new here, help

Hi, my name is Scott, im new to the acura forums, right now i got a modded 97 cavalier z24 that runs a 15.5 @ 89 mph. im graduating high school and its about time i get a new car.... but I dont know what year i should get. i want reliability but also performance.

first, i live in WI... and its snowy, so does the RSX in general handle well in snow?

what are some good sites to look for mods for the RSX and what brand names do you know that have good reps (for my cavi i just used all RKSport i have no clue on imports)? what do you owners have on your cars and what quarter mile times are they running at?

are there any problems anyones had with certain years? I can afford the 05... but then I wouldn't have any left over money to mod it, so I'm wondering if the 03 or 04 would work out? Also, I'm going to void the warranty immediatley if i put parts in it.

Basically, im new to imports, ive had my z24 for 130,000 miles and its still running strong, but i really like the RSX, so could I get some help being convinced why the RSX type S is so good with ur past knowledge and experiences? Just want to get all the info before I make a buy- want to know my options and who else to go to than the owners themselves? thank you all very much!

Welcome to the forums.


My RSX has been through its fourth winter and i've had no problems. Although if you're in a lot of bad weather I advise some winter tires, the stock tires are pretty sucky.

No major problems, but the 05 has corrected the two biggest complaints about the 02-04 RSX - better leather and apparently no gear grind.

Brands? Depends on how much you want to spend, but i'd advise Comptech, Mugen, Spoon, Injen, Cybernations, Jackson Racing and many more. However i'd look at what parts you want and then look at the brands.

I don't drag but a stock RSX is a high 14, low 15 sec. car.

http://store.clubrsx.com has a lot of parts.

Oh and it depends on what route you want to go.

For NA you can get great gains out of a cold air intake, headers, Hondata ECU reflash, and there are kits to get more power NA.

With a supercharger you can get some good low-end power for auto-crossing.

With a turbo you'll get some great top end speed and there are many applications out there.

There are 30+ body kits for the RSX and numerous other mods.

thanks so far. what is the difference between the 02-04 and the 05? what did they all change besides HP? Also, I noticed the RSX has low torque, does this affect the performance at all? Ex. is there lag in throttle response?

looking at mods.... I think i'd go wtih an injen CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, header, and wheels/tires to start out with for performance. What do you think I would run in the quarter with those mods? Later down the line I will probably put some more expensive turbo and fuel upgrades into it once I get some money back.

First things first though..... I dont know if I should go 02-04 or 05.... there is a 6000 price difference about - thats a lot I can use for mods. What do you guys think? Thanks

Differences (there are one or two missing) that the 05 has:
Powertrain (Type-S only)
* Engine modifications that boost the horsepower of the Type-S model to 210 at 7800 rpm
* High performance camshafts
* Larger intake duct
* Large diameter exhaust pipe
* High-flow catalytic converter
* 6-speed transmission optimized with a lower final gear ratio for quicker acceleration and carbon synchronizers replacing brass on 5th and 6th gears for a smoother shift feel

Chassis
* Revised suspension tuning for increased handling precision and a smoother ride
* Ride height reduced by 7 mm
* More rigid stabilizer bars (front and back for Type-S, front for RSX)
* Larger diameter front strut tower bar for Type-S
* Inversely wound front springs
* Refined steering system for enhanced feel and quicker response
* Optimized braking system for increased hold, stopping power and feel
* Larger 17-inch alloy wheels and high performance tires on the Type-S
* Body rigidity increased by 15 percent in front and 21 percent in the rear
* NVH reduced

Body
* More aggressive exterior styling with redesigned front and rear fascias
* Redesigned signature 5-sided Acura grille
* Redesigned side sill garnish
* Redesigned headlight and taillight assemblies
* Deck lid spoiler added to Type-S models
* Four new exterior colors for USA: Magnesium Metallic, Vivid Blue Pearl, Jade Green Metallic, Blaze Orange Metallic

Interior
* Deeply bolstered front seats with thicker cushioning material
* New chrome and titanium-look accents


I think it'd be better to go with the 02-04.

Yes, the RSX does lack low-end power, but it makes up for it with its top-end. However, I recommend test driving it to see if it is too low for you.

The best combo for mods is an Injen CAI, race headers (won't pass emissions tests however so you'd most likely use regular headers), a Hondata ECU reflash, Energy Suspension Motor mounts (increasing vibrations in the cabin, however) and tires. With that set up one guy managed to crack 13's, however most people won't be that fast. However that is about the best set up you can get, and in that order. The average person should get mid 14s. The reason I didn't talk about an exhaust is because the RSX has a good stock exhaust, and unless you're really pushing a lot more power than stock an exhaust is for sound and looks and not as much for performance. It'll only gain about 3-5 whp on a stock engine. On a slightly modded engine (intake and Hondata and headers) it might make 9 or so. It also depends on the exhaust.

thanks much so far canuck. I will be turning 18 in about 2 months and thats when I will get the new car. I will be looking for good deals though, so if anyone wants to sell their car, I'd like to take a look! I was looking up mods for the 04s. But do the 04 mods also work with 05s?

I'd prolly go with ingen CAI, DC headers regular, Progress rear sway, energy engine motor mounts, hondata kpro, and tires. (how does that sound?)

What is a good tire for drag racing - but also good for wet and dry weather.... i'd probably only use them in summer. I'd use stock or buy winter tires for winter.

Thanks canuck, ur damn good.

Dang reading about all those technical updates makes me drool.......wish my '02 had better steering and braking and increased rigidity.......sigh.

thanks much so far canuck. I will be turning 18 in about 2 months and thats when I will get the new car. I will be looking for good deals though, so if anyone wants to sell their car, I'd like to take a look! I was looking up mods for the 04s. But do the 04 mods also work with 05s?

I'd prolly go with ingen CAI, DC headers regular, Progress rear sway, energy engine motor mounts, hondata kpro, and tires. (how does that sound?)

What is a good tire for drag racing - but also good for wet and dry weather.... i'd probably only use them in summer. I'd use stock or buy winter tires for winter.

Thanks canuck, ur damn good.

No problemo :)

MOST 02-04 mods work on the 05 and vice-cersa, however the engine has slightly different parts, the exterior has some changes and I think some of the suspension mods on the 02-04 don't work on the 05. Regardless, the 02-04 has more mods than the 05.


Those mods sound good, that's going to be a good setup.

As for tires, sorry I can't help there, i'm not sure what'd be best.