[SkylineV]

So I'm new to the JDM car modification world. But I know cosmetics are one thing but I'm trying to look into performance upgrades. So far I'm looking into a Takeda or AEM CAI and Mishimoto or PRL intercooler. However, I'm trying to see if there are performance upgrades aside from that such as coil plugs, spark plugs, e85 conversion kits, suspension (no stance nation for me) and if a Type R turbo upgrade would work for my car. I'm not trying to mess with the exhaust, so all the input I can get is appreciated.

 

[jninja]

Is your Accord a 6mt or CVT?

Intake = sound; HF drop in filter = performance

I don’t believe a CTR turbo will work on a 1.5t- and if it did, I’m not so sure that the powerband would be so great- this is a 1.5 not a 2.0....however, there are some turbo upgrades for 1.5t although if your CVT (like me) that may not be the best idea..

 

[SkylineV]

It is a CVT. Which turbo upgrades are there? Also are there power upgrades that would make me go faster than Ford Focus ST drivers?

 

[Samuelx]

Looks like you're down about 60hp and almost 80lb-ft. You could probably make that up (and more) with a tuner, intake, downpipe, intercooler (some will argue that it's not needed), and flex fuel kit but dunno how long your CVT will last...

 

[Baddceo]

By the time your done spending all that money you will have had enough to just by something that's is faster stock...

 

[jesses151]

Here's my 2 cents..
I have a 1.5 CVT and my cheap upgrades are going to be an economical cold air intake such as this one: AF DYNAMIC COLD AIR INTAKE Fits 18-19 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L 2.0 L4 4CYL TURBOCHARGED | eBay
I know the listing above is for a 2.0 but I've been in contact with the seller and a 1.5 version is on the way. This would be about 8hp and should work well with this upgrade: JB4 for Honda 1.5 / 2.0L Turbo
That upgrade would give a 33hp increase. Both of these will cost you about $550 total and are very simple bolt-ons that can easily be removed if the car needs to go in the shop for warranty related repairs. So approximately 40hp for $550 and these hp numbers are at the wheel. I've spoke to both manufacturers and have seen the Dyno-graphs.

Enjoy!

 

[jninja]

Nope- you will likely lose performance with an intake....zero chance of gaining 8hp— ZERO. Best for performance is stock box w aftermarket drop in filter.

 

[jesses151]

Nope- you will likely lose performance with an intake....zero chance of gaining 8hp— ZERO. Best for performance is stock box w aftermarket drop in filter.

Why is that?

 

[jninja]

Heat soak for one...from the piping used, to the open air element sucking in engine bay heat instead of outside air like oem

 

[sp3ak]

Air intake arguments aside the best bang for the buck is likely going to be a Hondata or K-Tuner. That would also be an almost required thing anyway to accompany intake/exhaust modifications as those would likely just confuse the stock ECU and it would likely cut performance.

There is plenty of other threads out there on the internet that would discuss the pro's/con's to a short ram (like the one linked above) vs. a cold-air intake. But still, all moot points if you don't have something on hand to tune the car.

My curiosity is where the weak-points of the CVT are. There must be a reason Honda has a different trans in the auto 2.0T's and my guess is that it's not able to handle higher HP. I don't think that simple bolt-on's and a tune will get the 1.5 up to the 2.0 #'s but, CVT could still give out along the way.

 

[Chad1064]

My curiosity is where the weak-points of the CVT are. There must be a reason Honda has a different trans in the auto 2.0T's and my guess is that it's not able to handle higher HP. I don't think that simple bolt-on's and a tune will get the 1.5 up to the 2.0 #'s but, CVT could still give out along the way.

We should have some guys chime in that have tuned their 1.5Ts. I was doing some Googling and found this thread on the 10th Gen Civic forum. Hondata R&D finds limit of Civic CVT Looks like KTuner didn't say exactly what the limit is for the CVT (or if the Accord and Civic use the same CVT) but the engine will make more power than the transmission can handle.

Here's my 2 cents..
I have a 1.5 CVT and my cheap upgrades are going to be an economical cold air intake such as this one: AF DYNAMIC COLD AIR INTAKE Fits 18-19 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L 2.0 L4 4CYL TURBOCHARGED | eBay
I know the listing above is for a 2.0 but I've been in contact with the seller and a 1.5 version is on the way. This would be about 8hp and should work well with this upgrade: JB4 for Honda 1.5 / 2.0L Turbo
That upgrade would give a 33hp increase. Both of these will cost you about $550 total and are very simple bolt-ons that can easily be removed if the car needs to go in the shop for warranty related repairs. So approximately 40hp for $550 and these hp numbers are at the wheel. I've spoke to both manufacturers and have seen the Dyno-graphs.

Enjoy!

Also, I can't remember where I saw it (here or on Reddit) but some user tuned* his car, removed the tune to take the car in for some warranty work, and the dealer was able to tell that the ECU had been programed. So just a heads up to those that use a tune, that you might not be able to hide that from Honda if you run into warranty issues.

 

[Fired00d]

Also, I can't remember where I saw it (here or on Reddit) but some user turned his car, removed the tune to take the car in for some warranty work, and the dealer was able to tell that the ECU had been programed. So just a heads up to those that use a tune, that you might not be able to hide that from Honda if you run into warranty issues.

I've been told by a reliable source that is true... even returning the car to stock tune when car is hooked up to computer at dealer "breadcrumbs" will be left that shows the ECU has been programmed.

