So you or someone you know owns an Acura RSX? Any Honda can reap the benefits of these simple mods. This article is specific for the Acura RSX, soyou’ll have to modify the suggestions for your own application.
First let me first explain this is all about getting your car into the 11s. The Acura RSX is an import, but Honda built this car with all the intentions of a race car. They had to seriously de-tune it, to be able to sell it at the price, and keep the insurance prices down. In the truth, the Acura RSX Type S can flow better, and HARDER than a fully built B series. In this article, I’ll highlight two paths you can take, from stock.
The Acura RSX is a Naturally Aspirated BEAST! Like I mentioned above though, the RSX is detuned a lot from the factory. You’ll need a few custom parts to get the most out of your car. Not only do these parts increase horsepower, they increase your gas milage! The car can run smoother, and more open. You only need a few things, so don’t waste your money on the garbage, since you bought an Acura RSX, I’m assuming you don’t like “garbage”.
- Cold Air Intake: It can be installed yourself, this mod is literally the BEST bang for buck mod for the Acura RSX. It can be bought brand new for about 150 dollars. They respond great to the car, increasing the HP as much as 17 hp!
- Race Header: This is a little more difficult to install on an Acura RSX. It can be done with two people for sure, but if you aren’t comfortable with it, I’d recommend just having a shop do this. If you do opt to do this yourself, as I did, the only thing I could recommend is that, be sure to torque down the bolts onto the motor properly. If you break the stud, or strip it, it will be one of the biggest PITA to fix. The race header gives the Acura RSX a potential extra 15 hp!
- Exhaust: This is easy to install, but not recommended without a race header. If you are still using the stock header/cat from the Acura RSX setup, leave the stock exhaust on there, if you modify it, it will just lose power. The Acura RSX has one of the best stock exhaust systems. With a race header, I recommend upgrading the exhaust as well, something with a 2.25-2.35 diameter. A basic rule I like to go with is, carry the the diameter size decimal over two spots to the right. That is about the amount of HP you will realistically see. You can’t over shoot that amount, or you will lose power. For example, if your car makes 214 HP with a 2.35 exhaust, it will most likely make about 217 with a 2.25 exhaust.
The following parts are recommended what route you take with your Acura RSX, no matter is be Turbo, Supercharged, or N/A.
- Motor Mount Inserts: They are about 30 dollars, and greatly affect wheel spin, which is one of the biggest problems with the Acura RSX stock.
- Suspension: You could either spend 1600 and get some great coilovers, 1200 and get some decent coil overs, or even spend 200 dollars and get springs. Whichever route you take, NEVER cut your springs. Plus the Acura RSX sits a little to high stock for my personal taste.
- Brakes: The Acura RSX has some pretty good brake rotors, but the pads are built for luxury. If you get the chance, replace the fronts with some more aggressive pads. This is cheap, and very easy to do yourself.
- Lastly, and most importantly. ECU: Kpro is THE MOST important mod ever on tan Acura RSX. If you appreciate your car, have it tuned for its mods, its location, and its fuel. Every Acura RSX is a little different, with a proper tune, you can squeeze every horse out of your motor, not to mention the car will run like a normal car, rather then having hiccups because of the modifications.
You can expect about 220+ hp with a proper tune, all motor. This is how Japan intended the Acura RSX to run, pure All Motor, revving up to 8600 RPM, still gaining power, without spinning.
This is only the beginning of the options you can take with the Acura RSX. I will be adding part two very soon. To support please Comment, and tell your friends!
