Can anyone share what they think the best power mod is? I am very unhappy with RL's lack of power off the line and passing on the highway. I know the intake loses some low end but gains some high end, but I need something that'll give me more power and more consistently. I am trying to stay away from super charger and things of that sort. I know there's a J-Pipe in development, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Any suggestion besides buying a new car is appreciated!

 

use the sport mode, more power, no mods.

 

The pain in the ass part about that is I have a 2007 model, so I'd have to manually shift the shifter into manual mode. Your 09 had the instant on feature, which made a hell of a lot more sense!

I was getting on the on ramp today and an 18 wheeler decided to play chicken with me. I punched the gas, but it wasn't moving fast at all. The trucker finally decided to slow down so I can merge in... kinda embarrassing.

 

Sounds like you need to reset your drive by wire system. How many gears did you shift down? Per the manual, the car will let you go 93 in third and 130 in fourth gear (pg. 269). If you got down to third gear and you couldn't take a semi, either something is wrong or you shouldn't be playing chicken with a semi going 80+ mph.

Here is the link to a discussion about resetting the system: http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=747662

Instructions are in post #7, it says to hold for 30 sec after turning to (II). Others say shifting to a higher gear in manual and flooring will reset it after some time while the car is gaining speed.

This car has plenty of getup and go, but you need to exercise third gear to do it. Over time, the throttle "forgets" it's full range, and has to be reminded what a WOT signal is.

 

I reset the ecu last Friday when I disconnected the battery to get to te fog light. The RL definitely feels peppier, but not like my TL-S.

 

What gear did it go down to when you played with the semi?

 

the RL is known to stop 1 gear too short, that's when you dump it into manual and do it your self. Even though you don't have the paddles working in auto, there's no reason why you can't dump in manual and do it your self.

it's not the most practical way...but it works. You can try the K&N filter...makes the shifts smoother.

 

pre cat delete or high flow pre cat deletes will gain you some power

 

I have no problem getting to third in full auto, even at 70 mph.

 

Not sure, as I was trying to get ahead and not crushed by the semi. However, I'd think 3rd gear, since I was already cruising at around 50 MPH.

May I'll just drive in "manual" mode from now on. I did notice that manual mode doesn't shift as quickly as I thought it would. I don't think K&N is going to help with my mission.

I am assuming you're referring to the J-Pipe project. Until Heel Toe actually has it installed in a RL and Dyno'd, I won't hold my breath. Besides, MA has a very strict annual inspection, and I am not sure if this mod will affect it.

 

Did you engage VTEC?

 

Yes, I floored the gas pedal.

 

Get a UR pulley and install a intake. It makes a difference.

 

Someone was saying they lost torque once the pulley was installed: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ight=rl+pulley

037 said the intake will lose some power in the low end, but does gain some in the high end. I guess that would have helped me a bit in yesterday's situation, but not overall.

 

Sounds like something isn't right. I have always been very impressed with high end power from the RL and have never had a problem passing anyone, even at highway speeds. The 60-90 mph pickup is one of my favorite qualities of the car. When I want to go my car goes. I'm not sure what to think about your situation.

 

Alright, here's my 2 cents worth: what about your air filter? When was the last time you had it replaced? Two of my buddies griped about their cars' (not Acuras) performance...only to find out they weren't providing the correct maintenance items.

Gas! There's one station (of course closest to my house) that has JUNK gasoline. The other neighborhood places all seem about the same. What octane fuel are you using? This probably won't make a huge difference, but something you can certainly notice.

 

No, in regards to the pre cat deletes or high flow pre cats I am referring to the pre cat deletes and high flow pre cats Richie aka RV6 makes for the 3rd gen TL which also fits the pre 09 2nd gen RLs. Since you live in Mass I would do the hig flow cats. There will be no way they can tell the cats are changed unless they specifically know what Acura OEM cats look like. And you could just say your stock ones went bad and you had to replace them. They won't throw codes or smog because they are still filtering the exhaust. Thats just what I'd do though. Thats the quickest way to get power from mods.

I put a new K&N air filter in and I gained mpg and power as well.

 

How much does the high flow pre cat cost? Where do I get it? How much power does it generate?

The last time I got gas was at a Hess station. I use Sunoco and Hess regularly and they're fine. There is a place called Flynn's that I have used a couple of times, and their gas is junk.

I have not checked the air filter, thanks for the tip!

