Fast HP for cheap

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Old Nov 27, 2008 | 11:52 PM
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Fast HP for cheap

Hi,

Does anybody know a good combination of engine modifications that I could do to my stock '04 TSX? I'm looking to be close to 250hp. Also, could you tell me what type of price range I'm going to be looking at? Thanks.

I miss the power of the TL-S

Also a stupid yet practical question, bare with me.

If I were to choose to modify my engine at all, simple modifications (ex. CAI), would this decrease my mileage if I were to drive it conservatively or just when I want to toy around?

-meeps

Last edited by meeps; Nov 27, 2008 at 11:55 PM.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 12:15 AM
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i dont know much about performance but what i do know is that fast hp for cheap doesnt exist with the tsx. the only thing for "cheap" that you can do is a cold air intake , exhaust, reflash and headers. but you wont get anywhere near 250 hp. you need a supercharger or now with k pro, a turbo to get that power. and that will cost $5,000+. again i dont know much about real specs but all in all unless you want a turbo or supercharger you aint getting 250 hp.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 05:15 AM
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Nitrous is the only way.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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250hp? Definitely gotta go force induction.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 02:15 PM
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word, what type of power would i be getting if i were to get a CAI, exhaust, headers, and reflash?
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 03:33 PM
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With the full I/H/C/E setup you'll gain around 20 whp over stock. You'll need forced induction to hang with a TL-S
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 03:55 PM
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Well i don't exactly need to hang with a TL-S (btw it's a 02 TL-S if you were thinking otherwise) but i'm hoping to gain some power so i can have more fun when i feel like toying around.

what will the full I/H/C/E setup do for torque?
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 07:51 PM
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Now that k-pro is out, u need stage 3 cams, bolt ons, k- pro, K20Z1 engine head. Then u r looking to 250WHP. $ ? cams with springs and retainers =$1500. That includes installation. Bolt ons will cost around a thousand if u look for cheaper ones. K pro is 2 grand. Engine head and tuning will cost u a fortune. U can also do the forced incuction thing, but superchatgers are good to about 220-230WHP alone. If u wanted 250BHP, then superchatger is exactly what u need. $4200 without tax and installation. I am looking to 200WHP myself.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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I'll probably not be looking into force induction for expense reasons, how much would the I/H/C/E setup cost all together? I know CAI's cost around $100, but what about the other components?
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 10:09 PM
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you don't actually "need" exhaust for the TSX since most offer only around 3 whp over OEM unless you want to go for the weight reduction of a titanium exhaust like J's Racing which will run you around 1100 - 1500.

Instead you can get intake, intake mani gaskets, throttle body spacer, header, and cat and be just as well off and save yourself the cost of exhaust. Thats what alot of members around here have gone with. Hondata reflash that all together and it's a nice rise over stock.

But as already stated in the thread to get up to 250 whp you are looking at forced induction and right now the cheapest way to get that is CT Supercharger which will get you close to 250 WHP. Dayta a member on here is close to or just over 250 whp with the CT supercharger and methane.
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 10:24 PM
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what parts would you recommend for this configuration? like which companies should i go with and specific parts they sell "intake, intake mani gaskets, throttle body spacer, header, and cat"

also, how much would it all add up to??
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 09:36 AM
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most people on here have the DC Sports header or CT header, the CT header is known to have a rattle on A/T cars but is a one piece design whereas the DC is a two piece design.

Most have the Injen CAI or CT Ice box, the CAI gives more high end horsepower but the ice box gives more low end torque. Hondata sells the intake manifold gaskets, P2R sells the throttle body spacers. There are now two cats for us to choose from, Random Technology and Fastline Performance.

As for exhaust if you want to go that route there is Greddy, CT, DC, Skunk 2, J's Racing, Vibrant, Apexi, and more. Just choose based on your preference for looks and sound or if you want something light weight.

For cost ask one our vedors on here, Heeltoe or Excelerate, they carry all the parts or you can visit their online stores.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by clee109
But as already stated in the thread to get up to 250 whp you are looking at forced induction and right now the cheapest way to get that is CT Supercharger which will get you close to 250 WHP. Dayta a member on here is close to or just over 250 whp with the CT supercharger and methane.
Currently 276whp/211wtq with HBP + water/methanol .

