Heres the story. I have a loaded 2000 Accord EX 4-cyl that I would like to keep in a relatively stock package (no h22a swaps for this car). But seeing as my motorcycles put out nearly the same peak WHP as the Accord, I wanted to try to get every little bit out of the F23 that I could. Please remember, I am a n00b at this whole car tuning thing, but I used most of my bike experience to get started with the bolt-on power sessions.

First thing I did was pull the stock airbox and replace it with a custom made short intake. This gave me a some definite extra pull and a little better sound too.

Next I got a killer deal on a new Apexi RS cat-back system and installed that right away. I was looking a something not too loud and was originally going to get the Apexi WS system, but I found this old stock for a price I couldnt pass up. It breathes better (though maybe not as good as some of the more rice-boy setups like the N1 or the Greddy Evo) than the stock dual-muffler-single-outlet system. Again, it pulls so much harder way up in the rev range over the old stock setup (4500RPM+).

The last thing I have picked up, though not installed, is a DC Sports CC 4-2-1 two piece header. I picked this thing up cheap so I figured I would nab it just in case I wanted/needed to use it.

Now I am at a point where I would like to bring the car to a chassis dyno to check my power output and A/F ratio before installing the header and risking pulling in a lean mixture and causing engine damage. Then assuming everything is all good I would like to install the headers to see what gains/losses I will get and recheck the A/F.

So.......

Has anyone had experience with a similar/identical setup where they could offer some insight to possible lean conditions? Or maybe what I have, which isnt alot, is still within the range of adjustability of the stock Honda sensors (O2, MAF, and whatever else the car uses)? Will adjusting the timing gears have any big effects on this motor? I realize this is a typically non-breathing SOHC motor but I need to start somewhere.

Also any other suggestions for nudging that last bit of power from this lump would be appreciated.

Thanks

Frank Corona
frank@fcorona.com
http://www.fcorona.com

 

i'd go for an s-afc, tune-ability without a high price tag (275$US).

 

THE HEADER WILL NOT LEAN OUT YOUR CAR! you may think that the concentraion of unburnt fuel that the O2 see's would be diminished becuase of the increase in volume...but in this case no. you'll be fine. if you're going to the dyno...get a S-AFC. you can generally buy them for 285 shipped all day long. I got mine from http://www.jdmspecperf.com for 285