 

I believe they run $550 shipped for the pair. PM Richie v6 or go to his website http://rv6-performance.com/index.php...mart&Itemid=96. They genrate 10-15 wheel horse power on a front wheel drive vehicle. Will be slightly less on an all wheel drive vehicle.

 

You can spend a few thousand dollars, make your car less reliable and, in some cases illegal, by changing some of the mentioned items. The issue is that the RL is the kind of car that unless you get at least 50 more HP out of it then it probably will hardly be noticable. Your return on investment will be very low and would probably be better spent on a different vehicle. Trying to make an RL go like an RX8 or trying to make an RX8 as confortable as an RL is an expensive and futile proposal. You may wish to purchase a Bentley if you want performance and comfort and BTW they are not cheap.

 

Comparably, a 3.7 TL SH-AWD is much fast than the RL. I know the TL is smaller and lighter with a slightly "larger" engine, but the TL feels like a rocket compared to the RL. I know the 09 and newer RL has the same engine, but it's still not as peppy. I was just looking into some bolt on's to improve the power band a bit... anything helps.

BTW, the RX8 is way under powered for what it is.

 

A few bolt ons arent going to jeopardize the reliability of the vehicle. I've modified a few vehicles offering both performance and luxury comfort. Noone is looking for Bentley speed. Just a little pep in the step.

 

In regards to the RX8, don't get Phantom and 23109 confused here. There are three different people going through a power crisis here.

 

there's always the Genesis

 

You should work for Hyundai

or do you??!?!?!

 

We should blame Acura for the lack of power. The 3.7 could easily be tuned to exceed the Infinti 3.7 @ 333HP then maybe we would not be looking for bolt-ons.

 

I'm not saying it cause I'm trying to sell something, I'm saying it because I truly believe the Genesis is what RL shoulda been, minus the cheap roof/visor liner, slow shifting transmission at WOT and the H badging. But...keep the low price

 

:LOL: "Power Crisis". I added a short air intake in my 02 TL-S and the 3.2 V6 was pretty quick. My Fiance didn't like the TL because when she steps on the gas, it goes (in her words). She loves the RL, because it's just the opposite.

All I want is a little more torque, that's all, just a little more. (sounding like an addict)

 

if you want to feel more power without actually getting more, buy summer tires and forget to slow down...compared to other people you will in fact be faster.

 

The rx8 is actually relatively slow. It handles very well but it is torqueless and is probably slower than a new tl. I don't think you can get much more power out of the rl wout doom major stuff like supercharging or turbo and no one makes ambit for our car. One guy here had a tl kit adapted to his rl but it was a one off job

An intake and exhaust is a waste of money. The engIne is tuned from the factory well and adding more flow won't do a lot. For what the parts cost it's a bad investment unless you just want the extra noise. Suspension mods will give you way more bang for the buck and will actually make a true change in perfomance.

If you need substantially more power change cars. If you just want a bit more you can mod the car but don't expect much change.

Anyone here install an intake and think it really made their car faster? I think 037 sad he got slower with the intake??

I want an m5

 

0-60 I was definitely slower with the SRI, at speed I blasted away an older V8 mustang gt...twice.

Not sure I could repeat the performance with another one but I was more surprised than the Mustang driver...

 

People have proven power gains with the AEM CAI and 5Zigen exhaust across the revs. It's my understanding that the short ram loses low end power b/c it is taking in hot engine air at idle. It seems like a custom J-pipe is your best bet for low end torque until a manufactured one comes out. A higher flow exhaust overall, like previously mentioned, would also help.

 

an AEM might not hurt.... do they make them specifically for our car, or is it a TL kit you have to tweak to make fit???

 

This thread is proof that some people will spend one third the cost of an engine to get 3 percent increase in power and then spend the rest of the cars life expounding on the false rewards of their investment. It's already been said: if you want a high performance sedan then sell the RL.

 

23109, the CAI is made for the 3.5 TL but is an exact bolt on with an RL specific brace.

db22, I understand what you mean about ROI. However, the gains of the CAI and exhaust are real and proven to be around 14 whp, about a 6 percent gain. The J-pipe should get about the same results from what it does to the TL.

To some people, taking a car from the factory and making it better, by ANY percentage, is worth the money. Some people think porn or drugs are worth their money. People spend money on all sorts of different things. Here, we usually spend it on cars. So what's your point?