I've read interesting facts about the tsx's 2008 engine from Acura's website




The key fact there is the VTEC kicks in at 4500 rpm. Is this a change for 2008 year, because my tsx switches to second cam profile at 6000 rpm. This is bad because when you shift to the next gear, the rpms drop well below 6000 so you drop to the lower cam profile again.
This problem is fixed by Hondata tuning, but it costs $600 to get and voids your warranty. Wondering if Acura has now updated the software to turn on VTEC at 4500 rpm.

Maybe we can all go to the dealerships and have them update the firmware for our 2006 tsxes so that it switches at 4500rpm too. I think thats the main fix that Hondata did.

Anyone know anything about this?

 

Strange... aren't the specs for the engine max torque of 164 lb-ft @ 4500rpm? Maybe that's what they meant.

 

well, they are discussing VTEC specifically.
Maybe someone can confirm that VTEC still switches at 6000 rpm by simply driving the car past 6000 rpm. Any 2008 tsx owners out there?

 

already posted in the other thread....my 08 AT tsx hits vtec at 6k, not 4.5k

 

I think the info is referring to two separate processes that our 04-08 model 2.4L TSX have:

VTEC at 4500 rpms

iVTEC that kicks in at 6000 rpms

http://asia.vtec.net/article/k20a/

I think only DOHC engines can do the i-VTEC thing. The TL, MDX, and RL only have VTEC engines (no DOHC engines).

 

iVTEC operates at all RPM ranges.

The difference between a Vtec engine and iVtec is that iVtec adds "variable timing control". iVtec allows the engine to advance or retard timing to benefit fuel economy and emmissions, but it does different things at different RPMs.

 

I wish it was at 4.5k Vtec kicks in too late and last too short.

 

^^ Get a Hondata reflash

 

I just can't justify paying $600 for a software update + it voids your warranty. All they do is change the VTEC crossover point. Thats how they are getting a better horsepower curve. Seems to me, its just a number you change in one of the tables, thats it. $600 for that?

 

you gotta pay to play.
bottom line.

Put it this way...there is no way you can just "change some numbers" to lower your vtec engagement point. Im sure all of us wish you could, but you cant. The ecu code is quite complex and must be cracked/ altered. If you can do that without paying hondata 600 bucks, then count me in.
Until then, what else can you get for 600 bucks that gives you the numbers hondata gives?

 

Can the people at the dealership even figure out that you have the ECU reflashed without you telling them?

 

^^ yes, but they have to be looking for it.