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Fellow Car Enthusiasts....a question

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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
Before anyone laughs, I would like to acknowledge that I am aware of the fact that I own a 2005 Honda Civic, and am aware that modifications are nearly pointless.
     THAT BEING SAID.....
I am looking for a reputable site to pick up a few parts for a Decent price, mainly a couple things to improve performance at minimal cost:

Front Sway Bar (the piece that connects the spring studs under the hood)
Quality Wheelbase Wideners (aka Spacers)
A Catalytic Converter (my stock one is nearly rusted through, I know this can be a bit pricey)
A Cold Air Intake (<$200)

For Anyone Wondering, the vehicle is entirely stock minus some quality spark plugs, I do not own a ricer.
Jan 23 2011 3:19PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
just dont run a cat..
Jan 23 2011 3:21PM
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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
Thank you for the legitimate response Charmander, but I need it to be able to pass emissions standards for NYS. Is it of your opinion that there isn't an advantage to running a low quality Cat vs a Pricey one?
Jan 23 2011 3:26PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
dude, i'd check ebay for a lot of these parts. you should be able to find some cheap shit.

you'll want to stick with a factory cat if you don't have an exhaust system/real setup. a race cat is essentially just a shell, and it'll probably flip CELs causing you to not pass inspection....unless, of course, you can program your computer...which it doesn't sound like you can do.
Jan 23 2011 3:32PM
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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
Thank you Barefootin, although I wanted to avoid ebay b/c they have such a thriving business of counterfeit parts. Do You have any legitimate sites to at least check for comparison? Then I'd be able to properly identify legit parts
Jan 23 2011 3:42PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
im sure you can get it to pass without a cat

unless NYS is super anal, on my dads dodge we dont have a cat or muffler and it passes diesel emissions here in washington, even with recent crackdowns on diesel
Jan 23 2011 3:45PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
No problem, dude. i wouldn't be too concerned with counterfeit parts at this stage. I mean, a CAI is a fucking tube with a filter on it, and a sway bar is a sway bar for the most part, so I wouldn't invest a shit ton of money in either one, imho. i've got an aem cai and a dc sway bar...both of which i have been extremely happy with.

i don't have any specific sites that i use as I had the shop that dropped my jdm b18c type r motor in my honda grab all of the parts, but you can check out the honda-tech.com forums for some good info. you should be able to find some reputable sites and good info there. that's where i usually go when I'm trying to trouble shoot a problem. a lot of smart dudes over there.
Jan 23 2011 3:52PM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
run a high flow cat and youll be fine- or no cat at all- I passed emissions fine with no cat no res and a gutted muffler

as far as spacers wait till you get wheels first

and please please dont get a massive fart can exhaust- it still kills me to this day that people with stock hondas/neons run a larger exhaust then what was needed for my 500+hp evo- you have a na motor- which means you need back pressure, which means having a 3 inch exhaust with a 4 inch tip is absolutely retarded

imo
Jan 23 2011 3:56PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
YES!!!! that shit gives honda's a bad rep....


Jan 23 2011 4:00PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Just wondering, if you know the performance upgrades aren't really going to improve anything, why not buy some tasteful visual upgrades like aftermarket wheels/springs?
Jan 23 2011 4:50PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
And although not really a "reputable" store, i have always had good luck buying off of other forum members. You could try something like this and get some more info
http://www.civicforums.com/
Jan 23 2011 4:51PM
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teleTay
Posts: 2320 - Karma: 186
yeah, go for wheels/springs/coils (if you can afford them)

at least thats where i would spend my money,

but maybe he wants the intake for better mpg?
Jan 23 2011 4:54PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 257
I'd hit the honda forums too.

infinitely more knowledgeable, and they'll have ALL the good online retailers on lock (might be able to buy some quality used parts as well).
Jan 23 2011 5:02PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
an intake is an intake...unless it's a $20 one that you bought on ebay? it's a fucking tube with an air filter. you're an idiot if you can't make it fit correctly on a civic. although, i'd agree that I wouldn't buy a body kit, replacement fenders, lights, etc. on ebay due to fitting issues. but a cai....i don't see why you'd have any problems on ebay. we're not talking anything super technical here...
Jan 23 2011 5:09PM
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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
Thanks for the Helpful suggestions guys. As I said in my op, I am not visually modifying the car at all, I just wanted to make it a bit more snow-worthy with a wider wheelbase and a hair more power for the traction (I know all about where to hold my rpm's for minimum slippage). No need to worry about me cherry bombing it, those are never in good taste. I may consider getting a whole new exhaust manifold though, thanks for the suggestion.

I don't want to lower it for snow clearance issues, and I can't really afford a decent set of new wheels, but  I'm gathering that it's bad to widen with stock rims (they can't handle the extra load?). I have the EX sedan, so it's got alloys as opposed to crappy wheels with shitty plastic wheel covers, if that makes a difference.

But, A Sway bar under the hood won't help me any with stock springs according to you guys, so I guess I'll lay off of that.

I'm definitely going to check out the Civic forums, but my list now looks like this:
Cold Air Intake
Exhaust Manifold
Wheels (when I can afford them lolz)

-Thanks for the Suggestions!
Jan 23 2011 6:27PM
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skrilla_MAC
Posts: 517 - Karma: 10
coilovers and work equips. make yo car fresh as fuck!!
Jan 23 2011 8:06PM
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tronned
Posts: 1098 - Karma: 790
You are not talking about a sway bar according to your description, you are talking about a strut tower brace. Dont bother with a sway bar/ strut brace unless you are planning to do some road racing or autocross. Aftermarket intakes are pure shit 99 percent of the time, so id advise against that aswell. Just save your cash and get some wheels/tires, the gains from tires and wheels will be much more rewarding than the other stuff among your list.

www.honda-tech.com is the best honda site in the league. Check with them. My old CRX has some pictures in my profile.
Feb 6 2011 4:05PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Make your own cold air intake.
Feb 6 2011 4:34PM
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