noob with performance budget established- throw opinions if ur bored

[briansacct]

Hey guys. Underwhelmed with the new car market I have decided to keep my Accord for several years. I have 8k to play with. That must include installation, taxes etc; I don't do my own work. I would like to make this car as fun, good looking and safe as possible.

I have a 2001 5 speed 2.3 VTEC coupe with 175K miles, mostly stock. As for environment, I drive windy mountain roads at high elevation in all types of weather. I just did the timing belt, water pump and new oil seals, all gaskets, and all other belts. I also just changed out a rear wheel bearing. Here is where my preliminary research has me, just based on things I know I need/want:

- lower ball joints: 400

- blizzak/17' winter wheel combo: 900

- 17' wheel/good tire comb: 900

- Performance strut bar: 80

- 4 wheel alignment: 100

- speakers, cd player: 400

That leaves me with about $5,200. Does any one want to estimate a ballpark cost of the following items I have been floating around (any good reading/part links you want to throw my way would awesome too...again, total noob looking to get my learn on):

-performance brake kit- ?

- turbo charger- ?

- performance clutch- ?

- something to improve handling/upgrade suspension parts that are probably worn to hell @ 175k miles with any money left over- ?


Thanks for guiding me along guys!

 

[Valet]

Coilovers are a must. Or strut/spring combo.

You definitely have enough for a turbo application or even an engine swap, or both.

Or sell the accord and put all that to a nicer car haha

 

[LowerMyCG5]

could save money if you did stuff yourself. its a accord 98% of stuff is cake

 

[Tphong]

Or sell the accord and put all that to a nicer car haha

I'm with him. There isn't a performance type accord in the US such as the Euro-R in europe. If you want to make this accord fast then you'd have to dump a lot more money into the engine. Keeping the same engine stock and then turboing it will probably get you to 200 hp(estimate) more or less I'm no expert and I think this would be on the safe side assuming you keep the engine and such stock. I say sell the accord and then buy a STI or something. Those are fun to drive and they come with everything you want to buy stock and installed.

If you get a brand name BBK then they can range from $1000 to like $2500 or more if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Valet]

You can boost the stock f23 farther than 200 horses haha iron walls really help with boost. If you aren't trying to make an insane performer or dump alot into the engine, then turboing the stock f23 is the way to go. If you decide that route talk to Nikita (russianred).






Or sell the accord.

 

[kiddcoupe]

A nice swap would be nice, f20b or h22a. Or if you want to stand out and have the money and patiance you could go for a K swap. If a motor swap isnt what you looking for, than turbo charging it could be a nice option. You could get decent #'s, as "Cleansleeper" said iron walls are great for turbo's. But it would help if you did most of the work yourself, because you would save a TON of money. And as mentioned already, coilovers are a MUST, with a nice wheel combo.

 

[Jevik]

A nice swap would be nice, f20b or h22a. Or if you want to stand out and have the money and patiance you could go for a K swap. If a motor swap isnt what you looking for, than turbo charging it could be a nice option. You could get decent #'s, as "Cleansleeper" said iron walls are great for turbo's. But it would help if you did most of the work yourself, because you would save a TON of money. And as mentioned already, coilovers are a MUST, with a nice wheel combo.

Far as I know, nobody has yet put a k swap into a 98-02 accord. Those that try, usually end up swapping in something else. The f23 has weak rings. You mentioned high miles, you're probably burning oil. Adding a turbo will degrade the rings quicker. Personally if i had the cash saved up like you do, I'd pick up an h22 from a pick and pull yard, throw in darting sleeves, forged low comp pistons and rods, and throw a crapload of boost in it. That would probably use most of what you have saved if you do it yourself. Including the tune and ecu. Then I'd grab coilovers, wider rims/tires and a progress rear sway bar.

 

[20-CG5-01]

Bodykits bodykits bodykits.

Best money you'll ever spend on your car.

Don't forget some stickers, neon, and a supra spoiler.

Your money, you decide, search up what you like, no turning back after spending money.

 

[ryan s]

take the 8 grand and buy an E36 M3, keep the accord for puttering around town.

 

[fastflyinaccord]

take the 8 grand and buy an E36 M3, keep the accord for puttering around town.

I agree with the above statement





However, if you are intent on keeping the car:

1. Coilovers or some sort of good spring/shock setup
2. Wheels with good tires
3. Progress 24mm rear sway bar from 04-08 TL
4. Intake/ Header/ Exhaust
5. Take the rest of the money and put it in the bank. You'll have plenty of fun on those mountain roads with a good suspension setup and quality wheels and tires. It is pointless to dump 8 grand into an old car with 175,000 miles on it. Use the rest of your money to save up and get something worth doing work on.