To start off with some background info, I have a 03' TL-S. I am fairly sure about my decision to go n/a. I would like to have a little Q/A I guess about this topic. Aside from I/H/E/P/S what options or steps are available to extract maximum power from our engine?

First thing on topic is fuel. What fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator options are out there? Brands? Types? etc..

Next, on a more technical level, how should head work be done. Cylinders, valves, rods, pistons, etc.. I read about something in the lines of boring our Type-S to a bigger type like in the RL. Is it a direct switch? The cost?

Finally. Compression. How does it add in. Higher compression = more hp.

I need a lot of feedback please. I have too many questions, too much time, too much to learn. Thanks in advance.

 

Forgot some things. ECU. I've read that the unichip for our cars don't do jack. But after much engine modification, I think a ECU is necessary (stand-alone or hondata?) for better management because it is limited to so much.

Cams and camshaft modding? Necessary? Worth all the trouble? I'm still a little confused about the tech stuff. Can you lose hp from too high of lift?

Last thing I swear. is it a good idea to throw in a groundnig kit. i've read around about people have it. I think i know what it does (makes your overall engine run more efficiently?).

 

I would go with Apexi- with their AFR programmer. you can build your block up if you had a lot of money. new pistons, rods, crankshaft, bigger stroke and bore.

 

3.5L conversion with intake, headers, exhaust, pulleys, and spacers ftw....

 

datzaboi has the right idea. the 3.5L stroker is the way to go. you stand to gain a significant amount of hp and tq from it.

someone on the CL board was able to get about 10 or 15 extra whp from the VAFC tuner on his car. although it probably won't be worth using until you actually install your i/h/e/p. start with those and work up to the 3.5L stroker with cams.

SSTS

 

i was reading some stuff on the cl boards and i guess the 05-06 RL camshafts do not fit.

3.5 is probably the only way to go to hit 300 whp with n/a. my dream is a 12 sec tl-s.

 

can the 3.5 stroker kit work with a 99 ?

 

Also if u plan on doing the 3.5L conversion might as well convert it to stick and 12s seems too low for such a heavy car

 

^^^ yea of course one day when and if i do a motor swap i will do a 6 spd conversion. I am going to do a 6 spd for sure one day.

I think 12's is a big and expensive dream, but with extensive modding and weight reduction. it's very possible.

 

yes but you'll want to switch to tl-s heads to see the gains. the tl-p, tl-s and mdx share the same engine block more or less.

SSTS

 

Don't touch it, sell it and buy a faster car

 

That's the best part about the second gen TL. None of my friends take my car serisouly. I think it's a pretty quick car stock, for it's size and it's design. And modding a car like this where ever you might be makes you one of very few. Modding the TL in any way shape or form has been well worth the price, and it's a great car. Good luck with all your mods Leo.

 

^^^ exactly. I love this car. It's my dream car and I am fortunate enough to have it at such a young age. IMO the TL-S is one of the best looking cars out there today. Screw the new trend in spaceship looking cars.

I don't want a new faster car. I love this car. I want to make this car faster and better. If I didn't, then I would of gotten an evo and sti like everyone else. it's about being unique and having a car that goes against what others think.

 

In my opinion, swift 4bangers attract too much attention to themselves from the crowd I love to hate. I appreciate the STi, Evo, srt-4 etc. a lot but I mean the group those cars attracts are in my opinion. Even just look at the forums, this is the first site where people can discuss cars without getting into an ego argument.

 

It's all a mater of what you like. You like you're tl, mod it, make it fast, do what you want. Props to you for doing something original.

i mean take a look at www.cb7tuner.com/vbb

90-93 accords being modded to the point wher 2point6 is running a 90 accord N/A for 12.6 sec in the 1/4 mile.

yes i followed people from CB7tuner.

i love my cb7. I probably never will sell it. Its just what I like.

 

go play pool

 

I was talking to a buddy at work who builds/races hot rods for a hobby. He's got a chevelle that's running 9's. And his buddy has got one that runs 8's. Anyway, I was asking him what to do to make my car faster, and he was telling me it's all about combustion. Making more room for more air and fuel. You can only bore out the cylinders so far, you would need stronger and obviously larger pistons. Higher flow fuel pump, properly rated air to fuel ratio, which I have no idea what the best ratio is, and of course, like others have said, a new ecu or stand-alone system. I think it would cost a lot of money to do all this work, but it would be great to see someone do this and post results.

Oh yeah, he was also saying that you could change the tranny gear ratios. Our gears are for highways. I dont remember exactly what he said about that, but I'm sure with that would come less steet driving(or at least less comfortable)

Anyway, that's all I have to say about that. Oh and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just saying what I've heard. I hope you get 12's goin N/A. Good Luck.

 

You are a brave man leo. Getting 300 whp NA is going to be freaking expensive. I would think you need to definitely mate it to an 03 MDX 3.5 block, custom forge titanium pistons, forge other parts of the engine with titanium, port + polish... list goes on and on.

If i had to give you an estimate, I'd say it's gonna cost... oh... 10k plus...

I had a boosted 96 prelude (with H22A head + h23A block: 273 WHP) that I managed to get in consistently under 13.6 on the 1/4 mile time. And that was after paying 6k for allsimple bolt ons, turbo, intercooler and custom piping...

Try going NA, but honestly it's just cheaper and easier to get Forced Induction.

Good luck though, you are actually the first person to post about getting 300 whp NA. (Or the first post I've read) And yeah man, I love the 2nd gen TL-S. IMO it's the sexiest Full Size Sedan.

 

i just remembered cleancl is in the process of getting cams. Search who wants custom cams and you'll see the post i think its close to 30 ppl that want em.

 

You wanna gamble ?

I love my TL, but if I wanted big HP#s I would sell and throw another 5-8k into an m5. Try getting close to 400hp out of a n/a TL...doubtful.

Now- about that pool thing...

 

Thats the first thing I noticed about this forum. A much more mature crowd. No internet e-thug tough guy shit.

N/A or no way is my motto when it comes to Honda/Acura. And of course that is just my opinion, but the sound of a N/A Honda engine screaming at redline is an amazing sound.

For me, the TL-S is not the car to do that to. It's so nice and comfy, quiet and refined yet still very quick. Quick enough to beat most modified sport compacts. It's not the car I would choose to build for all out speed. You sacrafice a lot of comfort the more you "bolt on" Then again there is the doing something different thing you guys are talking about and I agree 100%. For me I don't have the $$$ to make my TL-S that fast.

Eventually I'll pick up an Integra/RSX/ and go crazy with it for the track. My TL-S MIGHT get the icebox. lol You have to mod in one way or the other with cars. lol

 

the ice box is worth every penny IMO. no negatives to buying it. the sound is authoritative and refined, not loud and raw like an aem. it complements my headers nicely.

SSTS

 

Yea, I know the TL-S is a luxury sport sedan that my friends call a boat. I agree it is "fast enough" for the roads, but modding and learning about cars is what i love to do. I see myself as a begninner and I have big goals and dreams. I guessed that 300 whp n/a would be around 10-15k, and i'm still in college, so i'm broke. but i could still work at it for the next 5 years.

But if speed were the motive. I would just get a bike. I really want a 05 600 CBR RR. But going fast isn't everything.

 

300whp on spray seems very do-able