What is most important....

[Dina]

Ok I have just been thinking about this and I am wondering what is most important to you when you start to Mod you car? What are the priorities in your car when you start to Mod it?

I would like people to be Honest here and not be influenced by anything anyone says I will make sure that no one bashes anything anyone says in this thread.

[blckcivic96]

To me is looks, i'm into performance but looks come first. My motor is bone stock besides my Muffler. But, waiting for me at home is everything I wanted to do to my outside to be satisfied while I work on the motor. Gotta roll clean;)

[JdmRevelations]

my NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS .... lowering it.... right now mine isnt lowered that much but enough to ride better and to have a better stance....

[Dina]

I honestly like to stay to a pattern when I go for Moddin a car.

I try to get it to Move faster.
I try to get it to Stop better.
I try to get it to handle better.

My mods may not come in that order but those are the things that are most important to me. I wont do anything for looks until I am satified that I have the first three things done to where I am content.

usually wheels are like last on my list cause I know those are usually the most or one of the most expensive mods to a car. I want to take care of the motor, brakes and suspension first, then make the car look good.


But really the first thing I will put on a car when Modding it is my security system. I wont do anything before that!!!

[G-rat]

i would have to say proformance....i bought alot of things for my car when it was still purple and it was all under the hood...

[crazyxzer0]

My priorities for modding are:


HANDLING

nothing better than to see the civic jump into a corner at 60 and continue towards 85mph without a screech in the world

Looks

I admit I dont want to be seen driving a beater..so after handling, clean look is what i want.


Comfort

this one is loose but its more of convience. Like I choose the buy the armrest and the audio console for my car mainly for function and more pockets. The recaros were added for comfort while cornering and it also added to looks so it was points in both criteria

Power

Not really one of the priorities before..but now that I'm pretty much satisfied with majority of the car its time to work on the engine.. pssttt




The best thing in the world to me is when you are being toyed around by a car on the straights who is obviously much powerful than you, at the next corner you just straight dust him while turning. I love outhandling drivers who are all cocky on the straights..just wish now I can back up my straights a little bit too.

[EJ1 Freak]

First it depends on what you want your car for...performance, show, or both!

[EJ1 n00b]

i must say the first thing is fix whatever is wrong with the car, i.e. hoses, belts, wires. then i must say looks i want to drive a car that looks good so i would fix the body first and add some accesories. then if i really REALLY want to make my car faster then i would invest some money in fixing up the engine.

[jdmcasanova]

No2.... every motor can handle a certain amount..... then i tweak the suspension an prep it for a new motor

[Strtciv93]

For me the car has to look respectable first, then I'd go from there. If you have rust on your wheelwells, dont go dropping money on rims and exhaust and lowering, because no matter what you do, your car WILL look like shit w/ the rust. or if the car is primered or 10 different colors but plans are to get it painted, then get it painted before you move onto something else. First address what it needs, then address what you want.:japanflag: :rockon:

[Dina]

I understand to a point the looks part if you have a car that rusted after you got it but why would you buy a car that is already rusting? qtr panels for Ej1's can only be got at the dealer and they go for about 355.28 each so why would anyone not wait and get a car that is clean first? That is just a question I am not tryin to be negative about anything anyone said!

[Esprit09]

Ive got 1/4 panel rust and i still bought my car :)

[jdmcasanova]

how the hell are your guys cars rusting already?

[Dina]

Ive got 1/4 panel rust and i still bought my car:)
thats your problem Matt!!!! Na I am just messing with ya. I am talking about like big ass holes in the qtrs

[crazyxzer0]

I live in california..if you have a car that has rust..something is really wrong..

[Strtciv93]

I understand to a point the looks part if you have a car that rusted after you got it but why would you buy a car that is already rusting? qtr panels for Ej1's can only be got at the dealer and they go for about 355.28 each so why would anyone not wait and get a car that is clean first? That is just a question I am not tryin to be negative about anything anyone said!


I picked my coupe up for a good deal back in 2000 w/ half dollar size rust spots on the wheelwells. I bought the car because it was in my price range and get cheap labor at my dad's friends body shop if i need anything. I live in nebraska where they salt the roads to hell whenever word of snow comes. there is actually a little trick that i learned from my body shop guy when it comes to 93-95 coupes. if you take the right fender and flip it around, then it matches the body lines of the left rear 1/4 panel pretty well(same w/ left front and right rear). so what my body guy did was cut out the part of the fender that was closest to what part he was cutting out and replacing. you can not tell the difference where it is welded in. its just a neat little trick that He taught me.

