I have a brand new stock civic sedan LX (5 speed) and I am looking for a little more power. What would be the best, least expensive, and least obnoxious, step to take. I'm thinking exhaust would be the easiest thing but I don't want my car to sound crazy. I have to drive clients around in it. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

Putting new lungs on your civic would be the easiest and least expensive thing to do. It's generally what everyone does for their first mod. Cold air or Short Ram and a new muffler with silencer. As long as you don't step on it, your clients shouldn't have to wear earplugs.

 

I was reading other posts about CAI and exhaust and they didn't seem to produce much of an increase. Is the new engine better suited to increase more hp with these mods?

 

You won't get much hp with either mods. It takes alot to really get hp from a stock. Engine swapping, turbo, etc. are the usual directions to really boosting your hp. Which all are expensive. In exhaust with a cai, header, and cat back. You'll gain anywhere b/t 10-25 hp. Which is a slight difference in the civic. But it isn't the hp that you notice. It's the non-restrictive air-flow you gain b/c of the mods. The less restricted your car is on airflow the more responsive it'll be on acceleration.

 

How much gas milage can I stand to lose with these mods

 

Lighter wheels.

 

Not anything to notice. I've read that intakes and turbos actually increase your gas milage if installed correctly.

 

What is "brand new?" Do you mean an '06? If you do, the options are a little limited at the moment, but intake and exhaust are the best/first things to do, and also happen to be about the only things available for the time being.

 

with intake, header, and exhaust set up, u'll feel the added hp but note that it prolly wont be more then a 20hp gain....thats prolly the cheapest route to gain a lil hp and there are exhausts out there that are very quiet. as for gas mileage, it should get better with the i/h/e setup considering ur letting the car breath a lot better.

 

I've been looking around and I can't find anything for an '06. Anybody have any ideas where to find these parts?