10 mods for under $200
i didn't really know where to put this...so mods, please feel free to move this to the appropriate section. i saw this on k-series.com and thought it was kinda informative. you may notice that brands and the parts are different...but this is to give you a good idea of what you can get. example: header - DC sports instead of the hp racing described below. hope this helps!
http://www.k-series.com/article_details.php?article_id=10
the site actually has links below each article on the actual "how to's" of each.
We all live in the real world and have families or other responsibilities that keep us from really modifying our cars to perform the way we dream they could. This article is to give you a quick rundown of several modifications that won't break the bank-but help you get there quicker and enjoy the ride! Prices are an approximation or general street price you can expect to pay from resellers.
The Concept: Tighter Handling
The Product: JDM CTR 22mm Rear Sway Bar
The Price: $110
We are all familiar with front and rear strut tower bars which link the top of your strut assemblies together to tighten your cars handling and make your suspension more rigid. The rear sway bar is another great way to improve your cars handling characteristics and is often cast aside when upgrading your suspension. This single bar has proven to be the best bang for your buck product to improve your cars suspension. While there are many other manufacturers which produce rear sway bars this unit was chosen due to price, availability and after all, it is OEM Honda.
The Concept: Lower Ride Height
The Products: Progress Sport Springs
The Price: $170
With your new sway bar installed it is now time to address one of the major issues with your EP, the ride height. Progress has been manufacturing springs for Hondas and other vehicles for at least 8 years and is one of the leaders in its field. The Progress units are not too aggressive with the rates being lowered 1.8 inches in the front and 1.5 inches the rear. This modification is guaranteed to make spirited driving around town much more enjoyable.
The Concept: Reduce Engine Movement
The Product: ES Motor Mount Inserts
The Price: $30
Have you ever launched your car and felt a jerking from your car that made you think that the front end was going to rip apart from all the wheel hop. Do you want an all around tighter feel for your car? Well if so, Energy Suspension's polyurethane motor mount inserts may be just the ticket. While these have been known to be quite troublesome to install everyone who walks away with them agrees they are well worth the trouble.
The Concept: Tighter Shifts
The Product: Aluminum Shifter Bushings
The Price: $17
This is the modification that EP owners rant and rave about. It is quite hard to believe such a trivial change in the bushings would make such a drastic difference in the way the linkage responds your shift throws. Well believe it! With these aluminum bushings in place you will notice more precise shifts and the extra play in the shifter itself which used to feel so cumbersome is practically nonexistent.
The Concept: Quicker, Shorter Shifts
The Product: Neuspeed Short Shifter Kit
The Price: $110
Now that you've installed your aluminum bushings your shifts are more precise but still a tad longer than most enthusiasts would like. Neuspeed is the only company which currently has acknowledged this problem and has released its short shift kit. This unit does not replace your factory shift lever but bolts onto it changing the pivot point and in turn shortening the throw. While some owners have complained of a notchy feel to the shifter once this unit is installed they all agree that it makes the EP more enjoyable to drive.
The Concept: Better Inlet Air Flow
The Product: AEM Cold Air Intake
The Price: $200
Getting the greatest volume of the densest air into your motor as quickly as possible is the first step at producing more horsepower. This unit meets those requirements and looks good under your hood while doing so. Again there are several different companies that manufacture cold air intakes or short ram units but I chose to go with the AEM CAI for two reasons. First off it does not require you to relocate any factory components as does the Injen. And of course the CAI provides more power then its short ram counterpart due to the denser air that is being fed to the motor.
The Concept: Better Exhaust Air Flow
The Products: HP Racing Header
The Prices: $195
With the intake now in place you have a good steady flow of cold air to feed your motor. There is one problem though, the restrictive stock exhaust manifold is holding back power in its runners. To eliminate this problem and uncork the available power the crew over at HP Racing has released its latest product for the K20A3. The quality, fitment and bang-for-the-buck price tag is what makes this unit stand out from the rest.
