The first thing I noticed when I drove the 6mt off the lot was that the engine tone sounds very different to my previous 5at TL. The engine tone on the 6mt sounds more aggressive. I like it. Did Acura change something? Can different transmissions cause different sounding engine?

 

YES, they changed a lot of things. No the transmission has nothing to do with it.

 

What exactly are the changes between the 5at and the 6mt besides brakes, transmission, suspension, LSD?

 

IMO, your engine may sounds louder or "better" since you're using 6MT instead of 5AT. You control your own throttle and gears to make your engine sound "better".

Your 5AT would auto upshift to 2nd gear in very low/regular range of RPM, and if you keep that pace with the adequate throttle, your tranny will upshift to 3rd gear automatically soon when speed is up to 3rd gear's minimum speed.

But, when you step on your 6MT, you may get quick 1st gear, then stay at 2nd gear for some time, RPM will run higher than 5AT 2nd gear's "normal" condition as I've described above, so engine will sound differently. While you still enjoy your 6MT 2nd gear at some certain speed range, the 5AT will actually take advantage of its 3rd gear instead.

Gears make sound different. IMHO.

04TL 5AT's gear selection, especially 1st gear, is controlled by ECU, throttle, Grade Logic System, etc. But, since you drive 6MT now, you control your gear by your own.

 

I have a 6MT and thought it sounds pretty throaty right off idle (very nice). It seems to quiet down unless you really stay on it. Under normal driving conditions, I find it very quiet.

 

i haven't driven the 5AT enough to know what it sounds like but the 6MT exhaust is pretty quiet and not throaty like you guys describe. maybe its just me cause my last car had an aftermarket exhaust. i wish it was a little more audible cause sometimes i rev too high and don't even realize when i am distracted.