around with hi beams on all over the place. I never liked the retro fits until I keep seeing the ones above. I kinda like em, and thinking I'll grab a new set of headlamps to put them in..

There's a way to get things done and get results. I have a habit of doing it and I find most of the time, I see the end result after the shock of seeing it done wears off and just say to myself, "well s***", and end up redoing it over. Don't half ass it

 

[randoaus000]

I do have a coupe. The one issue that does need to be resolved is a minor leak that causes the left corner of the drivers side floor mat to be slightly damp. I haven't been able to exactly pinpoint what's causing it, but i think it may be the sealing on the top of the driver side door. Maybe somebody's run into this problem before... Once this is fixed, the car is basically ready to start being built. How do i get to the thread of other peoples projects? Also, are coilovers the way to go in terms of lowering the car? AND (sorry for all the questions), where are good places/ websites and brands for parts like fog lights, coilovers, etc.?

 

[CO671]

Check your trunk that theres no water in the spare tire well. If there is just water leaking into the drivers side do a google search there should be somebody else with the problem. As for the coilovers, yes. The cars already almost 20 years old, just change the shocks and springs once and do it with koni/gc's, you'll hear everybody recommend it. As for foglights the ESUSE brand is said to be the second best to RayBrig and you should get it if you can find it, otherwise get OEM. There can be 99-00 OEM fog kits floating around brand new in package but thats a hefty price. I would personally just get the ebay kit (which i have sitting in my room), install that, and when you can find somebody selling OEM ones, or even just the lights and OEM gray fog button then jump on it!

It all depends on where you plan on purchasing, check out ClubCivic's store to go through some parts and get an idea of what you want.

Anything else youd like?

 

[randoaus000]

The trunk is good. When we checked Google a while back, the few people with the same leakage problem couldn't find out exactly what the cause was. We think it may be from daily usage of the driver door to where the seals don't operate as they used to.

Would beginning my civics build with engine performance be the best way to start? In other words, would you recommend saving a good amount of money to put into stuff like that? Or would buying things like new suspension, wheels & tires, fog lights, be the way to go first? It may be a preference, but im just throwing the question out there.

As of now, I don't have a LOT of money to dump into that right away, because of my part time job and school. But i can certainly save towards the performance side of things if that's recommended.

 

[Wreckless Hype]

Check your trunk that theres no water in the spare tire well.

There can be 99-00 OEM fog kits floating around brand new in package but thats a hefty price.

Every Honda I've ever had except my latest one has had water under the spare tire.

I picked my RayBrigs up from a guy on eBay, he's a Honda dealer in PA, brand new, got them in like 2 days.
Here's what I picked up

I'm not affiliated with that guy at all, he just had the best price and really good feedback and was pretty close to me.

 

[randoaus000]

I definitely like those fog lights. I do like the yellow tint ones. you know if they do yellow tint ones as well? I was also curious about how difficult the installation was since you do have to cut through the bumper.

Does anybody know where I can purchase OEM window visors? All I can find are aftermarket tape ones that I feel a little "iffy" about...

 

[CO671]

Every Honda I've ever had except my latest one has had water under the spare tire.

I picked my RayBrigs up from a guy on eBay, he's a Honda dealer in PA, brand new, got them in like 2 days.
Here's what I picked up

I'm not affiliated with that guy at all, he just had the best price and really good feedback and was pretty close to me.

Great price!. Best to start off with OEM knowing you got all the reliable and quality parts.

I definitely like those fog lights. I do like the yellow tint ones. you know if they do yellow tint ones as well? I was also curious about how difficult the installation was since you do have to cut through the bumper.

Does anybody know where I can purchase OEM window visors? All I can find are aftermarket tape ones that I feel a little "iffy" about...

Online it's marketed as "JDM" fogs because it's yellow... Just get the clear lights because you can always go back to clear. Lamin-X yellow tint films are overlay films that go on the clear lens's to make them yellow. If you're tired of the yellow just take it off.

I have some links to the installations i'll find it later if you want.

 

[Wreckless Hype]

I definitely like those fog lights. I do like the yellow tint ones. you know if they do yellow tint ones as well? I was also curious about how difficult the installation was since you do have to cut through the bumper.

Does anybody know where I can purchase OEM window visors? All I can find are aftermarket tape ones that I feel a little "iffy" about...

The yellows were discontinued, so if you if do find a new set, expect to pay around $300 or more.

 

[randoaus000]

One thing that I am desperate to change though are my black door handles, black mirrors, and the part that holds the rear license plate that is also black. Because I am knew to this, I want to make sure im getting things from the right people. Where is the best place to go out and get the white OEM parts?

 

[CO671]

I'd just repaint them if you can find somebody on the cheap, or try DIY'ing it. If there's an EX with the same color code as yours, it should have all white parts. Either take your current ones to somebody who can paint them or go to a junkyard, purchase the same part and paint them yourself so you don't have to remove yours or park your car for an X amount of time.