Just got 1995 GSR. What do I do?

[stlguitar]

Hey, I just bought a 1995 black GSR with 99,000 miles on it for 5 grand. Small rust on the quarter panel. I have never modified a car in any way yet and was wondering what I should do to boost my performance. Im on a budget right now but I want to go faster. WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST? . . . . short ram intake? . . . . headers? . . . . exhaust?

p.s. I would like to do the installations myself if possible, so anything easy giving good performance is great.

Any posting are greatly appreciated. Thanks

[m0nst3r]

Congrats on your GSR! The first thing I would do before anything else is give the car a good tune up. Why you ask? Well what's the point of adding a CAI or switching out the exhaust if your car isn't running at it's full potential? If your car isn't tuned for optimum performance, modifying the intake or exhaust isn't going to do very much for you.

[Sparks]

What is your "budget" exactly. Thats the first thing...and also, to those who post, like the above post, if you suggest something you might want to also include on how to do it. A lot, but he did ask.

[rewsintegra]

first off (seems like we say this to everyone who joins) what are your expectations for your car? is it a daily driver, weekend car, track car, drag car... what?

second, whats your budget?

third, hp goals?

just a little pet peeve of mine, its a header, not headers.

my advice right now is keep it stock for a while. dont rush out and buy parts. maybe new spark plugs, changed oil, alignment, then go from there

[stlguitar]

Thanks a lot.

The last owner took the car to the acura dealer all the time. I am guessing it got a tune up fairly frequently then. Am i wrong?

Im looking to have this car for daily driving but i want some more kick. I would like to get maybe 15-20 more horses out of it. And lastly, im not willing to pay more than 200 dollars for any one intake, exhaust, or header. Any good websites worth looking at for parts? Thanks again.

[rewsintegra]

well you can get an ebay intake with an aem filter for really cheap but i wouldnt go cheap with your header.
you could get away with a exhaust system made at a shop which is alot cheaper than catback systems.
if thats not enough you can always do some cams or pistons or both

[integra_guy]

Originally Posted by m0nst3r

Congrats on your GSR! The first thing I would do before anything else is give the car a good tune up. Why you ask? Well what's the point of adding a CAI or switching out the exhaust if your car isn't running at it's full potential? If your car isn't tuned for optimum performance, modifying the intake or exhaust isn't going to do very much for you.

I think most people has to remember this, when they buy a used car, don't waste your money on performances parts , till you get all your tune up done.

Good luck with the car.

[coldfire]

Originally Posted by integra_guy

I think most people has to remember this, when they buy a used car, don't waste your money on performances parts , till you get all your tune up done.

Good luck with the car.

Whenever I buy a used car I change ALL the fluids in it, consumable parts like plugs, wires, PCV valve. Check the brakes and drive shafts, basically give everything a good look over and write a list of things that need to be fixed and all that. Once you've completed everything on that list then you can realistically talk about performance parts. 200 dollars for a header isn't going to get you much more than some bent fence post piping....

[stlguitar]

Ok, I think I will replace all the little things first like wires and fluids. Give the car a check over and go from there. I appreciate the help.

One last question. If I was to buy A muffler and tip and not the system right now. What would be the best for my budget of under 200 dollars. Should I install it myself if im not experienced? I know some come with flanges to just screw on but is it better if its welded? Thanks again.

[gsrteg_96]

well if you dont think you have the mechanical ability dont do it. Or climb under your integra and give it a look over and see if its something you think could tackle yourself. thats all up to you, as you know your own mechanical ability.

And if you want to get a few more horses out of the gsr save your money and dont buy cheap stuff! You always get what you pay for. Plan on spending around $350 for a good header, and $500-800 or up on the rest of your exhaust if you go with the "ready-to-go" cat-back. Keep in mind this price is using quality STAINLESS STEEL exhaust products.

As for your intake, really doesnt add much hp unless you get a full cold air intake. Plan on spending around $300 or up for a quality cai.

Still with a full exhaust, and a cold air intake, expect gains from 5-10hp, not much more.

I have around $1100 in my full exhaust and cai and thats lower priced quality parts. Just giving you an idea.

One last thing, when shopping for exhaust parts or really any other motor parts, stay away from those "ebay specials." I know all to well, as I wasted around $400 bucks on my old exhaust parts through ebay, they all had to go!

O yea and keep a good eye on your oil level, as many gsr's burn a little oil. And low oil kills the high revving gsr's everytime!

Good luck!

[rewsintegra]

ya and just to let you know. a muffler / muffler tip wont give you any power at all.

for my car i spent 20 bucks for a ebay intake(i had a K&N filter for it), 150 for my megan stainless header, and 200 for full custom stainless mandrel bent exhaust from a shop in town.

but my car was not a track car. so i figured about 400 bucks for about 10hp wasnt a bad deal.

you can spend 1500 bucks easy on those parts, but dont waste your money. the extra 5 hp or so is not worth 1000 bucks.

boltons on a gsr only gets you about 7-15hp

[integra_guy]

Originally Posted by stlguitar

Ok, I think I will replace all the little things first like wires and fluids. Give the car a check over and go from there. I appreciate the help.

One last question. If I was to buy A muffler and tip and not the system right now. What would be the best for my budget of under 200 dollars. Should I install it myself if im not experienced? I know some come with flanges to just screw on but is it better if its welded? Thanks again.

A muffler tip is just for looks, you could also buy a used muffler, and have a shop make you a custom pipe, which cost about $100-$200, if you brought a new muffler from a shop, and have them make you a custom pipe, it "might" be cheaper.

To be honest if your on a budget, your better off saving up, it seems like your looking make your car faster without having enough funds.

[RavynX]

Do a full tune-up and drive her for a couple of months to get to know her. That way you can fully appreciate the modifications that you swap out on her later on.

[C25A1guy]

All used cars i pick up, regardless of milage, first thing I do is tune up, all fluids, belts and water pump and a good through inspection. Then start looking into making power.

[vortex]

my integra is costing me an arm and a leg to tune up

two new trailing arms-450ttl from acura (that was only 16 bucks over cost). 349 a piece retail
bolts were rusted in so i cut out the metal the bolted into and welded a nut behind there for the new trailing arm brackets-800
OE clutch-99 shop install for 200 since i don't have a stupid lift anymore
two new axles-105
battery-70
poly control arm bushings to replace the blown OE ones-45
pads/rotors all the way around-80
re-pack wheel bearings-friend did for free

thats 1750 bucks and i'm still waiting to replace some less than adequate shocks. but it all needs to be done.