tswmcello
New Member
Intro:
Hello, I'm Tyler from Dayton, OH. I'm currently studying electrical engineering at Case Western up in Cleveland, but I love working on the accord in my free time after work in the summer. I got my 98' 4 door auto accord as a junior in high school (4 years now), and have loved it since day one (although I want the 5spd). I browsed tons of DIY articles on this forum for a couple years before trying anything on my car since I was too broke to ever try anything before... However I have a good job now and enough cash for some budget upgrades and since I started Ive come pretty far (costs are just parts, I did all labor myself):
Audio:
- Replaced stock head unit with JVC KD-X50BT that has bluetooth calling/music, and a mic mounted in front of my gauges. I love this HU b/c it was cheap, sounds great (even has HPF) and looks pretty good, plus it doesn't have a CD player which I consider a waste of energy/space with the dawn of smartphones. ($125)
- Replaced all speakers from junkyard pulls, Infinity in front, Pioneer in back ($20)
- Installed 4 gauge CCA wiring from battery to distribution blocks to 8 gauge OFC for my inverter / sub amp. ($50)
- Installed 12" sealed sub/ 400W Infinity amp ($90, craigslist is a savior)
Engine/Exhaust:
- Installed SRI to replace ripped intake ($55)
- Installed full Spec-D Header/Catback Exhaust to replace leaking exhaust (only $220)
- Installed Magnaflow bolt on catalytic converter to replace buzzing/rusty af cat ($175)
Misc:
- Installed Afterglow gauges ($15)
- Fixed several lights / switches with help from forums
- Replaced cabin filters with Bosch Carbon Activated ($20)
Results:
So far I'm very happy with the results of all the upgrades, the accord is already a great car to begin with but for not much cash you can really bring it up to snuff and have some of the functionality of a more modern car, and the sportiness of more expensive cars. The radio upgrades are amazing, I have since become a dedicated audiophile.. and I bump bass daily / use the bluetooth calling frequently. The I/H/E upgrades have really opened up the car, make highway driving much more fun, and definitely added a little pep / made the car much sportier sounding. After spotting some subframe rust I don't think I'll be putting too much more money into the car, but for now I am just loving having a machine built to suite my taste, its a very rewarding experience to work on your own car. Not sure how many posts I need to post pics, but I have some great pictures of the work I'll put up eventually.
Hello, I'm Tyler from Dayton, OH. I'm currently studying electrical engineering at Case Western up in Cleveland, but I love working on the accord in my free time after work in the summer. I got my 98' 4 door auto accord as a junior in high school (4 years now), and have loved it since day one (although I want the 5spd). I browsed tons of DIY articles on this forum for a couple years before trying anything on my car since I was too broke to ever try anything before... However I have a good job now and enough cash for some budget upgrades and since I started Ive come pretty far (costs are just parts, I did all labor myself):
Audio:
- Replaced stock head unit with JVC KD-X50BT that has bluetooth calling/music, and a mic mounted in front of my gauges. I love this HU b/c it was cheap, sounds great (even has HPF) and looks pretty good, plus it doesn't have a CD player which I consider a waste of energy/space with the dawn of smartphones. ($125)
- Replaced all speakers from junkyard pulls, Infinity in front, Pioneer in back ($20)
- Installed 4 gauge CCA wiring from battery to distribution blocks to 8 gauge OFC for my inverter / sub amp. ($50)
- Installed 12" sealed sub/ 400W Infinity amp ($90, craigslist is a savior)
Engine/Exhaust:
- Installed SRI to replace ripped intake ($55)
- Installed full Spec-D Header/Catback Exhaust to replace leaking exhaust (only $220)
- Installed Magnaflow bolt on catalytic converter to replace buzzing/rusty af cat ($175)
Misc:
- Installed Afterglow gauges ($15)
- Fixed several lights / switches with help from forums
- Replaced cabin filters with Bosch Carbon Activated ($20)
Results:
So far I'm very happy with the results of all the upgrades, the accord is already a great car to begin with but for not much cash you can really bring it up to snuff and have some of the functionality of a more modern car, and the sportiness of more expensive cars. The radio upgrades are amazing, I have since become a dedicated audiophile.. and I bump bass daily / use the bluetooth calling frequently. The I/H/E upgrades have really opened up the car, make highway driving much more fun, and definitely added a little pep / made the car much sportier sounding. After spotting some subframe rust I don't think I'll be putting too much more money into the car, but for now I am just loving having a machine built to suite my taste, its a very rewarding experience to work on your own car. Not sure how many posts I need to post pics, but I have some great pictures of the work I'll put up eventually.
