Black_6spd

I decided to use the paddles recently (usually about every 3 months) for some reason and noticed that the fuel cutoff arrived much sooner than anticipated. So much for "fun" with this car. I wondering why it's set so early since the J35 feels like it still makes power up top on the high cam lobe.

Does the TL-S with the J35 have the cutoff just as low?

I had a thought the other day while reading all of these "the RL needs a V-8" posts...

As a honda driver for years coming from an Integra and modded TSX, I really would love an ivtec DOHC K35 with a rod/stroke ratio similar to the k20A paired with a 6 or 7 speed auto where you can land back on the high cam with every upshift. Granted, a motor of this configuration would be very expensive and very un-hondalike.

gbriank

Honda has the set-up on the RL at the conservative side. But if memory serves, doesn't the RL's engine torque peak out at 5500 rpms? Why take it any higher? There isn't any more usable power.

037

I'm pretty sure my RL makes power all the way to the red line and when S mode paddle shifters are used, I go all the way to the red line.

Dunno if it's an 09 thing or what.

neuronbob

No, I was able to do the same on my 2006. The fun was partially removed by SLOOOOOOW shifts. I just kept the car in the big D most of the time as a result, the tranny is much more responsive there.

Black_6spd

"Spirited" driving goes well beyond peak power. Especially with a vtec engine, it could be be loads of fun upshifting and landing back on the high cam lobe.

You're definately right about the RL being setup on the conservative side. It's also setup on the econo side to save cost (i.e. - one cam, no ivtec, no 6AT, etc). A big downside to the RL setup that leaves an enthusiast like myself longing for more is the lack of punch down low due to the SH-AWD robbing most of the power. This leaves the SH-AWD / J35 setup with no low end power and too low of a rev limited to take advantage of vtec.

Black_6spd

Do you hit the limiter often in the '09? Upshifting near redline in the '05 takes practice due to the lag. You almost have to shift an entire 1k before the cutoff just to reach redline.

gbriank

Well, hold on to your seat. I think Acura is moving up to a six-speed auto this fall (that's what I've read on the VTEC board).

Black_6spd

^ nothing planned for the RL. It's for the new crossover-coupe model paired with the J37.

037

I try never to hit the rev limiter...that's only possible with S paddles and I only use those on special occasions.

As far as favorite down shift, 3-2 kicks MAJOR @$$!!!! more like 4 to 2 the way this tranny works, but the punch is real nice.

poppintec

the tranny is a little hesitant, but thats just the RL being an RL.... I bet it would make great power up top not to mention its only a single cam

037

To me personally, the biggest problem is the programming of the RL transmission.

When the gas pedal hits the floor the tranny should kick down to lowest possible gear.

Instead the stupid thing does lowest+1 and I get lazy acceleration and people tell me I'm slow.

Pedal to the carpet means GO NOW FAST.

Otherwise...I like it. I guess paddle shifters make the crappy tranny programming a bit more bearable.

Their only excuse would be that the fuel economy testing includes pedal flooring or something...

The only way to get my RL to kick down on it's own FAST is to slam the pedal into the floor as fast as you can...otherwise it's like...whatever...

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

4200 lbs and AWD plus a low tech V6 make for an unenjoyable performance. From a rolling 50 my SC430 pulls on this car so hard I swear I'm not even on it. 2nd gear is not too bad on the RL but yes, as mentioned the programming is so horrible that there are times when it does not dig down deep enough and your stuck at 4000rpm with no power while the F150 just blasted by you. Yep, happened to me already.
I was hoping that the supposed J-pipe coupled with other mods would help just enough but the support for such a low selling vehicle is not there .

It does pull nicely once past 5000 so I leave it in manual mode often, at least that portion of the experience is nice. But, this was never considered a sports sedan, just a touring 4dr and it performs that well. Expectations just need to be in line with what the car offers.

poppintec

^^^ very true statement..... i think with a little tuning you could see slightly better results, but too much money for too little results

neuronbob

Indeed, true. To max the performance, in addition to the suspension mods, adding some power, programming the ECU would be ideal. Unfortunately, I could never find anyone who could tune this car adequately. There must be a little more power hidden in the J35 somewhere, and the tranny shifts should be programmable.