First car ek hatch... need help

[jrotterman]

Hi everyone. Let me start off by introducing myself. I'm a 17 year old from Toronto Canada and will be (most likely) purchasing a 97 ek hatch. The car is for sale through my auto teacher's former student, and he wants 500 for it. No rust except for a tiny bubble on one of the fenders. Underbody is clean. Car runs and drives, 300,000 km, and i think it needs a new clutch. I plan on making this a project car, and this car sounds like a clean base to start with. I have max 5k to play with.

Engine: I was thinking b18c1... are there better bang for your buck engines? Should i go h series? Try my luck with a cheap k series? Do i need a harness because this engine has vtec? Should i do any mods to the engine? intake manifold? cams? etc etc.. Really just looking for a reliable daily with some get up and go.
Suspension: What are the best coilovers for this car? I want it low and to handle really well...I was thinking full out sway bars, strut tower braces, etc...is this neccessary? Or will decent coilovers be enough?
Exhaust: Want something thats is loud but not obnxious. Was thinking ebay n1 style catback or are there cheaper alternatives that sound nice and deep all the way through the powerband?
Cosmetics: I really like OEM+ with a hint of aftermarket... want to keep this car clean. How would i go about shaving or painting the black side moldings body colour (silver)? I was also thinking a small but noticeable front and rear lip and a spoon style ducktail (all black)... any recommendations?

If anyone happens to live in Toronto and can let me know of good places to get engines and honda parts from that would be great also.

Thanks everyone

 

[noodle_ek]

go with the b18c1 and some mods to it like i/h/e with a nice little tune to it. then youll have a really good daily .

 

[mc360]

If you only have 5k to spend I don't see you getting the car, b18c and suspension. A b18c from a decent swap importer is going to run you $4,000 probably and to do your suspension proper your looking at somewhere in the range of $1,000, then you have the price of the car and taxes and title transfer fees.I personally don't like swaps but if I were to swap it would be a b18c since they bolt right in into a 96-00 civic chassis.

Don't shave the moldings it looks stupids, either pull them off and paint to match or leave them alone. You could also buy the jdm thin side moldings but I would just stick with what you have and paint match with a quality touch up paint in a spray can.

My advise, look into a turbo kit for the d16 motor if you have decent tuners in your area. You can install a quality turbo kit for about 3500$ and then spend another 500$ on a tune and be making 220-250 whp vs a stock gsr that makes 185hp at the crank