hello all, I just recently purchased my 2011 Acura RDX turbo base, 119,000 miles, I freaking love this thing. I just wanted to ask the pros a couple of questions so then I don’t mess anything up…

1). would you recommend a cold air intake? If so, which brand, and do I need to tune my engine after install?

2). I want to open up the exhaust a little bit, would y’all recommend a muffler delete, resonator delete, or a muffler and resonator delete?

3). are there any other “starter” mods that you would recommend?

Thank you guys for taking time out of your day to read my post, it’s really appreciated

 

I’m no pro, but I bought my 08 RDX three months back and have spent a lot of time reading through old forums and have a decent little parts list going so far.

1) You’ll get mixed responses on this question. Most aftermarket cold air intakes are really taking in hot air from the engine block and aren’t boosting performance. I got the k&n intake and am happy with it. I have a Hondata so it’s “tuned” for it, but don’t think it’s necessarily required and the preset tunes are lacking in performance in my opinion. But to get the most out of your RDX in general I think a Hondata is crucial.

2) I just pre ordered the ATLP exhaust from heel toe. Last email they sent me said they sold 7 of 10 pre orders and my exhaust would ship in February. I’d go see if they’re still taking orders. It’s a 3” exhaust, so less restrictive than stock.

3) Ive installed the k&n intake, bc coil overs, Koenig wheels, Hondata tune, and progressive RSB. I have steel brake lines and new pads and rotors sitting in my closet ready to install. I have ordered IMR down pipes, and ATLP exhaust. I will probably grab the turbo smart BOV from heel toe here soon. After I install the downpipes and exhaust I’m going to send data logs to a tuner on the east coast.

again, Im just a hobbyist who’s trying to make the RDX a little quicker while also looking/sounding cool. I’m sure some more knowledgeable people will chime in.

 

Welcome. Its a fun little car to have, especially if you get some bolt on performance parts on it.


1) No one makes a true cold air intake for the car. There are a few legitimate brands (and about a 1000 generic ebay ones) that make basic intakes to replace the factory box, but like mentioned above, they just suck in hot air. If you're handy with a dremel, you can build your own cold air intake for the car for about $200. I built one for mine when I first got it, and have a list of the parts needed here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-.../#post16956049 (the parts list is the next post down


And to answer the second part of your question, you do not need to tune the car after an intake. However, Hondata FlashPro (the tuning box and software used to tune these cars) is 100% the first mod I would recommend. It is what will make the most power out of any single modification. And once you have that, you have the ability to continue to refine and reflash the car as you add more parts. I wish I had done it that way first (I did some other mods instead).

2) For the exhaust, ATLP is the only company that makes a full catback exhaust for the car. Its not cheap, but 100% an extremely well made part and looks and sounds fantastic. If you have the money, I'd definitely say get one, they area actually doing a re-order right now, and who knows when the next one will be.

You can always get an exhaust built, most exhaust shops won't reach the quality and fit and finish of the ATLP. If you do build one, I'd still follow the routing and design of the factory one. The factory piping is super small.....go 2.5" or 3" piping. A Magnaflow or Vibrant muffler will sound good. The ATLP kit deletes the resonator, and has zero drone, so I'm sure you could delete that as well. As long as the car has the factory downpipe with two cats, it will be pretty quiet.

3) Like I said before, Hondata Flashpro. Once you have that, you can begin the other steps to add more power. Intake, larger injectors, downpipe, ported intake manifold, custom front mount intercooler. A proper dyno tune. That will pretty much put you at the limits of what the stock turbo can push out. Besides Flashpro, the downpipe is another huge power bump. But its not a cheap part. And if you have emissions in your state, it may not pass depending on how strict it is. And if you order one with or without a catalytic converter in it.


There isn't a huge market for these cars, but there are a few small companies or individuals currently producing parts for them still in small batches. Just need to know where to look, ad have money ready when stuff comes up for sale. Best of luck!



This is my RDX currently. I'm just finishing up the mods (have everything I listed in #3), and the car will be tuned come spring. I'll pretty much have maxed out the stock turbo capabilities.