hmm if i wanted to go race i wouldnt go for a civic...

u'd prolly spend as much if not more money and time on a stock civic to get it going fast as compared to an accord. may be a hatch or a crx cuz its light, but thats about it...even though there may be more aftermarket for the b-series motors, your still gunna hafta do a swap/FI/SC/n20 to go fast.

as for the basic bolt-ons, they let the car 'breathe' better and free up some horses that are lost from restrictive intake/header/exhaust manifolds , the gains may be minimal but thats why some people go beyond the bolt-ons like advancing timing, pulleys,cams, ignition and what not. you gotta start some where, can just slap on a turbo w/ everything else stock... the basic bolt-ons also have good 'looks' for show type people...

i have an aem short ram intake/generic CAI and an apexi ws catback as of now and im waiting for accordsleeper's dc header to be delivered to me. im more of a show type, w/ my basic bolt-ons and my kit im happy w/ the money spent on my car, its a fun hobby...