Best power mods on k20a3?

[EP3Lov3]

I love my ep but it just feels kind of sluggish. All I have is an AEM SRI, and Greddy EVO 2 catback. This car is pretty fun in the corners but it just lacks power. What simple mods are the most effective and lowest cost? I don't know if I want to hold on to this car and slowly mod it or get a WRX. What are the best mods for power gains with a reasonable price?

[Popeye]

Intake, header, full exhaust, and KPro or at least a reflash. All of that should get you 12-15hp. Anything else would be a waste. Or, you could save your money for a swap. Eith the i/h/e/kpro, its still a good $1k for good brands. With a little shopping for a K20A2, you could see a good 60hp jump. You're gonna hear "save for a swap" by a majority of the people that respond in here.

[EP3Lov3]

I'd love to do a swap but the car has only 36K miles, and the motor runs perfectly

[cvicep3]

Wow...36k miles? That is low.

[Blah1219]

Majority will say swap, but my ass has to be the red headed step child, so my verdict is killer vtec! You can see 195 whp with good bolt ons.

[EP3Lov3]

Wow...36k miles? That is low.
Haha yeah, I baby it also. Everyone is suprised when I tell them how many miles

[heyvortek]

just kpro!!!!! its like 1000whp....well ok not really but its the best bang for the buck. you will feel a difference with a standard basemap basemap

[Popeye]

Yeah, KPro is the better way to go. BUT, if you're looking for "bang-for-your-buck," FULL exhaust, intake, and reflash will get you close to an extra 15hp.

[EP3Lov3]

What about some cams and k20a2 oil pump?

[Tnhatch03]

^ if you do cams... make sure to have the valvetrain upgraded....

and kpro.

kpro should probably be your first mod. once you do that, the sky is the limit!

[Popeye]

If you do cams, you're gonna hafta upgrade the rest of the head. Well, not HAVE to. But it's STRONGLY recommended! If not, that low-mileage EP3 of yours wont be so babied. lol
I was mentioning those upgrades because they are the cheapest, and EASIEST to do. If you have the money, and you you want power, get yourself a turbo kit if you dont want to swap. (Which, by the way, isn't as expensive as you think. If you swap in an A2 and sell you low-mileage A3? You will get someone with an older Civic that will buy it from you at a decent price. You'll get a good part of your money back, if not all of it.) A turbo kit like the EMUSA one will run you $800. Of course you'll need KPro. lol But, for less than $2k, you'll EASILY be in the 200's.

[Blah1219]

If you go turbo, be sure you have money on the side for an emergency. I say killer vtec since it's so cheap. K20a2 cams and exhaust rockers. No need to upgrade valvetrain. Just watch what you set that rev limiter to since you still are running on them thin a3 rods.

[doubledouble]

Intake, header, full exhaust, and KPro or at least a reflash. All of that should get you 12-15hp. Anything else would be a waste. Or, you could save your money for a swap. Eith the i/h/e/kpro, its still a good $1k for good brands. With a little shopping for a K20A2, you could see a good 60hp jump. You're gonna hear "save for a swap" by a majority of the people that respond in here.


i/h/e/kpro sounds like a ton of cash for such little gains imo. sucks.

[Popeye]

Yeah, that's why I said most people will suggest a swap. It's the best bang for your buck at that price. But, if he has a low-mileage motor, and wants to keep it, those mods are what is suggested typically.

[doubledouble]

Yeah, that's why I said most people will suggest a swap. It's the best bang for your buck at that price. But, if he has a low-mileage motor, and wants to keep it, those mods are what is suggested typically.


Agreed.

[RHCP0801]

I swapped my motor out with 39k miles, but than again I had stage 3 cams and the chain tensioner failed so I had a good reason too. I only made 196hp with stage 3 cams, if you want anything more than that it's either boost or swap...end of story

[AKEP]

kpro. learn to use it and get better gas mileage and a little more power, opens all the doors to 3 lobe and cams and forced induction and tunability. or reflash if your not going to crack the motor open and just bolt ons.

[EP3Lov3]

Is the emusa turbo kit a good, reliable kit? I don't want any problems with it.

[RHCP0801]

if you're gonna turbo, expect problems here and there. That's what comes along with modding a car, you don't just throw on a turbo or supercharger and forget about it

[EP3Lov3]

I know about that, but I'm asking if it is a reliable kit. I don't want the turbo blowing up on start up. If it's a well rounded kit, I might consider purchase.
if you're gonna turbo, expect problems here and there. That's what comes along with modding a car, you don't just throw on a turbo or supercharger and forget about it

[Blah1219]

I know about that, but I'm asking if it is a reliable kit. I don't want the turbo blowing up on start up. If it's a well rounded kit, I might consider purchase.

It can hold up better than a ebay turbo for sure!

[Popeye]

And you can have the turbo rebuilt to Garrett specs.