stock si, what can be done?

[dudeguy23]

okay I have a 93 si automatic.
I was wondering what all can be done to it to make it somewhat better than it is? preformace wise. I really dont want to do an engine swap or anything.

so far I have gotten a aem intake.

[QUICK_EG_B16A]

Intake is a good first step. I would also do:
Headers (300) (DC headers are carb legal if you live in a smog state like CA)
Denso spark plugs(50)
perfomance spark plug wires (I've had good results with magnacore, accel and nology)(75-175)
Intake manifold(150-275) (check AEBS or blox, skunk 2 is overpriced and very poor customer service)
hondata intake gasket (60)
Performance clutch (full face street) and lighter flywheel(ACT is good)(600 for both clutch and flywheel)
that's it for basics with a lower budget, if you have a budget in the higher price range and like the motor you could turbo or supercharge it and get into valvetrain and block upgrades, but I'd personally just get a swap at that point.

[ImSoYesterday]

A new cam should be about 300.
Lighter Underdrive pulley to increase rev up. About 120

[94SolGrl]

lol hey guys... anyone notice that the car's an AUTOMATIC?

With autos you have to rethink your tuning methods... Since automatics shift for you, you rarely engage VTEC, and even more rarely hit the redline, so you don't want to do horsepower-minded mods. Horsepower in hondas only hits when you get into VTEC... at least that's where you feel it. In an automatic, you want torque mods. Torque mods will help you get moving quicker at lower RPMs.

Quick EG... read posts before you advise people to go get clutches for their automatic cars. KThxBye.

Basically, you want to start modding all cars pretty much the same way... Intake, Header, and Exhaust. You already have the intake under control, and luckily, SOHC prices on performance parts are lower. I would recommend a DC Sports ceramic coated header, and either an in the box CAT back exhaust, or get custom piping bent. Apex'i makes a really good catback. If you decide to do custom piping (which is cheaper and usually just as effective), go to an exhaust/muffler shop and tell them that you want 2" piping all the way back, and then choose a nice muffler to finish it all off. Keep in mind that if you do the custom route, you will probably lose your stock exhaust resonator (which is just a waste of time anyways), so choose a muffler that's VERY quiet. The best way to tell how quiet a muffler is? At the shop, hold the end of the muffler that welds onto your exhaust piping up to your mouth and speak. If you can't hear anything, yell. This'll give you an idea of how much silencing power the muffler has.

Another thing to think about doing, if you really want to make this a project, is doing a manual conversion. You can do this by either getting a manual transmission and swapping it on (you need a special motor mount), and keeping your motor, OR you can get a whole swap (either a new motor that is the same as yours, or something bigger like a b16 or b18) that has a manual transmission on it and doing the swap. I'll warn you, though, it's quite a project. Not saying it can't be done, but you have to be very picky and precise when you do it. Don't tighten a bolt enough and you could be left high and dry with no fluids in your clutch lines. The downside is that it can potentially harm the value of the car, but it won't bring it down any lower than doing a motor swap in an y car that's a manual from the factory. Basically, there are people that won't buy a car if it's been modded to that extent. But on the other side of the argument, there are people (like us) that would want the car more because it's a 5 speed. Just something to think about. Good luck and happy modding!

[ImSoYesterday]

Any auto I ever drove, when my foot was on the floor, i went up to redline everytime in it...

[Ace$nyper]

Originally Posted by 94SolGrl

lol hey guys... anyone notice that the car's an AUTOMATIC?

With autos you have to rethink your tuning methods... Since automatics shift for you, you rarely engage VTEC, and even more rarely hit the redline, so you don't want to do horsepower-minded mods. Horsepower in hondas only hits when you get into VTEC... at least that's where you feel it. In an automatic, you want torque mods. Torque mods will help you get moving quicker at lower RPMs.

Quick EG... read posts before you advise people to go get clutches for their automatic cars. KThxBye.

Basically, you want to start modding all cars pretty much the same way... Intake, Header, and Exhaust. You already have the intake under control, and luckily, SOHC prices on performance parts are lower. I would recommend a DC Sports ceramic coated header, and either an in the box CAT back exhaust, or get custom piping bent. Apex'i makes a really good catback. If you decide to do custom piping (which is cheaper and usually just as effective), go to an exhaust/muffler shop and tell them that you want 2" piping all the way back, and then choose a nice muffler to finish it all off. Keep in mind that if you do the custom route, you will probably lose your stock exhaust resonator (which is just a waste of time anyways), so choose a muffler that's VERY quiet. The best way to tell how quiet a muffler is? At the shop, hold the end of the muffler that welds onto your exhaust piping up to your mouth and speak. If you can't hear anything, yell. This'll give you an idea of how much silencing power the muffler has.

Another thing to think about doing, if you really want to make this a project, is doing a manual conversion. You can do this by either getting a manual transmission and swapping it on (you need a special motor mount), and keeping your motor, OR you can get a whole swap (either a new motor that is the same as yours, or something bigger like a b16 or b18) that has a manual transmission on it and doing the swap. I'll warn you, though, it's quite a project. Not saying it can't be done, but you have to be very picky and precise when you do it. Don't tighten a bolt enough and you could be left high and dry with no fluids in your clutch lines. The downside is that it can potentially harm the value of the car, but it won't bring it down any lower than doing a motor swap in an y car that's a manual from the factory. Basically, there are people that won't buy a car if it's been modded to that extent. But on the other side of the argument, there are people (like us) that would want the car more because it's a 5 speed. Just something to think about. Good luck and happy modding!

very well written !!

I would like to expand on this just a wee bit. A few companys make high stall TCs *Torque Converters* for hondas now i've heard nothing but good things about them and the ablity to really add some pep even to stock cars. If you want to stay auto might be a good idea.