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September 29, 2005
What makes a 330 hp smog-legal Acura RSX?
Every now and then I marvel at the fact that my rather stock-looking Acura RSX Type-S has a 330 hp engine under its hood, can do 0-60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and run the 1/4-mile in the mid 13s. What did it take to do all that?
Truth be told, I spent a lot more on the car that I needed to get all this power. A completely stock RSX with a suitably configured Comptech supercharger can get very close to the crank horsepower of my car. But that is not how I got started. Like most other modders, I added piece after piece, month after month, and each made me feel good.
First I got a set of nice 17-inch Kazera wheels from tirerack.com, with Kumho 712 tires. Then I installed a Comptech Icebox intake and a Comptech street header. Then a Fujitsubo PowerGetter exhaust. Then the Hondata ECU flash. For handling I put in the Mugen Sport Suspension. Then I upgraded the ECU to the incomparable Hondata K-Pro. The Hondata Intake Manifold Gasket went in. A tuning session led to switching to an AEM Cold Air intake. A B&M short shifter went in. For cosmetics I got a JDM-style wing, had the headlights blacked out, and redded the taillights. Then came the Comptech supercharger for which I played guinea pig for Comptech. In the process, they also installed their titanium front strut brace and rear sway and tie bar. Now that the supercharger was in, I got an Autometer boost gauge, and ACT performance clutch and heavy-duty pressure plate and a Comptech lightened flywheel. While the transmission was off, we also installed a Quaife limited slip differential.
Has it been fun? Absolutely. Tons of it. Would I do it again? Yes. Sure, for the extra money I spent I could easily have bought a car that already had that sort of performance, but that's no fun.
Posted by conradb212 at September 29, 2005 2:04 PM