The motor is perhaps the most exciting and rewarding area of Honda tuning that is available. There are varying levels of performance that can be squeezed out of a engine, depending on a driver's budget and goals. If a particular series of motor can't support the level of power desired, then maybe a motor swap with another car, is in order. The least expensive route is to start to with basic bolt on modifications such as an air intake, a header, pulleys, and a larger throttle body. These specific modifications can be purchased one at a time and the driver usually notices a gradual increase in the motor's responsiveness and power. Air intakes are usually the first purchase for the motor because of the relatively low price and the pleasant sound, as well as an increase in power. They come in two varieties which include the short stack and a cold air intake setup. A header is a logical next purchase because the intake is bringing more air into the motor and the header will channel the exhaust gasses out of the cylinders and out the exhaust. The header will produce additional torque and horsepower throughout the power band as well.

Improvements in the remaining sections of a vehicle's exhaust will further increase the effectiveness of the air intake and header. On the intake side of the airflow, a larger throttle body will allow more air info the engine, which helps to increase the overall amount of power output, especially at higher engine revolutions per minute or rpms. Pulleys are another very inexpensive option available to enthusiasts that create power for a small amount of money. The thinking behind these pulleys is that lighter weight and reduced size will require less power from the motor to operate. Many times these products come in a variety of basic colors and the material usually used to manufacture these pulleys is aluminum, because of their light weight and strength. All of these parts will also add to the effectiveness of major power adders like nitrous oxide, turbochargers, and superchargers.

The internals of the motor are the most expensive parts to replace, but can offer significant gains in performance. Camshafts will add more power and generally move the power band upward in the rpm range. Along with cams, new retainers and retainer springs will most likely be needed as well. Pistons can increase or decrease compression, depending on the builder's intentions, and are made of forged aluminum. The cylinder head is the key to flowing air into the combustion chambers, which means fantastic gains can be achieved when paired with the right combination of camshafts, pistons, header, and exhaust system.