MDX Engine Mods

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Old Aug 21, 2008 | 11:44 PM
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MDX Engine Mods

Has anybody done any engine mods to their MDX? The only thing I have done is swap out the stock air filter with a K&N one.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 12:39 AM
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It's too bad Comptech didn't finish developing the S/C for the MDX. Doesn't look like there is too much you can do as far as simple bolt ons go.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 12:52 AM
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not much, just custom exhaust, custom intake... no one has really done aftermarket anything for the MDX...
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 07:21 AM
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I've been looking into an intake for mine. I know a few people that have done custom setups but Weapon R does make a short ram for the MDX. Im curious to see if anyone notices and increase in low end torque or MPG. Maybe i'll get one and test it out.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 07:34 AM
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I have a custom 3.5in diameter intake installed. I got the pipe off of ebay, swapped the included filter for a K&N Cone one. I just had to unbolt the box and lay that baby in! I kept the cheap filter for when I need to clean the K&N one. I have not seen much change to my MPG, but there Is a "spark" to the low end torque, especially in 2nd and 3rd gears.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by highmath
I have a custom 3.5in diameter intake installed. I got the pipe off of ebay, swapped the included filter for a K&N Cone one. I just had to unbolt the box and lay that baby in! I kept the cheap filter for when I need to clean the K&N one. I have not seen much change to my MPG, but there Is a "spark" to the low end torque, especially in 2nd and 3rd gears.
Got any pictures of the setup? How does it sound?
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 07:44 AM
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Come to think about, I got no pics! I'll shoot some pics for you this evening and post them up. Oh and it sounds beautiful! A deep throaty tone, but doesn't over do it like a "flowmaster type" sound.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 09:53 AM
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The UR crank pulley from the TL fits the MDX. Check my webstore for the correct application: store.excelerateperformance.com

01-03 MDX use the 2nd gen TL/CL pulley
04-05 MDX use the 3rd gen TL pulley
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
I have a custom 3.5in diameter intake installed. I got the pipe off of ebay, swapped the included filter for a K&N Cone one. I just had to unbolt the box and lay that baby in! I kept the cheap filter for when I need to clean the K&N one. I have not seen much change to my MPG, but there Is a "spark" to the low end torque, especially in 2nd and 3rd gears.
Please share the pics when you get a chance. Do you remember who you got the pipe from off of Ebay?
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Excelerate
The UR crank pulley from the TL fits the MDX. Check my webstore for the correct application: store.excelerateperformance.com

01-03 MDX use the 2nd gen TL/CL pulley
04-05 MDX use the 3rd gen TL pulley
Joshua, can you explain a little more about the pulleys? I thought you can lose some power in other places by replacing them.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Nuckz23
Joshua, can you explain a little more about the pulleys? I thought you can lose some power in other places by replacing them.
Pulleys unlock power that was already there but was being wasted. I'm not sure if Josh is saying you can use the underdrive pulley or the stock size pulley but here's the deal.

The underdrive pulley is smaller than the stock pulley and it "underdrives" the accessories and allows more power to get to the wheels. It also weighs substantially less than the stock pulley so it takes less of the engines power to spin it in the first place.

The unorthodox stock size pulley is the same as the OEM, but weighs much less so again it takes less power to spin it and allow you to put more power to the road.

So in the end, no you don't lose any power anywhere, in fact, you make more power everywhere. Pulleys are essentially an "effeciency mod" they just make your current set up more effecient, they don't really "make" power it's more of an "unlocking" of power that was already there.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by black label
Pulleys unlock power that was already there but was being wasted. I'm not sure if Josh is saying you can use the underdrive pulley or the stock size pulley but here's the deal.

The underdrive pulley is smaller than the stock pulley and it "underdrives" the accessories and allows more power to get to the wheels. It also weighs substantially less than the stock pulley so it takes less of the engines power to spin it in the first place.

The unorthodox stock size pulley is the same as the OEM, but weighs much less so again it takes less power to spin it and allow you to put more power to the road.

So in the end, no you don't lose any power anywhere, in fact, you make more power everywhere. Pulleys are essentially an "effeciency mod" they just make your current set up more effecient, they don't really "make" power it's more of an "unlocking" of power that was already there.
Thanks for the info black label. I think I may try this out.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Sorry for the long delay....