 

[jesses151]

Heat soak for one...from the piping used, to the open air element sucking in engine bay heat instead of outside air like oem

The cold air intake I listed has a sealed box that contains the air coming in through the oem air slot. Just has way less restrictions.

 

[jesses151]

We should have some guys chime in that have tuned their 1.5Ts. I was doing some Googling and found this thread on the 10th Gen Civic forum. Hondata R&D finds limit of Civic CVT Looks like KTuner didn't say exactly what the limit is for the CVT (or if the Accord and Civic use the same CVT) but the engine will make more power than the transmission can handle.




Also, I can't remember where I saw it (here or on Reddit) but some user tuned* his car, removed the tune to take the car in for some warranty work, and the dealer was able to tell that the ECU had been programed. So just a heads up to those that use a tune, that you might not be able to hide that from Honda if you run into warranty issues.

The JB4 unit i listed above is a piggy back system that applies different fuel maps and timing curves independent of the factory ecu.

 

[Fired00d]

The JB4 unit i listed above is a piggy back system that applies different fuel maps and timing curves independent of the factory ecu.

Even though it's a piggy back system the fact that it's changing fuel maps, timing curves, etc. over what is stock I would still be concerned about it showing up when dealer computer is connected. The computers on vehicles currently are much more sophisticated and collect a lot more data than the past. I'm not knocking any of the aftermarket tuners/tunes however it's prudent that owners be warned that anything changed over stock could be problematic if warranty issues arise.

 

[10thgentrace]

Air intake arguments aside the best bang for the buck is likely going to be a Hondata or K-Tuner. That would also be an almost required thing anyway to accompany intake/exhaust modifications as those would likely just confuse the stock ECU and it would likely cut performance.

There is plenty of other threads out there on the internet that would discuss the pro's/con's to a short ram (like the one linked above) vs. a cold-air intake. But still, all moot points if you don't have something on hand to tune the car.

My curiosity is where the weak-points of the CVT are. There must be a reason Honda has a different trans in the auto 2.0T's and my guess is that it's not able to handle higher HP. I don't think that simple bolt-on's and a tune will get the 1.5 up to the 2.0 #'s but, CVT could still give out along the way.

I have a 1.5t cvt. I’m currently running k tuner “stage 2”. Mods are simple. I’m running a prl intake, prl downpipe race version, to a borla exhaust. Other “mods” I have is a catch can and a hasport upper torque mount. I’ve raced (on a closed course ofc) a stock 2.0sport from a 60 roll and knocked the doors off the thing by 4 car lengths until he reached his factory governor capped at 125ish. 1.5 t has a lot of potential. I’ve ran into 0 issues with the cvt thus far. On a drag strip local to me (only a 8th of a mile) I’ve ran a 9.3 back to back at least 8 times with times increasing on the last run. Heat soak is an issue with these cars especially if you’re running a aftermarket downpipe so I suggest wrapping your intake with some heat reflective tape. Currently looking into a company that will take my car as a test dummy for a turbo blanket

 

[Baddceo]

4 car lengths sounds a bit generous even if they weren't running sport. I think your not even pushing 250hp and that's at the crank. A stock 2.0 is running 252 and while your tunning has given you the upper hand something doesn't sound right. I'm on hondata stage 2 and I can't keep my front tires stuck to the road and I am running a 265 now on 20s. Anyway I'll toot my horn but you wouldn't hear it because I would be 4 car lengths in front of you..haha

 

[jninja]

I have a 1.5t cvt. I’m currently running k tuner “stage 2”. Mods are simple. I’m running a prl intake, prl downpipe race version, to a borla exhaust. Other “mods” I have is a catch can and a hasport upper torque mount. I’ve raced (on a closed course ofc) a stock 2.0sport from a 60 roll and knocked the doors off the thing by 4 car lengths until he reached his factory governor capped at 125ish. 1.5 t has a lot of potential. I’ve ran into 0 issues with the cvt thus far. On a drag strip local to me (only a 8th of a mile) I’ve ran a 9.3 back to back at least 8 times with times increasing on the last run. Heat soak is an issue with these cars especially if you’re running a aftermarket downpipe so I suggest wrapping your intake with some heat reflective tape. Currently looking into a company that will take my car as a test dummy for a turbo blanket

9.3 1/8 should equal about a 14flat 1/4 mile... with that said, not knocking the doors off of a 2.0t that runs that stock.. still good for a 1.5t cvt to run a 14-flat, but I would be a little worried about the cvt short/long term.

 

[SkylineV]

After finding out that one of the YouTubers I follow blew out his transmission. I would like to know if a Takeda cold air intake, mishimoto intercooler, HKS bov, and Borla S Type Catback would be good enough to be considered safe or would I later find Cvt issues down the road? Also would I need to get a tune if I go with those upgrades?

 

[Hondafan777]

After finding out that one of the YouTubers I follow blew out his transmission. I would like to know if a Takeda cold air intake, mishimoto intercooler, HKS bov, and Borla S Type Catback would be good enough to be considered safe or would I later find Cvt issues down the road? Also would I need to get a tune if I go with those upgrades?

I'm guessing you are talking about BoostedWhipz. CVT's are built for economy and low cost. They are not built for performance.

Feel bad for him though. Nice looking car. He knew the risk though and doesn't blame Honda.