Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

It's always about walking that line between dependability, low maintenance and comfortable ride with having something unique, that stands out, sounds good, and runs well.

I've had my 4G for a year, and until putting the sub in last weekend, have left it relatively untainted. Had to sell the S2000 this winter with a kiddo on the way, wife wanted to park in the garage; but ended up ditching her hyundai and getting her an 07 TL S....they're a nice pair.

Anyway...the mods are finally out and available for the 4G. The intakes have been out a while, but I see J pipes, high flow cat/test pipes, and a couple exhaust system choices. I'm surprised not to have seen any pulley choices advertised, but suspect some work from other Honda applications if they don't exist.

Has anyone done intake, J pipe, high flow cat or test pipe, exhaust, and pulleys yet?

I have an 09 SH-AWD - it feels like another 50-60 WHP would make it feel much more lively. As it is now, it's not "UNDER" powered per se, but I think there's room for improvement.

How is the driveability and noise with the mods? How are the real power gains. The car is pretty much impossible to dyno, so really, do they wake it up that much?

It's a lot of coin for a tube on a stick and some pieces of stainless steel and aluminum, I want to pep the car up, and willing to make an investment of up to $1000 presently - but what do you really get for the money?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I think the gains would be similar to the 3G. with the Jpipe being the best bang for the buck.

Acura of Lynwood just released a test SHAWD supercharger.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Those chargers have always been bolt on bottom end and tranny toasters though....love the concept, but not sure it holds up the dependability factor.

potmilkz

if your initial investment is only 1000, your probably able to get about 1 or 2 parts depending on what your getting.


i know the that takeda intake isnt a much improvement, infact if any.

exhaust will cost you about 1g

they make pulleys for the car already.

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/home.php?cat=2737

dont expect too much gain if your not going to fork out that much.

best bang for your buck is the j pipe but then again its about 500 bux for a j-pipe alone.

compewterbleu

Hmmm, what the bennies?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Also, If you go to an independent exhaust shop and ask them to make you a cat back, it wont be near as expensive as if you bought a bolt on cat back.

after you get the exhaust mods done, then do some intake mods, such as ported intake runners.
these breather mods will open up the car.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

I had my J32A2 CL 6 Speed putting down 275 peak to the tires - about a 40-45HP gain over stock WHP. Also hit power at 3850 to redline where stock hit power at 4200 to redline Pulleys, flywheel, clutch, CAI, Headers, Test Pipe, Comptech Exhaust, P2R Spacer and P2R Intake/Throttle Gaskets.

The Cost of ALL of those parts, including the expensive clutch, flywheel, and Comptech exhaust was maybe $1650 if I'm remembering the math. I know I only spent about 2k on everything total, and I had rotors/pads, KYBs and Eibachs...

If I've got to spend 2k to get 20whp - then it's not worth it.

With the intakes - it seems like everyone just lists them for the FF cars on the J35. Do the Takeda / K&N intakes match up to the throttle body / intake placement on the J37 SH-AWD car properly?

GoosedTL

What ever happen to just wanting to work on your car?

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

I'll buy a Civic if I want to tinker. I'm not adding to the burden of the $700 a month already going into it, unless it's going to be worth the time.

I bought a Takeda today - we'll see if it makes any difference on the Butt Dyno. From looking underneath the car at how good the stock J pipe looks compared to the old J32A2 and J30 models, I'd be surprised if it gains much power replacing it, espeically at about 5x the cost of full J32 headers....

I've got an old J32A2 around with a bent rod....wonder if the heads bolt on the J37 block....

P1zzaman

iTrader: (1)

Get the J-Pipe, I got one for my 3G and the gain is pretty good on the high rpm. Don't get the intake though, won't gain you that much and it costs like 75% of the jpipe

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you're the coolest guy ever.
you stated that you didnt want to spend money on useless parts that dont gain.
but then went ahead and bought an intake..

LAME!
and I hope that intake was 300 dollars or more.

you should have done the jpipe as your first mod.

GoosedTL

the jpipe will be my first mod i purchase but I will not put it on till I get my exhaust as well as the pcds

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

$500 for that J-Pipe is absurd. $170 for the intake on Amazon ($75 gift card from Christmas left over).

