you can also do a mini-me swap
ie: vtec head for a little more power

 

You can pick up a d16y8 for about 3-400 now and the auto to manual conversion isn't hard. Just time consuming. If you collect all the parts, including a d16, you could be spending about 1000 and have a much quicker car... Other than that, you won't be able to get much out of it. I'd go with suspension upgrades. At least you can handle then...

 

i would do a manual tranny swap, use a ex tranny so u have closer gear ratios then a lx, also do a vtec head swap and some boost or juice. youll b movin then.