Improving Horsepower?

[WshSkins22]

Hey any of you guys that know a lot about cars can you help me out, I am thinking about buying a Honda Civic as my first car, its a really good car I mean it gets around 32 mpg and thats not even its hybrid version, but it has a very weak engine of about 115 horsepower. Anyone know what you can put in cars to boost horsepower?

[cvillehog]

Hey any of you guys that know a lot about cars can you help me out, I am thinking about buying a Honda Civic as my first car, its a really good car I mean it gets around 32 mpg and thats not even its hybrid version, but it has a very weak engine of about 115 horsepower. Anyone know what you can put in cars to boost horsepower?

115 horsepower is plenty for a car that size, really. I had a 2001 Civic EX, and it was plenty peppy. Only had two doors though, so I had to trade it in for something more car seat friendly.

[WshSkins22]

Yeah I know but I would love to get it to like 150 or 160 man

[Chris Luva Luva]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

[cvillehog]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

But what's your mileage?

[WshSkins22]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

Can you give me an idea of how muh each costs and how much hp it gives you?

[Chris Luva Luva]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

But what's your mileage?

48k

[Chris Luva Luva]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

Can you give me an idea of how muh each costs and how much hp it gives you?

intake $80-$300
headers $200-$1200
SC - $4k

Those are just estimates from the lowest to highest ive seen for those parts that fit my Acura CLS.

However I just have an intake, I think im going to stop there and just get a BMW M3.

[Redskin in Canada]

However I just have an intake, I think im going to stop there and just get a BMW M3.

I am disappointed. I thoughtit was going to be an M6

[Redskin in Canada]

Anyone know what you can put in cars to boost horsepower?

For the money you are likely to invest to get an UNBALANCED car, namely, a car with great power but dubious suspension and breakes, or you pay a bundle mre to improve everything, you would be better off buying a Honda 2000 or a Nissan Z350.

[Hooligan]

You can't point to one bolt-on and say it will give you X more horsepower, it's how each part works in conjunction with everything else to add horsepower and torque.

With that said, think of an engine as a big air pump. Getting the fuel/air in faster and getting the exhaust out faster is the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to get more power. Intake, filter, headers, exhaust. Maybe get a new computer chip. Everything from there on is a lot more work and money.

You might want to try doing a search for internet forums related to your make/model car. You'll find message boards with a lot of knowledgable people (some not so much) and a lot of advice from people who are or were in the same boat. Hell, I even found several forums about box-style '77-'90 chevrolet caprices

[cvillehog]

Start with an intake.
Then headers.
Then turbo/super charger.

Please upgrade your brakes too, lol.

Thats the process Im currently in/thinking about continuing. I have close to $270 HP... I can't remeber, lol.

But what's your mileage?

48k

I appologize, I meant gas mileage, or fuel efficiency. Not odometer reading.

[Chris Luva Luva]

However I just have an intake, I think im going to stop there and just get a BMW M3.

I am disappointed. I thoughtit was going to be an M6

Well, Im being realistic. I want to buy my 1st house and move from home 1st so I may end up in a Civic if need be.

Here is my list of cars that I may get after the CLS.

Honda s2000 - extremely well balanced car

Nissan 350z - my father has a 280 when I was growing up, its in my blood.

Infiniti G35 - Simply because the Z doesn't come with a Sunroof. However I may just take the Z to a custom shop I frequent.

M3 - Id have to find a great deal because they aren't cheap.

[Redskin in Canada]

Honda s2000 - extremely well balanced car

Best gearbox in ANY sports car.

Nissan 350z - my father has a 280 when I was growing up, its in my blood.

Infiniti G35 - Simply because the Z doesn't come with a Sunroof. However I may just take the Z to a custom shop I frequent.

What? The 350Z comes as a convertible now!

M3 - Id have to find a great deal because they aren't cheap.

I drive a Bimmer as my second car in the summer. You do NOT want an M3. Believe me, you will kill yourself. I saw one in the repair shop I took mine for dent repair. The owner told me that in just a matter of -seconds- the car went from 100 Km/Hour to 220 Km/hour at the time the car decided to HYDROPLANE on a wide turn. He was lucky to be alive.

Click here to see the car before and after:

http://chapmanautobody.com/bmw2.htm

Luckily, the car ended up with its side against the rail for about a hundred meters. The car only had less than 1000 Km at the time of the accident.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Honda s2000 - extremely well balanced car

Best gearbox in ANY sports car.

Nissan 350z - my father has a 280 when I was growing up, its in my blood.

Infiniti G35 - Simply because the Z doesn't come with a Sunroof. However I may just take the Z to a custom shop I frequent.

What? The 350Z comes as a convertible now!

M3 - Id have to find a great deal because they aren't cheap.

I drive a Bimmer as my second car in the summer. You do NOT want an M3. Believe me, you will kill yourself. I saw one in the repair shop I took mine for dent repair. The owner told me that in just a matter of -seconds- the car went from 100 Km/Hour to 220 Km/hour at the time the car decided to HYDROPLANE on a wide turn. He was lucky to be alive.

Click here to see the car before and after:

http://chapmanautobody.com/bmw2.htm

Luckily, the car ended up with its side against the rail for about a hundred meters. The car only had less than 1000 Km at the time of the accident.

I really like the S2000 but even at my age its not functional enough for me. Maybe when Im 28 I'll have a beater and my toy.

I dont care for how the 350Z convertible looks with the top up. I prefer removable hard tops. I'll just take my 350 to a shop and get a sunroof put in.

