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I got tired of waiting for someone to make an intake for the RDX. After reading a bunch of material stating that the stock air box is actually pretty good in our cars I said that can't be completely true with that accordion style rain gutter intake tube. After researching a bunch of performance parts websites I came across PRL. They make a silicone smooth intake tube for the Accord 2.0 turbo and the CTR. Since the RDX engine is basically the Accord 2.0 K20 and after eyeballing the silicone intake tube for the Accord I decided to pull the trigger and buy it. Turns out it was about a half inch too long. So I decided to shorten it up a little bit and use a 3.25" silicone coupler to install it. Then I got a k&n dropping air filter for the stock air box. The PRL website markets this combination as a "stage 1" intake system for the Accord and the CTR. So I guess now I have a stage 1 for the RDX.
Maybe it's just a placebo effect but I feel like the car poles a little bit harder now at wide open throttle. And driving normally I noticed the turbo spools up a little bit faster and the car's overall a little bit more responsive. Again that could all be in my head but those are my experiences. The PRL website says the stage 1 kit produces 6hp + 2 lb/ft of torque. That's about what I'm feeling.
After popping the hood on this RDX I've noticed several times that the rubber intake scoop gets pretty hot even under normal driving conditions. I decided to throw some thermal tape on it to help cool they are going into the stock air box. Not sure if it does anything or not but if nothing else it looks kind of cool. At least I think so.
Nice work! I've been thinking about dropping one of those k&n filters in. The heat dissipation foil does work. I've got some of that on the pipes in my TL.
We should reach out to PRL to see if they will offer a RDX-specific part. It seems like the development would be minimal if it just needs to be 1/2" shorter.
I just talked to Eric from PRL, bad news that they are not gonna be making one for the RDX but....
keep your eyes peeled cause someone is making one for it.
Wow, it really looks like Graham Rahal Performance is going all in for aftermarket support the 3G RDX:
Currently Available: Intercooler, Green Air Filter, Cat-back Exhaust, StopTech Big Brake Kit
In Development: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Intake, Civic Type-R Turbo Upgrade
and how did you get the dimensions of the intake tube?
Want me to tell you the truth? I eyeballed it. Literally. I work on vacuum packaging machines for a living. So I can tell pretty accurately what size a vacuum hose is at this point.
3.25" coupler was a tight fit but it worked. The hose clamps are nice and tight on both ends there is no leakage or fear of dirty air getting inside the engine.
Want me to tell you the truth? I eyeballed it. Literally. I work on vacuum packaging machines for a living. So I can tell pretty accurately what size a vacuum hose is at this point.
3.25" coupler was a tight fit but it worked. The hose clamps are nice and tight on both ends there is no leakage or fear of dirty air getting inside the engine.
That's what I call a 'professional'...
I listed the part number of the plenum I think you used above in the thread. Is that correct?
I like your solution and just want to get the right stuff....
thanks!
That's what I call a 'professional'...
I listed the part number of the plenum I think you used above in the thread. Is that correct?
I like your solution and just want to get the right stuff....
thanks!
I just checked the PRL website yes that part number that you gave me is the correct part number of what I ordered.
Good work Fidencio! Looks really good. Just curious why you ended up using the additional silicone coupler since you mentioned the PRL Intake Tube itself as about a half inch too long?
Were you not able to trim it to size a little from both ends? Just wondering, as I'm considering getting one of these tubes myself.
Good work Fidencio! Looks really good. Just curious why you ended up using the additional silicone coupler since you mentioned the PRL Intake Tube itself as about a half inch too long?
Were you not able to trim it to size a little from both ends? Just wondering, as I'm considering getting one of these tubes myself.
Thanks!
I ended up using the 3.25" INSIDE DIAMETER coupler for ease of use when getting into the air box. The tube itself was a very tight fit and it worked but it was kind of a pain in the butt to get it over the opening of the airbox. Using the coupler that was 3" long just made it all easier to attach and gave me 3" to play with to get the PRL tube to sit nice and centered. There are 2 smaller tubes that you attach 2 lines from the engine to. The PRL tube comes with all the necessary hardware to install them but the tubes coming from the engine themselves don't have that much play in them. So attaching them to the intake tube and sitting the tube just right is very important. That 3 inch long coupler allowed me room to sit the tube in a good spot.
Good work Fidencio! Looks really good. Just curious why you ended up using the additional silicone coupler since you mentioned the PRL Intake Tube itself as about a half inch too long?
Were you not able to trim it to size a little from both ends? Just wondering, as I'm considering getting one of these tubes myself.
Thanks!
If you're looking to do the same thing that I did it's really not that hard. I would suggest doing all the cutting on the air box side of the tube. It's a 4 ply silicone tube so you going to get a lot of string strands at the opening where you cut it. I just took a lighter and gently passed it over the strands and it cleaned up the opening nicely. Obviously then I cleaned the tube to make sure that nothing bad was being introduced to the engine.
If you're looking to do the same thing that I did it's really not that hard. I would suggest doing all the cutting on the air box side of the tube. It's a 4 ply silicone tube so you going to get a lot of string strands at the opening where you cut it. I just took a lighter and gently passed it over the strands and it cleaned up the opening nicely. Obviously then I cleaned the tube to make sure that nothing bad was being introduced to the engine.
i am thinking a hair drier on the intake end to soften it up a little so it is easier to flex.
I followed 'Fidencio Perez' and built myself a nice intake. Thanks for the guidance.
That's awesome. Good for you man. Considering how minimal the work is to do this mod I'm so surprised that PRL isn't making a dedicated version for the RDX. Seems like an easy money grab for them.
Either way I've been running with this mod for about two weeks now with zero issues, zero check engine lights or anything. Just a little more responsive engine. Pretty easy little gain.
Enough group preorder should convince one of the vendors to custom-make one for RDX. Worst case is to ask Samco directly to run a small batch, though to be honest silicon tube itself only improves throttle response slightly with no real power gain.
Enough group preorder should convince one of the vendors to custom-make one for RDX. Worst case is to ask Samco directly to run a small batch, though to be honest silicon tube itself only improves throttle response slightly with no real power gain.
. , but it shows out of stock (MAPerformance $89). Or here - https://www.vividracing.com/-p-152770351.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw4871BRAjEiwAbxXi273VsHSszgUj7ym2o0YCi4DfqS37bcZPKlhmCsW3EgOJTaNRnySS_BoCDMQQAvD_BwE
and here for the smaller coupler -
. , but it shows out of stock (MAPerformance $89). Or here - https://www.vividracing.com/-p-152770351.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw4871BRAjEiwAbxXi273VsHSszgUj7ym2o0YCi4DfqS37bcZPKlhmCsW3EgOJTaNRnySS_BoCDMQQAvD_BwE
and here for the smaller coupler -
