The order of things to come. (READ ME!)

[JukeboxHero]

To all who have done quite a bit to their cb7.

What in your opinion(s) is the best order to go about tuning/modding my baby?

[deevergote]

Step #1, decide what you want to do... NA, turbo, nitrous, swap, stock motor and focus on suspension...

Everything else follows that decision.

[fatboy1185]

For a daily driver, i would work on suspension first. A Good suspension setup will cost you about $800 after you pay for shocks, springs, and replace balljoints and get an alignment.

[CB7 Sleeper]

yep always get the suspension done first. then do what deev said and decide where you want to go as far as a motor build.

[JukeboxHero]

Step #1, decide what you want to do... NA, turbo, nitrous, swap, stock motor and focus on suspension...

Everything else follows that decision.

Im sorry to be rather noobish but what exactly is NA?

[steelbluesleepR]

Im sorry to be rather noobish but what exactly is NA?

naturally aspirated, no turbo or supercharger.


as for modding order, the first thing is find some inspiration then figure out your budget. IMO reliability and safety should be paramount, so get your car properly sorted before you start putting money into modifications. if something is broken or worn out, replace it with an upgrade if you can. IMO suspension and braking is the first thing that should be modified on our cars if you like to drive it hard. a GOOD lowering kit (stay away from anything on ebay) and upgraded pads and rotors go a long way to making your car safer and more fun. also tires make the single biggest difference in performance. sticky tires help you corner faster, brake harder, and launch better. wheels and tires make a big difference visually, but IMO should not be installed until after you lower the car. 17's on a stock suspension just looks fucking goofy. aftrer that, follow the path you want to head down. if you want to make a race car, strip it out and focus on performance. if its just a cruiser/daily driver, concentrate on the interior as you will spend most of your time there. but remember, its YOUR car, do what you want with it.

[HondaFan81]

I agree, but have more to add with the suspension restoration comments. The information below assumes this is your daily driver, if it is a side project car then you do not need to get the original engine up to par.

NOTE: It is VERY important to develop a purpose & focus, then to stick to it!! If you keep deviating from the original plan, you will complete nothing, get frustrated and waste money with paperweights floating around that you will never get full reimbursement for.

1) Repair whatever necessary to get the vehicle reliable and safe.

2) Decide on purpose of this vehicle (daily driver, side project car, road course racing, autocross, street-only, drag-only, etc). KEEP THIS FOCUS THROUGHOUT!!

3) Decide on your performance route that compliments # 2 (original engine buildup, engine swap, all-motor, forced induction, nitrous, etc). KEEP THIS FOCUS THROUGHOUT!!

4) Get the suspension and brakes not only in good working order, but with the upgrades your foresee with your focus. Do research before any purchase.

5) Do extensive powertrain modification research relative to your focus and make a parts list with all necessary components, basically make a budget sheet. Keep it to what you need, not want. Add the "wants" later, if you have extra money.

6) Include engine management and dyno tuning expenses for your area for # 5. Speak with your local/intended tuner and ask them for their opinion on engine management that they are confident in using, to get best results.

7) After parts list completed, reassess purpose, focus and tweak anything necessary.

8) Purchase parts and accumulate. Research how to install the parts properly.

9) I like to gather all parts and install them in one session. The more you spread the installation process out and drive the car inbetween, the more money you spend overall.

10) Put thought into the installation of all parts, everything works as system and if you do not so one portion properly, it can affect/damage another.

11) If your modifications are aggressive enough, you will have to consider towing your vehicle to dyno shop for tune. Otherwise, obtain a basemap tune for your setup (from your tuner or other reputable source) and drive it to the dyno shop, then get full tune.

12) Do NOT drive around on a basemap for any extended period of time. Only drive car to make sure everything is working properly and no leaks before going to dyno shop. Then, drive to dyno shop directly. You can damage your investment driving a basemap for extended period of time.

Basemap purpose is to get you to the dyno, not to act as a daily-driver map, until you obtain funds to dyno tune. Not having funds is a complete excuse, this should ALL be part of your logical planning.

[deevergote]

Cisco... this should be posted on every automotive forum.

[JukeboxHero]

Awesome info guys. ive spent hours reading threads in this forum and so far you are 2 of the most level headed straight thinkers. I will definetely be shooting questions at you consistently. If possible keep an eye on this thread as i will be updating it.

These are my thoughts.

1. Im an underpaid barista/student so excess money is scarce but my dad helps me when he can seeing as i am a full time student(electronics) He is also excited about rebuilding my cb7 =O

2. I want a functional daily driver

3. I want to add as much power as possible without compromising too much/if any reliability. (hence owning a honda )

4. For the last three weeks i have been basically installing brand new OEM parts such as: Front axles/cv joint assemblys, new water pump all new belts(timing, balancer etc..), new front wheel bearings.

5. I want new shocks but my springs are in desperate need of replacement.. Im thinkin replace the springs for now and save for quality struts/lowering springs later on.

6. I want a clean/sleeper look. So somewhere down the road i will repaint to the original OEM color. I have the nicest of the stock alloys so im thinkin about getting new OEM alloys unless I can have someone redo them somehow? Whats a good racing style tire for a reasonable amount?

So i think thats about as far as ive gotten with my thought process..

Any constructive criticism or input you could think of now that you know my train of thought?

[plee3]

Awesome info guys. ive spent hours reading threads in this forum and so far you are 2 of the most level headed straight thinkers. I will definetely be shooting questions at you consistently. If possible keep an eye on this thread as i will be updating it.

These are my thoughts.

1. Im an underpaid barista/student so excess money is scarce but my dad helps me when he can seeing as i am a full time student(electronics) He is also excited about rebuilding my cb7 =O

2. I want a functional daily driver

3. I want to add as much power as possible without compromising too much/if any reliability. (hence owning a honda )

4. For the last three weeks i have been basically installing brand new OEM parts such as: Front axles/cv joint assemblys, new water pump all new belts(timing, balancer etc..), new front wheel bearings.

5. I want new shocks but my springs are in desperate need of replacement.. Im thinkin replace the springs for now and save for quality struts/lowering springs later on.

6. I want a clean/sleeper look. So somewhere down the road i will repaint to the original OEM color. I have the nicest of the stock alloys so im thinkin about getting new OEM alloys unless I can have someone redo them somehow? Whats a good racing style tire for a reasonable amount?

So i think thats about as far as ive gotten with my thought process..

Any constructive criticism or input you could think of now that you know my train of thought?

As fas as what I have read here, currently you are on the right track!