I just finished putting a lot into my car, but I would like to jazz it up a little more. This is an everyday car and have yet to take it to the track so I'm not looking to spend a grand on parts that aren't going to make much difference. In your opinion what would you say is the most bang for my buck? Feel free to add something that is not on the list. Thanks guys!

My future upgrade plans were...
Exhaust
Hondataflash
A-Spec kit
18" A-Spec rims
Mugen Grille
Carbon fiber hood.

 

reflesh, rt cat, lt weight rims, next spring; summer treads.

 

Easy... Rear sway bar!! Massive corner stability improvement. I wouldn't do the rt cat because you look like an 06-08, thus you have a 400 cell cat which is already pretty free flowing, so I'd say a header instead. Once that is done, GET THE REFLASH. Not sure if you are a 5AT, assuming so, but the gains won't be as significant as the 6MT, but they are definitely there. As for a drop, skip the A-Spec kit and do a 1" to 1.5" drop. The springs in that range work with the stock shocks. I know, I've had my Comptech 110-115s on for over 60k miles and the shocks are still in perfect working condition. Those are for the 2004 TL, but are completely compatible and less aggressive than the TSX ones. You could see what Tein has in the same configuration.

I really don't see a CF hood doing you much other than looks and if you aren't going for a solid drop on coilovers, a CF hood on a near stock looking TSX makes a much sense as one on my wife's 2009 Pilot Touring. I notice the Mugen grill in there too, but again, what are your goals, better performance or better looks or both.

 

Thanks for the quick response guys. I accidentally left he sway bar out on the list. That was one thing I was going for too. My overall goal is to have a semi quick car but also one that looks sharp. Lightweight rims seems like a bad idea to me just cause I'm living in New England and have already blown one tire in the winter and bent a rim, same thing goes for the drop. As much as I would love to lower my car I'm afraid of mashing up my car. The carbon fiber hood was because there are a lot of chips on my hood and it looks like it was repainted(got my car used) because its not flush to the sides so instead of getting a new hood or repainting getting cf hood. Btw you assumed right my cars A/T

 

RSB should be on the top of your list. It's easy and cheap and will help alot. After that, header and intake should go with the exhaust before the reflash.

 

Already have the intake. Sorry I guess I left that out. My upgrades are in my signature and my profile I think. Performance wise its just the intake so far. As far as the exhaust I was looking at the Apexi WSIIand Evo2 greddy are either of them dual tips?

 

Exhaust may do more for sound and looks than performance. Just my

 

Yea now I see your intake. Didn't notice it before. I'd definitely go with a header if you've already got the intake and will be getting an exhaust. No reason to leave the craptacular stock header on there.

 

I know nothing about headers. Are there different companies that make? What are the gains? How much? And where to get? Haha sorry to play 20 questions, I just know nothing about headers which is why I have avoided the idea of replacing the stock headers.

 

Guys, he said he wasn't looking to spend a lot of money for minor improvements. Yes a full exhaust system will help but let's be honest...we drive a 4cyl. Without a major overhaul it's kind of pointless to go through with all this IMO. I've heard hondata is amazing but it's still almost $600 from what I hear. My advice...go with some nice rims, drop it, RSB, and then do interior. Put some nice personal touches on it. If I had $6000 to drop into the performance of this car...I'd sell the car and build something else. Not a knock against the guys that do this - I'm jealous to be honest - but that's just my

 

Haha yes I could not agree more. I got the car for 21. I always get mad when I see the guys downtown with civics that spend more on adhesive parts than what they paid for their car. I spend a lot of time in my car, I have a job, got rid of my girlfriend recently so I'm not putting money into that anymore so I thought this would make the most sense without going overboard. I was looking at the 18" A-Specs. A drop would either be a bad idea or a pointless move. If I drop it too much the New England roads will break my car and if I just lower it a tiny bit is it really worth the money? Maybe it is I honestly don't know yet. Sorry for the stupid question whats RSB? I see you guys listing that but I'm a noob and am not sure if I know what that is.

 

It's all good man. RSB = Rear sway bar. I'm fairly new too so I still ask noob questions from time to time. And yeah I work 2 jobs and go to college so money's tight and what's left goes to the girlfriend, car payments, or the freaking rent and utility bills. And agreed about the civics. But anyway... I wouldn't do the aspec. They look good and all but they still screem stock to me. I don't know a lot of the different rims and stuff but I'm sure you could find some nice 18's for a good price that would look great. Other guys on here will know. I want me some volks! Concering the drop...for a small drop just do lowering springs. They work with your stock suspension set up and they're not too expensive from what I hear.

 

Progress Rear Sway Bar
CT Header or DC Header
XLR8 2.25" Cat - if you have a 04-05 TSX this will make a significant difference

Also if you do need a catback we have Vibrant catbacks on sale for $600 shipped to the cont US

 

If you're not going to lower it, put on a Progress RSB and call it a day.

Heavily modified cars with no suspension upgrade (ie, stock ride height) look ridiculous.

For anything you need, hit up Excelerate. I've dealt with them for years, and have always been happy with the prices and service.

