the reasons behind this were most likely because of a few things.

if they wer to use a DOHC v6 it would have basically surpassed the power of an nsx, which wouldn't have looked good at the time, especially when you are introducing it as a sport-luxury

you also have to remember that unlike many of it's competitors it's still running FWD. how in the hell they got 270 into a FWD car with minimal torque steer is a miracle, imagine trying to deal with over 300.

also the old S-series (TL-S/CL-S) wasnt released until 2002, alongside the rsx type-s, and neither came with a 6-speed until 2003. the big additon with the last overhaul was to add a 6 speed to the sedan.

also if you look at baseline numbers the base TL used to have 225 horse, so this generation was actually a 20% increase over the last generation. and the generation before that was 200 horse, which got increased to 225, which is an increase less than 20%, it's more like 12.5%

so with each generation of the car it seems that output is increasing exponentially.

if you follow this understanding i can see them hitting 325 with the next generation. even witht he new SAE standards (which seem to destroy honda's numbers. i have some feeling that they test the cars after they have been warmed up extensively. honda's tend to drop output signifigantly after their manifolds get hot)