I've searched previous posts but still have to ask if it's really worth the hassle to remove the intake resonator. Will there really be a significant and noticeable gain in throttle response or power? After reading several posts, lots of you say there is a noticeable increase......IN NOISE when going v-tec and at idle a little. Some also have said they felt an increase in HP. The increase in noise alone doesn't quite do it for me as I like the way the car sounds now. If there can be an expected gain in low end and mid-range rpm throttle response, well then now we're buttering our bread on the same side.

As you can guess, I'm not a tuner, modder, whatever but I still appreciate a few easy mods that will give me something in return. I don't race but I do like launching it a little to feel a few Gs pushing me back in my seat. I rarely go v-tec. CAI is not an option now for reasons I won't go in to, but maybe someday.

My 02 TL is an all stock Type S with no mods except for a K&N filter. Also, the car is in Cali so I have to ask if there will be any issues whatsoever at smog time if I do pull the IR (guess I can always put it back). Cali responses would be most appreciated. Thanks, mates.

 

Not really, I did mine a few weeks ago and the only difference is a sound of exhaling when you turn the car off. I do not feel any performance gains, or losses at all.
As for the difficultly, I found it extremely easy to do, and it was first time taking the bumper off of the car.

 

The exhaling sound produced by the intake when you turn off the car has always been there even with a stock intake LOL.

 

For me it was worth it for the sound. I didnt really feel any performance gains though. As far as mods go I think this is one of the easiest thing you could do, so I would recommend doing it.

 

I got smogged with my CAI on and I passed just fine, there are no noticeable gains from taking off the resonator and I have not heard of anyone putting their car on a dyno and comparing results. Either or, to me, its more for sound, not performance.

 

its easy, free mod, do it =]

 

Since you are already running a K&N its a good idea to remove the resonator box
It severly restricts airflow in- to control noise mostly- but its only noticable when hard on the throttle and into vtec rpm-4700+, then you can hear the engine gratefully pulling in the amount of air it can really process

Better than many CAI--IMO- because you open 2 large holes already cut in the bottem of the air filter box, where the resonator attached.
Those sit nice and high inside the fenderwell- which has a plastic lower panel with drain slots for water...water would have to be way up the doors to get into the intake --compared to CAI sitting next to the fog light

The increase in available air for the engine is the big bonus- the total volume/cubic feet of air per minute available- and available instantly from the large storage area is better than a restrictive plastic pipe system

Do it!!- about the best free mod going for the TL,,and with the K&N its a must to get max from the air filter

No prob on Ca smog- I know for fact and tested excellent clean more than once
Its not visable and not something on the list of parts they look for during the test~
no sweat!

 

Thanks for the input 01tl4tl et al. Not totally convinced about the benefits but as it seems easy enough and free, I'll do it when I get some down time. Sort of a low priority cause my boss (wife) thinks other things are more important. What's more important than pulling an IR?