Rep Power: 740

Just bought a 89 civic dx hatch, its in really good shape...242xxxkms, original 1.5L, 5 spd, but its an all around great car for $500

any tips or suggestions on what could make it better? ei: handing, performance etc

 
Rep Power: 758

short list of effective stuff that can be had for a decent price(either junkyard or ebay):

performance:
1 - header (cheap ebay one) round $100
2 - MPFI swap
3 - CAI
4 - full 2 or 2.25 inch exhaust w/ high flow cat
5 - SI tranny 89-91 not 88, different number of input shaft splines on the 88

For suspension/brakes:
1 - 91 integra front knuckles with brakes
2 - 91 integra brake booster
3 - 91 teg rear disc conversion
4 - 91 teg front sway bar assembly
5 - set of aftmkt springs

I could go on... lol

 
Rep Power: 797

it really depends on what your goals are for this car... do you know? Anyways civtegra has a small list to start with, but the question is what do you really want out of this car?

 
Rep Power: 0

I have a 90 civic si with a SOHC ZC motor, my suggestion is to apply bolt on parts, these cars FLY for what it is, catback exhaust, headders, intake is all you need really maybe a short shifter for added fun. Ebay has a strut bar package for less than 100 bucks, upper/lower fronts and rear as well as a c-piller, as civtegra90 said about suspenstion i have all of that and it handles and breaks very nicly. Its a great bonus for autocross