there is power there but yes only so much will be made on what is already a great engineered system. i/h/e matched with a good tune will make you some power. you can always upgrade the cams and valvetrain and increase compression with different pistons and headgasket. but yes the car as is was made very well. suspension of course will make a huge difference as will weight savings.

 

this car is basically completely built all-motor, right from the factory. i'd probably put a short-ram on just because i like hearing the secondaries open up, and throttle response for downshifts is a HAIR better, but don't think you can top the honda engineers by reading a parts catalog. i agree with gearing, weight savings, and suspension. there's a fully pimped used 05 at my work and it's got everything i can think of. the sound is killer, barely different from stock, he shaved weight, but acceleration-wise, i can hardly tell.