I have always wanted to learn more about my civic and how to mod it. Until recently I had never been motivated to do anything though.One of my good friends used to do a lot of work on his accord and he offered to help me learn, so I've started what is going to be a very long process of making my car into what I want it to be.

I am driving a 1997 HX.

Here is a look at the center console, prior to any work. This was the first place I started.


We decided to put in a short shifter and clean up the obvious problems that my center console has (broken cigarrette lighter and cupholder that won't close). I also ordered a new black titanium shift ****.
This is what it looks like now:



After putting in the short shifter, I decided that I disliked the large, ugly armrest that my car had, so I went online and found a less obtrustive one.
Here's the old, ugly one:


And here's the new & improved one:



Next, I decided to get a CAI and ebay chip. Unfortunately, I purchased both prior to reading this site, so my CAI is Bomz Racing, and my ebay chip is in the garbage. I do like the intake, but it seems a bit fragile. I will most likely buy a better one in a few months.

Here is what it looks like:



I know my engine bay looks like crap. I'm going to clean it up a lot in the upcoming weeks.

Next, I purchased some racing pedals. I'm still not sold on them, but I got them for cheap. I wear a size 13.5 wide, and the pedals seem sort of big. Also, they were a lot of trouble to get on securely.
Here is a pic:


Lastly, I decided to do some external work. I really dislike the stock head/tail lights so I found some to replace them. I know a lot of people on here dislike the altezza tail light look, but I think the ones that I got look really good. It's hard to tell from the pic, but they are smoke colored. As for the Headlights, I ordered Black/Crystal but they are not here yet. I will post more pics when they are on.

Here's my tails:


I know it needs a wash badly. I was going to do it the day that I took these pics, but a rock cracked my winshield really badly, so I am waiting to get that replaced. I will also be getting my tint job when it gets replaced. Any suggestions for tint %?

The last thing that I did was buy new tires and clean my wheels. My wheels have been covered in brake dust for a long time. Its gonna take a lot of work to get them looking how I want.



For this weekend, I am planning to remove my seats and vacuum/clean the carpet and upholstery, change my drum brake pads, and bleed the brakes. I am also planning to install some strut towers (if they get here) and also this H-brace.



If anyone has any suggestions for what to do next, I'd love to hear it. I'll keep this thread updated with my progress.

 

Looking good, cant wait to see wuts next. Good pics too

 

not a bad way to start....nice work so far

 

- the short shifter would look better imo if the boot was a little lower.
- throwing away the ebay chip -
- for the ebay intake, get a quality filter, or replace the whole thing like you said
- i don't really like the pedals, but then again, it's your car
- like all other cars that have altezza's,
- the H-Brace is almost 100% pointless (mounting solid structure to solid structure won't give you stability).

 

actually i am not a big fan of altezzas either but those altezzas are pretty nice looking

 

thats a good start but idk if i would have changed the arm rest i did the exact opposite then u and put and armrest in. why be less comfortable? but its ur ride u do wut u want with it. yea dont by performance parts from ebay unless there name brand parts cuz theres always crap. good call on putting in a short throw and buying an new center console. all it looks like u need to clean up the interior really good and ull be set. u should post some pics of the rest of ur ride.

 

Looks good, keep us informed of your updates on it.

 

Good start for sure, it looked like a mess before.

 

personally i dont like altezas. i suggest u get Si taillights. it looks good so far though

 

Well, I've done a bit more work to it. This past sunday I changed from standard oil to synthetic and bled my brakes. I also purchased rear brake pads,but was unable to install them due to the rain. Today, I received my front and rear strut tower bars and put them in:





I also received my new headlights, but wont be able to install til this weekend most likely:

\

As for the cleaning, I still haven't gotten to it. Like I said before, my window got cracked last sunday and is getting replaced on wed. Once that happens, I'm going to touch up some scratches, wash/wax and remove my seats to vacuum and clean my carpet.

I still need to install my H-brace, but am having some trouble figuring out exactly where it goes. Does anyone know a good DIY? I cant find one through google.

Hpefully next week I will have gotten my new gauge panel and will be able to replace all the green/orange lights in my AC controls with blue. I'll keep updating with my progress.