What do I need to know before modifying my daily driven 86?

[305Alonsos]

I purchased my first manual the other day (a base level 86) and I love it! It's the fastest car i'v ever owned!

About an hour ago I stumbled on a small local tuner scene in my neighborhood meeting in a parking lot. I never even knew they existed! It was late (like 11:00pm on a Thursday) so I didn't have time to look at the cars that showed up but apparently the group noticed me. I pulled out and drove for about 30 seconds, double clutched and sped off to catch a light; I didn't notice the tuner in a blacked out BMW next to me. Apparently he thought I was reving to race him or. . . something. I could have beaten him if I had remembered to bring my vape or eurobeat but thats nether here nor there. . .


My Question:
Is it possible to make this car faster without harming the engine? I come from a family that knows absolutely nothing about cars so I can't ask any of them for help on the subject. Im also the only one in my family with the ability to drive a manual!
Perhaps I could upgrade various engine parts to increase HP?
Pistons perhaps. . .? I don't know enough about cars to find a smart starting point for mods. I want more power but. . .I daily my 86. . .

It wouldn't be as simple as throwing a turbo on my FA20, right? I would need a tune! RIGHHHHT!?

How would you guys progress through mod upgrades?
Whatever information you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

That BMW guy will RUE the day he messed with THIS GUY! ---->

[Boomerang]

[Mr.ac]

Welcome young grasshopper.

I'm glad you think this is the fastest car you ever driven. It's not, sorry.
It's quick, but not faster than any Civic out there.

Yes you can make any car go faster.
It all depends how much money want to dump on it. It's not cheap, be warned.
Prices and hp are off the top of my head. Don't take them as real world numbers.

Let's start with baby steps.
Quick and easy would be just a simple Open Flash Tablet about $300-500. 5-10hp.
Next would be headers, full exhaust and tune - $800-2000 10-20hp.

After that you want either a turbo or supercharger kit. $2000-10,000. 50-200 hp.
These would come with a tune. Unless you buy second hand.

You could build the engine internals to beef it for boost, but your looking at a $5000+ starting point. Then add the extra turbo/supercharger kit.

There is always the option to go E85. But that goes with its drawbacks.

If you still want more power look into engine swap. That's a long list of parts, labor, and extra fabrication to get stuff to work. Same amount money you "could" buy better car. Unless you really want a bigger hp on this platform.

Keep in mind the more you mod a car the less reliable your car "can" get.

If you want the daily driving reliability with a great fun factor I would spend my money on light weight wheels, sticky tires, and suspension upgrades.
The money I would spend on go-fast parts I would use to upgrade my driving skills. Hit up the local auto-x or track.

[alex87f]

Originally Posted by 305Alonsos

I purchased my first manual the other day (a base level 86) and I love it! It's the fastest car i'v ever owned!

About an hour ago I stumbled on a small local tuner scene in my neighborhood meeting in a parking lot. I never even knew they existed! It was late (like 11:00pm on a Thursday) so I didn't have time to look at the cars that showed up but apparently the group noticed me. I pulled out and drove for about 30 seconds, double clutched and sped off to catch a light; I didn't notice the tuner in a blacked out BMW next to me. Apparently he thought I was reving to race him or. . . something. I could have beaten him if I had remembered to bring my vape or eurobeat but thats nether here nor there. . .


My Question:
Is it possible to make this car faster without harming the engine? I come from a family that knows absolutely nothing about cars so I can't ask any of them for help on the subject. Im also the only one in my family with the ability to drive a manual!
Perhaps I could upgrade various engine parts to increase HP?
Pistons perhaps. . .? I don't know enough about cars to find a smart starting point for mods. I want more power but. . .I daily my 86. . .

It wouldn't be as simple as throwing a turbo on my FA20, right? I would need a tune! RIGHHHHT!?

How would you guys progress through mod upgrades?
Whatever information you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

That BMW guy will RUE the day he messed with THIS GUY! ---->

To make a long story short:
-One shall always avoid street racing. Not the most interesting activity / crowd
-The 86 is decently quick (I think it is more than enough), but any decent midsize sedan will be just as fast or faster
-It's definitely not the right car if outright speed is what you're after
-Upgrading a car is an expensive endeavour, especially if you know nothing about it. A key-in-hand quality supercharger upgrade will set you back close to 5 figures. And it won't add much resale value to the car
-Upgrading a car will (in most cases) come with what non-car people consider a loss of daily-driveability
-You just paid for a new car, with a warranty and new-car reliability. Modding it will make you lose part or all of that value

TL;DR - enjoy the 86 for what it is, before you decide whether modding it is a good idea or whether you should just buy something else

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Welcome young grasshopper.

I'm glad you think this is the fastest car you ever driven. It's not, sorry.
It's quick, but not faster than any Civic out there.

.

If by "any Civic" you mean the type R you are correct. Otherwise the MT is as fast or faster than every other Civic out there.

[why?]

