Introduction and Some Questions

LKCivic

New Member
Hey everyone,
I'm new to this forum and first of all I look forward to discussions with everyone here.

A bit of background info:
I am 17, junior in high school, with a good paying part time job on the weekends. Last year I got a 1998 civic sedan. Bone stock, light blue gray cloth interior. I loved the car for a bit, but then like most teenagers I started wanting (craving) a new vehicle. About a month ago I decided I'm keeping the car due to the fact it only has 105k miles on it.

I love cars, and I want to make this car my hobby, but Idk too much about cars. For the past too years I've read and researched what I can do to this car and what is rice and what im not going to be ashamed of in the future.

K first off, performance:
A d16y7..107hp.. lame? Yeah. Do I hate how slow and old it feels? Yeah.. Can I do anything about it? Probably not. Mini me swap is not realistic for me because for some reason no one has a y8 engine for sale near Olathe... so that pretty much takes out any thought of forced induction in the future.. I think ill just put on an intake and headers and hope for a decent change in how powerful it feels. Ive read that usual aftermarket exhaust don't add too much power and I hate what they sound like. I love the stock exhaust sound and I still haven't heard a good sounding after market exhaust on a civic.
-Any more suggestions on performance mods I could do to make me feel like less of an old grandma everytime I get on a highway onramp?

Next, what I plan to do first. Interior redesign:
I want to paint the interior plastic black and silver. Lots of black, some silver parts. New seats, probably racing, for support and comfort. The car is automatic and I've been told that changing it to manual would be hell so I guess I can't do that. Anyway I can replace the automatic shift knob? The button is on the side. The sound system is something I have experience with so I've got that figured out.

Exterior:
This is where I'm most confused.. rustoleum paintjob. I want to try it. I love the unique color of my car, but I have lots of paint scratches and the paint on the front number is just messed up completely. I want to do a glossy black. If anyone knows how I could get a dark silver metallic Kaiser-like color for decently cheap, id much rather do that. Till then, black rustoleum. I have no problem doing a rustoleum job every couple of years. Taillights will be si red and white. Headlights will be stock with retrofit halos. I want to get around 1inch drop springs. I already have a set of motegi 16"s picked out that I really wanna get.
Now, the part I'm confused on besides the color is the kit I want. Stock is too simple. Fatty body kits are too rice.. so.. anyone know of something in between? No I don't mean lip kit, all that does is make the stock look lower.. still simple.. who knows of a good looking kit that's not too ricey? Suggestions would be great.


I have about 1500 saved up and after all my monthly expenses I can set aside another 400-500 a month. I would love to hear what your guys' suggestions are on anything I have mentioned in this post. Also, is love to know what personal experiences you've had and what you drive and all that good stuff so that I can get to know you all better!

Thanks for taking the time, and thanks in advance for answers and suggestions,

LK Civic
 

soon2bsick

New Member
Registered VIP
welcome,

as for paint I am going to be doing a rustoleum paint job as well because I am going for a flat black look.

as far as where to get good paint for cheap, check out TCP Globals Restoration shop paints

http://www.tcpglobal.com/restorationshop/rspcolors.aspx


air intake, header, exhaust isn't going to give you much hp but it will give you a LITTLE. there are many other places a y8 can be had, ebay, honda marketplace ect
 


emerican

New Member
Registered VIP
i/h/e will get you like 10 hp max.
Yonaka cat back exhaust is what i have and i love it just slighlty louder than stock and cheap to 230 shipped to my door. There are sound clips on here and on youtube just type it in if you want to know what it sounds like it.
Agreed you can get a y8 head on the net no problem man they are always popping up.
 

LKCivic

New Member
Sweet thanks guys! Any chance one of you could help me find a good y7 to y8 mini me write up and what I would need to get?

As for the exhaust that's exactly what I was looking for! Stock sound but louder. Love it!

By the way would you recommend a cold air or short ram? I don't really know reliable brands for either one
 


TigBitties

Frame Bangin
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
paintforcars.com is cheap whole kits
 

emerican

New Member
Registered VIP
i would just go aem short ram ,cold air intake isnt justifable hp gains for the jump in price.
 

LKCivic

New Member
i/h/e will get you like 10 hp max.
Yonaka cat back exhaust is what i have and i love it just slighlty louder than stock and cheap to 230 shipped to my door. There are sound clips on here and on youtube just type it in if you want to know what it sounds like it.
Agreed you can get a y8 head on the net no problem man they are always popping up.
The Yonaka here is only for the coupe Integra? Will it fit on my 98 civic sedan?
 

TigBitties

Frame Bangin
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
Thanks! I didnt even check to see if there was a store! Which short ram intake would be the best in your experience?
We indeed do have a store. and the most important thing is a good filter, but they all are basically the same
The Yonaka here is only for the coupe Integra? Will it fit on my 98 civic sedan?
Nope, need one model specific
Ehh Im losing hope that Ill ever be able to make my car fast.. at least decently fast.:/
Dont lose hope. You can make it fast, just take your time. Look into swaps and boost. do your RESEARCH
 

LKCivic

New Member
Well I might as well try my best. I've heard of SRIs having heat problems? Is it serious? Because I want to get one of those but I don't want hot air going to my engine.
 

evilrilla2

New Member
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
I wouldnt paint any interior parts of the car, in my opinion it looks cheesy. but thats preference.
 

LKCivic

New Member
I wouldnt paint any interior parts of the car, in my opinion it looks cheesy. but thats preference.
I personally think the stock gray looks awful, idk how people can be in interested in that, just like i dont understand tan on anything other than a luxury car, but yes, its preferance
 


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