I saw a video of a bone stock V6 accelerating... I'm now debating if I should get a V6.

It doesn't seem like too many people on here have the V6, but does anyone know if they have common issues like the I4?

Also, say you were to do PCD and tune on the I4. Short of then adding on a supercharger you probably wouldn't have performance close to the V6, right?

 

if you want manual, I4 is your only option. If you want to mod I4. V6 if you want an automatic and leave it stock.

 

I currently have an auto I4. Didn't want the manual because of all the driving around downtown and in traffic I do.

How does a modded I4 stack up against the V6?

 

Boosted K24? Depends how much boost, but its definitely more fun. Ask Utah or Joe.


Bolt on K24? Grandma in her J35 still walks all over you.

 

I'm tired of grannies speeding past me.

Any issues with the V6? My I4 had the oil consumption issue and Acura rebuilt the motor. It's solid now, so I'd have my girlfriend take my current one and get myself a V6, because I'm just nice like that.

 

I believe the TSX J35 is along the lines of the rest of Honda's J35 variants .. usually hear the TL guys complain about pricey 100k timing service and PIA spark plug access on rear bank of the block. Kill some time in their section of the forum and see what's up. Also see that it's hard to squeeze out HP per mod. If nothing more, a modded V6 exhaust note is sexier than a 4 banger.


Side note, the J37's in the newer TL's also have oil consumption problems.

 

I'll poke around over there. The exhaust note is definitely a +1 for me. Seems like way more effort to mod an I4 and to still be slower than the V6, but I can understand doing it for the simple love of modding.

In regards to the timing service, is that about the tensioner that needs replaced?

 

Actually, quick search of Wiki shows:



J35Z6

• 2010+ Acura TSX V-6
• 2009+ Acura TL (Non SH-AWD)

Take a peek at the 4th gen TL (FWD versions) and see what they have going on .. but the J35 variations in general has been in use for years in Hondacura products.

 

Crazy thought:

Try driving the V6

There's no comparison in how much faster the V6 is. You'll need to boost the K24 or totally ruin the car's driveability to make the same power and torque as the V6. The V6 also makes power all the time. So you won't need to rev it up to get it going.

An 5 speed automatic 201hp naturally aspirated, 3400LB sedan is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of.

 

Haha... It is a bit of a fat pig. Thanks for confirming my thought.

 

I think you're off by 1000 lbs. We're even fatter.


My new to me service manual says the AT is 4475lbs and MT is 4398lbs before our butts touch the seat.

 

He is probably getting that from Wiki or similar. Curb weight is supposedly 3470lbs for the AT. If it is really 1,000 lbs more, that explains a lot.

 

Around 50k miles on my V6 and no major problems so far. My alternator went out recently but that seems like a freak accident. The V6 is a lot fun to drive.

 

It seems like the timing belt issue everyone is having requires replacing the belt, pulley, tensioner and water pump... can you confirm and have you needed that?

 

Actually I wonder if the service manual is a typo. Most of google has the weight at 3xxx lbs.

 

That's the GVWR that's written on the door. Thats maximum weight. Curb weight plus max cargo.

Curb weight is what the car weighs. About 3400LB. Check acura's site or Edmunds.

 

I heaven't heard of that. The shop said it was just the alternator and that's all that was replaced, which fixed my problem. I had an awful whining sound when I accelerated.

 

Good to know.

V6 = best bang for buck performance mod

 

+1 for the V6
You will not get the same satisfaction when you floor the pedal and feel the instant torque and throaty engine growl.

I have over 60k on mine and no issues other than regular maintenance (oil, brakes, battery and starter which was covered by Acura)

but good luck finding one because they are rare

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ui0YmSh7ux4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Thanks for sharing! There are actually three close to where I live. I won't be getting one until later this year though. Waiting on my girlfriend to graduate college soon before she takes my TSX.

Do any of the accord or tl parts fit the tsx v6? Seems to be some exhaust components available, and it looks like at one point a dc sports cat back?