The Concept: Cooler Engine Temps
The Products: Mugen Radiator Cap/Thermostat/Fan Switch, Redline Water Wetter
The Prices: Cap $30/Thermostat $79/Switch $45, Redline $9
This is one of the most basic things that is often overlooked by most enthusiasts. If things get too hot inside your motor, you're losing energy to heat rather than directing it to the wheels. A hot cylinder head heats up the incoming air which lowers its density thus dramatically reducing the horsepower numbers you just received from installing your CAI.
The radiator cap and Redline water wetter are very simple to swap out. The Fan Switch can only be used in conjunction with the Thermostat and may be a little complex for the beginning tuner.
The Concept: Less Engine Friction and Better Engine Protection
The Products: Mobil1 5w-30, Spoon Sports Magnetic Drain Plugs
The Price: Mobil1 Oil $5 per Quart, Drain Plugs $45
We have just completed reducing the engine temperatures but like heat, friction is an engines enemy. The Mobil1 5w-30 oil is a great replacement over the stock 5w-20 but be sure to check which weight is best for your area. This can be done at your next oil change and the magnetic drain plug is sure to remove any metal shavings that would come in contact with it.
The Concept: More Stopping Power
The Products: Hawk HPS Brake Pads and Steel Braided Lines
The Price: FT Brake Pads $50/RR Brake Pads $45, Steel Braided Lines $105
We are all interested in making more power but with more horsepower comes the need for more stopping power. Your 0-60 is important but your 60-0 should not be neglected because it is just as if not more important. Here we have chosen to use the Hawk HPS brake pads which is essentially an upgraded version of your OEM pads. The steel braided brake lines are great for long track days, Auto-X, or spirited daily driving. Brake lines are one of the most neglected areas of brake maintenance, and the gradual degradation of these components can contribute to poor braking. As the original rubber hoses heat up, they tend to swell when the brakes are engaged, which results in a spongy brake pedal and reduced stopping distance. Steel Braided lines remove the ability for the lines to expand so you can feel confident in your braking.
i didn't really know where to put this...so mods, please feel free to move this to the appropriate section. i saw this on k-series.com and thought it was kinda informative. you may notice that brands and the parts are different...but this is to give you a good idea of what you can get. example: header - DC sports instead of the hp racing described below. hope this helps!
http://www.k-series.com/article_details.php?article_id=10
the site actually has links below each article on the actual "how to's" of each.
We all live in the real world and have families or other responsibilities that keep us from really modifying our cars to perform the way we dream they could. This article is to give you a quick rundown of several modifications that won't break the bank-but help you get there quicker and enjoy the ride! Prices are an approximation or general street price you can expect to pay from resellers.
The Concept: Tighter Handling
The Product: JDM CTR 22mm Rear Sway Bar
The Price: $110
We are all familiar with front and rear strut tower bars which link the top of your strut assemblies together to tighten your cars handling and make your suspension more rigid. The rear sway bar is another great way to improve your cars handling characteristics and is often cast aside when upgrading your suspension. This single bar has proven to be the best bang for your buck product to improve your cars suspension. While there are many other manufacturers which produce rear sway bars this unit was chosen due to price, availability and after all, it is OEM Honda.
The Concept: Lower Ride Height
The Products: Progress Sport Springs
The Price: $170
With your new sway bar installed it is now time to address one of the major issues with your EP, the ride height. Progress has been manufacturing springs for Hondas and other vehicles for at least 8 years and is one of the leaders in its field. The Progress units are not too aggressive with the rates being lowered 1.8 inches in the front and 1.5 inches the rear. This modification is guaranteed to make spirited driving around town much more enjoyable.
The Concept: Reduce Engine Movement
The Product: ES Motor Mount Inserts
The Price: $30
Have you ever launched your car and felt a jerking from your car that made you think that the front end was going to rip apart from all the wheel hop. Do you want an all around tighter feel for your car? Well if so, Energy Suspension's polyurethane motor mount inserts may be just the ticket. While these have been known to be quite troublesome to install everyone who walks away with them agrees they are well worth the trouble.