Sorry for the late post of pics. I'm active duty military here in TX and my unit has been put on alert for support of the incoming hurricane. Moving tons of water (literally!) is hard work. Anyway here are some pics I took when I was cleaning my K&N and replacing with a cheapo spare for right now till the K&N dries. Sorry that the engine cabin is DiRtY!
Pics won't post so, here is a link to some pics...http://www..org/photopost/showgaller...=15226&thumb=1

Last edited by highmath; Aug 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 12:55 PM
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Grrr !!! I'm working on the pics....
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
Grrr !!! I'm working on the pics....

JK, get them posted when you can. There's a link somewhere on this site describing how to post pics if you need help.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
Grrr !!! I'm working on the pics....
You can PM me if you need any help.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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Ok, here we go... here is the link to my album. All the pics are there. Please excuse the dirty engine area! https://acurazine.com/forums/members/highmath-200086-albums-intake-216/
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
Ok, here we go... here is the link to my album. All the pics are there. Please excuse the dirty engine area! https://acurazine.com/forums/album.php?albumid=216
Looks nice! I'll probably end up doing something like this in the near future. Thanks for snapping some pics!
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Nuckz23
Please share the pics when you get a chance. Do you remember who you got the pipe from off of Ebay?
It was exactly like this>>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-06...spagenameZWDVW <<< I reducers that are in the pic didn't come with the one I got(even though its supposed to be included), but you don't need them anyways. Just pick up a couple of pipe clamps, like I have in my pics. The listing looks identical.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
It was exactly like this>>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-06...spagenameZWDVW <<< I reducers that are in the pic didn't come with the one I got(even though its supposed to be included), but you don't need them anyways. Just pick up a couple of pipe clamps, like I have in my pics. The listing looks identical.
Wow good price. A short ram intake for under $50. Funny how shipping is $22 though.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by FiftyFive
Wow good price. A short ram intake for under $50. Funny how shipping is $22 though.
Yeah, I said the same thing. That how a lot of eBay seller get there money by inflation of shipping charges. They suspect and hope that the buyer will see the low sale price and commit to purchase before looking at the shipping charges.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by highmath
Yeah, I said the same thing. That how a lot of eBay seller get there money by inflation of shipping charges. They suspect and hope that the buyer will see the low sale price and commit to purchase before looking at the shipping charges.
Yea and i don't think they are charged any percentage of that as a fee, as opposed to the sale price.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 10:36 PM
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Where is the intake getting it's air fed from? A good idea would be getting some flexible plastic routing, and picking up air from the grill and venting it into the air filter area.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by aznbo187
Where is the intake getting it's air fed from? A good idea would be getting some flexible plastic routing, and picking up air from the grill and venting it into the air filter area.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Don't you want cooler air running into your engine rather than the hot air under the hood? Looks pretty good but how does it perform? Is it louder?
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Nuckz23
That's exactly what I was thinking. Don't you want cooler air running into your engine rather than the hot air under the hood? Looks pretty good but how does it perform? Is it louder?
The stock intake system is actually a true cold intake. If you look in this pic, you can barely see the inlet at the bottom near the red wire on the right. It is oval, about the same size at the engine intake. I'm working on that issue with fabricating a shield from the intake inlet, up and around the cone and pipe like in this pic.

And YES, OH YES its louder. When it hits 2nd and 3rd gears, it makes me want to do the "Tim Allen's Tool Time" grunt everytime I hear it!
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Old Sep 8, 2008 | 08:15 PM
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I see where Csmeanse posted about the P2R bored intake maniflold for the new 08 accord fitting the MDX...I would love to know if this does work. Also if this effects the MAF sensor. They also have the thermal gasket for it as well, this would be a nice combo along with the intake and Unorthodox pulley

Chris
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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I was thinking about this for awhile is to take the stock turbo from the RDX and swap it it in on my 06 MDX and get the manifold custom made. I'm debating if it's worth it.
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by phatintegra
I was thinking about this for awhile is to take the stock turbo from the RDX and swap it it in on my 06 MDX and get the manifold custom made. I'm debating if it's worth it.
not worth it, its better to get custom stuff done. Though you might encounter some big tuning issues since not to many systems were designed to alter SUV ECU's
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 10:30 AM
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Engine Mods

I drive 2004 MDX and i just put on the pulley that i got from Excelerate. I would say the VTEC is very noticable when that kicks in. I also removed the intake resenator in the fender. I have a K&N drop in filter pretty cheap mod but it works really good. Also if you do the underdrive pulley you need a smaller belt. If i remember right 060820 is the size.
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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Well I'm looking to get the pulleys done soon.