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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by DAYTA
Currently 276whp/211wtq with HBP + water/methanol .

gratz
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by clee109
Most have the Injen CAI or CT Ice box, the CAI gives more high end horsepower but the ice box gives more low end torque.
Then wouldn't it be smarter to get the icebox so you can even out the amount of power? There already is a good amount of high end power and low end is lacking.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 11:53 AM
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i/h/e/cat/reflash should net your around 35-40whp
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 12:18 PM
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how much does the exhaust help? i'm not too keen on farting around town doing 20
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 12:48 PM
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The exhaust is not the biggest gain. You'll see more from a high flow cat.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 01:02 PM
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does a high flow cat change the tone of the car at all? anything noticeable?
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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I asked myself the same question a year after having the car (cheap HP). It has turned out to be not so cheap. I started with the reflash and the CT icebox. It was a good start but then I wanted more. In the last couple of days I bought the Mugen Titanium exhaust and also the Mugen Exhaust Manifold and Catalytic Converter Kit. It set me back with labor 4900. I looked at the CT Header but read too many posts about the rattle problem (I have an automatic) and I knew that would bother me if it happen. The reason for the exhaust: weight saviings of roughlty 20 pounds and the sound will remain mellow until the gas is punched. Hoping to have it installed Mon/Tes of next week before I take a road trip to RI and then I can see how it does on the highway and the sound on the open road..
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 03:31 PM
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tell me how it sounds when you get back. I'm actually only looking to do everything except exhaust because i feel it will save me an extra grand. i wouldn't be doing any of this for a while though, got to pay off the car first. i also have an AT and the rattle would bother me
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Old Dec 2, 2008 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by meeps
tell me how it sounds when you get back. I'm actually only looking to do everything except exhaust because i feel it will save me an extra grand. i wouldn't be doing any of this for a while though, got to pay off the car first. i also have an AT and the rattle would bother me
I got the exhaust done today and on the ride home it sounded good. Shop was very impressed with the quality of the pieces. Ride home was mixture of highway and side street. Throaty tone and opens up nicely when the gas is punched. It is my first car to ever have the exhaust done so I was not sure what to expect to be honest. I do hear a slight tinny sound between 2800-3800 RPM and then it goes away after those levels. I am keeping an EAR on that. Powerwise the combo feels good and it is a noticable increase. I may have been expecting more but I could say the same thing if I only spent 2900 as opposed to what I did. That's why I did pick up the SC from Heeltoe at a great price and he was awesome to spend some time ont he phone with me answering my questions. Great Service.
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Old Dec 3, 2008 | 10:07 PM
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fast HP? well remove air filter and take out catalytic converter completely. That wll give u 15 or 20 HP. U can also take out spare wheel, crash the windows, headlights, take off doors and hood. That would make car much faster at no cost of $$$!
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Old Dec 9, 2008 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by meeps
tell me how it sounds when you get back. I'm actually only looking to do everything except exhaust because i feel it will save me an extra grand. i wouldn't be doing any of this for a while though, got to pay off the car first. i also have an AT and the rattle would bother me
Went back to the shop (check emissions light) and the tinny sound. Sound is coming from the resonator and it is somewhat normal. CEL was cleared but then came back and I am working on getting a piece to fix that. Have had it on for a week now and I am happy. with the CEL on I feel like the gains have been diminsihed somewhat (maybe its just mental) but I do find myself driving more relaxed and not punching it all the time as the car just gets to speed without alot of effort on my end. It does sound very strong when throttled and not too loud or like shit as I have heard from other setups. Some people like their car to be loud aka noticable but that was not my intention.
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Old Dec 10, 2008 | 12:29 AM
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Well since K-Pro has been released.. it isnt hard to reach 250hp. But in your case the only way is Forced Induction. Only because you have an automatic so you lose more to the wheels compared to the other 6speed TSX's. I shouldnt say the only way.. but the least expensive way is to go FI. You messed up when you went with the auto and then thought about modding it.. Not a bad choice just a harder choice to mod and make the power that satisfies you.
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by meeps
tell me how it sounds when you get back. I'm actually only looking to do everything except exhaust because i feel it will save me an extra grand. i wouldn't be doing any of this for a while though, got to pay off the car first. i also have an AT and the rattle would bother me
Took my trip to Rhode Island. Got 30.2 mpg on the way back. Check emission light on. Would have gotten better MPG with it off, but not bad with 4 people plus weekend luggage in the car and cruisin at 75mph most of the time. My brother said the exhaust was pretty quiet on the highway (which I was on for 3.5 hours) and only got louder when I floored it. And he is the most likely one to tell me if it sounded like shit. I don't believe most would spend what I did on an exhaust (and that is fine) but if they do they can atleast be sure they will not come away disappointed...
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by carmagnut
I don't believe most would spend what I did on an exhaust (and that is fine) but if they do they can atleast be sure they will not come away disappointed...
I would!
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by PrecyseStylez
I would!
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