and if so how do you like it?
Everybody wants to squeeze just a little more power out of their 7th gen, and this is a cheap way to get some noticible response. This idea came from member OUTERSQUARE and he deserves part credit in giving me the idea to do this mod, and also in answering some of my introductory questions related to the install.
This guide will be in relative lay speak so that everybody will get the picture the first time reading. This guide is intended to be used by members who have the tools required. Let me tell you...I live 20mi from Acura where I work, and if you mess up, you won't be able to drive your car until you fix it. BEWARE AND BE AWARE. The only reason I say this is because I attempted to remove my throttle body gasket and did not have my gasket scraper on hand, and I couldn't drive my car until the next day...after I went to work and hand scraped the TB.
The benefits of using a TSX manifold are straightforward...
Accord manifold on the left, TSX on the right.
As you can see, the TSX manifold is noticibly bigger in key places in order to flow as much air as possible.
TSX manifold on the left, Accord on the right.
The runners on the TSX are slightly longer than on the accord in order to boost low end power. The plenum on the TSX manifold is also notably larger than the accord's.
After installing the manifold, I noticed an IMMEDIATE gain. I don't think in terms of horsepower, rather response time. This manifold really opens up your powerband, especially in manual equipped cars. You'll notice with a stock manifold that it will take a long time to pick up in a lower gear. This effect is minimized with the TSX manifold, and you can reach your effective powerband quicker.
Ok so on to the guide!!
What you will need:
TSX manifold *(I used an 04 manifold)
beer
music
3/8" drive ratchet (flex head recommended, and 12" long is perfect)
3" extension for said ratchet (just in case)
Phillips screwdriver
10mm deep socket
12mm deep socket
14mm deep socket (just in case)
10mm wrench (flex head gear wrench preferred)
12mm wrench (same as above)
Gasket scraper
small hammer
needle nose pliers (90 degree bent preferred)
magnetic or plastic tray to hold bolts / nuts
FINALLY THE GUIDE!!
Start by removing your intake. Disconnect the IAT sensor, which is located on the intake. Remove the breather hose from the intake plenum. Remove the MAP sensor located on the manifold. Set this on a clean area with its screw. While the primary manifold is still attached, use a 12mm deep socket to loosen the two throttle body nuts and 2 throttle body bolts.
Disconnect the Throttle position sensor on the TB.
Remove the two 10mm bolts holding the throttle cable bracket to the manifold.
If the throttle body is not loose to pull on, GENTLY tap on the area where it connects to the intake with your hammer. DO NOT HIT IT ANYWHERE ELSE.
After you remove the throttle body, you may elect to remove the gasket...only do so if you have a TSX or accord gasket available, and a gasket scraper. Also have throttle plate cleaner available to clean up.
Take the two nuts that were on the throttle body and use them to take out the studs on the manifold. Note their positions and remove the studs. Put one nut on inverted and the other nut on top of it so it looks like a bolt head. Tighten this down with a wrench and ratchet, then use the ratchet to remove the stud. Repeat for the other stud.
Now the big part:
Before loosening the bolts holding the primary manifold to the secondary manifold (where my ratchet is), feel under the manifold for a bracket and a nut. There should be a 10 or 12mm nut(I can't remember offhand) securing the bracket to the manifold. Use a wrench to remove this nut. Now use your 12mm ratchet to remove the bolt/ nuts holding the primary manifold to the secondary.
You don't have to replace the metal gasket, so don't worry about it. You can replace this gasket with the P2R insulating gasket if desired.
Look on the back of the accord manifold. There is a rubber nipple on a vacuum port that is actually used on the TSX. Remove this nipple and install it on the TSX manifold before installation. You should be able to use this port if you wanted to hook up a boost/vacuum gauge. How do you like that??
You can go ahead and repeat the process in reverse to reinstall your new manifold. With all bolts and nuts, only tighten them 3/4 turn past contact. Do not over tighten any bolts on the manifold....you don't want to strip anything.
Ok so thats it, please let me know if there's anything that I missed. Also feel free to leave comments, I will be doing more DIY's in the future, and I would like your comments in order to make my DIY's better. I will do a DIY for the Hondata intake manifold gasket at a later time...I just got too anxious to do the manifold that I couldn't wait to get the hondata gasket.
Part numbers (as per Azn_Rice_man)
TSX Intake Manifold - 17110-RBB-000
TSX Bracket - 17132-RAC-U00
TSX Intake Manifold Gasket - 17132-RAA-A01
Happy installation!!
~Skip
**Update 9/15/06
There is a bracket that secures the intake manifold to the lower assemblywork. It can be found by looking in the "look here" area of a photo. You will need to remove this bracket when installing the TSX manifold, as it is too long to accomodate the new manifold. The new manifold is very light, and I did not find it necessary to install the TSX counterpart in my install. I have had no adverse effects by doing this, and I am pretty sure nothing will be hurt by not installing a TSX manifold bracket. Thanks to Azn_rice_man for pointing this out.
_________________
Steven a.k.a Skippy
03 CM55 NBP FLCMsquad #2
154whp / 153tq (@94F)
4 Cylinders 6 Gears
Saving up for a supercharger...buy my stuff I Think I like.
