I would leave your car stock. Civics along with almost all the cars in Honda's lineup, were not meant to go fast. They handle well, are reliable, and get from a to b with great gas mileage. If you are going to invest money in a car to make it 'take off' faster, invest in something meant to do it. Even with all the bolt-ons you can think of, a clutch, and reground camshafts, it will still be slow as hell. Besides, ricing out civics and other economy cars is old and tacky. Trust me, i have a 98' civic ex with a five speed and its slow as f*ck. I leave it bone stock and drive my stroked silverado for fast take-offs.