HouseMusicRules

I picked up my 2005 Acura TSX 6MT in Arctic Blue about a month back. Love it ever since...

My comment is that is it just me or does the 2.4-litre 4-cyl in the TSX have a very uninspiring sound when revved? Dont get me wrong, it doesnt sound whimpy or bad, but... just bland. Not particularily memorable like, say, the 1992-2002 Honda Preludes. Those had a nice, deep throaty exhuast sound.

Coming from a 1996 GS-R, I was hoping for that same Prelude-like exhaust sound in the TSX. Doesnt look that way.

Anyone else feel the same?

HMR.

Dan Martin

There's quite a few kits on the market now so I'm sure you'll find something you like.

HouseMusicRules

Thanks for the reply. I dont really want to change the exhaust since I like the way it looks w/ the (relatively) big, fat tips that come w/ the full skirts. Its got a very simple, clean, yet sporty appearance. I'm not big on that 'tuner' look.

I guess my point was I wished it came like the Preludes out of the box.

Dan Martin

Maybe an intake kit will give you some satisfaction then.

Tsx536

An intake will give you a nice growl and also some HP gains.

Eeyore

You've got to keep in mind that this is a luxury (or sport-luxury) car and a howling exhaust from the factory doesn't make much sense. When I've got the stereo turned off, I find that my car makes a really great sound when pushed. The sound comes from the engine not the exhaust and it is a high-tech sounding muted howl. Mostly when I get above 4500 rpm all the way up to 7000-7100.

Whiskers

I feel the same way when I fart.

Dan Martin

I suggest better intake.

HouseMusicRules

I didnt mean a howling exhaust... rather a more distinctive, metallic exhaust note is more what I was thinking. For example, the Infinti G35 comes to mind. It would have to be somewhat muted for a car of this caliber, but more memorable than the generic/bland note it currently has (to these ears at least). =)

HouseMusicRules

Thanks... do you know what kind of intake would I need if I was looking for a slightly muted, but deeper, techno-y, metallic note (just like the aforementioned Preludes)?

Dan Martin

Most intakes sound similar but if you think the Injen or K&N are too loud, the comptech one might be a good alternative. Or you could just remove your resonator to try it out.

Eeyore

Yeah when you describe it like that I kinda agree. Acura probably could have done a little more with it. Especially since the car has dual exhaust...would have added to the coolness factor.

jlukja

For what its worth, at the owners focus group that I attended last year this observation came up quite a lot and the Acura folks seemed fairly interested in our observations (several backup questions about what it should sound like were asked of the group). I would not be surprised if Acura techies went back to their sliderules to engineer a better sounding exhaust for future models (06 maybe?).

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The dual exhausts were actually used to quell the exhaust noise, not increase it. By splitting the same amount of exhaust through two sets of pipes and two mufflers, you tend to quiet the sound.

ClutchPerformer

That's why you're not hearing anything. You'll have to get a straight back, single-muffler exhaust if you want to sound like a Prelude/GSR.

And this car will never sound like a G35. Sorry.

iamhomin

I don't think he expected the TSX to sound like the G35, it was just an example.

Of course this car wasn't designed to fit everyone's need, but if you want a more Prelude type of noise, your best bet is the intake, since you don't plan on changing the exhaust.

It'll thicken the noise when revving and also make it sound more aggressive, but don't expect much.

GIBSON6594

Sounds good to me



(trying to get to 200 posts the easy way)

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

You'll earn your posts like everyone else...

GIBSON6594

I apologize oh GREAT ONE

HouseMusicRules

True... though there are a lot of cars out there w/ dual exhausts that have a distinctive exhaust note. The G35 Coupe/Z have a wonderful exhaust notes to my ears. I realize those are V6's but I know it can be done just as easily to 4-cyl motors, too. I think I remember reading somewhere a while back that the exhaust note depends on how a manufacturer configures the exhaust header (i.e. 4-2-1, 4-1, etc.), resonator, and muffler. So it's just a matter of tuning it. Like someone mentioned, I dont think Honda was out to achieve a distinctive exhaust note for the TSX b/c I'm sure if they wanted to, they easily could have.

Guess I'll have to check out the intake kits available like everyone mentioned. I really dont want to change the exhaust. But I may be stuck... haha. Oh well, there could be worse problems that this.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

Also keep in mind that the dual exhaust on the TSX is not a true dual exhaust, it's a split (Y-pipe) after the cat.... where as in the, let's say, TL, is more of a true dual exhaust.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

TL is not a true dual either. The headers join again into a single pipe and then split off again towards the rear. A true dual would be like a system on the camaro or the mustang. On header leads into one exhaust path while the other header leads into a completely separate exhaust path.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The exhaust note depends on a number of things, but the final exhaust sound depends most on the presence and number of cats, mufflers, and resonators and the design of those components. If you wanted to get the TSX to sound like a G35 coupe, you could do what Dodge did to get the Neon to sound like it does. Just replace everything behind the cat with straight pipe. Quick, easy, and will likely only cost you a few hundred dollars at a local exhaust store. Add the stock tips and you can retain a stock look while getting a much meaner sound.

Dan Martin

I think the camaros and mustangs have an X pipe which lets the sound from each bank of cylinders be heard from each exhaust pipe. Otherwise the V8 would sound like an I4.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Right, but they essentially have separate exhaust tracts, except for the crossover point to allow the sounds to intermingle.

Tsx536

Try Taking out the resonator first. It will definitely give you more engine sound. It won't cost you any money and you can put it back on if you don't like the sound.

Hmmm....Or you could have Wsklar ride with you and fart as you accelerate.

jlukja

GIBSON6594




CG

TSX 3Pedal

Or you could just remove the rubber elbow piece that connects the resonator and the air box. From what I've heard and read in these forums, the resonator is pretty tough to take out.

iNteGraz92

why would you want it to sound like a g35? i love the g35 coupe, but the exhaust note is just nasty.

euroStyle

yes it can, just engine swap

and Comptech sounds nice. not too loud, not too quiet. just right, well for me it is. you might think its stock, after driving with it for few K miles.