 

Thanks for your responses guys, sorry I didn't see any of them til just now. I was looking into headers but I heard it made the car louder but the only sound clips/videos I could find with people in an 06 tsx also had other upgrades that effected the sound as well. Do headers make the car sound much louder? I know it works well with the intake but wasn't sure how great it sounded after replacing the headers. The other thing I was looking at besides the sway and drop were the pulleys. I was told I would see some gains if I upgraded and as far as I know they aren't too expensive. I liked the tech package a-spec rims for the tsx but with tires and such it will be over a grand so part of me says go for it but the other part says its way too much money for something that doesn't effect much at all. I talked to a few people about lowering springs but people were saying good coilovers cost close to a grand as well, or is that replacing the whole suspension? Could someone link me to a good set of lowering springs? Thanks guys!

Random question does anyone have a remote start for their car? It's starting to get very cold in Mass and it's not fun getting in my car when its 40 degrees out or less.

 

Headers won't make the car too loud, unless you team it up with a high-flow cat, and catback system, then yes, you'll hear, BUT feel the difference.

But I'm with everyone here, start with the RSB, then try and get a good suspension set-up like the A-spec sus-kit (if they still make it), Koni SP3 kit or just go with the Eibach Pro-Kit springs. I heard MrHeelToe might be bringing in the the BL12 kit for our cars, but check with him about the price; it might be the same as full coil-over system.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't be afraid as well to use the search button.

If you want to see more options for our car, check with Excelerate or Marcus of MrHeelToe.
You can either check their website, or send them a pm.

Goodluck!

 

if you get a header, go with ct not dc

 

I know the CT headers are a bit more expensive but will give you approximately 2-HP more then the DC headers... plus looks

Are there any particular reasons you recommending the CT over the DC?

 

There's quite a few owners here who had the "flex pipe" problem w/ their DC Headers, that either had to get it replaced or fixed, due to pre-mature issues.

Maybe they've fixed that since then, but i'm not too sure about it.

 

This is my personal list in order. But it is different for everyone.

-Progress rear swaybar (can't wait to get this part)
-Underdrive Pulleys (already have - very good for low rpm torque)
-Hondata Heatshield gasket (small gain)
-Hondata Reflash (big gain from what I hear)
-Throttle body spacer
-Comptech Header
-Grille
-Wheels
-Brakes
-Suspension upgrade

 

Thanks 03uc1

LucasEV:
Comptech Header should come before Hondata Reflash

 

Will the reflash be tuned differently with or without a header? or is it just better for the engine to have more freely flowing air when the extra power is added from the reflash?

 

From what I understand the 04-05 reflash for the TSX comes in two variants (auto & manual), so it's the same tune regardless of header type. That being said, it was developed to work well with Comptech intake and header aftermarket parts (however it works fine w/ several other manufactures intake & header combos.)

The header helps out more at the top end of the power-band and restores some of the perceived V-tec "kick" that is tuned out with the reflash. - Noting that the reflash actually ADDS overall power and eliminates a power dip that occurs in a stock-tuned engine in the 4k-6k rpm range. Noteworthy, since this power dip was subsequently rectified by Honda beginning with the TSX 09' model year.

Real world, seat-of-the-pants experience: the header complements the reflash quite nicely and really livens up power delivery and since the reflash drops V-tec engagement to 5k (from 6k, stock) and will allow you to rev a few hundred rpm past the 7.3-4k fuel cutoff, you'll be grinning from ear to ear (especially with a CAI intake as it takes on a distinctive tone in that rpm region).

I got the reflash, after the intake, and prior to the header. No regrets here. BTW - there is a slight rattle to the CT header when at idle and when the AC compressor comes on, somewhat noticeable, but it doesn't bother me that much.

 

^ ^ Thank you for the in depth answer, it's very informative. Given that the reflash and header are about the same price and the order in which you get them doesn't really make a difference I think I am going to get the reflash first and then save up for the header. The reviews of the reflash are just too tantalizing. Ha ha.

 

I've started looking at the Apexi world sport ii and maybe getting underdrive pulleys. I did want to lower it 1.6" or so as well. I'm 18, have a part time job, I'm wondering if its worth doing to a tsx. I love the car, but if I wanted a faster car I probably would have gotten a used 350z roadster. From what I looked up an exhaust just with an intake wouldn't really add that much power, and for $800. I have already spent a good amount on this car already, its at 50k miles so it still has plenty of life in it, is it worth making this car faster?

 

After doing a little more research I was looking at getting the DC headers but have read a few negative reviews on the forums about those headers. Any feedback on that as well?

 

The DC is the best bang for your buck but it may come with problems down the road (flex pipe). There are a several other headers out there though.

 

I decided to hold off on headers and exhaust for now and get the hondata reflash and unorthodox underdrive pulleys as well as a 1.5" drop. Anyone recommend this kind of upgrade? I couldn't find many people that have done this on the forum yet. All I have right now is the intake.

 

I think Hondata is your best bang for the buck upgrade.

 

Since you drive an AT pulleys is probably one of the best mods. You will definitely feel it for $300.

If you plan on doing springs you might as get shocks as well. Driving a TSX, comfort should also be a variable that should be noted.

 

Kind of a random question but I am getting my 30&60k servicing done soon and one of the things on the list was to replace and bleed the brakes. I've wanted to get my calipers painted or capped for a long time now since mine have some surface rust, and the places that paint the calipers around here they take the caliper off, and the caliper on the tsx in the first place don't even like that nice, so I was wondering if anyone may have a good suggestion for this.