03-09-2011, 09:40 AM
First impressions after Nittos, rear camber kit, RSB and J pipe:
I'm going to start with the handling. It's been a while since I've driven a car with any kind of suspension mods. The new tires always make a big difference, but I like the Nittos already over the Falkens. They seem to have a pretty stiff sidewall and are much quieter. Alignment specs came out DEAD on thanks to the camber kit, which is awesome because that has never been the case. Apparently there is an OEM part that Acura sells that serves the same purpose as the Ingalls kit, which puzzles me...did they mean for the camber to purposely be positive from the factory? I don't know, but I'm tired of going through tires every 25k miles.
Turn in is much more precise now with the RSB, MUCH less body roll, a healthy bit of oversteer when pushed hard. I will need some practice before I push this car hard through some twisties, but 99% of this car's duty is daily driving so it's not a top priority.
J-pipe. Awesomeness. I had Chris reset the ECU with the Honda programmer at the shop so it's still a little sluggish in the learning phase. The mid to top end so far though have been noticeably improved, which was exactly what I was expecting. Especially toward redline the car pulls noticeably harder and overall the entire power curve has been smoothed out. No more fake boost kick at 4900 RPM, just smooth power. The sound was unexpected too, I can hear the whooshing / whistle of the air a bit louder from either the intake or the exhaust....can't tell which. At first I thought it was an exhaust leak, but I've had those before and it doesn't sound like those do. It almost sounds like a turbo only when VTEC kicks in. Yo.
Overall I am very pleased and I'm looking forward to driving the car more. Hopefully I won't need to do the PCDs like I wanted to do anytime soon. I would prefer to leave the cats in this car....but I'm sure I will end up doing them anyway
I'm going to start with the handling. It's been a while since I've driven a car with any kind of suspension mods. The new tires always make a big difference, but I like the Nittos already over the Falkens. They seem to have a pretty stiff sidewall and are much quieter. Alignment specs came out DEAD on thanks to the camber kit, which is awesome because that has never been the case. Apparently there is an OEM part that Acura sells that serves the same purpose as the Ingalls kit, which puzzles me...did they mean for the camber to purposely be positive from the factory? I don't know, but I'm tired of going through tires every 25k miles.
Turn in is much more precise now with the RSB, MUCH less body roll, a healthy bit of oversteer when pushed hard. I will need some practice before I push this car hard through some twisties, but 99% of this car's duty is daily driving so it's not a top priority.
J-pipe. Awesomeness. I had Chris reset the ECU with the Honda programmer at the shop so it's still a little sluggish in the learning phase. The mid to top end so far though have been noticeably improved, which was exactly what I was expecting. Especially toward redline the car pulls noticeably harder and overall the entire power curve has been smoothed out. No more fake boost kick at 4900 RPM, just smooth power. The sound was unexpected too, I can hear the whooshing / whistle of the air a bit louder from either the intake or the exhaust....can't tell which. At first I thought it was an exhaust leak, but I've had those before and it doesn't sound like those do. It almost sounds like a turbo only when VTEC kicks in. Yo.
Overall I am very pleased and I'm looking forward to driving the car more. Hopefully I won't need to do the PCDs like I wanted to do anytime soon. I would prefer to leave the cats in this car....but I'm sure I will end up doing them anyway
Posting in the banalist of threads since 2004
2017 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD Premium
Past: 2016 GMC Canyon All Terrain Crew Cab / 2010 Jaguar XFR / 2012 Acura RDX AWD Tech / 2008 Cadillac CTS / 2007 Acura TL-S / 1966 5.0 HO Mustang Coupe
2001 Lexus IS300 / 2004 2.8L big turbo WRX STI / 2004 Subaru WRX / A couple of old trucks
2017 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD Premium
Past: 2016 GMC Canyon All Terrain Crew Cab / 2010 Jaguar XFR / 2012 Acura RDX AWD Tech / 2008 Cadillac CTS / 2007 Acura TL-S / 1966 5.0 HO Mustang Coupe
2001 Lexus IS300 / 2004 2.8L big turbo WRX STI / 2004 Subaru WRX / A couple of old trucks