Beginner to engine mods

Hey guys

I have a 96 ESI FWD Talon and next summer I want to get a lot of work done to the engine.

I was just wondering what you suggest I start out with to build up my 420a

I have a full exhaust already but thats pretty much it.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/tuning-guide/2gnt/

http://www.2gnt.com/nuke/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=51

Depends on want type of engine work you are looking for. Are you going for big hp numbers or some basic bolt on mods for show like the rest of the car?

Basic stuff for now...
I know i'm never going to have it pushing 500hp lol
but I just want it to be quick, ya know?

You mean in a straight line or around corners ? or both ?

Did you look at that links I spoon fed you?
You shouldnt have any more questions after reading them.

Rafal - probably a little bit of both

Nigel - Yep, that was a great help! thanks bud.

Well from research I've read about people spending tons of money going all motor on the 420a and only getting 170-180whp and thats with all the basic bolt ons (CAI, exh mani, cat-back,etc...)higher compression piston 10.5:1 or higher, cams, etc... Found out the only way to make power with the 420a engine is to either use Nitrous or turbo it. With just a turbo kit you could make 180-200whp just on 5-6psi.

If you are going to get a lot of work done on the engine next summer, make sure that the engine doesn't need a lot of work, ch'yea know? A lot of people get thier new TEL's and just want to know how they can make it do 10's. If you are going to get some serious work done to it, make sure what you have now runs fine, not just by hearing it or looking at your guages, check your seals, gaskets, fluids, everything. The worst thing that could happen is you blow the engine because a seal on it's way out blew when you were teaching a civic-owner how to drive!

Yeah, I know.

My head gasket went on me a few weeks ago, and I had to have it replaced. I also got new spark plugs, water pump, timing belt etc. All the fluids are fine as well...so I think I'm set for the summer..and ready to "teach civic owner's how to drive"

swap it for a 4G63

you might be suprised in what some modified civics can do, even keep up with a stock 4g63T or better. also in another forum you had posted looking for parts to do a manually tranny swap. i'm not trying to discourage you but, all the work and headaches to swap a manual in and trying and make a non-4g63 fast why don't you start with a 5spd 4g63t???
i'm guessing your planing on doing most of the work yourself cause it will cost a small fortune to get things swaped. normal mechanics are not into that kind of stuff so it would most likly have to be a performance shop. $$$
Hey if you go ahead with it though all the power to ya!!
Good luck.
and if you've already thought of all this then i apologize for the post. just trying to help.

Yeah, but in order to keep up to us they have to drop some serious $$$ into their engine. Throwing an exhaust system on a B18A with a CAI and maybe an AEM controller won't do it. Your talking top or bottom end customization with NOS or a full turbo system to keep up with us. Damn, $50 bucks gets us an additional 30hp, throw a decent cat-back exhaust for 350 and a 4G63T will push 250 at the wheels. B18A/B22 are stock with something like 115 +/- 20hp.

Don't even bother with a 4G63 swap that would be a big waste of time and money. The headaches of swaping the 4g63 is not worth it at all. If you ever plan on doing that just buy a TSi it will come out way cheaper. (I'm not hacking the 4g63 I plan on picking up a 1g soon just trying to get the funds). Just adding turbo kit to the 420a will make a big difference. On the way home once from a MCCC meet me and my buddy in a 2g TSI AWD decided to do some pulls on the highway on the way back home. He just got the car so it was pretty much stock with K&N filter and free mods. I had my 420a turboed only at 4psi untuned on stock internals(just installed my turbo setup a week or 2 ago at this point). All 3 runs turned out the same. We downshifted to 3rd @ about 100km/h once I saw him step on it I floored it. Stayed pretty much even for the rest of 3rd but once in 4th I started pulling on him. Went to about 170-180 and I let go and I was about 2 1/2 -3 car lenghts on him. So the 420a is pretty quick when turboed.

http://www.ca.dsm.org/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=002081

Yeah Dave, I noticed that custom turbo kit you made. But..I'm not putting a turbo on an automatic car lol

I thought long and hard..about selling my car and picking up a TSI. But I know for a fact, I wont be able to pick up half the money I put into it..The person will just be paying for the number of km on it. Theres about 180,000. So..I will be pretty much out the cost of the brand new paint job as well as the body kit, and suspension.

I may be wrong, but it's just what I think.

Maybe I'll just..go for looks..and make my car just for show..

If you wanna keep your automatic 2gnt, the best route to go would be for show.

Mike we've discussed this before, do a manual swap then save up for a turbo kit

yeah..that seems like the plan...

Hey Dave, how much did your turbo kit end up costing you, and how long did it take to install?