Hey guys, I have a 2000 Accord EX 5spd sedan with about 99k miles on it. It runs great I haven't had a single problem with it since I bought it over 50k miles ago. I was real big into car audio and did up my Accord almost immediately, but lately I've been less concerned with sound and more intrigued by performance enhancements. I just want to make my car a little faster. I've already upgraded to an AEM cold air intake which sounds much better lol but there are no noticeable perfomance gains (I didn't expect it to change anything lol).

Anyway, I don't want to super or turbo charge this car at all. I have a budget of $2000 tops (including installation & labor costs) so as far as parts are concerned my budget is significantly less. I was thinking of making the following changes: intake (done), headers, performance chip (ECU?), sway bars, brakes, exhaust (maybe). I don't know how important the manifold is, but it would make sense that if I am changing the headers and exhaust I might as well change the manifold as well. I am really new to all this and don't know really how to go about picking stuff out. I like to do my own research but if you guys could just help steer me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it. My goal is to add 20-30hp really... the more the merrier... but I just want to add a little more pep to the engine and increase handling a tad and braking as well. Thanks for your help guys. :)

if you change to header style exhaust manifold, you should do full exhaust...putting headers on with stock rear section is like putting a monster amp on factory 6x9s...while it will flow better up front, you will have alot of back pressure at the cat and stock muffler...i dont know about the "Chip", but im sure that someone Has to make one...as for non-electronic items...i would suggest headers, high flow cat...catback...perhaps a bigger throttle body and injectors, and if you can find a good priced intake manifold, im sure it would help the overall flow, but your exhaust and intake can only flow as well as your head can...

All this for $2000 or less including labor?? Even if it is all under $2000, will the performance gains be noticeable? Will they be worth the $2000 I'd be spending? Thanks for your reply, I'm going to look into everything you've mentioned. :)

what engine do you have?

2.3L I4 150hp/152lb-ft