Hey, I have JDM DC 4-1, high flow cat, Tanabe Hyper Medallion Exhaust, AEM Cold Air, Cutchmaster stage 1 clutch and AEM underdrive pullies. I have $400 credit to my friends shop. What's next. Should I do my ignition or just keep saving to do cams and valvetrain. I need my car as a daily driver so I'm still debating that. Anyone have problems after installing cams, etc. I thought about doing everything Skunk2 for the price factor. What do guys think? I need to spend my money wisely because I'm not rich like most the members on this site!!! JIM

 

If your looking to spend 400 and want a increase in your HP then go witha ecu upgrade.
This guy's ECU upgrades are really good. Take a look at this and then get one. With your mods you should see a nice improvement in power.
http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=335052

 

for $400, I'd go with Cams. After the cams, I'd go ECU. Simply because yes, you gain power using the ECU, but none of it is readily useable on the stock cams.

 

Not only that, on a relatively stock motor, most OBD1 ECU's would likely slow it up more then make it fast, most of the programs out there are either meant for higher compression and more fuel, or for a specific cam setup.

Threr are some good stock programs out there, but you'll find your self re-chipping it in a matter of months when you do mods any way.

As far as ignition, the stock ignition is good to over 275whp, I wouldn't bother changing it unless you plan to spray or boost, and even then unless you plan to boost a lot, or spray a lot.

As far as cams go, you really need some sort of fuel and Vtec management in order for them to run normally if you get big cams, aside from that, you'll need to build your valve train. My thing is, if you have half the valve train apart to get to the cams, might as well do the rest, and do the springs and retainers.

With that $400, I would keep saving, and do it all at once, for like a grand, you should be able to get a set of cams, springs and retainers from Skunk2, which happens to be good, or, atleast, I must say, I've been quite happy with their stuff so far.

Later,
Aj

 

i'd do a VAFC fro $300 shipped and 1 hr of dyno time for $100.

 

Not bad if you plan on leaving your car the way it is, but when you go to mod your car more, you'll be back to the dyno, and at a couple hundred bucks a pop, it'll get a bit pricey.

You're better of waiting to do the tunning till last, just make sure you do it eventually....

later,
Aj

 

Pass on the ignition stuff. It is best to leave it stock unless you are doing show.

For $400 why not get a JDM final drive or lighter flywheel

 

Thanks for the imput guys,
I'm not the smartest when it comes to fixing my car but I'm learning. If I do the stage 1 cams, valve springs, and retainers from Skunk2. Do you think that will mess up everyday driving. I really don't want the hassel of worrying about the car everyday. If that's the case then I'll save the money until I pay it off. I can't afford to pay $700 a month for a car that doesn't run that good but I'm dying to feel the little bit of power that I'll get. What are some possible problems that might show up if I do this upgrade? Thanks

 

The stage 1 aren't very agressive cams and it should be no problem with daily driving plus you are getting the whole skunk2 valvetrain too.

The install is the most important part of reliability. Without a proper install, there comes a lot of danger.

Plus don't be revving to 10k everyday :lol: