Best bang for the buck

[texasboy21]

In november i purchased a 06 TSX 6MT which now has 4500 miles on it. The car is quick i guess but not fast enough. I completly smoked it in my 97 Chevy K1500 Z71 extended cab truck with true dual exhaust, intake, headers, bored throttle body, free mods, and custom tuning. It dynoed 248 whp and 347 lbft, with max torque at 2600 RPMs. The change over from a truck with nuts down low to a car with nothing till 5500 RPM is just too much for me so i must begin to mod my TSX. To start i have $300 untill the summer. I think i am going with the Fujita 5 Cold Air Intake and the Comptech 22mm Rear Sway Bar. I know this isnt much but i have to start somewhere. Over the summer i will be getting Hondata and a header, not sure which one. My question to yall is whether or not this is a good place to start? Should i do one before the other? Also because i am new to the compact car scene i am not very knowledgeable on the electronic aspects. Is there any computer tuning avaiable for the TSX besides Hondata, like a form of custom tuning?

[Peregrine]

It's a good a place as any. Although if you're aiming for acceleration, I would hold off on suspension mods. However, keep in mind, no matter what you do, you may still be disappointed. It's only a 4-cyl. car and there is no turbo available for it yet. Instead of Hondata, you can get a Supercharger, but it's a lot of money with marginal gain.
So aside for the SC, the power gains you can get is by doing the following upgrades:
-Hondata
-CAI
-header
-RandomTech cat
-exhaust
you can also get lighter wheels, which will help in acceleration.

anything else I forgot...? anyone...?

[puiyingbread]

^ +1
save some $$ for a V6 if u want acceleration~~!!

[06Tsxeer]

Since we're on the topic of mods, i saw on tsxparts.com the comptech fuel injector for ppl that already have reflashed ECUs. Anyone have any opinions on that?

[texasboy21]

Thanks for the replys guys. I want to have an all around better performing TSX. All I want to do suspension, brakes, engine, wheels and tires. So I just wanted some input. I have a question about intakes, is the install anything difficult? On my truck all i had to do was take out the air box and tubing, then replace with different tubing and an open element filter.

[Peregrine]

For all kinds of installs, check out our DIY/FAQ Menu. There's a guide to do the CAI install, I'm sure.

[MemphisRheins]

Yep Pete, I wrote it... Best bang for you buck is probibly the Rear Sway Bar, True it does not make the car faster in a straight line, but for practicly nothing it changes the whole feel and attitude of the car around a corner,

the CAI is a nice touch, car feels a bit faster and makes one hell of a nice soundtrack... but Dyno its not that much, especially the Fujira 5, Id go with either a Full CAI, (Injen/K&N) or one of the much more expensive race ready airbox replacements... Personally I have the K&N...

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by MemphisRheins

... I wrote it...

I know, Brent, I know My memory is not as rusty as you might think... lol

[ebell]

Dropping with springs/shocks will be my first true mod on my tsx. I think you can choose either performance or looks from there.

[Type V]

Intake - Fujita/Injen/J's Racing
Header - Toda JDM Spec w/ Test Pipe
Exhaust - J's Racing 70RR
Hondata Reflash

LSD - JDM DC5R/Quaife ATB
Final Drive - J's Racing 5.1

Clutch - haven't researched this yet... ACT Stage 2 should do fine if available
Flywheel - does fidanza make one? I used an aluminum 7lbs on my 1.6EL LOVED it

Short Shifter - Comptech, what other ones are good?

Wheels - Kosei K1-TS 17x8 +45 16.0lbs CAST... very cost effective or go bling and go forge
Tires - Falken Azenis RT615 225/45R17... cheap, grippy, borderline r-comp, still summer tire

Coilovers - Tein Flex with EDFC with 12/8 or 12/10 springs... adjust damp settings on the fly
Camber Kit - SPC front and rear
Rear Sway Bar - Comptech 22mm

there you go, most simplest bolt-on go-fast goodies... and for pure power output and cost effectiveness... most minimal suspension mods to dial in the feel for the speed you want

[06Tsxeer]

How difficult is it installing a short shifter btw?

[chuson]

Originally Posted by ebell

Dropping with springs/shocks will be my first true mod on my tsx. I think you can choose either performance or looks from there.

Dropping by JUST springs is not consider to be Best bang for buck, because eventually the stock shocks will wear out and you will to replace them w/ after-market shocks.

Aftermarket Spring & shocks are cool if you find the right combo, or else put out another $100 on top for a nice set of coilover, can adjust both height and damper.

[calfullerton]

The best bang for the buck is Hondata. I didn't feel any difference with my intake, headers and exhuast. But after Hondata, BOOM!..car rocks. I would rather save 300 more and go for Hondata. Again, intake does not get you anywhere.

[06Tsxeer]

intake is only really felt when u open the throttle on a highway or something. u can't really feel it in first gear or second gear. u actually lose a bit of lower range torque i believe

[ebell]

Originally Posted by chuson

Dropping by JUST springs is not consider to be Best bang for buck, because eventually the stock shocks will wear out and you will to replace them w/ after-market shocks.

Aftermarket Spring & shocks are cool if you find the right combo, or else put out another $100 on top for a nice set of coilover, can adjust both height and damper.

I am planning to get Koni yellows and still debating between Neuspeed/Progress/Eibach springs.

I figured I am never going to play with heights and didn't want to deal with salt problems in winters for coilovers.

On a side note, what's involved in adjusting coilovers? Do you have to bring it to a garage? just need a simple tool? can do it at home?