99 Civic EX. It's already got 16" wheels, limo tint and neon under the seats. No neon allowed on outside (not street legal here in CA)

Anyone have any suggestions of decent but not too expensive mods for it?

What do muffler tips really do? Are they worth spending the $$? Will it make the car sound like a fart can?

Do body kits need to be installed by a pro, or can you DIY?

Any help is appreciated.

 

Well just to let you know you are probably going to get slammed for the neon. But to each his own.

Relatively inexpensive mods are intake, exhaust, and header. Make the car breath a little better. Also lowering springs matched with some aftermarket shocks would do wonders too.

Muffler tips are not cool. As are most items from APC and Pep Boys.

Body kits can be installed by yourself, but they must be painted.

 

Paint your interior yellow!

 

the best free mod to do is gut your interior. oh and the best one you can do in a matter of seconds is rip out those neons and set them ablaze. :chuckles:

 

I get it on the neon! Let's keep in mind that a 16 yr old male is driving this. He likes the neon glowing under the seats and pulsing to the music. Not my taste personally, but hey, I'm not driving it. He should be ok as far as legal, because it can't be seen from outside (at least that's according to the sheriff next door).

I think we'll skip the yellow interior (thanks anyway Running) :chuckles:

 

It doesn't sound like he's performance minded, considering he slapped 16"s on a stock civic. He just said "mods" in general.

One suggestion, (I'm guessing on the type of style you're going for) is to remove the resonator of the intake. It's FREE (if you do it yourself) and it makes your car sound like a monster. VVVRRROOOOMM! I did it just before installing my CAI and it felt like I lost a little power, but it SOUNDED like I gained tons of power.

 

Suspension mod:
- 99-00 Si rear sway bar (bolts right up, you can do it with a socket wrench)

Other cheap show suggestions:

- replace your headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars. They're legal but give you that HID-ish whiter looker.
- Pep Boys/Autozone/Kragen/APC fog lights.
- muffler TIPS are dress ups only and do nothing
- straight through mufflers do practically nothing unless you do the header and cat back with it
- change your shift knob
- add wheelskins to your steering wheel for nicer grip (and it can be subtle color or wild color)
- add pedal covers

 

the silverstars are sweet thumbs up dude!!
F_ck the muffler tips. get a catback!!
shift knob and pedal cover SWEET!!!
F_ck the wheelskin get a tenzo or something.

 

Suspension is a great start. Lowers your car down to give it that "ready" look, and makes it so much more fun to drive even though it doesn't add any power.

Fo' Sho' mods: New shift knob, e-brake handle, pedal covers, sylvania silverstar bulbs, and maybe paint the brake calipers. Use the Dura-Color brush-on caliper paint for that.

Cheap performance mods: New air intake (short-ram or cold-air, short ram is cheaper and gives off a real neat-o sound, should be a snap to install), header/cat back/muffler (makes it easier for the engine to get rid of nasty exhaust, increasing power, no sense getting just one--gotta get all three).

All that should be more than enough for a 16 year-old. Especially if his parents don't spoil him rotten.

 

But if you want to keep the stock steering wheel (like for the AIRBAG) you'll wanna just cover it. Wheelskins are great for that. Or, if you're going for the sleeper look, get the OEM leather cover.