[NtAcivG94]

I understand to a point the looks part if you have a car that rusted after you got it but why would you buy a car that is already rusting? qtr panels for Ej1's can only be got at the dealer and they go for about 355.28 each so why would anyone not wait and get a car that is clean first? That is just a question I am not tryin to be negative about anything anyone said!



i picked up my car with 1/4 panel rust... it is nothing major at all imo my bumer is still on and there are no holes or anything...but for the price of the car i felt i couldnt pass it up plus i got some 1/4 panels off Ebay for only 170 shipped...sure they are for a hatchback but i think i can mod them to fit!

[2coupes]

i think 75% of a car's looks is in the stance and rims, first is suspension, then rims, any car will look tons better when the wheel gap is closed and it has some nice rims...then make the interior the way you want it, because that's what you see/use the most, then go into the engine

[STN_DX]

I usually start with a drop, then intake exhaust. With my new car since it had a couple things done to it, my first priority was routine maintance t-belt and all that. Next is Suspension or a detachable steering wheel combo due to all the theft.

[boosteddx]

I live in california..if you have a car that has rust..something is really wrong..

yupers..n e ways i start off by making the car run completly safe and daily drivable..then i ruin it with suspension performance than looks

[logikalfury]

i picked up my car with 1/4 panel rust... it is nothing major at all imo my bumer is still on and there are no holes or anything...but for the price of the car i felt i couldnt pass it up plus i got some 1/4 panels off Ebay for only 170 shipped...sure they are for a hatchback but i think i can mod them to fit!


i picked up those 1/4 panel replacements also, as soon as i have enough $ saved up, im gettin those put in, replace drivers door since its easier than fixing the rust on it. and then im having the car repainted that oh so beautiful milano red that it used to have

as far as the topic goes, being up here in chicago area, winters are a pain and rust is a common thing, my main priority was to always fix the rust first, since the car ran flawlessly when i got it...then i had a LONG streak of bad luck, and $ was an issue, so i havent gotten around to that, and i had to wind up puttin a new motor in after my b7 blew, also because i couldnt face a new car payment ( and i love my coupe too much get rid of it ). But now that i have a b18b, next step is brakes cuz mine r worn to nothing almost, then the rust/repaint

[SLVRBLLT22]

Wow, interesting topic and a good thread.

For me it was looks first. Because of the mass amounts of civics I wanted mine to look & be clean. For that simple reason I've gotten a lot of respect and comments, and right there it's worth it. First impression of a car is always looks anyways, that's what draws the (wanted/unwanted) attention. For me it was just to make it clean and simple. My next mods were suspension and brakes. I wanted the car to handle great and stop just as well. It just made the car that much more enjoyable to drive to work and play at road course tracks on the weekends. Power isn't much of a concern right now. Of course I'd love a b'series swap, but I'm not in a rush to get it. I've owned the car since the day it came off the lot and have anally maintained the hell out of it. As long as the motor is running and not giving me problems it'll stay. I've got the bolt-ons to give it a little character, but besides that I'm satisified w/ the performance for now. I basically made the car comfortable for me; on my eyes, my wallet, and for my everyday driving.

[Speedy]

I have to admit when I got my car, all I wanted to do was make it sound good. Well that's what every 14 year old wants isn't it? Then I realized that it looked like crap and it was slow and I started stockpiling parts like coilovers, rims(I<3 rim jobs), and I started saving for a motor swap. Some parts came my way for real cheap (cf hood, z6 tranny), but otherwise I've been all about suspension. I go through phases I guess? For the last 4 months all that I've wanted was parts for a NA b16 build, but that fell through and now I'm going sohc-t. Overall I have to say that suspension is the best first mod, followed by performance and exterior.

[digitalHorizon]

1. Make it handle well.

2. Make it "mine," or unique in some way. Could be a single part, or a whole look.

3. Maintain the positive attributes that I like about the car (no "sacrificing __________ for ___________.").

4. Maintain OEM fitment and quality (and functionality). This one gets tough, must spend lots of money to do this one.

5. Only put quality parts on my car. No "settling" for anything, if I spend a penny, I spend it on what I want; quality parts that are made well and have the R&D to back it up. No compromises.