Also will be porting and polishing the runners and intake manifold.

I don't want to touch the heads until the rebuild has to be done.

I'm looking into a custom header and piping soon.

The intake and pulley should be here shortly.
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by InspireTL
Well I'm looking to get the pulleys done soon.

Also will be porting and polishing the runners and intake manifold.

I don't want to touch the heads until the rebuild has to be done.

I'm looking into a custom header and piping soon.

The intake and pulley should be here shortly.
Are you talking about an MDX?
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by formula1
I drive 2004 MDX and i just put on the pulley that i got from Excelerate. I would say the VTEC is very noticable when that kicks in. I also removed the intake resenator in the fender. I have a K&N drop in filter pretty cheap mod but it works really good. Also if you do the underdrive pulley you need a smaller belt. If i remember right 060820 is the size.
You got any DIY advice for removing the resonator? I removed it from my TL when I swapped the stock with a Comptech one. Pretty simple?
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 03:09 PM
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Sorry for the delay Nuckz23! I had the bumper off which is very simular to the TL to take off even a little easier. You will see 2 bolt's after you have the bumper removed pretty straight forward. You will notice a difference in the upper RPM just like the TL. Hope this help's you,i did not take any pictures. Thanks, f1swede
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 01:52 PM
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Weapon R + MDX = 300hp?!?
0-60 under 7s?!?

anyone?

Also.. anyone know of a dealership that will install the UR Pulley.. My gf is at the 105k.. was going to do it with my coworker over the weekend but they had a deal to do the job for $499 plus W/P & Drive Belts.. sounded pretty good > throw in TL Loaner (type s please!)

Last edited by Majofo; Dec 4, 2008 at 01:54 PM.
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Old Dec 4, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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I saw a 3.5 engine from an RL on ebay.... just wondering if it would fit.
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Old Jan 2, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Majofo
Weapon R + MDX = 300hp?!?
0-60 under 7s?!?

anyone?

Also.. anyone know of a dealership that will install the UR Pulley.. My gf is at the 105k.. was going to do it with my coworker over the weekend but they had a deal to do the job for $499 plus W/P & Drive Belts.. sounded pretty good > throw in TL Loaner (type s please!)
Damn that seems steep!
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Old Jan 2, 2009 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Nuckz23
Damn that seems steep!
It was a couple hundred less than I was quoted at another Acura Dealership where I'm friends with a service writer and the same price from a good indie shop here.

But they wanted to change the plugs for almost $300 and the brakes for $700. I laughed..
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Old Jan 18, 2009 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Majofo
It was a couple hundred less than I was quoted at another Acura Dealership where I'm friends with a service writer and the same price from a good indie shop here.

But they wanted to change the plugs for almost $300 and the brakes for $700. I laughed..
Crazy what the stealerships charge.
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Old Jan 19, 2009 | 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Nuckz23
Crazy what the stealerships charge.
Yeah.. Funny thing is they sent me an email like a day or two after saying 15% quoted work if you come back.

I spent about $40 on plugs and $70 on ceramic pads, $6 on Castrol GT LMA + 1 weekend. Done deal.. they weren't even going to flush my brake fluid.. just change pads.

So I took the remaining $900 they wanted for those jobs and bought some beer and saved the remainder. They also wanted around $300 to change CV boot.. Spent $140 on new driveshafts R & L and $120 for my guy to install them. So I spent less having brand new driveshafts installed then they wanted to change the boot..
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 08:08 PM
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The Acura service center here in puerto rico called me today asked me if I wanted to replace the air cabin filter while my X is in for routine maintenance.
They said "we can do it for only $129 if you like".

And I thought politicians were crooks...
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