How did you do it?
17-Jul-2006, 08:11 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 175
How did you do it?
Hey guys,
I'm just starting my summer project civic, and I was thinking, "what order should I do this in?" as in, should I start with some exterior mods, like lips, rims etc. or work on the interior, seats, audio, and all tha t jazz, or just go straight for the motor?
So that got me thinking, what order did all of you people do it in? Any reasons for your order?
-Mitch
I'm just starting my summer project civic, and I was thinking, "what order should I do this in?" as in, should I start with some exterior mods, like lips, rims etc. or work on the interior, seats, audio, and all tha t jazz, or just go straight for the motor?
So that got me thinking, what order did all of you people do it in? Any reasons for your order?
-Mitch
(imo)
17-Jul-2006, 11:04 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stoney Creek, Ontario
Posts: 3,657
Re: How did you do it?
Originally posted by MitchG
Hey guys,
I'm just starting my summer project civic, and I was thinking, "what order should I do this in?" as in, should I start with some exterior mods, like lips, rims etc. or work on the interior, seats, audio, and all tha t jazz, or just go straight for the motor?
So that got me thinking, what order did all of you people do it in? Any reasons for your order?
-Mitch
Hey guys,
I'm just starting my summer project civic, and I was thinking, "what order should I do this in?" as in, should I start with some exterior mods, like lips, rims etc. or work on the interior, seats, audio, and all tha t jazz, or just go straight for the motor?
So that got me thinking, what order did all of you people do it in? Any reasons for your order?
-Mitch
If you plan on doing an engine swap in the near future, be sure to start with beefing up your suspension first!!! Do it right with adjustible dampers, larger sway bars, and polyurthane bushings. After strengthening your suspension, you should proceed with the motor. I know of too many people that do the swap first, without working on the suspension. Big no-no!!! You want to achieve minimal lift in the front end, and excellent handling to attain the best performance possible from your engine. Why spend the big bucks on a powerful motor, only to have the car ride like complete a$$!!! On a stock or poorly modified suspension, you won't get the best performance possible.
To recap!
1) suspension
2) brakes
3) swap
4) exterior
Good luck!!
-Torrey
17-Jul-2006, 11:42 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Streetsville/ Hamilton
Posts: 2,877
I think the best advice is to remember that when modding your car, you'll never get back the amount of money you put into it. I personally dont want to get rid of my car for a long time so, I don't care.
But I agree with Torrey, start with the suspension and work from there.
But I agree with Torrey, start with the suspension and work from there.
17-Jul-2006, 12:03 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Scarborough
Posts: 1,061
Re: Re: How did you do it?
Originally posted by Torrey
#1 - save your money! Don't dump an insanely large sum of money into an already old car, unless you decide to keep it for a LONG time! A friend recently started modified his new GTP. It has just over 300whp. He's looking at selling it, for over approx. $10,000 loss. Don't make the same mistake!!!
If you plan on doing an engine swap in the near future, be sure to start with beefing up your suspension first!!! Do it right with adjustible dampers, larger sway bars, and polyurthane bushings. After strengthening your suspension, you should proceed with the motor. I know of too many people that do the swap first, without working on the suspension. Big no-no!!! You want to achieve minimal lift in the front end, and excellent handling to attain the best performance possible from your engine. Why spend the big bucks on a powerful motor, only to have the car ride like complete a$$!!! On a stock or poorly modified suspension, you won't get the best performance possible.
To recap!
1) suspension
2) brakes
3) swap
4) exterior
Good luck!!
-Torrey
#1 - save your money! Don't dump an insanely large sum of money into an already old car, unless you decide to keep it for a LONG time! A friend recently started modified his new GTP. It has just over 300whp. He's looking at selling it, for over approx. $10,000 loss. Don't make the same mistake!!!
If you plan on doing an engine swap in the near future, be sure to start with beefing up your suspension first!!! Do it right with adjustible dampers, larger sway bars, and polyurthane bushings. After strengthening your suspension, you should proceed with the motor. I know of too many people that do the swap first, without working on the suspension. Big no-no!!! You want to achieve minimal lift in the front end, and excellent handling to attain the best performance possible from your engine. Why spend the big bucks on a powerful motor, only to have the car ride like complete a$$!!! On a stock or poorly modified suspension, you won't get the best performance possible.
To recap!
1) suspension
2) brakes
3) swap
4) exterior
Good luck!!
-Torrey
TORREY FTW!
17-Jul-2006, 02:00 PM
#16
-- site donator --
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 6,647
It's an old car, probably with lots ofk's. I'd say perform basic maintenance on the car.
-full tune-up
-brake service
-t-belt, water pump, etc.
-full fluid change
No sense modding a car that runs and drives crappy.
-full tune-up
-brake service
-t-belt, water pump, etc.
-full fluid change
No sense modding a car that runs and drives crappy.
17-Jul-2006, 03:16 PM
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Japan
Posts: 1,292
Originally posted by DumbasSi
It's an old car, probably with lots ofk's. I'd say perform basic maintenance on the car.
-full tune-up
-brake service
-t-belt, water pump, etc.
-full fluid change
No sense modding a car that runs and drives crappy.
It's an old car, probably with lots ofk's. I'd say perform basic maintenance on the car.
-full tune-up
-brake service
-t-belt, water pump, etc.
-full fluid change
No sense modding a car that runs and drives crappy.
This is the most sensible thing to do
Once everything is running smoothly, and if you have extra cash go from there.
After i also have to agree with The Prophet on interior comfort, audio is always a must for me since my car is an a-b car, so feeling comfy in the car and being able to enjoy it everyday is always important
First thing usually best to do to a car is a drop on suspension, lowering it always makes it look better, and it doesn't cost too much to get the look going, from there you decide whether you want to go all performance or looks.
In my opinion i rather go performance first cause those are the expensive mods that come, you can do like sleeper -> whatever you want it to look after once its a beast under the hood. Its always awesome to see someones face when they face off with a stock looking civic and having it pull on your nice looking car.
but again all preference....
For Performance:
(no order depens on what you can afford )
engine swap, bolt ons, I/h/e, chip, BOOST
tranny, tires etc
For Exterior :
I would go in this order but thats my personal opinion
(this is after dropping the vehicle, doesn't ahve to be slammed till it rubs but a decent drop atleast 1.7? )
1. rims
2. hid's
3. lip, skirts rear lip ( or you can do full body kit, but if your on a budget lips are always best for looks and go awesome with drop )
from here your pretty much set , then all the small mods come in, like lights, conversions, little add ons, whether you wan to go sho w car or JDM ,
AND THEN YOU GO BROKE
but the feeling is amazing when youve built your car up from scratch
good luck with your project though
Its always hardest to decide between motor or exterior
