Well I got my new RSX Type S today, date of manufacture of August, 2002. It is the Arctic Blue model. I had to drive over 180 miles to get it in Seattle. There was a Silver one that just came in Spokane, 100 miles from me, w/no Arctic Blue scheduled. They tried getting the Seattle one and was told, "Ya Right" :-). There aren't too many Arctic Blue available, from what I'm told, available in the northwest. Everyone either has a Silver Type S in, I think there were some White available also, or have one coming in, again only Silver. Even then, they weren't going to site around too long, no matter what color, they can't get enough of them. I was told by the dealer that if I want to get rid of my RSX, for what ever reason, they'll buy it back.

I tried it out around town and it rode great, and of course, I had to buy it :-), but once on the interstate, after buying it, and all the stresses of buying it were gone, and riding 180 miles home, I started to notice how noisey it is in regards to the road noise, as well as how rough the the ride is. I can only assume that it is a combination of the stiff Type S suspension, and the 16" wheels and tires. Boy, the 17" would even be worse, which I was considering buying. I'm definitely getting that thing undercoated for soundproofing.

I bought the mud guards and wheel locks, which were already dealer installed, I would of bought them anyway, and the front rubber floor mats, nose bra, and some oil filters. Oh, by the way, I got a free home CD player from the dealer as a gift w/it. :-) I already have one, so I'll save it as a Christmas gift. I was happy w/the dealership, Acura of Seattle, it's luxury vehicle environment, and the way I was treated. There wasn't much price negotiation room, due to the RSX popularity, but I at least got what I wanted for my trade. Heck, I knew more about that RSX Type S than they did. The manager jokenly asked if I was interested in working for them :-)

I especially wanted to talk to the mechanics, I talked to one of them in detail about the RSX, and it's care, especially about it's proper break in and maintenace. He especially pointed out how important the careful break in on the RSX engines are, the care w/it's maintenance, and knowing how to use that 6 speed transmission. They've had a few blown RSX engines in already, he happened to be working on one seized and one blown, while I was talking to him, due to either over reving, racing w/an engine that wasn't properly broken in, or bad maintenance. One guy never checked, nor changed his oil, and at around 10K miles, the engine seized up.

Anyway, sorry for the long message.

 

cliff notes??

anyway, congrats on the purchase:thumbup:

 

congratulations man! i like them a lot!







...and have fun trying to be one of the first to make it fast

 

Thx.

I just had it undercoated in order to quiet down the road noise. It helped a little. h: It's hard to tell. On smooth fresh laid asphalt, it's absolutely quiet. I can actually hear the engine running. To the worst extreme, on a concret highway, you almost need ear plugs.

I also replace the stock air filter element w/a K&N one. I just got the latest Honda Tuning magazine, October/November, and they have an article on dyno testing different intakes. The added K&N into the stock intake adds nothing to the performance.

My goals are to get a Borla exhaust, w/maybe a DC header, and an Injen short ram.

I talked to an Acura mechanic, and he said that the stock header is pretty good w/no restrictions and that a header isn't really necessary. The real problem w/the exhaust system, is really w/the exhaust pipe attached to it, due to it's smaller diameter, restricting flow. The Borla should solve that problem.

I also want a LSD. That will be expensive. The Type R's are around $1000.00. The installation will also maybe be another $1000.00. The RSX transmission has to be disassembled in order to install it, from what I'm told. I don't like that idea.

I plan on having Acura do all the mods, so not to effect my warranty.

I'm open to any suggestions, and will be doing a lot of research in the coming months. I won't start until the spring. My bank account is a little low right now, due to the RSX purchase. I also want the engine properly broken in.

I don't plan on any external changes, except for some 17" wheels, maybe. The lightest ones available.

I want a wolf in sheep's clothing. :naughty:

est. 9.2 HP-Injen Short Ram
est. 10 HP- Borla
est. 10 HP- DC Header
------------------------------------
est. 29.2 HP Total

 

cough cough...

the hp increase doesn't sum up like what you planned. Intake , exhaust , header all together give you about 15 hp gain average.

 

I'm going by the "estimates" given for each item by the manufacturers.

The 9.2 HP for the Injen Short Ram, on the other hand, is the actual measured HP, according to an article in the latest issue of Honda Tuning called "The Great Intake Test".

Of course when everything is put together, one item can maybe effect another, resulting in either less or more HP. That's something that would have to be Dyno tested.

 

yea just letting u know 10-15 hp is average gain with I/h/e set up on RSX-S as well. consider 15 hp whp gain isn't too bad anyway

 

:wopics:

 

Congrats :thumbup:

Your road noise issue has to do with the tires, not the sound deafening materials. Pick up a high quality set of tires (like my Bridgestone Potenza S-03's) and you will be ASTOUNDED at how much quieter it is and how much more consistent the ride feel is. The biggest difference I noticed in the noise levels when I put them on my old RSX-S (long story) was when going over grooved pavement and concrete.

BTW, the modifications will affect your warranty if the modification is a direct result of a malfunction...such as you having a header and an O2 sensor blowing. Most Acura dealerships refuse to install anything but Comptech parts also.

You posted something about 'racing while the engine wasn't broken in'...since all Hondas are redlined out of the factory on a dyno to make sure they produce the advertised horsepower, i doubt that that is an issue The engine tolerances are incredibly tight.

Enjoy her bro! :thumbup:

Chris

 

Good choice on the rsx!