I bought an 07 last week and it's definitely one of the funnest cars I've had. However I'm surprised/disappointed by the off-the-line performance -- it's so slow taking off from a stop. I've never owned a turbo before but I know about turbo lag generally. Is this slowness unavoidable in older turbos? The car has been meticulously serviced throughout it's life so I am pretty confident there's no mechanical issues (owner is mechanic, and Acura PPI found no problems).

Is slowness from a dead start the nature of the beast? Are there driving techniques to compensate that won't damage the powertrain? If there aren't, this might be more of a fling than a LTR.

Thanks.

 

The single-scroll turbo takes time to spool, so the only way to combat that is by brake torquing. However, for the sake of your drivetrain I wouldn't get in the habit of doing that too frequently...

 

Being 2 tons doesn't help with launches either.

 

We have what's called a variable flow turbo so we don't really experience turbo lag much. Get some modifications done. Check them out on my thread.

 

The awd RDX at +4,000 lbs with a compression of 8.8:1 for the 2.3L I-4 at low rpms that hasn't had time to spool the turbo is probably only making low 100 hp or less off the line.

I did the Hondata reflash and that shorten the spool time for the turbo a little bit. I've noticed you have to ease into the throttle for faster get away compared to a lead foot/flooring it. You really can't put your foot into it until the turbo spools up.

 

Brake-boost it if you really want to jump off the line. Wouldn't recommend doing that too often though. Great way to cook your torque converter.

 

Whatever you do,don't floor it from a stop. It will be even slower. Just go 50% throttle until about 10 mph then start easing into it until at 100%

 

Why/how is full throttle slower?

 

It bogs down the turbo. You can hear it growling straining and sucking through the intake but the car barely goes. If you let the engine do more of the work off the line, then let the turbo loose from a rolling start it accelerates more efficiently, without all of that turbo lag.

 

N2O can cure that