I'm new. What is the cheapest way to add horsepower?
10-18-2011, 03:03 PM
#1
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I'm new. What is the cheapest way to add horsepower?
Im new to all this and I dont know a ton about modifications. I just bought a 2005 6sp manual Acura TL about 2 weeks ago.
What should i buy to increase the horsepower on my TL? Im only 19 so i dont have a huge budget. I just want to know what would be some small purchases that i could buy right now until i get a better job.
What should i buy to increase the horsepower on my TL? Im only 19 so i dont have a huge budget. I just want to know what would be some small purchases that i could buy right now until i get a better job.
10-18-2011, 03:06 PM
#2
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^i would save your money man.
modifying cars is not cheap, especially when you don't have disposable income.
the TL is a fairly expensive car to mod when you think about the $$$ VS power return.
if you don't like any of what i said, just spend some time reading some threads in this section. plenty of good info.
modifying cars is not cheap, especially when you don't have disposable income.
the TL is a fairly expensive car to mod when you think about the $$$ VS power return.
if you don't like any of what i said, just spend some time reading some threads in this section. plenty of good info.
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10-18-2011, 03:19 PM
#6
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i dunno, what do you want out of your TL? power right?
get richies v3 jpipe. it costs around $450 i think.
i would honestly just read through this section and find some things you like. you'll probably find your answer faster that way.
get richies v3 jpipe. it costs around $450 i think.
i would honestly just read through this section and find some things you like. you'll probably find your answer faster that way.
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10-18-2011, 05:57 PM
#10
Banned
Intake. Cold air preferably. Get on ebay and buy a used AEM V2, Injen, or Takeda intake. All will yeild you 10 to 15hp plus give you better mpg's when your foot isn't heavy.
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10-18-2011, 09:16 PM
#14
Two '08 TLs
10-18-2011, 09:27 PM
#15
Two '08 TLs
Shit, I'm shocked nobody has told him to replace the 3rd and 4th pressure switches and switch to Redline. That seems to be the standard answer for everything.
Bob: "My wife won't let me stick in her......."
Member (interrupting): "Dude, replace the switches, use Redline"
Bob: "My wife won't let me stick in her......."
Member (interrupting): "Dude, replace the switches, use Redline"
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10-18-2011, 09:46 PM
#16
Suzuka Master
^^ HAHA that was classic
10-18-2011, 10:38 PM
#18
Safety Car
Shit, I'm shocked nobody has told him to replace the 3rd and 4th pressure switches and switch to Redline. That seems to be the standard answer for everything.
Bob: "My wife won't let me stick in her......."
Member (interrupting): "Dude, replace the switches, use Redline"
Bob: "My wife won't let me stick in her......."
Member (interrupting): "Dude, replace the switches, use Redline"
10-18-2011, 10:40 PM
#19
100$ : 1hp ratio.
Unless you install several bolt-on power modifications at once or get boosted, you're not going to notice a significant power increase.
Start by getting a rear sway bar (Comptech, Progress, Type-s, etc.). I guarantee you will feel a difference in handling/cornering.
If youre willing to spend almost 500$ on an exhaust bolt on modification, go with either the XLR8 V2 J pipe, or RV6-V3 J pipe (theyre practically identical).
Heat and Weight kill the TL's performance, so if there is anything you can do to reduce the weight by a hundred pounds (and still maintain the overall look of the car), you'll notice the car aquired some spunk.
Cold air intakes wont effect the performance of your car, but they will add a roaring sound around 4k+ rpms.
Also, I just turned 17, and let me tell you, being jobless sucks. I've had to do so many one day side jobs (for my dad and his friends) to get the 700$ of parts I've got on my baby. I don't regret any of it, and its definitely been a great experience putting on mods and learning all about the TL on this forum.
Anyway, to answer your question, a J pipe that removes the 3rd cat will probably be your best Dollar to Horsepower ratio. (the 2 pipes I stated above)
Unless you install several bolt-on power modifications at once or get boosted, you're not going to notice a significant power increase.
Start by getting a rear sway bar (Comptech, Progress, Type-s, etc.). I guarantee you will feel a difference in handling/cornering.
If youre willing to spend almost 500$ on an exhaust bolt on modification, go with either the XLR8 V2 J pipe, or RV6-V3 J pipe (theyre practically identical).
Heat and Weight kill the TL's performance, so if there is anything you can do to reduce the weight by a hundred pounds (and still maintain the overall look of the car), you'll notice the car aquired some spunk.
Cold air intakes wont effect the performance of your car, but they will add a roaring sound around 4k+ rpms.
