Project Acura TSX - Project Car

Although the K20 and K24 manifolds share the same bolt pattern, using a K20 manifold requires an adaptor plate from HASport to block off the coolant port on the K24 head. The plate will leave the manifold 3/8-inch farther forward in the bay, but since everything is soft-plumbed into the manifold, the change in positioning doesn't create any interference issues. The slight change in spacing is one of the reasons Skunk2 used a custom short-ram intake for this application.

If you're on top of your Honda game, you're probably wondering what happens to the drive-by-wire e-throttle that comes with the TSX manifold. Since the RSX manifold uses a mechanical throttle, the drive-by-wire system on the TSX had to be removed.

Luckily the system isn't too complex, since the go-pedal is still physically connected to a throttle cable that runs through the firewall. On the TSX, that cable connects to an e-throttle control unit inside the engine bay that electronicaly controls the stock TSX throttle body. This makes life easy, since you can just bypass the e-throttle controller and TSX e-throttle by using a K20 mechanical throttle body and cable. Skunk2 simply replaced the cable with a RSX unit, modified the brackets on the throttle body and threw away the e-throttle actuator mounted on the passenger side firewall. Call it weight reduction. The stock 64mm RSX throttle body was also replaced with a billet 68mm unit from Skunk2 for better flow.

On the exhaust side, the Skunk2 Tri-Y header we installed in Part I was replaced with a race version, sporting revised geometry and no provision for a cat. The original Skunk2 cat-back exhaust remains. Combined, these parts add roughly 8 percent additional flow, says Skunk2.

The stock injectors and fuel pump stay, as does the Hondata K-Pro engine management, recalibrated for the added power and new 8200-rpm redline. It's in the last 2000 rpm that Project TSX makes its huge power gains; 65 wheel-hp over baseline and 54 wheel-hp over our last test. That's a 38-percent gain in output-on a stock bottom end!

With power up, the tuners get to work on style. This means clean engine bays, intact interiors and most of all, no Krylon black spray paint. Skunk2 installed more supportive RSX seats in Project TSX. The seats plant in with mild modifications to the stock mounting tabs-grinding and welding was necessary. Since the new seats are black, Skunk2 also replaced all of the interior trim, from roof liner to speaker grilles, with parts from black-interiored TSXs. The results look great- the huge effort invested in aesthetics pays off.

Finally, the TSX's 18x8-inch Volk GT-7s were replaced by forged 18-inch Volk Racing CE28s, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2s now sit where BF Goodrich g-Force KD tires once did. As tested, the PS2s had less grip and underperformed in the slalom and skidpad compared to previous tests on the KDs. We also raised the ride height slightly to give the TSX some badly needed suspension travel, but the relentless body roll still isn't quelled, so we have some work to do on that front.

The majority of the work on Project TSX is done. We'll need to do some final suspension tweaks and step up to R-compound tires before we attempt to kick BMW M3 ass. Then all that's left is to see how it holds up against our rival in the real world.