If you had a nicely tuned manual 2000 Hatch, you should be getting
under 8.6 sec to 60mph. Drop in an EX transmission
from the same model and that time should improve to about 8.3sec.
Exchange old parts for performance addons, like Header, Catalytic
Converter, freeflow exhaust and all that should be good for high 7
seconds. Also, better tires would be a huge help. The stock engine has
enough intial power to break loose the tires while only dropping at
2000rpm (without bogging down).

Replacing all the worn exhuast component might be costly, but after
200k, these parts are already suspect. However, to go this route, you'd
have to have an extreme amount of faith in the old engine and it's
electrical components. Personly, I think it's worth the investment, but
I had my 98 Hatch since new and know it's history. I wouldn't make the
same kind of investment in my wife's 2000 Civic EX. One of the major
indicator, her's rattles a little in cold start-up, mine doesn't (even
thow I have 3 times more mileage then her Civic).

Pars