I am looking into a 2004 TL manual later today and wanted to understand if it has DBW and if there is going to be a throttle lag like the 07 TSX I used to own (and hated that part of it)? Have not driven a TL before and hoping DBW was added in the later years . Any fix for it? How does it compare to the TSX DBW? Thanks.

 

The 04+ Acura TL's have DBW, I haven't personally driven a TSX, but I have driven several other DBW cars and the TL is by far the most "snappy" when it comes to pushing the pedal and then the TB opening. I can't really tell a difference between the DBW and a standard cable driven TB. But that is just my personal preference/thoughts.

Some of the reasons certain DBW set ups feel laggy is for comfort really. This can mostly be fixed by tuning software such as ktuner or hondata.

 

Yes, they can be tuned but not very well. I sold the TSX after tinkering with Hondata to smoothen out the throttle, but it became more touchy. I guess I need to drive the TL.

 

The DBW is noticeable if your looking for it and it sounds like you are familiar with it so I'm sure you'll feel it. I sold my 06 6speed TSX tuned on Ktuner, then Flashpro last year and even with the tunes I couldn't completely get rid of the DBW lag. I have a Auto TL-S now and I can feel it but it is very subtle because the auto trans hides it well, Its really only bothersome in bumper to bumper traffic situations for me. I haven't driven a manual 3g TL so I can't really say how much you'll feel it but if I can tell on my Auto I'm sure you'll feel the lag in a 6 speed TL as well.

 

I drove it today and the DBW lag was very evident in first few gears and slow traffic. Did not like it. Seems slightly improved that the 07 TSX but slightly and I cannot live with it (see sig to understand my experience). Honda has messed it up! Sorry, just my opinion, it was tough to do rev match .....

 

Is the issue the Check valve in the slave cylinder? This slows the engagement so any joe schmo can drive the car without stalling it easily.

 

I had the EM1 or EM2 CSC on my TSX and it certainly helps, but these cars are just not going to give you a cable throttle feeling.

 

The DBW between TL and TSX are the same, I driven both and yes both of them are MT (05 TL and a 04 TSX). However you can minimize the effect by using gas pedal reset method that way the DBW will re-learn your throttle input habit.

Note the TL using dual mass fly wheel WITH self adjusting clutch along with check valve delay. The TL does not like to be shifting fast....


Meanwhile the TSX doesn't have any of those extra barrier, to me the TSX shifter feel a lot smoother especially from 2nd to 3rd, the clutch pedal is lighter with the consistency engagement point. However in my TL the engagement point change almost daily, its hard to drive smooth in the TL even people had driven a lot of MT.

 

You can adjust the accelerator throttle position sensor (assuming it is like the 7th gen Accord) for better throttle response. As the cable wears, throttle response can be slower. Not enough slack or too much though, and you'll have issues. ECU reset also helps.