Performance question for the Pilot

[Scratch]

I've read through the backnforth from old threads on if/how a CAI would help/hurt the Pilot, and for the time being I've just added a K&N drop in filter and don't plan on doing anything to the stock airbox. I am planning to check the oil over the next few changes to see if I can determine if there are any added particulates from the K&N vs an OEM filter, but that is for another topic...

I was interested in the exhaust setups from folks like Boilermakerfan and others. Something that was mentioned regarding weight savings from the OEM muffler/resonator vs using aftermarket exhausts and having custom piping done. Would that add to performance or increase your ability to obtain better mpg? Would adding a higher flow cat, resonator, muffler do anything for the pilot?

The civic/integra/rsx/etcetc has been dyno'd to death, but has anyone ever seen a Pilot get this sort of treatment and was still a street legal vehicle? I do recall seeing someone on here who built a track pilot, but I'm just looking to see if doing this sort of work would actually DO anything for a normal Pilot.

[N_Jay]

If you want performance you are heading in the opposite direction from MPG.

A few oil changes will never see the damage from bad filtration.

If you want good MPG, keep it stock, get all the weight out you can

And drive minimizing your use of the brakes.

In general get up to speed quickly and spend as much time as possible coasting down to stops.

[rocky]

The track Pilot was built by a Honda employee team and certainly would be totally useless as a family vehicle. You really need lots of seats for families.

Economy to me is all about saving $$$. Keeping them in your pocket. K&N wont do that v standard air filter. Spending money on a different muffler system wont either. I can't recommend you mess with the cats as there are emissions requirements to be met.

If you want to try and improve MPG do what N_Jay says. I'd add that anticipating traffic movements well ahead of where you are today also helps. Removing excess weight such as the third row seats might help to.

The Pilot as has been said many times will never be a mpg miser nor a performance machine.

[Scratch]

I wasn't looking for advice on getting the best mpg, I already know how to do that. I was looking at trying to have a discussion about other 'performance' options and how/if they would affect the pilot.

I'm also well aware that mufflers and intakes are all just tubes, true modificationd for hp are engine changes vs just how air flows...just looking at discussing hypothetical options.

[mclairmo]

Hypothetically, all of the performance modifications traditionally applied to other Hondas and other vehicles in general would apply to the Pilot. Engine is basically an air pump. Pump in more air and gas and get more power. Problem is the computer, Federal emissions laws and making sure everything works as a system. With the sophistication of these modern cars and the oem computer's ability to negate the effects of modifications, it's hard to know if headers, high flow cats, high flow intakes, etc will truly add power to the wheels without a thorough dyno test of the part. I think a mandrel bent exhaust system with high flow cats and mufflers would likely increase power but it could also reduce torque if exhuast gas velocity is not maintained so as to take advantage of scavenging. Too large of a pipe diameter can ruin part throttle response. Also, federal law prohibits replacing the cats if they are still good and/or if before a certain mileage. Reducing weight is also good for acceleration and mileage but what do you you get rid of? We all (I assume) purchased the Pilot because of the nice options it has, like third row seats, a/c, nice stereo, sound insulation, etc.

[hondamaint]

Unorthadox Racing has underdrive pulleys for all of the J-series Honda's. We run them on all of our cars and they sre GREAT. I think they are around 7lbs less than the stock crank pulley and the underdrive is not too much that it hurts anything at all. Really a win win product. The throttle response is much better with this product. RV-6 is working on an equal length J-pipe and they work really well also. Call Ritchie at RV-6 and tell him I sent ya, he is a good guy. Call Sean at Unorthadox racing for the pulley.
Paul Street
Honda manufacturing of Alabama

[humanoid]

Just curious, how much would one of those pulleys cost?

[Enoch]

Scratch,
Looks like you are finally receiving the educated information you were looking for. Sometimes big post numbers do not translate to big information .

That being said... I am a used Pilot/new owner myself so I am still in the learning process, but I have learned a few things from previous car experiences. The last couple posts are right on point.

Some engines are easily modifiable and others are not. From my research owning BMW's, cold air intakes actually reduced HP in warm temperatures/climates, and only produced negligeable improvements in colder conditions. Many BMW forum members received mass refunds after cold air intakes were purchased through forum vendor claims, and later refuted by members that dyno'd their cars after installing the intakes. Some reported improved "sound" from intake changes.

Aside from major engine upgrades such as turbos and superchargers, computer chips and pulleys would provide the next best place for performance gains. As a newbie to the pilot and not interested in performance upgrades, I am unable to offer any specific advice. I am sure a little research/google or advice from member hondamaint will lead you in the right direction.

