Getting the Icebox to work for FWD
 

I've been looking into modding my 4G and figured I'd start off with an intake. I wanted to get the Icebox but to my surprise I found out it's for SH-AWD models only.

Since out bodywork and engine layout is pretty much the same, can we get the icebox to work for the FWD folks?

According to the Parts Diagram:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...82c306d69f.png

The air case cover (#1) differs between the SH-AWD models and FWD:
SHAWD: 17211-RK2-A01
FWD: 17211-RK1-A01

The Air Intake Filter differs (#6):
SHAWD:17220-RK2-A00
FWD: 17220-R70-A00

The TUBE, AIR FLOW (#7) Differs:
SHAWD: 17228-RK2-A00
FWD: 17228-R70-A01

The Clamps (#10 & 11) are different as well.

The SHAWD ones are 100mm and 92mm vs the FWD models which are 95mm and 80mm.

the Air intake Case (#8) is the same across all 4G Models:

Part no: 17244-RK1-S00

However, the resonators are different part numbers, slightly:
SHAWD: 17230-RK2-A00
FWD: 17230-RK1-A00

All of the other associated parts have the same numbers EXCEPT for #12 in this diagram which is not listed for the FWD models:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...e6d5766307.png

Which is 90675-PXG-A00 NUT, CLIP (6MM)

I imagine we'd have to put in the SH-AWD front grilles in the lower bumper to help get airflow to that area where it picks up air.

With all the other parts pretty much being the same and the clamps being obviously larger on the SH-AWD, can we stick in the Icebox into a FWD and simply put on a smaller collar (95mm) to attach the icebox (100mm outlet I assume)?

With that said, does anyone else have any information or thoughts on getting this to work or why it may not work?

To my knowledge no one has tried this on the forum,you will be the first, i am interested in seeing the outcome.

I believe the biggest issue for you would be diagram 19,since the AWD has a larger diameter tube.If you could get the throttle body from the 3.7 to work on your car then that would take care of diagram 19 and i am fairly confident that everything will fall in to place given that the other areas of layout seems identical.

The other suggestion, is purchase the air flow tube (item 7) for the 3.7.Use 1/2 of the 3.5 tube on the TB and sleeve it to 1/2 of the 3.7 tube,you will now have the correct openings on both ends of the modded air flow tube.Personally i feel this is the best and most cost effective route.

If the TB from the 3.7 cannot work then you will have to do some custom fabrication in that area,probably a machined adapter to compensate for the difference.Not sure if you can get PVC/ABS pipes in different diameters to match the opening.

Just sharing my thoughts with you,good luck if you do attempt it.

This is very easy to do but not necessarily cheap. Here is what would be needed:
09-14 TL SH-AWD 3.7L Throttle Body (or ZDX TB) w/ TB Gasket (OEM or P2R)
09-14 TL SH-AWD 3.7L Intake Manifold (or ZDX IM)
09-14 TL SH-AWD 3.7L Intake tube with clamps (numbers 7,10 & 11 from diagram above).
09-14 TL SH-AWD CT Icebox


The intake manifold cover (black Acura logo top plate) along with all its hardware are the same. The Throttle body studs, bolts & nuts are the same. You could may be able to get away with reusing one of your intake clamps (the 95mm one) instead of purchasing number 11 above (92mm clamp), depending if it can be tightened down enough. If you were going to buy everything else for the swap I would just go ahead and purchase the #11 clamp.

As for the lower grilles on the front bumper; Base 09-11 grilles don't have as many holes compared to the 09-11 SH-AWD grilles but all 12-14 lower grilles are the same (both base & SH-AWD). The grilles for 09-11 SH-AWD are about $70 each, while the 09-11 Base grilles are about $14 each. So it may be better to buy an extra set of 09-11 Base lower grilles to try and modify them (cut more holes in them).

P2R may make an adapter for the 3.7L TB to fit the 3.5L IM but it would be a waste of money IMO. Adapter would be $80 to $100, while the 3.7L IM is $220 and the ZDX IM is $185. Yes, you would save ~$100 but you would but hurting performance by having a bottle neck at the IM opening.

Lastly if you wanted to buy the ZDX IM (as it is cheaper because it is not painted on top) you could do so and swap the top half of the 3.5 manifold (which is painted) to the ZDX manifold as the top half's are all the same between 3.5/3.7/ZDX.

I'm thinking I might end up looking for the SH-AWD Intake Manifold and TB to go along with the CT icebox. Right now the issue is the HP/$

CT icebox: $500
3.7 IM: $220
3.7 TB: $160

So it's $900 dollars for everything plus free labor on my part :tomato:

Now the HP gain is what concerns me, Factory HP is 280 Crank. I'm hoping I can get that to 295 crank HP but that's with optimism!

With the CT Icebox I might not gain anything since the 3.5 might not be really outflowing the factory airbox. OR I could gain 5WHP like advertised and end up gaining a little more power from the free flowing 3.7IM and TB. Perhaps this might be a new summer project.

In the mean time I'm going to source a CT Icebox and some tubing to get it work with the 3.5L IM and TB and save some money first. :thumbsup:

CT-E isn't even shipping Iceboxes right now. We've had one on back order for 5 months. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

do'h

lol time to throw this idea out the window.. since it seems impossible to get your hands on one..

Is CT-E going into financial trouble again, or is it simply not interested in making products for the low-volume 4G TL ?

I picked up the CTE Icebox from the BM last month.
I honestly think the CTE Icebox +Long Tube J Pipe are 2 perfectly matched mods. They provide sound when you want it, and they incognito when you don't.

And the exhaust note from the XLR8 V2 pipe alone is worth the price of admission. It is a nice upgrade for sound alone. NO RESONANCE, just on demand exhaust tone when you lay into it. The same goes for the Icebox. You can't hear at light throttle but aggressive throttle openings at mid rpm sound nice and deep throated.

Not sure. They seem to have a lot of difficulty meeting certain quality standards, or at least that's what they tell me.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the mods.

CT is in the process of making more intakes now. There is a problem with this application: hardly anyone buys them.

When we make parts (we being, manufacturers) we make to demand. But when demand is low, production minimums requires that excess inventory be produced. CT needs to make at least a couple dozen intakes to make production make sense, and it takes a couple years to sell.

Truth be told, this intake was already discontinued, but just barely enough people wanted them to warrant producing more.

This statement would be true of any intake and J-pipe combo. The CT intake is quieter than open element kits, but all intakes are quiet when you are at low throttle position. All the j-pipe options sound essentially the same, which is a minor tone change, but the exhaust really does not get "louder."

If the only necessary mod seems is to have a pipe that reduces down from 100mm to 90mm, why doesn't comptech offer the same exact intake for the FWD models!

Well, again, it isn't really that. I mean, we sell more AWD ATLP exhausts than FWD ones...

AWD people mod more.

That said, yea it is am easy retrofit and they SHOULD have it.