Hello friends!

New user here, have had my 2009 acura rdx awd for about a year. Absolutely love this rig but its time to do some maintenance and some minor mods. Whats being done so far is:

-Rotors + pads in the rear
-Cabin air filter
-Front struts
-Rear shocks
-Alignment
-Plugs + Wires + Coils
-OEM intercooler replacement (made by “Spectra Premium” if that matters, I tried to get an ETS one but those are obviously impossible to find) — my original intercooler is PRETTY beat up so just wanted something fresh
-K&N intake

Now my first question is in regards to how important you guys would think getting the hondata intake manifold gasket is? It seems logical to get that done while I am having the plugs/intercooler replaced, but I don’t know how “necessary” this would be. I’m not all too concerned with increased power or anything from it (however thats nice I guess) — moreso wondering if it would be a good idea from a reliability standpoint? I plan on having this thing for many years and want to take the best possible care of it. I’m lucky enough to have a good friend as a mechanic who will be doing all the work on this and in his words he’s willing to do whatever I want done on my RDX.

My 2nd question is in regards to flashpro. From browsing around here, that upgrade seems to be easily the best bang for your buck upgrade out there. I have a hondata certified shop not too far from my home so I would be taking it to them once I have everything installed. Do people have any concerns (again, in terms of reliability) with getting your RDX tuned? I’m not trying to race this thing I just want my daily driver to be a little more fun to drive. Should I expect any CEL’s or anything of that sort from a simple flashpro upgrade tuned by a shop? I’m sorry if this is a really dumb question I just want to verify.

I will probably leave the list of mods at intake + flashpro as this will be my daily for the foreseeable future. Potentially would add a RV6 downpipe + exhaust in the future (with injectors because from reading around here I understand that might not be a bad idea) but honestly I’m leaning towards NOT doing that. I’m thinking about an RSX type-S as my “fun” car that I would rather spend $ on modding, but thats a whole ‘nother story.

I appreciate all feedback from you guys, feel free to light me up if I’m looking at things wrong here.

Thanks!

 

I also forgot, can somebody give me a proper link to the correct i/m gasket? I will probably order it with my flashpro from hondata’s website but I’m confused. Would it be this one:

https://www.hondata.com/heatshield/heatshield-k24

or this:

https://www.hondata.com/heatshield/heatshield-k20a

or this one from heeltoe:

https://www.heeltoeauto.com/hondata-...k20-k23a1.html


-> Really appreciate the help guys

 

If you haven't already ordered the RV6 downpipe, it'll be like the ETS intercooler, it's been discontinued recently. I did the flashpro with the 'stock' tune and it made it a lot more responsive. There is another tune available from Hondata for intake and exhaust mods. I think having an EVO quick Utility Vehicle is going to be loads of fun.

 

If you want to purchase anything and have questions order from https://www.heeltoeauto.com/ you can ask them any question and they know more than most people on this forum. They specialize on Honda and Acura products. They have the most parts available for our RDX in one place, especially aftermarket performance parts. I used them that's why I know this and they do take longer than big box stores to ship or respond but their knowledge is worth it.

 

Thanks for the reply man

Sorry to hear about the downpipe, I had looked for one a while ago and thought they might be still available. Oh well, like I said I am probably just going to do flashpro + intake.

Has your RDX thrown any check engine lights since you had it tuned or any other negative side effects? I have almost all the maintenance stuff done now so I will be considering the flashpro within a month or so.

 

I've only flashed it with the Hondata stock tune with no CELs. I'm planning turbo upgrade, front mount, 65mm throttle body, intake extrude honed, and RV6 downpipe added to my 3" cat back with Black Widow Venom 300 before doing a custom tune. I've got this ready to go on.

 

Following because I'm interested in hearing if you notice any performance change with that Spectra Premium intercooler.

 

I, of course, can’t offer any pre- post- dyno slips or anything like that but I could tell immediately that it made a solid difference. My original was beat to hell so no way in telling if the spectre is any better but its nice hearing the turbo now! Can’t wait to get that k&n on as well.

 

is the specter intercooler a upgrade over stock? or just a stock replacement?

 

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe its just a OEM replacement. My RDX’s original intercooler was in dire need of replacement so I did notice a difference after installing the spectre.