[naman]

Make it turn ,make it go, make it stop, make it show. Stupid rhyme but that's how I would do it. Or if I could afford it just do it all at once.

[Taylor]

Assuming the car is 100% bone stock...

First is elimination of wheel gap. That shit is hideous and totally unattractive.

After that, the engine comes first. The car looks aggressive enough slammed on the ground, so now it's time to make it go fast. My car SHOULD be boosted within the next month at around 300whp. This is enough to spank many cars on the road and is where she will stay for a few months.

Next is visual mods. The car staying clean is a MUST. Bodykits, projectors, euros, neons...**** all that. It doesn't flow. OEM or high-dollar aftermarket is the way to go. I probably make less than most anyone on here, but I can control myself enough that if I really want that authentic Spoon CF lip, or those real Mugen wheels, I will save my money until I can afford them. Yeah, I spent a lot of money. Is it worth it? When I wake up every morning and walk out to a car that can outperform many in and out of its class, and presents itself cleanly and clearly...hell yeah it's worth it. Beating a cocky LS1 owner in a little 4-banger is the greatest feeling in the world.

After engine work comes interior and suspension in any order. I like a shiny rear sway bar and rear subframe support along with some nice LCAs. It gives the rearend a nice visual appeal while still functioning to the advantage of the car. Any kind of camber is dismissed and when the car is lowered right on the right kind of suspension, it's funner than hell to drive. Interior-wise, the only mods I like are racing buckets, a nice stereo, and a racing wheel. Other than that, as long as my carpet is intact and in good condition as well as my backseat and dash/door panels, I want it to stay that way. Clean > flashy.

Damn I typed a lot heh. Function > Fashion anyday everyday.

[Foos]

-Alarm/Security System
-Stereo (I know, subs and amps weigh the car down but I love my tunes when I drive):rockon:
-Exterior upgrades (i.e. headlights, lips, fog lights and other accesories)
-Suspension
-Wheels
-Engine/Mechanical Mods

[Volume 8]

Handling and brakes come first in my mind, that way you can make the most of the power you have, then engine stuff can follow. Looks come after all that. In my opinion a functional, balanced car that's tuned well with theright parts looks better than one that's dressed up to look like it is. Plus i like driving cars more than looking at them, so performance always comes first.

[elite ninja]

i want my car to handle better first, sways etc., then some nice brakes up front. then faster

[Strtciv93]

Assuming the car is 100% bone stock...

OEM or high-dollar aftermarket is the way to go. I probably make less than most anyone on here, but I can control myself enough that if I really want that authentic Spoon CF lip, or those real Mugen wheels, I will save my money until I can afford them. Yeah, I spent a lot of money. Is it worth it? When I wake up every morning and walk out to a car that can outperform many in and out of its class, and presents itself cleanly and clearly...hell yeah it's worth it. Beating a cocky LS1 owner in a little 4-banger is the greatest feeling in the world.

Damn I typed a lot heh. Function > Fashion anyday everyday.

mugen wheels and a spoon cf lip are fashion. sorry to burst your bubble, the knockoff wheels are about the same weight and the knockoff spoon cf lips will "perform" the same. jdm is function backed by fashion in my book. paying top dollar for a set of brand name wheels or lip is fashion when there are cheaper parts that do work just as well. and your lip isnt going to make your car outperform anything. but you will have the right to brag that you payed mucho dinero and got parts that are sought after. but im not dogging on you at all, do what you do and do it well. its your car, your money, your satisfaction. hell if i had the coin to drop on mugen and spoon stuff (I actually have a real spoon sports strut bar) then i just might. but to me its not worth spending all that money unless you plan on taking it to a show. brand names win shows.

[Taylor]

mugen wheels and a spoon cf lip are fashion. sorry to burst your bubble, the knockoff wheels are about the same weight and the knockoff spoon cf lips will "perform" the same. jdm is function backed by fashion in my book. paying top dollar for a set of brand name wheels or lip is fashion when there are cheaper parts that do work just as well. and your lip isnt going to make your car outperform anything. but you will have the right to brag that you payed mucho dinero and got parts that are sought after. but im not dogging on you at all, do what you do and do it well. its your car, your money, your satisfaction. hell if i had the coin to drop on mugen and spoon stuff (I actually have a real spoon sports strut bar) then i just might. but to me its not worth spending all that money unless you plan on taking it to a show. brand names win shows.

