2002TLSNavi

I was just thinking the other day. Alot of the mod's people seem to be doing to their cars (CAI, headers, brake lines, etc) are fairly simple and cheap.

I mean what is a cold air intake really? A piece of pipe with an air filter at the end? Why couldn't acura toss one of these things on the Type-S models standard. It wouldn't cost them anything really. I'm sure if they mass produced these it would be just as cheap if not cheaper than the resonator box.

SS brake lines.... again, what could these cost if made OEM? Another $30 or $40 per vehicle? Probably not even that.

Headers? Again, really just pieces of pipe. They have engineers that designed the stock headers... how would it have been to make them a bit more free flowing?

What am I missing here? It seems like they could add a few more HP to their cars (which is a big selling point, esp on the Type S's) without really killing fuel economy and without costing them much per vehicle.

Dave

2K2 TLS

Im guessing the way acura see's it is how many people really upgrade their i/h/e? Sure all of us do but how many tl owners in the U.S. would? And how many would like the increased sounds CAI's produce? Acura ius trying to keep the cost as low as possiable. They are looking at it from the BIG picture. Oh i was thinking if acura did make the headers bigger how much you wann bet that comptech would make an even bigger one and we would still have the same conversation.

1SICKLEX

Did u read anything on how Acura kept the price down on the TL?
Also realize people like u and me represent the minority of the respective car owners, check the demographics. Most people just want a nice reliable car.

ChucksCL-S

Factory intakes cannot be loud, they must pass a gov't required decibel test at WOT (wide open throttle). Plus I think your average guy hearing all that racket at VTEC would run back to the dealer swearing the engine is coming apart, whereas we love it!

BlackShadow

I, for one, think Acura did one hell of a job for the Type-S. C'mon, try squeezing 260 hp out of a N/A 3.2 liter V6 engine. It is no small feat. Look at lexus and the gs430. It is a 4.3 liter V8 engine producing only 40 hp more (260 vs. 300). My only complaint is that why couldn't Acura bump up the torque to at least 260 also?

Mr Hyde

Because for the avergae Joe, the price all the mods would be too high, and the car would then be too loud, ride too harsh, and be too low. Different strokes for different folks, and we are in the minority.

T Ho

Here's why they didn't add those things:

1. Intake pipe- changes the noise characteristic of the engine when you open the throttle- a throatier sound. Not the "image" the company is looking for in this car (it must be quick AND silent). That's why the resonator is there- HP be damned.

2. SS Brake lines- many of these are not DOT approved. As such, they can't even be considered by OEMs.

3. Headers- can change the torque curve of the engine (away from plateau-flat is bad, never mind the HP gain), increase the noise level of the exhaust (see #1 above), AND increase the prevalence of valvetrain noise in the engine compartment. That last one is very disturbing to the average owner.

Just trying to inject some "corporate style" thinking here. I wouldn't mind any of these mods, but the car is decent without them.

Keep in mind, back in the late '80s, you couldn't buy ANY car with 260hp (in the realm of the afforadable anyway), so we've come a long way.

Todd

bricot

I also wonder if they were a little off on what they predicted their target audience to be? I wonder if there isn't a younger population purchasing these than originally expected...

T Ho

Looking at this board, one would certainly think that the demographic skews much younger than they anticipated. But, this board would tend to be used by younger people anyway.

AND, no offense to anyone here, but I'd venture to say that the ONLY reason that many (not all, but many) of the younger (<23) people here can afford this car is because they still live at home (no rent), aren't married, and have no kids. Even though they make decent money (or are given decent money), they wouldn't be able to partake if all the real-world wallet-killing financial obligations were added on.
A company expecting to make a consistent amount of money on a product this expensive can't really build on that demographic.

I think their intended audience was probably a guy like me- former Honda owner looking to upscale, 30- something engineer type, probably car enthusiast, who wants the reliability Honda is known for. Plus, he wants a "family truckster" that hauls kids AND hauls ass.

Todd

1SICKLEX

Sigh, the GS 430 engine can make 400hp EASY, there was a Lexus hot rod on the show circuit that made 400hp nomally aspirated. I think Toyota is a lil more conservative with HP numbers than some other manufacturers. Besides, peak power (300hp) is at 4000rpm, I am positive the Type-S has it's peak power much higher. Also Torque, 325 lbs, almost 100 more.

BTW, the 3.2 engine is a jewel, no denying that at all.

Steel brake lines only show an advantage when the brakes are being ran HOT, for instance at the track. Also steel brake lines are used when a diff. track type brake fluid is used.

Also emisisons, we gotta pass em and intakes may scare manufacturers away as they may hurt emmisions.

Insurance, if u have that stuff FACTORY, it may raise insurance.

DJ Iceman

Yep, I think you've got that right! Of course I'm in the same position only looking to upscale from an Integra and then a CL!

Beiruty

Our 3.2L engine is not the best NA there is...

Examples:
Honda S200: 4 cyl 2L 240.. 120 HP/L
BMW 2002 M3: 6 cyl 3.2L 333 HP, or 104 HP/L

TL-S is 3.2L 260HP or some 81.25 HP/L.

fahoumh

isn't NA "North America"? And isn't the M3 built in Germany?...and isn't the S2000 built in Japan?

T Ho

NA- Naturally Aspirated.

fahoumh

ah...well you can understand my confusion since the TL is built in the good ol' U.S of A.

uz_a_ho

Well with all cars, there will be those who want more. We just happen to be the ones who love this car enuff to pump a significantly more $$$$ into our cars. The TLS off the lot is a great car, for some, thats all they'll need.
But not us!!!