I want a M3 but I think that'll be my "grown man" car. Something when I get older and will keep for a long time. I want to try so many new things and that seems like a car you should keep for a while...

Maybe I should think about leasing..

[Redskin in Canada]

[I want a M3 but I think that'll be my "grown man" car. Something when I get older and will keep for a long time. I want to try so many new things and that seems like a car you should keep for a while...

Maybe I should think about leasing..

A "regular" bimmer will do. Believe me.

LEASING!!!??? NO! Buy a car in excellent condition keep it pristine and pampered and after a quite few years it may become a collector's item. Nice investment.

[Gibbs' Hog]

I have a 1999 Acura Integra GS-R

I got it used (1 year, 10k miles) for a very good price ($17,500). I have done almost nothing internally except for an AEM cold-air intake, which added approx. 10 hp. Stock, its at about 160; so with the intake, its around 170hp.

Depending on my mood (and also on how much traffic I'm dealing with), I usually average between 24-30 mpg. Trust me, if the Civic says it get 32 mpg, that is a BALLPARK estimate, and will likely be lower, IMO. However, I think my intake actually boosted my mpg average a little.

Sorry to all the "I-only-buy-american-made-cars" people, but you should stick with the Japanese cars. IMO, a Honda/Acura is gonna last you 10 good years (at least) with good care and regular service. Most people don't care to have a car that long, but after a couple years, you have no car payments - and it is niiiice!

My car is now 6 years old w/ 72k miles - never had a problem with it (knock on wood), and I plan on driving it for another 5 years probably. If I were you, I would look at the Acura RSX - it's the basic equivalent to the old integras, which are very reliable cars. And the price is pretty good if you get it slightly used.

My last car was an '88 Honda Accord - 13 years-old and 170k miles on it when I sold it - and still running good. Those japanese cars last forever, they're relatively affordable, and I've never seen one break down. In fact, a mechanic at the shop I go to said he had a guy who had an accord or something from 1983 - with over 300k miles on it!

[WshSkins22]

You are so right, American cars are trrible, most foreign cars are better. My uncle has a car right now that is at 310K and still sunning. Honda and Toyota are def the best of the bunch

[Redskin in Canada]

I have a 1999 Acura Integra GS-R

Nice car. Fast and light. I friend of mine has a white one. They only came in so many colours, I think.

I am not sure about an RSX (I assume type S you say). Nice engine but a bit cramped inside. The Acura GS-R had a bit more room. It all depends whether it is a car for one or two people , or more ...

[Gibbs' Hog]

Well, the GS-R isn't exactly roomy either

Fortunately, I do not really require a lot of room yet, and I like the smaller, intimate feel of a coupe (my car is the 3-door hatchback). I feel like I have more control over the car; and definately better manueverability.

Acura stopped making the Integra in 2001(?) or so...and I thought the RSX was basically the evolution from the Integra. I am not extremely familiar with the RSX, but I have been in one once; it felt similar to my car.


ps. to wshskins22: be careful about toying with a lot of aftermarket parts (i.e. intake, turbo, chip, etc.) - especially if you want a good warranty. Most (if not all) car manufacturers have clauses in their warranties that basically say if you alter the car's engine (and possibly other areas) in any way, you will automatically void the warranty. Of course, the manufacturers are always looking for ways to reneg on their warranty promises, but they have an easy out when you start adding aftermarket parts onto your car.

[WshSkins22]

Guys I found this thing on the internet, what you think will it work and would I be able to get an intake with it or would it not be able too have a n intake?

http://www.turbonator.com

[Redskin in Canada]

Guys I found this thing on the internet, what you think will it work and would I be able to get an intake with it or would it not be able too have a n intake?

http://www.turbonator.com

Try a google search. It appears to be another fraud in the market. I am very skeptical about "products" like this one.

Why would you not get a legitimate supercharger or turbo for your model if you are really interested? Sure they cost you something but you get what you pay for.

[Redskin in Canada]

Acura stopped making the Integra in 2001(?) or so...

Nissan or Infiniti will come up with a GT-R in a year or so. It will be a real screamer. It goes by the name of Skyline in Japan.

[Gibbs' Hog]

Guys I found this thing on the internet, what you think will it work and would I be able to get an intake with it or would it not be able too have a n intake?

http://www.turbonator.com

Sorry man. When it comes to beefing up the power on your car, NEVER get sucked into a "it's-only-half-the-cost-of-other-leading-suppliers" deal. If you find a normally expensive mod for really cheap, it will probably spell nothing but doom in your car's future. When it comes to cars (for the most part) price really is indicative of quality - that is, if it's dirt cheap, stay away. But if it gets a lot of praise, and happens to cost a lot of money, it's probably worth your while. Research is the key; I'm sure you can find 100 people online that would attest to the crappiness of cheap aftermarket parts.




As for the Skyline, I have been drooling over those for years and years. They're not really that similar to a GS-R (different manufacturer too), but those cars kick butt, and I have been waiting for them to start coming over to the U.S. for a long time.

[EasyMoney]

As for the Skyline, I have been drooling over those for years and years. They're not really that similar to a GS-R (different manufacturer too), but those cars kick butt, and I have been waiting for them to start coming over to the U.S. for a long time.

GH, I'm right there with you on this one. I knew I wanted one after playing the first Gran Tourismo years ago. 900 horsepower!!! All wheel drive!!! 3000 GT VR-4 what??? I have to admit that I'm a bit skeptical of what the stock horsepower is going to be for the US version. Nissan didn't send it over here for a reason... Just like Mazda stopped sending RX-7's over here. It better be somewhere close to or over 350 or it's just a 350Z with a different body.