In my case, I was measuring litres per 100kms. If I was doing 10.5 litres per 100kms, it would improve by a couple of points on average – maybe 10.3 litres per 100 kms. This is city driving.
Review: Engine Mods on my TSX
Before I continue, my TSX is an auto. Yes I know and agree that the standard transmission is a more appropriate and better suited vehicle for mods. I had my reasons for buying an automatic but that’s not the purpose of my post. I just thought I would share my personal experience on each mod I have installed. They are identified in the order they were installed. Each were installed and used for several months before installing the next mod:
Note: my ratings are based on:
Each category is rated from 1 to 5.
1 – nothing/no improvement to 5-Amazing difference.
1. Comptech Icebox with K&N filter: My first impression was a big smile because of the growl it made when it clicked into VTEC. Did it feel faster? Not really. Did I feel more of a pull? No. My mileage did not significantly improve even when driving calmly.
Cool factor: 3 / 5. Performance: 1 / 5 Gas Mileage: 1 / 5
2. Weapon R racing header with a high flow cat welded on to the test pipe: Right away I just felt the car wasn’t working so hard to breath. When I pressed the gas pedal down, the engine just seemed to come to speed just a little quicker. Having had the Comptech icebox on and now the header, the sound was virtually the same, just a little raspier. I liked the power improvement but it wasn’t a “WOW” experience. For the price of installation and the price of the parts, I was a little disappointed, just expected more. Mileage also improved a slightly.
Update: The fumes from the exhaust gets pretty smelly. I back up into my garage and it takes a few minutes for the smell to to away.
Cool factor: 2.5 / 5 Performance: 2.5 / 5 Gas Mileage: 2 / 5
3. Hondata Reflash: This was probably the most significant, noticeable improvement of all my mods. Yes it may be due to the combination of the other two mods but I really felt something with this reflash. Was it a night and day experience? No. Did it pull harder? Yes.
The power just seemed to pull much more linearly throughout the power band and with much more force. This really was a good purchase. I can now punch the throttle and it pulls with much more authority. I feel I have gained power – noticeably.
Cool factor: 3.5 / 5 Performance: 4 / 5 Gas Mileage: 1 / 5
Overall, knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn’t do the mods again. I say this based on the price vs performance factor. The gains were really only felt once I did the reflash. Even with the reflash, the power is better but not worth (in my opinion) the money I spent on it. It’s definitely a more enjoyable ride having the additional power.
That’s my two cents. I know many will disagree with me but that’s not the point of the post. It’s simple to give people a reasonable expectation of what they will get after spending the money. Maybe with flashpro, I would notice more significant gains. I just don’t have the time to fiddle with the tuning. I also don’t want to dyno my car because I don’t care. For me, it’s all about how it feels on the road and useable horsepower for daily driving.
Some might wonder why I put a gas mileage rating when I am looking for more power. Simply put, the better the breathing, the better the mileage if driven conservatively. I have also seen others ask if certain mods affect the mileage. I would say for all of my mods, if you don’t push down hard on the gas pedal, its improved slightly.
I have done some other mods to my car but my focus for this post was engine
I hope someone finds this post helpful.
Note: my ratings are based on:
Cool Factor - My overall enjoyment of the mod
Performance - Performance felt – Butt Dyno
Mileage - Gas mileage improved after installing the mod when driving conservatively
Each category is rated from 1 to 5.
1 – nothing/no improvement to 5-Amazing difference.
1. Comptech Icebox with K&N filter: My first impression was a big smile because of the growl it made when it clicked into VTEC. Did it feel faster? Not really. Did I feel more of a pull? No. My mileage did not significantly improve even when driving calmly.
Cool factor: 3 / 5. Performance: 1 / 5 Gas Mileage: 1 / 5
2. Weapon R racing header with a high flow cat welded on to the test pipe: Right away I just felt the car wasn’t working so hard to breath. When I pressed the gas pedal down, the engine just seemed to come to speed just a little quicker. Having had the Comptech icebox on and now the header, the sound was virtually the same, just a little raspier. I liked the power improvement but it wasn’t a “WOW” experience. For the price of installation and the price of the parts, I was a little disappointed, just expected more. Mileage also improved a slightly.
Update: The fumes from the exhaust gets pretty smelly. I back up into my garage and it takes a few minutes for the smell to to away.
Cool factor: 2.5 / 5 Performance: 2.5 / 5 Gas Mileage: 2 / 5
3. Hondata Reflash: This was probably the most significant, noticeable improvement of all my mods. Yes it may be due to the combination of the other two mods but I really felt something with this reflash. Was it a night and day experience? No. Did it pull harder? Yes.
The power just seemed to pull much more linearly throughout the power band and with much more force. This really was a good purchase. I can now punch the throttle and it pulls with much more authority. I feel I have gained power – noticeably.
Cool factor: 3.5 / 5 Performance: 4 / 5 Gas Mileage: 1 / 5
Overall, knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn’t do the mods again. I say this based on the price vs performance factor. The gains were really only felt once I did the reflash. Even with the reflash, the power is better but not worth (in my opinion) the money I spent on it. It’s definitely a more enjoyable ride having the additional power.
That’s my two cents. I know many will disagree with me but that’s not the point of the post. It’s simple to give people a reasonable expectation of what they will get after spending the money. Maybe with flashpro, I would notice more significant gains. I just don’t have the time to fiddle with the tuning. I also don’t want to dyno my car because I don’t care. For me, it’s all about how it feels on the road and useable horsepower for daily driving.
Some might wonder why I put a gas mileage rating when I am looking for more power. Simply put, the better the breathing, the better the mileage if driven conservatively. I have also seen others ask if certain mods affect the mileage. I would say for all of my mods, if you don’t push down hard on the gas pedal, its improved slightly.
I have done some other mods to my car but my focus for this post was engine
I hope someone finds this post helpful.
1 - 4 of 8 Posts
Thanks.
There is no question that I have restricted the flow of the header by adding a high flow cat. That said, it is a high flow cat and I really wonder what the difference would be without it - 2 to 5 hp? My bet is it wouldn't be significant.
I just hear so many people getting caught up in the horsepower number and not the feel of the car. I don't care if I dyno a 30+ hp gain, if it doesn't feel much faster, what's the point.
I'm not trying to discourage people from doing mods, I just thought people would be interested in something other than a hp number.
Just my 2 cents.
There is no question that I have restricted the flow of the header by adding a high flow cat. That said, it is a high flow cat and I really wonder what the difference would be without it - 2 to 5 hp? My bet is it wouldn't be significant.
I just hear so many people getting caught up in the horsepower number and not the feel of the car. I don't care if I dyno a 30+ hp gain, if it doesn't feel much faster, what's the point.
I'm not trying to discourage people from doing mods, I just thought people would be interested in something other than a hp number.
Just my 2 cents.
Pson, I know what you’re saying. My friend has a direct CAI, similar to your Injen CAI and its loud compared to my Comptech. For relaxed daily driving, it’s hard to tell that I have my Comptech installed. Its only when you get into the higher RPM’s you hear it. The sound is not so loud that it becomes annoying but that could be a personal thing.
1 - 4 of 8 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Acura TSX Forum
TSX Club is the perfect forum for Acura TSX fans and Owners, where you can discuss concerns about reliability or how to upgrade your TSX with mods and accessories.
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