The Concept: Tighter Shifts
The Product: Aluminum Shifter Bushings
The Price: $17
This is the modification that EP owners rant and rave about. It is quite hard to believe such a trivial change in the bushings would make such a drastic difference in the way the linkage responds your shift throws. Well believe it! With these aluminum bushings in place you will notice more precise shifts and the extra play in the shifter itself which used to feel so cumbersome is practically nonexistent.
The Concept: Quicker, Shorter Shifts
The Product: Neuspeed Short Shifter Kit
The Price: $110
Now that you've installed your aluminum bushings your shifts are more precise but still a tad longer than most enthusiasts would like. Neuspeed is the only company which currently has acknowledged this problem and has released its short shift kit. This unit does not replace your factory shift lever but bolts onto it changing the pivot point and in turn shortening the throw. While some owners have complained of a notchy feel to the shifter once this unit is installed they all agree that it makes the EP more enjoyable to drive.
The Concept: Better Inlet Air Flow
The Product: AEM Cold Air Intake
The Price: $200
Getting the greatest volume of the densest air into your motor as quickly as possible is the first step at producing more horsepower. This unit meets those requirements and looks good under your hood while doing so. Again there are several different companies that manufacture cold air intakes or short ram units but I chose to go with the AEM CAI for two reasons. First off it does not require you to relocate any factory components as does the Injen. And of course the CAI provides more power then its short ram counterpart due to the denser air that is being fed to the motor.
The Concept: Better Exhaust Air Flow
The Products: HP Racing Header
The Prices: $195
With the intake now in place you have a good steady flow of cold air to feed your motor. There is one problem though, the restrictive stock exhaust manifold is holding back power in its runners. To eliminate this problem and uncork the available power the crew over at HP Racing has released its latest product for the K20A3. The quality, fitment and bang-for-the-buck price tag is what makes this unit stand out from the rest.
The Concept: Cooler Engine Temps
The Products: Mugen Radiator Cap/Thermostat/Fan Switch, Redline Water Wetter
The Prices: Cap $30/Thermostat $79/Switch $45, Redline $9
This is one of the most basic things that is often overlooked by most enthusiasts. If things get too hot inside your motor, you're losing energy to heat rather than directing it to the wheels. A hot cylinder head heats up the incoming air which lowers its density thus dramatically reducing the horsepower numbers you just received from installing your CAI.
The radiator cap and Redline water wetter are very simple to swap out. The Fan Switch can only be used in conjunction with the Thermostat and may be a little complex for the beginning tuner.
The Concept: Less Engine Friction and Better Engine Protection
The Products: Mobil1 5w-30, Spoon Sports Magnetic Drain Plugs
The Price: Mobil1 Oil $5 per Quart, Drain Plugs $45
We have just completed reducing the engine temperatures but like heat, friction is an engines enemy. The Mobil1 5w-30 oil is a great replacement over the stock 5w-20 but be sure to check which weight is best for your area. This can be done at your next oil change and the magnetic drain plug is sure to remove any metal shavings that would come in contact with it.
The Concept: More Stopping Power
The Products: Hawk HPS Brake Pads and Steel Braided Lines
The Price: FT Brake Pads $50/RR Brake Pads $45, Steel Braided Lines $105
We are all interested in making more power but with more horsepower comes the need for more stopping power. Your 0-60 is important but your 60-0 should not be neglected because it is just as if not more important. Here we have chosen to use the Hawk HPS brake pads which is essentially an upgraded version of your OEM pads. The steel braided brake lines are great for long track days, Auto-X, or spirited daily driving. Brake lines are one of the most neglected areas of brake maintenance, and the gradual degradation of these components can contribute to poor braking. As the original rubber hoses heat up, they tend to swell when the brakes are engaged, which results in a spongy brake pedal and reduced stopping distance. Steel Braided lines remove the ability for the lines to expand so you can feel confident in your braking.
