a civic will never really kickass.. this is not bias.. as i love civics.. preludes.. s2000s ... the main fault is not the engine or weight.. but instead the fact that it is front wheel drive.. while modern day civics have certain ways of rendering the disadvantages of FWD, such as applying mroe power to the outside wheel in order to dissolve understeer.. they will never truley fix the problem.. so please do not waste money on trying to make a civic kick ass.. there is not a lot ofpotential in that car.. i would say try and find a Nissan 240sx.. or ifyou have the money and time.. perhaps and older rx-7.. and old supra migh be fun.. aim for RWD..i woudl say the 240sx. year 91-94 i think.. those are the twin cam models. 4 valves per cyl. good torque and decent hp.. very easy to mod..