As mclairmo stated, performance gains may be achieved through exhaust system, but if the system has not been specifically designed for your vehicle, it is probably easier to lose performance than to gain it, using universal mufflers and pipes. My BMW 545 first received a universal Borla muffler with custom mandrel pipes for $400. Sounded good, but nothing else. Eventually sold the set up and bought a $1000 catback exhaust from racing performance inc., that was tested, dyno'd, and specifically designed for that car. The extra $600 was worth $6000 when it came to both sound and performance. The pipes were smaller in areas to provide adequate backpressure so as not lose low end torque... and wider in others to provide improved airflow and HP at higher rpms. The specificity of the design was paramount to the improved performance.

Anyways, hope this helps and good luck. I am sure we would all appreciate any info or experience that you obtain, so please share

[Enoch]

You may also want to look into a sprint booster.

I added one to my BMW and it was fantastic. It is not a performance upgrade, per se, but it improves throttle response and improves the driving experience. The Honda Accord forums also seem to appreciate this accessory.

This is a plug and play harness that attaches to your accelerator and plugs into your drive-by-wire software. Case study: My fiancee always drove my BMW. I installed the sprint booster and never told the misses. I did not intentionally withold the information, I simply installed the booster, drove it myself...., and then then she drove it before I told her that I installed an upgrade... She called me hysterically wanting to know what I did to the car, because she said the car jumped when she pressed the accelerator and it scared the **** out of her, lol!

[N_Jay]

• Sprint Booster does not increase Horsepower.

• Sprint Booster does not reduce your 0-60mph times.

• Sprint Booster DOES make your car 'FEEL' faster.

• Sprint Booster is not for everyone.

All it does is put the whole throttle throw into the top 3/4 and makes the last 1/4 do nothing.

Most people do better with a smoother accelerator, not one with less control.

[rocky]

sarcasm on>
Ow...N_Jay...thats harsh.
Of course a Sprintbooster will make the car faster cos the owner's wallet is lighter.
Sarcasm off>

[mclairmo]

Beware of underdrive pulleys. I have used them and the problem is that they slow down your water pump and alternator, which can reduce low rpm cooling and low rpm alternator output. My 67 Camaro with 396 big block overheated with underdriven pulleys. I had to actually switch to overdriven pulleys to obtain sufficient water pump speed at low rpms. If you do run such pulleys, make sure the manufacturer has tested them on the street on a hot day (not just the track) and can assure no cooling issues and no battery charging issues. Good luck. I also agree with Enoch 100%.

[browning4x4EX-L]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

• Sprint Booster does not increase Horsepower.

• Sprint Booster does not reduce your 0-60mph times.

• Sprint Booster DOES make your car 'FEEL' faster.

• Sprint Booster is not for everyone.

All it does is put the whole throttle throw into the top 3/4 and makes the last 1/4 do nothing.

Most people do better with a smoother accelerator, not one with less control.

Originally Posted by rocky

sarcasm on>
Ow...N_Jay...thats harsh.
Of course a Sprintbooster will make the car faster cos the owner's wallet is lighter.
Sarcasm off>

I'm just curious why is it when anything performance comes up you two are the first to cut it down? The pilot platform doesn't have to all about floor mats. Some of us want to discuss bigger tires dual exhaust and other things for our pilots to stand out in the parking lot.

No sarcasm switch sorry.

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by browning4x4EX-L

I'm just curious why is it when anything performance comes up you two are the first to cut it down? The pilot platform doesn't have to all about floor mats. Some of us want to discuss bigger tires dual exhaust and other things for our pilots to stand out in the parking lot.

No sarcasm switch sorry.

I think it's because some folks get fed up with ricer "performance upgrades" that add no performance at all and even if they did, a Ford Taurus would still wax your a$$ on dry pavement.

If these threads were posted under the guise of standing out in a parking lot, then no one would say a word. Or just begin with, I think this will make my car sound better and maybe free up 2 or 3 hp, instead of blowing smoke that a mod will make your car magicly faster than a rental car. My2cents.

[browning4x4EX-L]

Originally Posted by carguy07

I think it's because some folks get fed up with ricer "performance upgrades" that add no performance at all and even if they did, a Ford Taurus would still wax your a$$ on dry pavement.

If these threads were posted under the guise of standing out in a parking lot, then no one would say a word. Or just begin with, I think this will make my car sound better and maybe free up 2 or 3 hp, instead of blowing smoke that a mod will make your car magicly faster than a rental car. My2cents.

Who said anything about trying to race ? Why are the upgrades that are talked about ricer? If these were on a domestic v8 would you treat them the same way? Just because we want performance doesn't mean we trying to be quicker then a sedan... Maybe we want the extra power for towing or just scooting on the interstates? We aren't taking the familys SUV to the drag strip on the weekends.