I've been tinkering with Hondas for a while - the intake is always good for 4 or 5 HP across the band on the J motors, with nothing else done, and a catalyst for any exhaust mods.

I'd like to see a dyno of stock J pipe no cat vs J pipe with cat. Bet the no cat wins big; looking at the stock J pipe, It's going to take a lot of convincing that there's $500 worth of HP in replacing that piece, and dealing with the inevitable buzzing and rattling against the oilpan of something hand cut, bent and welded.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

whew. you got me scared.
i thought you spent well over 300 for ~4hp...

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

my turn to chat !

So, My 4th TL, and all have been modded one way or another..
I have the JPipe, XLR8 exhaust and Hi flow cat.. just didnt install yet

My 08 Type-S put down like 238whp stock (5AT) by the time i was done, I hit 294whp on the same dyno.

Exhaust - probably good for 9-12 whp
Jpipe - probably good for about 10-12 whp
HFC - i would say about 4-5

Intake - takeda says 15... yea right.. it just shifts the band IMO to deliver more power on the low end... it actually robbed me in top end power

Pulley - you can get the UR Ultra SC crank pulley.. i believe it fits, but honda already lightened the pulley on the 4G.. the 3G was about 8-9lbs OEM.. the 4G is around 4-5lbs...UR pulley is 2.2lbs


Precat deletes.. i gained 20whp/19wtq from those on my type-s.... The type-s had a 600 cell/inch primary cat (where as the base TL had a 900 cell/inch cat)

I am not sure what the specs are on the 4G primary cats, but if they are 900cell, expect the most insane power gains from one single mod....i would say upwards of 20whp


the problem with supercharger in my opinion wouldnt be our tranny. Acura transmissions (the 5AT in particular) has vastly improved since the 07+ TL -- i would be more worried about the AWD system acting up over time

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^please explain why you would think the AWD system will fail over time.

Right now, a turbo 3G TL is making 550 whp.
Are you thinking that the awd system cant handle all 550hp?

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

^ exactly. it wasnt designed to bump out 400+ bhp

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^i'm not familiar with drivetrains, but most people are worried about breaking axles, right?
I really want a 6MT SH-AWD.
I believe if I bought this car, I would turbo it.

why wouldnt it hold? its already pushing 300 at the crank.

P1zzaman

iTrader: (1)

You're on a roll today. Anyway, I have an intake, but I can still not recommend it. We make mistakes, it's mistakes that you learn that in turn can help others.

Now I know you have omitted "Whistle tips" from your mod list... don't be ashamed, just put that back in your signature

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Blackura - very good information. Are there any pre-cat deletes for the 4G yet? Getting rid of the cats is always big HP, and better MPG.

Has anyone got good feeling on the P2R thermal gaskets and TB spacer? I believe this upper intake mani on the 4G is all composite or polycarbonite now - so not sure how much heat you really transfer to the TB - but extending the intake neck another couple inches might be good for a couple ponies.

I really hate that they've changed the hot side of the heads to that single flange design...headers were always so easy on the J motor, and good power gains for < $200.

If there are pre-cat deletes with an o2 bung you can fake out - I'd be all over them.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Honda differentials, trannies, and axles are always the weakest link on big power. The engines, when tuned properly, are surprisingly resilient. I went through 2 stock diffs and an axle on the S2000 which was just bolted and sprayed, before I finally bought some driveshop axles and a reinforced diff housing. Gotta factor that into your cost - might be cheap to make the power, but you're going to drop coin upgrading the driveline.

I'm not sure what the SH-AWD would do under mega-wheelspin... You'll break them loose with another 50 ft/lb of torque for sure.

Stew4HD

So, you are saying the kit isn't worth it? I have been asking about this on another thread and was told that basically that it's a great addition.. or are you saying it doesn't deliver the HP as advertised?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^stew, the car breathes great from the factory.
The only time I would buy a cold air intake is if I've gotten great deal! >$100.

if it cost 300 and over...and only produces minimal gain...NOT the 15 it claims, then its not worth it

potmilkz

get that 300 bux for that intake and drop in another 200 to get a jpipe.. its definitely worth that extra 200 on top of your intake..

