TSX Intake Manifold DIY / Q & A

[Slade]

Wish I had time to help you while I'm in LI in a few weeks. I'm just gonna be too busy though.

It really isn't hard to do. If you can turn a wrench, you can definitely do this.

I've read the guide so many times I have it memorized lol I'm just worried about accidentally ripping the TB gasket upon removal, I'm not sure what is meant about removing the studs on our intake manifold and putting them on the tsx, for some reason I just can't comprehend that step and etc. idk I just don't feel confident in doing this lol but thanks anyways appreciate the fact that you would help if you had time!

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

The intake manifolds have two studs and four threaded holes for the throttle body mount. The two studs (bolts without heads) slip through matching clearance holes on the throttle body itself with a nut on top, and the remaining two are secured with regular bolts. I think that's how it is, someone correct me if I am wrong.

The TSX intake manifold studs are too long due to differing throttle body designs between the Accord and TSX. The shorter studs need to be transferred to the TSX intake manifold. This is done by "mashing" two nuts together on the stud (the bottom one is upside down so that their washer sides mash together and lock the threads), and then loosening the bottom nut. The top nut is tightened in order to put the stud back on.

When I did this mod I printed out the OP, pics and all. That helped out a lot. I also have a spare 03-05 throttle body gasket if you need one. I just need to find it.

[Slade]

Hey thanks for clearing that up Jeff!

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

You should also definitely have the spare TB gasket on hand just in case. I got lucky when I installed mine on my 05 Accord with about 60k miles. Anything older than that I would be wary of the gasket ripping.

I think the hardest part of this mod is simply trying to get your hands in tight places, and moving shit out of the way to remove/install the manifold. That's really about it. It's a simple mod that I would definitely do over again if I had more time.

[cd5myeleanor]

here is my experience:

When i first got my car, i raised the hood and was delighted to see that the previous owner had installed an AEM SRI.
After a few months i found this website whilst looking online for ways to get a bit more power out of my k24.
I was interested in the TSX manifold swap and eventually found myself buying one for $50 on k20a.org

Eventually i also bought a P2R gasket and a new throttle body gasket.
There came a time when I had to replace my serpentine belt so i decided to do the IM swap, 8 months after buying the TSX IM.

I had read Tims DIY atleast 15 times before doing the swap. Whilst doing the job, i hardly had to look at his directions due to the simplicity of this changeover. The scariest part was removing the old studs. My neighbor eventually came through to help me. i highly recommend having another person to help you with this part.

However, I'd say the hardest part was scraping the old gasket. That took atleast an hour. I started this around 9 am and chose to replace the serpentine belt first. I even took a nap whilst waiting for my neighbor to show up in the late afternoon. So towards the end,  i actually had to rush with a LED flashlight gritted between my teeth in the dark. After everything was connected my car coughed a bit and had a rough start but she cranked up.

I have not noticed any erratic idling or laggy take off like a few other people on here. There were no vacuum leaks or any other issues.

I noticed 0 gains from this mod.

My utmost respect and appreciation for Tim for covering this mod. i guess it mostly benefits those with slush boxes..

[timot_one]

I can't take credit for this one.  Skippy was the one that made the DIY, I just reposted it over here when the time came to update the site.

[CrackerTeg]

I noticed 0 gains from this mod.

My utmost respect and appreciation for Tim for covering this mod. i guess it mostly benefits those with slush boxes..

Not true. Due to the very nature of the k24a2 and how it's a higher revving engine than the k24a4/8, this manifold essentially shifts the power band to a higher rpm range than the stock accord manifold does while maintaining a bit of the low end grunt. The accord manifold chokes in the upper range. The slush box equipped accord won't make use of it because of the transmission shift points.

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

My old 05 AT Accord noticed a small increase in mid range torque, but I'd imagine that the 06-07 Accords probably have even less of a benefit, if any. I believe that they have some kind of resonator behind the plenum that increases low end torque, and the 07-08 TSX IM doesn't have such a thing. Otherwise I would have done it already.

[cd5myeleanor]

well im sorry guys but i really didn't notice a difference at any point in the rpm range. I've noticed that the k24a4 engine makes more power in the low and medium rpm range.. At higher rpm, the rate of acceleration seems to decrease. Knowing that the TSX k24a2 makes more power at the high rpm due to its true vtec capapbilities, i expected my accord to maintain its rate of acceleration from the medium rpm range to redline after the swap. However my accord still feels the same. i did not feel any difference in the lower rpm band either. I expected to cover 0-40 mph alot quicker and yet no avail from this mod.


I've given up the idea of making this car any faster with NA mods and without the a2 unit. I have noticed that people are getting good numbers from turbocharging the a4 unit. If i had to stick to the a4 motor to make power, i would think about the FI route.


if i had to give another piece of advice to those attempting this: it is easier to remove the bracket from underneath the car. I also chose not to replace mine. I would still say this mod is worthwhile because of the cool factor.
thanks

[Nit3h4wk C0uP3]

About to do this, just have to secure a date. Come to find out I have a stupid aftermarket IM in my car so I'm very anxious to get the TSX one in there. I also got the Hondata heat gasket, I know it wasn't absolutely necessary but #discount

[timot_one]

FYI, those IM heat gaskets actually lose power. Since they are thicker than your stock IM gasket, they change the position of your injectors and move them further away from the intake valve. This actually will cost you about 5-10 hp.

For clarification, this is the gasket between the injector base and the cylinder head. The other gasket between the IM and the injector base will not cause this problem.

[Nit3h4wk C0uP3]

This dude^

[timot_one]

Yup. That's the one that will cost you power.

[Nit3h4wk C0uP3]

Well that's contradicting. I can install without it right? I think I read that

[timot_one]

Here's the thread. Please read post #9.

http://m.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?p=49039268&styleid=18

Just to be clear, this is the gasket that installs between the head and the injector runners. This doesn't apply to the thermal gasket that goes between the injector runners and the intake manifold.