Hey everybody, my name is Dave am from New Brunswick Canada, and I just bought my first TSX in August and I cant figure out what would be a good first mod to free up some power out of the K24. Ive been lurking a while on this site and have figure out that alot of people on here now more than I do lol. So any tips anybody might have would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

How much are you willing to spend, and are you mechanically inclined, or do you have trouble getting the gas cap off sometimes?

In general, IHE (intake, header, exhaust) is your first step for getting more out of your engine. After that, a reflash, if you can for your model year. As far as getting more out of your engine, after those mods, you're going to have to go FI to see any gains from the engine. There are things you can do to improve handeling alot though that will help you make use of the power your engine does produce.

 

I have heard that the Hondata reflash is the mod with the most bang for the buck potential. Otherwise it is the IHE mods, but if you are looking for more than that I would suggest just upgrading the car, as that would be the most bang for the buck.

 

I would like to get a new exhaust system but I dont want anything loud, if you guys know of any that would be good feel free to name some, it would have to be a catback.

 

You won't 'free-up' any extra power with a catback. But, I do like the tone quality from my Tanabe MT.

 

I would say don't worry about upgrading exhaust because they give very little gain for the amount of money invested. Our stock exhaust already has enough breathing room.

 

Header (comptech, DC), intake (injen, K&N), Underdrive Pulley (Unorthadox Racing, Non Stop Tuning). Then maybe a suspension upgrade and stiffer rear sway bar (Progress). Just my

 

thanks for all the info...if anybody has anything else keep it coming

 

+1 on reflash

 

Yeah definitely the reflash. I didn't put it because I wasnt sure if they had it for your year, but I just checked and they do.

 

Boring you TB is fairly cheap with maxbore. On the 06 cat upgrade is useless unless you have spare cash. Comptech or CT-Engineering as they're now known as, has the icebox which you surely have heard of. I prefer it as it keeps the engine bay stock looking. Depending on miles on your car you may be doing some preventative maintenance on your serpentine by replacing it, and you get the bonus of the lightened crank pulley by adding your choice of pulley upgrades.

If you had to prioritize between cost/possible gains

1. hondata's reflash (~$600)
2. pulley kit (~315 + belt)
2.5. heh - Oil and filter if car has not been with synthetic keep on with regular oil
3. 4-2-1 header if street car 4-1 if you dont care and just want max flow ($200-640 dc sports + new flex pipe, topspeed replica, comptech) ($700+weaponr, toda, hytech cheapest to highest race header)
4. intake ($160+ whichever filter element you get, order corresponding recharge/cleaning kit; foam vs cotton)

Suspension upgrades dont necessarily make the car faster per say for daily driving, but every tweak you'll feel at some point of spirited driving even if you never touch a course. Again, if you have high mileage the effects will be more noticeable coming off stock suspension parts. If you are going to be lowering more than an inch and half, get spc or ingalls camber kits at least for the rear. 3º camber hurts rubber

1. Rear sway bar (as mentioned, just really helps the fwd cars, dont put on tighest setting if you are using stock end links)
2. Springs/Shocks combo (~$700 koni/neuspeed ~1.5" drop still viable for daily drives)
3. coilover (lil more expensive but much more control over dampening and height ~$800 and up)
4. underbody strut links (knocks out body roll and twisting ~$300)
5. front strut bars (frankly unnecessary as stock piece is plenty unless you are really maximizing suspension for autox or some track event)
***any change on your suspension

Other things to keep in mind if you engine is getting near 100k miles
ignition coil, spark plugs and wires (ignition parts really wear slowly so get em checked unless you are into preventative maintenance), Fuel filter if you live in a place with nasty petro, antifreeze flush, transmission drain and refill.

 

What are underbody strut links? Are they for the front only?

 

blah blah see below

 

There are front sways, yes.

But I am talking about chassis bar
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/Alutec-Lo...-pr-63088.html Yall are lucky somebody makes these without having to get custom products welded.

 

Do they attach using existing holes -- or is it necessary to do some drilling and tapping?

 

Any reason why?

 

stock links tore on mine ~76k miles 3k miles after putting on the bar, get some fabricated if you want everything tight

Usually will drill your own holes for parts like that, likesay those are not really parts casual drivers will look for, I was just throwing it out there and am impressed a forum vendor has a design already for it. Like I said, you usually have to custom order and press those.

 

The Hondata reflash is the best bang for your buck.

 

ok I dont wanna sound stupid put what exactly is the reflash?

 

Here's their site:
http://www.hondata.com/reflash_tsx.html

 

dont have it yet, but thats the next mod i'm going to do (after headers, cat, exhaust. just dont know how im gonna get around without a car for a week...