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^so then why not spend the cash on the jpipe first.

on the 3G TL the stock paper filter outflows the throttle body.
the intake is not the limiting factor, thus by adding it, you will gain minimal.

port and polish the intake manifold and increase the diameter of the throttle body, then I would be looking into an intake.

Exhaust first, then intake to compliment those exhaust mods.

it really is dumb to spend 300 or more on 2hp or less.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

to support my claims....

here is a member who ported and polished his intake runners.
thread can be found here
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-295/port-polish-runners-3-7l-801913/

potmilkz

thank you!

always go from small to large.. never large to small.

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Takeda installed. Only took it up the street a bit to check for CELs and sounds. Brief initial impression - it's quite audible. Throttle response seems a little better on the low range. I only took it up to 60, so not sure what improvement up high. The car seems to be in it's sweet spot from 60-100, so will try out on Monday.

Everyone seems hell-bent that the J pipe is where the power is, so probably put that and a test pipe on the list....maybe a set of the comptech mufflers if they're not still a grand.

GoosedTL

A lot of preople say the takeeda does nothing but even more say better throttle response and saves on gas mileage and a little bit more acceleration at top. i believe that no matter what there is an upgrade to performance. when you put it on alone there maybe not much of a difference but it really helps when you put everything else on. It helps the car breathe and thats what we want!!

omgthedonny

The tekada intake might not provide much power if any at all.. But damn does it make driving that much funner when I hear the vtec switch over at 5K and that shit roar's makes me all tingly inside

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Throttle response is perceived as being better - I think it's just more audible. It does give the car a much more aggressive under-hood sound and make it SOUND like you're waking up a beast - but I've noticed better power gains from oil changes in shorter periods of time.

It may prove valuable when opening up the exhaust. Currently, it didn't HURT anything, but gains all seem to be just "audible" to me - no real measured "OMG YOU HAVE TO GET THIS" like with doing headers on the J32A2. I'm wondering if some MAF tricks might not be in order to lean the engine out a tad.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^sigh.

Bearcat94

This is from the 2012 Technical/Power Train Press release:

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...-tl-powertrain

For previous years, just check the Archive at www.hondanews.com then Technical then Power Train.

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

^ well i guess i made a good guess!

So on either model, expect rather hefty gains from PCD or even high flow cats... I think Richie will be making HFC w/ 200 cell/inch material. Still a great gain, while being environmentally friendly

Tyresian

As well as the J-Pipe, correct?

And XLR8 already makes a High Flow Cat. http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-349577.aspx

As well as the full exhaust they have with the J-Pipe and High Flow Cat for a hefty discount. I'd take the J-Pipe and Cat probably, but I'd rather keep the exhaust looking stock.

Bearcat94

Is that a primary cat or a 3rd cat?

What you want to do (imho) is replace the primaries with high flow cats, replace the J-Pipe and get rid of the 3rd (secondary) cat.

GoosedTL

I say if you have the ability take off the cats get the pcds and catback with jpipe and when the inspection time comes around just throw on your old exhaust and shit for the day. pass inspection and put your good shit back on. whats two hours of work for a years worth of fun!! or just take it to a place you get throw the guy a 20 and he passes it!! either or

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Did a comparison on my work drive this morning of intake vs no intake. Drive is 40 miles of interstate. On the interstate portion, travelling between 65-70 in moderate traffic, I have measured several times a 28.x type MPG.

I kept cruise on 70 most of the time this morning and got off the interstate at 30.2 mpg just for the trip, which is fairly hilly, but balances out. Going the other way, I've gotten as much as 29, but usually 26.x as there is more traffic.

i'll compare today, and again next week when I have to go into the office - but the intake MAY have some MPG implications. If I can get 30 more miles per tank, it pays for itself in a year....

GoosedTL

That is great, thanks for doing the calculating to confirm this!!

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

changing your pre cat deletes and exhaust is no way, a quick "2 hour job"

exhaust/jpipe take like 20 minutes. the PCDs are difficult. a shop would probably hit you for 4~ hours of labor.