Also, I just turned 17, and let me tell you, being jobless sucks. I've had to do so many one day side jobs (for my dad and his friends) to get the 700$ of parts I've got on my baby. I don't regret any of it, and its definitely been a great experience putting on mods and learning all about the TL on this forum.
Anyway, to answer your question, a J pipe that removes the 3rd cat will probably be your best Dollar to Horsepower ratio. (the 2 pipes I stated above)
10-19-2011, 07:40 AM
#20
Two '08 TLs
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10-19-2011, 07:47 AM
#21
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10-19-2011, 09:26 AM
#22
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The proof is in the dump of the untamed they make for the TL. Don't disparage me rudely like a sophomoric kid. For the money HP/$ an intake is the way to go.
10-19-2011, 09:54 AM
#24
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justnspace (10-19-2011)
10-19-2011, 10:04 AM
#25
Sorry, man, but...no.You get some good low-end response (in my opinion), it sounds great...but the gains are minimal at best. Don't confuse low end throttle response for big HP gains. :/You aren't pulling any more air through than usual. I don't have all my terminology perfect here, but some of you may get what I'm saying. (I'm tired...were we having this convo later in the day I would be fine!)
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justnspace (10-19-2011)
10-19-2011, 11:22 AM
#26
Banned
Sorry, man, but...no.You get some good low-end response (in my opinion), it sounds great...but the gains are minimal at best. Don't confuse low end throttle response for big HP gains. :/You aren't pulling any more air through than usual. I don't have all my terminology perfect here, but some of you may get what I'm saying. (I'm tired...were we having this convo later in the day I would be fine!)
10-19-2011, 11:31 AM
#27
There was a thread that was stickied at the top of the forum for a long time:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=aem+dyno
It's a before and after dyno of the regular AEM CAI and CT Catback on a base TL. The car made 22 whp more. We all know the exhaust is only good for 10 whp and the CT-E has smaller piping that both ATLP and XLR8. So where did the other 12whp come from? THE INTAKE. I'm not saying it makes 15 whp but you can expect 8-10 whp for the cold air intake on the TL 3.2/3.5.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=aem+dyno
It's a before and after dyno of the regular AEM CAI and CT Catback on a base TL. The car made 22 whp more. We all know the exhaust is only good for 10 whp and the CT-E has smaller piping that both ATLP and XLR8. So where did the other 12whp come from? THE INTAKE. I'm not saying it makes 15 whp but you can expect 8-10 whp for the cold air intake on the TL 3.2/3.5.
10-19-2011, 11:40 AM
#29
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Last edited by SharksBreath; 10-19-2011 at 11:42 AM.
10-19-2011, 11:52 AM
#30
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10-25-2011, 09:33 PM
#35
Intermediate
or you could get a cheaper cold intake around 150 like that dc sport one its preety much the same as the rest of em. that would be straight first mod thats not to expensive.
10-25-2011, 10:44 PM
#37
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OMFG....
once and for all....
Exhaust side only opens up the horsepower....if the TL makes 268 at crank, by adding whatever exhaust setup you will NEVER surpass 250-255 to the wheels as you are not MAKING power on the exhaust side, your freeing up HP....
Intake side makes power as the ECU keeps the AFR constant so more AIR = more FUEL = more POWER = less gas mileage....(applies until a certain point)
Since the OP is strapped on cash I would suggest DO NOTHING...Do free mods....
UCM (Ultimate cooling mod)
Coolant Bypass
Tranny Cooler ($100)
Throttle body spacer ($70)
MDX Spacer ($70)
Some weight loss maybe ?
and Call it a day....
Once you accumulate some more $$$ you can get a jpipe/PCD's/Exhaust/Intake/PnP manifold runners etc
once and for all....
Exhaust side only opens up the horsepower....if the TL makes 268 at crank, by adding whatever exhaust setup you will NEVER surpass 250-255 to the wheels as you are not MAKING power on the exhaust side, your freeing up HP....
Intake side makes power as the ECU keeps the AFR constant so more AIR = more FUEL = more POWER = less gas mileage....(applies until a certain point)
Since the OP is strapped on cash I would suggest DO NOTHING...Do free mods....
UCM (Ultimate cooling mod)
Coolant Bypass
Tranny Cooler ($100)
Throttle body spacer ($70)
MDX Spacer ($70)
Some weight loss maybe ?
and Call it a day....
Once you accumulate some more $$$ you can get a jpipe/PCD's/Exhaust/Intake/PnP manifold runners etc
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TripAcez (10-26-2011)
11-17-2011, 03:43 PM
#40
like everybody said save your money. i was 19 too and i spent every incoming penny on my tl. def dont get an intake. if you were to get anything, get an exhaust makes your car look better, sound better, and few hp gain. i recommend greddy evo2