Happy holidays all!

So here's my high class problem... I've got a 2006 S2K with pretty low mileage (sub 30k). I'm the second owner and picked it up about 10 years ago and have done about 12k in that time. I don't daily drive it, and it is still a special and exciting moment whenever I get behind the wheel. I've got no plans to sell the car.

I've been thinking, though, that it might be fun to track it a bit more and do some light modifications. Not thinking FI, but an ECU tune, suspension and maybe some easier breathing and fun sounding exhaust (also am open to recommendations here). But as time goes on these cars are going up in value...so I guess I'm debating keeping it a pristine garage queen vs how much damage I'd do to its value by enjoying the drive more.

Anyhow thought I'd open it up to what the internet is best for - getting opinions from strangers! In seriousness you guys are all smarter than me when it comes to cars.

 

I've got the mods you're thinking of doing & it makes the car just more fun then keeping it stock. Mine is an 06 because I wanted the ease of tuning with FlashPro since I've already had past history using it on the 07 Civic Si(FA5). Exhaust is a very personal choice due to the specific sounds you're wanting, single or dual & material it's made from. I went with a full titanium exhaust from Tomei which only weighs 9lbs & the sound is ear drum splitting awesome for me. Suspension depends on what you're looking to achieve & how much you want to spend. For now I'm on HKS GT IV coils with about 1 finger gap & set to 5 clicks off full stiff because I live in an area with good roads & plenty of new blacktop, I'm very happy with them & the lowered stance makes the car look great.

 

Appreciate that. CivicSi...I had one of those back in 1999 (technically an SiR).

 

Mod it if it makes it more fun and enjoyable. If you have no plans to sell it, why worry about the value?

That being said intake/exhaust are easy to put back to stock. Suspension items wear out so quality replacements don't usually take value away from the car (doesn't really add any either).

 

Flashpro + tune is hands down the best bang for the buck mod for DBW S2000s, especially if you have exhaust mods. Just swapping the stock cat out for a high flow cat yields big midrange gains with a tune by dropping VTEC engagement down. I have a berk HFC + Greddy SE dual exhaust and my tune (e-tuned by Gernby) had VTEC engagement down to ~3600 rpm versus the standard 6000 rpm. I haven’t dyno’d with this tune yet but I’m certain I’ve also picked up a few peak ponies, and he even tuned my DBW response to make it more responsive.

also, getting a proper tune eliminates the notorious lean-running issue that DBW S2000s have that leads to tight/burnt exhaust valves.

 

If the car is an investment, then don’t mod it. If you want to enjoy it, and not care about the value, then mod it to make it more enjoyable. Mine is modded with aftermarket wheels, bbk, supercharger, and coilovers. Keeping it until I die. Eventually will go to my nephew.

 

Store the old parts. Then later you can return to stock. The parts you're talking about typically wear out and are replaced with aftermarket. Yours will still be pristine low mile items. Suspension, cat.

 

Like a couple others in this thread my '06 is Gernby-tuned with a 3600 VTEC engagement point which requires a high flow cat. This is how Honda should have built the car -- mid range power is much more robust. Your (and your neighbor's) noise tolerance is a major consideration in aftermarket exhausts. My first attempt caused bleeding ears (OK but that's only a slight exaggeration), finalized on the Tanabe Medalion Touring -- gentlemanly performance. Other than the tune this is all a single Saturday morning with the car on jack stands or a lift and hand tools.

OE suspension and wheels are more than adequate although I'd love a set of AP2V3 wheels (anyone listening!? ) in lieu of my correct AP2V2 wheels just for the updated look.

-- Chuck

 

Light mods won't hurt the resale, just keep the stock parts and avoid cutting things. HFC and Flashpro for sure.

 

If it's DBW the HFC/test pipe + tune is a modification that's easily reversible but would add something to resale.

Nice coilovers or wheels also make sense and worst case, sell seperately.


Exhaust... well now we are in the rabbit hole. I cleaned up my stock exhaust to have it restored and ceramic coated. I also have an HKS Single which is droney around 3200-3700rpm that I slightly regret but it sounds amazing with the hardtop on or the soft top down. Not a big issue and I could always resale it later for roughly the same money.