Well I took my 96 EX up to the local drag strip which is only 1/8th of a mile but still is a drag strip. To say the least I am really dissapointed. I ran 11.803 the first time and my best time was a 11.784. Now this car doesn't have any low end kick to it like most VTEC motors its all in the high end and I think I would do better if I had time to get up more speed as I only hit 60mph but this was really dissapointing to me. I think it should have done better. My 01 Ram 4wd lifted with mud tires ran a 11.2 now it is a bigger motor but a lot more weight too.

The mods I have are intake, plug wires, exhaust, and a few other small things. I ran high octane gas with octane booster in it. The only thing I can think of really hurting preformance are instead of the 195 tires I have 205's on it so the tires are bigger. Are these times about right for this car or is something wrong with mine? What can I do to get a better time? I'd atleast like to get down into the low to mid 10's.

 

accord = family grocery getter.

single cam vtec = econo friendly version

 

I understand that but cmon man high 11's? My lifted 4wd pickup truck ran better than that. I'm hoping for low 10's I don't think thats too much to ask. I'm really thinking I'd like to add a turbo to this motor I just can't really afford it right now. I was really thinking about going the Mustang route but now I'm thinking I might rather build a fast Honda as I like the looks of the Accord a lot.

 

if you go to the drag stripe alot, might as well get a mustang, those things are awesome going straight and going straight only.

4.9 got great aftermarket support too...but again, i probably would be banned since it's honda-tech.

n20, Indiana gummy tires, skinny rear, traction bar, turbo, turbo and turbo

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now this car doesn't have any low end kick to it like most VTEC motors its all in the high end</TD></TR></TABLE>

The motor in your Accord probably has a better hp/torque ratio than those 'other' motors you're talking about. Those motors, assuming you're referring to the DOHC VTECs, have less low end, and are all about the top end, inverse to what you stated.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The mods I have are intake, plug wires, exhaust, and a few other small things. I ran high octane gas with octane booster in it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Lose the plug wires, and go get a fresh set of OEM Honda wires. Also ensure that your exhaust is not unreasonably large, or you'll lose your backpressure that gives your motor it's low end capabilities. Running high octane gas, and especially octane booster is a complete waste of money. Unless you have an aftermarket device to tune your ECU, a pre-programmed ECU or an EMS, your car will see absolutley zero benefit of this this fuel. Perhaps even a decrease in performance.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only thing I can think of really hurting preformance are instead of the 195 tires I have 205's on it so the tires are bigger. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The way you refer to tire sizing is misleading. For example, a 205/65/15 tire, although wider, is actually smaller in diameter than a 195/70/15, and is therefore easier to turn. Don't worry, you're not alone on this.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My lifted 4wd pickup truck ran better than that. I'm hoping for low 10's I don't think thats too much to ask. </TD></TR></TABLE>

So... what's your point? After spending gobs of money on my last Accord, I ran a 9.92 @ 74.4mph on the 1/8th, while my father's completely stock F-150 ran mid 8's. Big deal...


The point I'm trying to convey is exactly what everyone else is saying. The Accord is indeed a great platform, but for performance, it's go big, or go home.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AFAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Lose the plug wires, and go get a fresh set of OEM Honda wires. Also ensure that your exhaust is not unreasonably large, or you'll lose your backpressure that gives your motor it's low end capabilities. Running high octane gas, and especially octane booster is a complete waste of money. Unless you have an aftermarket device to tune your ECU, a pre-programmed ECU or an EMS, your car will see absolutley zero benefit of this this fuel. Perhaps even a decrease in performance.</TD></TR></TABLE>Would the plug wires really hurt the preformance? When I added them and plugs you could tell that the car ran a lot better but I think that it may have just been because it was new plugs and wires in general. They are Taylor Thundervolt wires and stock NGK plugs. I added octane booster as I figured it couldn't hurt and a friend had a bottle of it laying around he said I could use. It also seemed to run slightly better with this a few miles down the road after I put it in. I think it probably was just cleaning out my fuel system is why idk but it seemed to help slightly although most likely it was just my imagination.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The way you refer to tire sizing is misleading. For example, a 205/65/15 tire, although wider, is actually smaller in diameter than a 195/70/15, and is therefore easier to turn. Don't worry, you're not alone on this.
</TD></TR></TABLE>I think I put 205/60/15 but I'm not positive. It's quite a bit taller and I'm not sure if it's any wider. I'd have to check for sure to see what size it was. It looks a ton better as the stock tires left way too much of a gap and made it look like I'd lifted the car the tires were so small but then again these seem to hurt the power of it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Would the plug wires really hurt the preformance?[/QUOTE

The fact is that Honda OEM wires are about the best performing wires you can have. for the NGKs. Sounds like most of your 'gains' were either just a much needed tune-up, or your mind justifying the money you spent.

