How Does MDX Get Extra 25HP?

[PilotSmith]

I was wondering if anybody knows how the 3.5L engine in the MDX puts out an extra 25 ponies compared to the Pilot. Was wondering if they had a different fuel system computer that was allowing it to generate more power. Both engines have the same displacement and compression. I want to know what I can swap out from a MDX to gain some more power on my EX-L!

[desertpilot]

There might be some useful info from this old thread. You could also use the search function on top of the page by using MDX and horsepower keywords to see other related threads.


Pilot Vs. MDX HP

[PNW-Pilot]

Originally posted by PilotSmith
I was wondering if anybody knows how the 3.5L engine in the MDX puts out an extra 25 ponies compared to the Pilot. Was wondering if they had a different fuel system computer that was allowing it to generate more power. Both engines have the same displacement and compression. I want to know what I can swap out from a MDX to gain some more power on my EX-L!

The 2005 Acura RL will have 300HP from the same motor, not sure about compression yet.

http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-acura-rl.asp

Edit: Forgive the website, I just read futher down where they pan Honda for not using a V8.

"C’mon, Honda, build a V8. The NSX really needs one, and so does your new Pilot-based pickup truck. "

[PilotSmith]

Thanks for that link. I guess at an extra $4 a tank for premium it is not that bad if you can really notice the difference in power. I still can't figure out why when Car & Driver tested the Pilot they got 0-60 in 7.6 which was faster or about the same as the MDX. I would expect the extra 25HP on the MDX to make it noticably quicker than the Pilot. Or does Honda maybe under report the Pilot performance so there appears to be more reason to pay more for a MDX? I just want a simple solution for a little more power. Preferably a chip I can turn on and off at will from a switch on the dash that temporarily makes the Pilot a fuel hog for a modest HP gain. I know the right person would know how to program the fuel computer to do that. Would not give as much power as also having the other hardware but I bet a chip for the Pilot would sell well.

[PNW-Pilot]

To compare 0-60 times, make sure you use the same source for both vehicles.

each magazine/source uses a different method for getting the times. Consumer reports hits gas from a full stop and uses an outside mahcing clamped to the car.

Car and driver on the other hand, pushes the gas pedal as much as the brakes can hold then releases to measure 0-60. Way different methods and unrealistic numbers from some sources.

[PilotSmith]

I noticed C&D seems to get better numbers than others. I assumed they abused the vehicles more to push the limit. As long as they are consistent I guess that is okay. But you have to stick to camparing only numbers from them to get an accurate comparison. I guess a more realistic method would be to simply stomp on it from idle as is the typical real world way most people take off from a light or in an emergency situation. Maybe if I was in a rental I'd redline the Pilot and throw it into drive to see what time I could get and if I could spin the 4 tires. Don't want to try that on mine!

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by PilotSmith
Thanks for that link. I guess at an extra $4 a tank for premium it is not that bad if you can really notice the difference in power. I still can't figure out why when Car & Driver tested the Pilot they got 0-60 in 7.6 which was faster or about the same as the MDX. I would expect the extra 25HP on the MDX to make it noticably quicker than the Pilot. Or does Honda maybe under report the Pilot performance so there appears to be more reason to pay more for a MDX? I just want a simple solution for a little more power. Preferably a chip I can turn on and off at will from a switch on the dash that temporarily makes the Pilot a fuel hog for a modest HP gain. I know the right person would know how to program the fuel computer to do that. Would not give as much power as also having the other hardware but I bet a chip for the Pilot would sell well.

1) Same car, same day, same driver you still get different 0-60 times.

They are very grose measurments.

2) 25 HP aint much. We are dealing with power here so you are on an exponential curve. 10% is near nothing. It would be like replacing 100 Watt light bulbs with 110 Watt one and expecting to get a whoile lot more light!

3) The HP ratting for vehicles are "Typical" numbers. I don't know the range of error, but I bet you will find a +/- 5% difference across a set of samples.

4) You have the Chip already. Its called V-Tec. Step on the gas and it kicks in at 4200 RPM. What more do you want!

5) Chips don't sell well. Look at the cost of an ECU for a Civic, and and figure there are about 10 times more people interested in chipping those than Pilots. Besides a chip is not going to give you much more power. Honda had to rework the intake and exhaust just to get a measly 25 HP on the MDX! (if a chip would have done it they would have gone that way!)

[Scoobs]

On a recent road trip I had occasion to mash it when passing a couple of mobile chicanes. There were 4 of us in the Pilot with our luggage. It had been a while since I had mashed it in the Pilot because my wife frowns on that type of behavior. Once again I was surprised at how quickly the Pilot picks up speed when passing, and I love the sound of that engine when the VTEC kicks in. I personally don't think that an extra 25 HP is going to make that big of a difference. They probably did it more for marketing.

[Titans Fan]

Originally posted by PilotSmith
I was wondering if anybody knows how the 3.5L engine in the MDX puts out an extra 25 ponies compared to the Pilot. ...

Easy, Acura includes 25 mothballs in the MDX's fuel tank.

(Just kidding; another thread came to mind)

[PilotSmith]

Ok, I think you guys are convincing me to just leave it as is and be happy with it. I realize that if it was easy to boost power Honda would do it. But I think there is room to boost power at the expense of gas mileage and higher emmisions. When Acura boosts power on the MDX by 25HP they have to keep the mileage up and emmisions down. I figured if you don't have to worry about either one then it would give you more flexibility to get some extra power on the cheap. That is why I still wonder if you could program the fuel computer to slurp up the gas and belch emmisions for those special moments when you'd like to have a bit more power. But that would have be to done in a way you could flip a switch back to stock as not to drain the wallet and pollute the air more than necessary. Maybe I am wrong but it seems like it could be done...

[desertpilot]

There is a safely way to get 75 HP without too much expense. I don't recommend it unless you also upgrade your brakes, suspension, wheels and tires...it's the good old Nitrous oxide! I only know of one guy who did it and it's in his show car Honda Pilot.




Nitrous Express website link

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by PilotSmith
Ok, I think you guys are convincing me to just leave it as is and be happy with it. I realize that if it was easy to boost power Honda would do it. But I think there is room to boost power at the expense of gas mileage and higher emmisions. When Acura boosts power on the MDX by 25HP they have to keep the mileage up and emmisions down. I figured if you don't have to worry about either one then it would give you more flexibility to get some extra power on the cheap. That is why I still wonder if you could program the fuel computer to slurp up the gas and belch emmisions for those special moments when you'd like to have a bit more power. But that would have be to done in a way you could flip a switch back to stock as not to drain the wallet and pollute the air more than necessary. Maybe I am wrong but it seems like it could be done...

If you use the V-tec then it will slurp PLENTY of gas.

(Maybe I am missing something, but you don't NEED more HP till it is floored and you don't have enough.)

So floor the darn thing!

[PilotSmith]

The thought of Nitrous did cross my mind for a second. But I don't think Honda would look favorably on that if I took it in for a warranty repair! I got the 75K mile warranty so I don't plan to anything drastic until the warranty is up and that will not be for about 7 years.

[Titans Fan]

Simple compromise: Get some Nitrous Oxide (AKA laughing gas) but rather than using it in the car, use it personally. The Pilot may not go any faster, but you'll be happy all the same.

[PilotSmith]

My wife may get suspicious if she starts finding empty containers of whipped cream in the Pilot! I've always wondered why they use nitrous oxide gas as the propellant for whipped cream...