I wasn't saying that a lip would make my car outperform others, I'm saying it perfects the clean look of the car more than a bodykit. You clearly misread my entire post.

[digitalHorizon]

Mugen and other Japanese companies have race teams that use the company's parts to compete in endurance and circuit events. Their engineering is based on race car R&D. I have wind tunnel tests for some of the aero parts that prove they are functional in adding downforce or reducing drag. Do you think Joe Ebay will provide you with wind tunnel test data for the $4 Mugen style lip you bought from him? Probably not.

It helps to understand why things cost as much as they do. Unfortunately, your belief that parts are nearly identical but somehow inflated 300% is inaccurate. R&D and design time is expensive. Engineering costs a lot of money, and wind tunnel time isn't cheap either. Tooling on certain material processes is also quite expensive.

There IS a reason things cost so much, and its not "because its JDM."

Mugen and Spoon use car shows and events to show off the new parts they've developed for their race cars, not to win trophies.

[digitalHorizon]

mugen wheels and a spoon cf lip are fashion. sorry to burst your bubble, the knockoff wheels are about the same weight and the knockoff spoon cf lips will "perform" the same. jdm is function backed by fashion in my book. paying top dollar for a set of brand name wheels or lip is fashion when there are cheaper parts that do work just as well. and your lip isnt going to make your car outperform anything. but you will have the right to brag that you payed mucho dinero and got parts that are sought after. but im not dogging on you at all, do what you do and do it well. its your car, your money, your satisfaction. hell if i had the coin to drop on mugen and spoon stuff (I actually have a real spoon sports strut bar) then i just might. but to me its not worth spending all that money unless you plan on taking it to a show. brand names win shows.


Mugen wheels weigh less than their knockoffs, as do Desmonds. Whether its an ounce or a ton, they DO weigh less and therefore perform better. To some people, that advantage is worth it, to some, it isn't. Neither side is right or wrong, but once again, your accusation that the only reason one would buy brand name parts is to win shows is completely based on a misled view of the philosophy of engineering and functionality.

[crazyxzer0]

brand name aero parts from my experience fit better than the Joe Ebay option ones. From what i've seen the JDMSH!T ones are good for quality fitment for replicas.


Brand name products are the ones that made it possible for the replicas to even be produced. Why don't you want to support the manufacturer that started it all?

I certainly don't mind cheaper aftermarket parts. I think certain parts need to be quality and majority of the aftermarket will not suffice to those standards. As Digital Horizon said, Real rims actually do weigh less than the Replica and sometimes the design of the replica isn't identical to the original. To me, the best rims are originals and I would try my best to get a deal for the original. If i can't get the best, I would either wait and rock OEM. As far as lips go, spoon lips are mad expensive but hey, as long as at the end of the day you are happy with what you have, that is all that matters.

[digitalHorizon]

I also don't have any problem with the purchase and use of knockoff parts. I take exception to the claim that knockoff parts look or function identically to their original counterpart, or that they are all "fashion," since this is 100% misinformation. Buy what you like for reasons that suit you, but don't go making claims that the more expensive parts aren't any more functional or differently made than the cheap knockoffs. There is a world of difference. Some people are willing to pay for it, some people aren't. Whichever category each of us fits into really doesn't matter.

[crazyxzer0]

I also don't have any problem with the purchase and use of knockoff parts. I take exception to the claim that knockoff parts look or function identically to their original counterpart, or that they are all "fashion," since this is 100% misinformation. Buy what you like for reasons that suit you, but don't go making claims that the more expensive parts aren't any more functional or differently made than the cheap knockoffs. There is a world of difference. Some people are willing to pay for it, some people aren't. Whichever category each of us fits into really doesn't matter.


preach it like it is brother! :TU:



I have to agree on this one. I purchased DEPO foglights for my civic and when I bought the OEM ones too the quality was almost night and day. In terms of "fashion" it looked the same but I noticed the OEM has a better light output compared to the replica. The screws even felt to be a better grade!

