Civic Cxi 98 need mod advice

[Vodzr]

Hi guys, im new here so be nice. I currently own a civic 98 cxi model. This is my first car that is decent, I had an old falcon before. So i signed up to this site to get some advice and help with my future mods. I am not mechanic with a little knowledge and experience with cars but i do want to get into it more. So i owned the civic for 4 months now and bought it for $4.500. The car was previously owned by 2 ladies, one was in her 60s and the recent one was in her 40s. the car has been very well maintained with a full log book and has not been thrashed as what you would normally find in a civic around sydney. On the clock it has 220K and runs perfectly. But the car is not fast don't get me wrong its only a stock 1.6

So i want to get my hands dirty and do a bit of mods and i don't want to spend too much MONEY. I know what you're thinking, he wants speed but isn't willing to put money into it. Well i don't want it to beat lambos in a drag i just want it to give me something when i put my foot down and take turns without me worrying that its gonna spin out.

As well as inside i want to do some exterior upgrades too, like the lights and wheels etc..
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9105/imag0002r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/12/imag0002r.jpg/)

So please give me some tips on what to put in it, i was thinking an exhaust system some new suspension, brakes and maybe an air intake. And i apologise if i posted in the wrong area. Thanks

[ctx]

Hey,

Exterior/appearance wise, you could do:

- DIY Civic Type R-style taillights mod (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?53321-DIY-EK9-taillights-for-10). I also have a thread going on here (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?167619-CTR-tail-lights). All for around $10.

- DIY Civic Type R headlights or black housing headlights (http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/do-it-yourself/56277-honda-civic-96-00-diy-ctr-headlights-guide-with-pictures.html)

- Swapping in a tacho into your cluster since it's a CXi and they didn't come with one. (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?82295-Gli-cluster-install-into-Cxi-with-genuine-K-s-from-your-Cxi!&) You can find tachos on GLi clusters for cheap

- Clear side markers (About $30 on eBay) (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370579498967?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649) to replace the amber ones

Also, I'm pretty sure your car is a 99-00 model since it's got the facelifted front end. If it's not a facelift model (96-98) you could buy facelift taillights that have clear indicators rather than amber ones. (http://max-speed-motorsports.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1200x1200/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/i/si_tai_lights_96_civic_3_door.jpg) They cost around $100 give or take depending on condition. You could check your local wrecker.

- And maybe a replica lip or grill. Fitment is a hit and miss on these replica parts, but you can find a mesh-style grill for around $50-60.

- You could tint your windows - if you look around you can find people who do quality backyard jobs for under $200.

As for performance:

- A cheap used spring and shock combo for maybe a couple hundred bucks if you look in the parts for sale section (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?11-Parts-for-sale) for a nice drop in height.

- Some cheap eBay pod filters/parts :p

[Vodzr]

Thanks for that, i will certainly use those. Im pretty sure its a 98 model it could have some body kit on it.

[ctx]

Thanks for that, i will certainly use those. Im pretty sure its a 98 model it could have some body kit on it.

Check the colour of your indicators on your taillights. They should be clear for a facelift. Could you check the build date just to be 100%? It's not a big difference, but if you're buying fenders, hood, bumper, lips and headlights they are completely different for preface and facelift models and non-compatible with each other (unless you do a complete front end swap, but that's different).

[Adamjoeldavis]

Does it say 'Built in 98' or is it rego'd in 98?

[Vodzr]

Yeah the indicators are amber and its 98 100%. So im really keen on doing the cluster change. But not sure if to go with the gli or ek4

[ctx]

Yeah the indicators are amber and its 98 100%. So im really keen on doing the cluster change. But not sure if to go with the gli or ek4

Edit: Probably some wierd factory combo of a facelift model with preface tails.

Go for a GLi tacho swap. It's cheaper (and probably easier to find) and the only difference between GLi and EK4 tachos is the redline goes up to 9k on the EK4 whereas it goes to 8k on the GLi. I think it *might* be a different colour too on the EK4 but not sure.