 

I choose MT I4

 

I have had my 2010 TSX V6 Tech for 2.5 years now. Got it with 45000km and now have 81000km. V6 has better brakes and stronger front suspension parts if you are staying stock. V6 exhaust note is great when you stand on it.
Electric power steering was modified for 2010 V6 - has much better feel than I-4 cars I test drove.
Also nice factory rims if you are staying stock.
A bit more weight in front of course, but you only really notice if you try to throw it around - it will definitely push.
Fuel consumption on highway I consider very good for car its size. 7.2-7.5 L/100km at 110km/hr with cruise and A/C. City consumption not so great.
I tested I-4 with 6 speed and auto before I bought this one. Not nearly as nice to drive IMO.
Only issue I have had is the factory battery was becoming weak at 6 years old. Not unexpected. Replaced with 720 CCA battery from Walmart $110 CDN. Replaced original brakes - pads and rotors - at 80000km.
The timing belt service is unavoidable when you reach the interval. You have to expect to do the regular maintenance no matter what car you buy.

 

I'm not surprised.

You also have an S/C, which is I think more than I want to do. When it comes to making power you either have displacement or displacement replacement, but I think I'm going to go the displacement route.

This is mostly what I've heard. Better brakes, better suspension, better steering. The factory battery was the first thing I replaced on my I4.

What interval is the timing belt service and what does it entail? I see there is a gates kit for this.

 

T belt interval is 105K miles. IIRC, so is the timing chain interval, *technically*.

Buy the parts from Honda. There are plenty of dealer websites that sell parts at a discount. I use bernardiparts.com.

The gates kit is likely not the same as what you'd be buying from Honda.

 

From some of what I had read, it seemed like the Honda tensioner or pulley was causing issues?

 

Were you reading about a T belt? Or a drive belt?

 

It was the timing belt.

From all the input I've received, it seems like it's just the timing belt and components need replaced as a matter of routine care, rather than because they are faulty.

You know how forums are, you start going down one rabbit hole and every car is going to steal your girl and your lunch money.

 

A rabbit tried to steal my money once.


ONCE.

 

I own a V6, nice car with very few issues. Gets good gas mileage too. Took me a long time to find a used one in my area.

 

v6 owner here as well. I bought mine with around 38k miles on the odo. The car now has just under 100k miles. The only issue i have had was an alternator and the compliance bushings.

The car makes for an excellent daily driver. Plenty of overtaking power and tq down low. If you are looking at squeezing power out of it there is the ktuner for a tune, along with bolton's that the tl guys are doing: rv6 high flow cats.

I felt the stock suspension was way too soft. Very comfortable but very floaty also. A lot of the accord v6 parts will work on the tsx, I bought a buddy's coilovers from his accord v6 and they were a direct fit.

I feel the tsx is much quicker than my wife's 3.7 shawd TL. The auto seems to feel less sluggish, it very well could just be the curb weight difference or drive train loss on the AWD but I prefer the acceleration of the tsx v6.

I highly recommend the v6 if you can find a good one.

 

Assuming everything works out, then yeah, I'd be getting the ktuner and definitely the rv6 high flow cats, or the deletes. The better side of me says get the high flows, but I don't know how much of a power difference it is between them and the deletes. It looked like someone was able to get the jpipe to fit as well.

I was thinking if I could find a tech I'd want to check it out... I know there have been several complaints about the tech's blowing speakers, but I'm wondering at what listening levels those are at? I usually listen with my base around 18. I have the sub and bass turned up.

 

another thing you could consider is the TL has an optional AWD and with the TL you can have a manual I believe. Every time I see a TL at a show I think "dam I like that more than my car" haha thats just me tho

 

Ha, yeah... The AWD tl's seem to have some tranny issues and the 3.7L has oil consumption problems, from what I've seen.

I don't mind the auto. Given the parts of the city I travel through every day my knee would hate me if I were to daily a manual.