[Strtciv93]

I should have clarified more on what I said. I was saying what I said in relation to what most of us drive, street cars. You probably arent going to really notice a difference between real lips and knockoff lips unless your car is an all out race monster. How many of us drive those? Like I said the stuff is pimp ass stuff to have, and yes R&D comes into play for the price of things. But think of it this way, would I rather spent 2000 on wheels and tires, or buy the knockoff wheels w/ the same tires for 600, and then have 1400 more to spend elsewhere. 1400 could go to help build a motor or a suspension setup or part of a nice turbo setup. I personally like getting more part for my money. That goes without saying though that I will not put a part that is of good quality on my car. If I find a good deal on a highend part then I may go for it, but more part for the money is what I go by. :japanflag:

edit: and I also should have clarified that I didnt mean they were 100% fashion, but its part of it.

[Thateguhate]

Looks> performance

Fast beaters are cool for kicks, but what kinda reputation does it give you when you see a car with 4 different colors and 4 wheels?!?! Leads me to believe they prolly dont even wash their clothes!

[boyong07]

1. suspension
2. engine mods
3. exterior
4. wheels
5. interior

[Unlimitedpotential]

i'm a fan of make it yours first... drive your car get a feling of what needs to be addressed first... mind you i cane from V8s before imports... got my civic casue my ford had 400000miles on the clock and was cosing me close to 300 a week to keep running after figuring it out.... at first i thought my hx was slower than crap shifting at 4500 like my v8.... then one day droped it down and wanted to see the rev limit kept climing tilll 7 then next gear... learned that the car was not at slow as thought... so i drove arund for a while then and intake, front strut bar, than exhaust... had springs sence a week after i got my car then later got struts... seats....

so i guess if it depends on car... but breathing, then handling/stance

i guess my way seams to be ok casue ive never had anyone ever tell me my civic feels slower when i drive it... i know ppl who own Si's and are amazed at the power when they look under the hood of my car

[95civicdx]

Since my car is a daily driver, I would want it to be running correctly ( tune-up, tires w/ good thread, new brakes). After that comes bolt-on's, header, air intake, muffler.

[Ej1Crazy93]

Id have to say CLEAN. hoestly im very anal when it comes to it especcialy in the e-bay. Wires have to be tucked ,clean and nothings leaking. and when i wrk on performance i like to make sure its done right and take my time with it

[AnecdoteUntold]

mine would have to be
1. Suspension- no use in having power if you can't handle or brake...
2. Looks- has to be a little good looking.
3. Motor- just a basic motor swap

[NURVCOM]

Well
Most important
1. New Tires
2. Swap
3. Have AC and PS Work perfectly
4. Paint

[spadam]

My priorities:

Rule #1: Form follows function. NOTHING looks better than a clean car that works right!! :D And at every step of the way, race it! Learn how to drive it to its maximum potential before taking it to the next level... I've grown with my car as its grown with me.

2. Make it a clean stock car. Fix everything thats wrong with it, mechanically and aesthecally. Gotta start with a perfect stock car.

3. Suspension. This is why I bought a civic in the first place. Make it turn, and nothing changes the look of a car for the better like closing the wheel gap.

4. Tires. Technically more important to handling than suspension, I usually do them both at the same time, but I can't stand bigger wheels/tires on a stock height car, so this is the one time I might break my #1 rule.

5. Brakes. The stock brakes are actually pretty decent for anythig that even a lightly modded car can throw at them, but its better to have a slow car with too much brakes than a fast car with not enough...

6. Motor....

7. Refine.... Now that I have a solid car, I'll go back and fix all the little things, tweak and tune, add a couple parts here and there, and enjoy. The best part is that I technically have a complete car athtis point that really doesn't need anything else, but I can add stuff to make it faster as my skill level increases.

[illmatic]

^^^^^
i'd stay number one fix little problems to make it run good. like sensors and hoses, pups,ect.

if thats all good #1 is lowering. Everycar looks good lowered in my opinion.

[dmacedo]

Everycar looks good lowered in my opinion.

slam i the first day you get it ;)

[ej not eg]

id say get the car in good working order then move on to the suspension and brakes then looks and then motor because what are you gonna do with all that power if you cant handle it

[infamousAvi]

Honestly i have to say, it all depends on the condition the vechile is in when aquired.

When i picked up my EM1. my first thing was making the car reliable going over it an replacing everything that needed it from top to bottom.

so id have to say that is more important to me, Reliability :)

[mportedcivicsi]

^^^ true full tune up/fluids flush and reliability check. but when it gets into it...i say suspension and cosmetic are it for me. im not worried about going fast i want the car to look good and cut up those corners.