First thing to do is read this forum. There is tons and tons of info. Second is to decide what you really want. Do you just want a slightly quicker street car, or do you want to try autocross or maybe even some other form of actual racing?
Miami has insane amounts of car community stuff, you found a decent way of finding car guys, but searching the internet is a good way too, there is a massive florida group here, and facebook is also a good place to find people local to you with the same interest. Usually if you are willing to learn there is someone willing to help.

[qcbaker]

I would say drive the car stock until you have an idea of what you'd like to improve. Modding for the sake of modding is pointless, IMO.

If all you want to do is "go faster" the 86 isn't really the best car for that, IMO. Find some twisty backroads or go to an autocross event and see how the car feels doing what it was designed to do: carving corners. Couple of days after I bought my car, I drove it on the same road I normally ride my motorcycle on. Everything just felt right.

But if simply "making the car faster" is truly your goal, better tires would probably the first upgrade I would suggest. Yeah, it doesn't "add power" to the car, but it makes it easier for you to put the power the car does have to the ground. Then, maybe look into a header, exhaust, and tune. That covers basically 90+% of power you can get out of the engine while remaining naturally aspirated (no turbo or supercharger), unless you decide to switch to E85 fuel.

[bkharmony]

I have not modded my 86, but I have been thinking about a cold air intake. Super easy mod and worth 2-3 HP, no?

[HKz]

if this is the fastest car you've driven then please get at least 200,000 miles under your belt before you consider any engine upgrades...


...but either way, this platform is NOT for drag races. Yes, you can make the FA20 "fast" but it will either break its rods and/or require way more $$$ than being worth it...if your manhood cannot handle getting beaten in stoplight races then this is the wrong car for you.

Just enjoy the feeling of the drive itself and ignore other drivers because they'll always think you're trying to race them when in reality you're just trying to get up to normal speed.

[bkharmony]

Originally Posted by HKz

...ignore other drivers because they'll always think you're trying to race them when in reality you're just trying to get up to normal speed.

I get this all the time. I'm like, "Mate, I'm not trying to race or show off, I'm just trying to get to the store."

[MRCA1ST]

at least you double clutched, you are well on your way.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by 305Alonsos

I purchased my first manual the other day (a base level 86) and I love it! It's the fastest car i'v ever owned!

About an hour ago I stumbled on a small local tuner scene in my neighborhood meeting in a parking lot. I never even knew they existed! It was late (like 11:00pm on a Thursday) so I didn't have time to look at the cars that showed up but apparently the group noticed me. I pulled out and drove for about 30 seconds, double clutched and sped off to catch a light; I didn't notice the tuner in a blacked out BMW next to me. Apparently he thought I was reving to race him or. . . something. I could have beaten him if I had remembered to bring my vape or eurobeat but thats nether here nor there. . .


My Question:
Is it possible to make this car faster without harming the engine? I come from a family that knows absolutely nothing about cars so I can't ask any of them for help on the subject. Im also the only one in my family with the ability to drive a manual!
Perhaps I could upgrade various engine parts to increase HP?
Pistons perhaps. . .? I don't know enough about cars to find a smart starting point for mods. I want more power but. . .I daily my 86. . .

It wouldn't be as simple as throwing a turbo on my FA20, right? I would need a tune! RIGHHHHT!?

How would you guys progress through mod upgrades?
Whatever information you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

That BMW guy will RUE the day he messed with THIS GUY! ---->

Well, 305Alonsos, first off, congratulations on your new car and welcome to the forum -

If this is the fastest car that you have ever driven, I suggest you spend your time learning how to tame that beast -

Almost anything you do to modify your car is going to reduce the dependability.

Just because this is the fastest car you have ever driven, don't mean its "fast". It's light on its feet and corners well; those are its strengths.

Pulling up next to another car and expecting to beat it is sort of like walking into a bar late on a Saturday night and announcing that you are the toughest guy in the bar. Most of the time, you're going to get the shit beat out of you.

Like said above, I suggest you just drive the car and enjoy it for what it is.


humfrz

[Leonardo]

IMO, a sportier suspension makes the car "feel" faster. Parts are cheaper, easier to install, do not change MPG, and are a good place to start for a car noob. I mean, the car is dying for better tires and a bit stiffer suspension.

But, my budget only allowed me to spend a little on my car till I paid it off. (wahooo! Which I did in 50 months!)

Depending on budget and desired HP level, a header, OFT, & E85 is a possibly your best "bang-4-your-$$$".

But, if you want more than a small power bump, you have to go FI.

My advice: Research and discuss mods till you are 100% sure. Rushing into spending money, IMO, is the best way to get parts you never install. (At least thats what happened to me on my last few cars)

Good luck!

[Vital]

Originally Posted by bkharmony

I have not modded my 86, but I have been thinking about a cold air intake. Super easy mod and worth 2-3 HP, no?

Nah, just get the Perrin inlet hose and an aftermarket air filter and you'll have the same type of gains and its easier to install too. Unless you are going to get a tune for the cold air intake its not worth it.