Not finding much info for the 1st gen RL's. Almost a complete lack of performance parts. Is the RL Acura's dirty secret? What do you think?

 

It's not a "performance car"...

It's an elegant luxury car that fell behind it's competition so there aren't many of them. That's why there's such a lack of information and definitely why there's a lack of after market parts.

 

It's a highway cruiser. Comfort and safety being priority one.

 

unless you go to japan

 

I understand the RL wasn't a performance car when it was released...neither are half the Honda's I see modified today. Acura kept the same 3.5 engine for a long time in automotive terms. I would have thought the demand for more muscle and better cornering would have driven somebody to address the deficiencies. All-in-all I like the RL and it's certainly not the worst car I've ever tried to restore but, a few nips and tucks are needed.

 

There is only so much performance you can get out of a SOHC 3.5 V6 that has no variable valve timing. And there is only so much you can do with a FWD car that weighs nearly 4,000 pounds.



Short of ripping out the drivetrain and throwing an a Chevy LS1 and making it RWD, I don't really see you improving the car's performance.

 

Totally agree about the 3.5 sohc being a poor platform for a hot rod. Still, making it more efficient is possible and suspensions are always improvable. The engineers are paid to meet certain specs and cost is the biggest factor. Mine is peppy for having 249K on the odometer and since it needs a LOT of love some options would ne nice

 

Well..

You could swap some parts from the Acura Legend ('91 - '95) specifically the C32A5 motor which made 230 hp. Grab the intake manifold, get a cold air intake and a freer flowing exhaust and you'll probably be making just under 250 hp. If you spend a bunch more money you could swap in a 6 speed manual transmission but you'd need to switch to OBD-I ecu control.

As for suspension the '02 - '04 RL shocks and springs are stiffer making the car feel more like a sporty Cadillac than a Buick.

 

that setup has made about 230-235 at the wheels.

 

With a 6 speed manual or auto?

I know DV8 on the Acura Legend forums did all the above and then some customization on top. Of course this was on the (relatively) lighter Legend and not the '3.5 RL'

 

6spd. Not bad really so you figure that'd be at about 250-255 at the crank.


yeah that was on the Legend forums. DV8's mad turbo right now, so it's been a while.

 

Taking suspension parts from a 02-04 sounds like something to really consider. Getting all Kung-Fu and swapping engines and tranny's not so much:-) I would however, LOVE to have a 6 speed. I want to thank you guys for making some good points.

 

Suspension is a direct swap too

 

I actually had the chance to dyno my RL.
2001 3.5 RL with a custom Apex'i short ram intake and a custom axleback.
180whp, 191 lb tq.

FYI I remember my AFR graph and my friend Bisi at Bisimoto said that our AFR ratios are REALLY rich. If we can lean it out we can get a bit of extra power.

 

Just keep up with Old Hatch's mods, he's bound to run out of things to do soon and will end up supercharging his :P

 

The entire 'C' series of motors is that way.

 

how would we "lean" it out?

 

Like others have stated...its a luxury car. I upgraded my suspension...Koni Reds with stock springs. It does handle alot better and the car sits lower. I read somewhere that headers from a legend will bolt to the block...but there are most likely other obstacles that would prevent them from fitting.

I know you can swap a type II intake from the 3.2. You just need to block off the hole where the IAC would be.

Custom cams maybe?

 

lol damn it, and I bought this car so that I could stay away from modding...NOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Actually, the Vigor is more like Acura's red headed stepchild.

It was only around from '92-'94, and didn't sell well at all.

I believe it was replaced by the TL, which used the same inline 5 cylinder (2.5l)

 

Very underrated car, especially with the manual transmission.