Hello all. I hope some of you have the time to answer my newbie questions.

I am living in Norway and recently imported a car from the states. It is a 98 Honda Civic Coupe. It is the 1.6L SOHC engine, with code D16Y7 and body code EJ6. I noticed that these american models have the label of DX,EX or LX. Which one do I have? (The badge at the back is no longer there, it just says 1.6L)

I noticed that there was a crack on the exhaust headers. So without doing much research I bought some OBX ceramic headers and seem to work fine. After reading some threads on the forum I realised that the stock exhaust manifold has a catalytic convertor integrated as part of this. Does this means that my civic has 2 cat converters? one integrated to the stock header and one under the car? The OBX headers of course did not have an integrated cat converter. Does this mean I am running with no cat converter?

I am having my car lowered in a few weeks and would like to get the mechanic to install these camber kits for the front and back. What parts do I need to get? Front Camber, Back Camber, what about something called a lower control arm? How does this come into it?

Would also like to install strut bars, top bottom and back front (4 in total). Will this really help to stiffen up the car?

I am also taking a long road trip (8000km, 5000miles) over the summer. My car has driven about 100,000 miles. Are there any parts that I should change or check such that my car is road worthy for my trip? Any classis Civic failures that happen at this kilometer stand?

Thanks in advance and hope someonecan answer my questions.

Jean Louis

 

does it have power windows? if not its a dx.

 

Yeah it does not have power windows. Thanks. DX it is.

 

For the stock D16Y7 engine, the catalytic converter (cat) and exhaust manifold are a single unit. If your replacement header does not have an integrated cat, then you currently don't have one.

The timing belt must be replaced before 105K miles, if such work has not already been done. NOTE -- If the timing belt slips or snaps, a typical outcome is major engine damage.

 

I am planning on running a skunk2 intake manifold, throttle body spacer, hondata chip. Would the presence of the stock exhaust manifold limit my performance gains?

Brands of timing belts to consider?

Jean Louis

 

aaron was saying since it has power windows its not a DX
so now you know its either a LX or EX
i believe that an LX only comes in a four door sedan, so you got an EX
someone correct me if im wrong

 

The OP said his Civic does not have power windows, so it is a DX.

 

DX it is. (as stated above SEVERAL times)

 

Change the timing belt/water pump first, if it hasn't been done yet

if you're only lowering the car a little, you won't need a camber kit. If you're going for over 2 in drop, it'd be a good idea

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Greatly appreciated.

Naturally when the I am getting my intake manifold upgraded to a skunk2 the mechanic (in Germany, as it is very expensive for work to be done on cars in Norway, around 200USD per hour) he will have to drain the coolant and then I can get him to put in silicon hosing for the cooling system. (2 birds with one stone)

When I have the mechanic change my timing belt would changing the cam gear at the same time be much more work? Is the Cam gear simple to change? Performance benefits? Have read that sports cams can be adjusted, would a normal mechanic know how to make such adjustments or is a dyno run necessary?

Was also looking at a new distributor and external coil. Anybody know what kind of gains I can get from this upgrade? BRands that are well know? Only seen MSD coils.

Hope my questions are not tiring and redundant. Any info would be great.