[QUOTE=hometheaterman]It's quite a bit taller and I'm not sure if it's any wider.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you went to a 205, it's definitely wider, though that doesn't mean it's taller. From what you described, it sounds as though you did actually put larger diameter tires on, which obviously is going to be harder to turn and slow you down.

I am VERY picky about tire sizes matching the OEM specs. It's just something that bothers me when I see someone stray from the correct size that was meant for the car. On a side note, a looong time ago, when I moved from my 90 accord to my 99, I swapped my brand new 17" wheels and tires to the new car, which called for a tire 1.5" taller than what was already on the wheels. The increase in acceleration was extremely noticeable, though getting on the highway sucked, and it eventually became a great nuisance having my speedometer always incorrect.

 

I did go with a taller tire. The reason I went with a taller tire is that well for one I couldn't stand how the stock size looked so I'd thought about it anyway although decided to go with stock again but a guy I work with had a set of Michelins with 90% tread left in his garage he said he didn't have anything to put them on and I could have them free if I wanted them but they were the next size up. I figured I can't beat 4 tires with 90% tread left for free so thats why I have them. They look a ton better than the stock ones but yes they do hurt the preformance some. When I get another set it will probably still be this size as they look soo much better. I think the stock ones would look ok if you lowered it but my car scrapes at stock height at some of the places I have to drive so lowering it is out of the question.

 

not trying to flame but damn, 11 seconds to get to 60mph. i timed myself about 6 or 7 times and i managed a best of 8.49 seconds 0-60 in my 92 accord sedan. not anything to glorify but i didn't think accords were that slow. well then again i am running on toyo proxies, 215/40/17 an launched at 4k rpms. turbo coming within the next week so no worries here.

stock F-150 run mid 8's in the 1/8, that's like a mid 13 second 1/4, are you sure you meant mid 8's. don't kow much about trucks but mid 8 seems a little fishy to me. i've been to an eight mile track plenty of times and seen lightning's only run high 8's stock. now im damn sure a lighting is faster than an f-150, it's like the tuner version of the f-150.

 

Yeah I don't think stock F-150's run 8's as I've beaten a few in my Ram that ran 11's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cb7sleeper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not trying to flame but damn, 11 seconds to get to 60mph. i timed myself about 6 or 7 times and i managed a best of 8.49 seconds 0-60 in my 92 accord sedan. not anything to glorify but i didn't think accords were that slow. well then again i am running on toyo proxies, 215/40/17 an launched at 4k rpms. turbo coming within the next week so no worries here.

stock F-150 run mid 8's in the 1/8, that's like a mid 13 second 1/4, are you sure you meant mid 8's. don't kow much about trucks but mid 8 seems a little fishy to me. i've been to an eight mile track plenty of times and seen lightning's only run high 8's stock. now im damn sure a lighting is faster than an f-150, it's like the tuner version of the f-150.</TD></TR></TABLE>Thats what I'm saying it's ridiculous. I definately don't think something is normal.

 

I have a '96 Accord EX also and the first time I drove it, I thought something was wrong with the car. But it was not, I guess that's how 5th gen auto Accords drove.

But now that I've lowered my expectations, I'm actually enjoying my grocery getter, around the town beater Accord, as it should be.


Modified by Ihatecars at 4:09 PM 8/25/2006

 

im thinking something is wrong too, but then again my mom has a 96 accord sedan and her car feels slower to me when i drive it. both cars by the way are 5 speeds, i don't know man, somethings up or you suck at driving.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cb7sleeper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stock F-150 run mid 8's in the 1/8, that's like a mid 13 second 1/4, are you sure you meant mid 8's. don't kow much about trucks but mid 8 seems a little fishy to me. i've been to an eight mile track plenty of times and seen lightning's only run high 8's stock. now im damn sure a lighting is faster than an f-150, it's like the tuner version of the f-150.</TD></TR></TABLE>

'92 Ford F-150 XLT Nite Edition. 4wd package with higher ride, larger tires, and Cleveland 351ci 5.8L V8. Basically the predecessor to the original Lightning pick-up except with the 4wd package and blacked out appearance. Sorry for not elaborating earlier.