[Vodzr]

lol i just went to check to engine plate build date AUG 98 EK1 so someone must of put that facelift on? weird. yeah as for the cluster i like the ek4 and the ek9 is really nice too but as you said the red line would be different

[ctx]

lol i just went to check to engine plate build date AUG 98 EK1 so someone must of put that facelift on? weird. yeah as for the cluster i like the ek4 and the ek9 is really nice too but as you said the red line would be different

The different redlines on the EK4 and EK1 is a subtle one. You can clearly tell EK9 ones. But if you're on a budget an EK1 GLi cluster is the way to go :thumbsup:

Also, just a thought, and some people do this, you could spray paint your emblems black with some plastidip. It's cheap and some people like it. Then you can just re-apply the emblem using some 3M tape and a hairdryer. It's a very simple and very cheap mod. I did it myself last weekend except I replaced my rear H emblem with a gold-coloured piece.

[FAITHLESS]

Engine is 1.6 not 1.5.

[Vodzr]

Engine is 1.6 not 1.5.

Edited

[Adamjoeldavis]

then it is known as an 1999 cause thats it's first rego'd date. My civic was build in 1997 but known as an 1998. Meaning your car isnt facelifted, thats factory

[ekdiddy]

Hey - firstly kudo's for picking up a great car!! Maybe i'm biased cause i own an ek civic hatch but hey, 4.5k for a minty ek . . SICK!

If you're chasing speed without spending a great deal of paper, look for the easy options. When i got mine, i just wanted to match my mates B16a but there was no chance. So whilst i saved and waited for the motor swap i updated a heap of ish that gave the feeling of more speed. Things like an air intake, uber sticky tyres to hang round bends at high speeds, bigger brakes/booster, short shift etc plus to make sure i didn't get bummed with no visual progress i tinted the windows like ctx said too. Also, it may sound weird but polish the balls outta it. Makes a huge visual impact and dust and wind will slide right by, F1 cars do it for speed so it must work :p

Anyways, hope this helps!!!

[HondaTurboVtec]

Change factory engine to a B18, you can either get a vtir B18C2 or type r B18C. Then you need the solid egine mounts from hasport, gearbox etc. Otherwise keep it the way it is & add headers/extractors 4-2-1 with custom 2.25" high flow cat exhaust system (twin loop muffler), ebay intakes or maybe you prefer brand name intakes..

[ctx]

Change factory engine to a B18, you can either get a vtir B18C2 or type r B18C. Then you need the solid egine mounts from hasport, gearbox etc. Otherwise keep it the way it is & add headers/extractors 4-2-1 with custom 2.25" high flow cat exhaust system (twin loop muffler), ebay intakes or maybe you prefer brand name intakes..

B18 swap? That costs a fair bit of money if I'm not mistaken

[FAITHLESS]

Yes it does cost a lot and you don't need Hasport mounts. Be prepared to spend 5-7 grand on a B18C swap.

[HondaTurboVtec]

B18 swap? That costs a fair bit of money if I'm not mistaken

It sure does, did you want to leave the engine or swap? If you leave it then do the bolt ons I mentioned earlier..

[ctx]

It sure does, did you want to leave the engine or swap? If you leave it then do the bolt ons I mentioned earlier..

It's up to OP, since he said he didn't want to spend too much $$ but wanted performance I would have thought swaps would be out of question.

[Vodzr]

I saw an b18 on gum tree for $1250

[HondaTurboVtec]

I saw an b18 on gum tree for $1250

Can you post the link?

[Vodzr]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greystanes/engine-engine-parts-transmission/honda-b18c2-engine-only-/1006026979

[HondaTurboVtec]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greystanes/engine-engine-parts-transmission/honda-b18c2-engine-only-/1006026979

Seems legit, should contact & discuss with him.. Would you be able to afford?...

[Vodzr]

Seems legit, should contact & discuss with him.. Would you be able to afford?...

I would need to buy the mounts and the other things like the ecu ect..

[HondaTurboVtec]

I would need to buy the mounts and the other things like the ecu ect..

Correct.. Keep us posted..