A Journey with the Acura TSX

What Sparked the Passion for Cars?

The journey into the car world often begins with family influences and captivating stories. For Tyler, it all started with his grandpa, who owned an array of cool cars and used to drag race at the Beeline Dragway, an old drag strip off the 87 north of Mesa, Arizona. Although their grandpa left the racing scene after his brother tragically died in a crash at the drag strip, the stories of those times left a lasting impression. The real ignition of Tyler's car passion came from his brother, who bought a 2003 RSX 5-speed in high school. Introducing him to car modifications, they soon bought a Honda Accord coupe and began modifying it with his brother.

Why the TSX?

After going through a couple of Accord coupes that were totaled shortly after modifications, an upgrade was in order. The discovery that the TSX shared the same subframe and suspension geometry as the Accord led to the purchase of an automatic TSX. Transferring all the modifications to the TSX took a few years, and a new interest in tracking cars emerged after watching Gridlife videos. The excellent suspension geometry, along with inspirations from teams like RealTime Racing and JAS Motorsport, emphasized the TSX's potential, making it a lasting choice.

Plans for the TSX

Currently, the TSX needs a rebuild after a couple of crashes this year (2024). Once rebuilt, the plans include adding basic aero mods like a front splitter and rear wing, installing a full cage for race group compliance, completing a CL7-R roof swap, and upgrading the suspension setup with potentially new coilovers.

Goals for Next Season

The goals for the next season are ambitious. Attending comp school in November to move up to NASA (National Auto Sport Association) Super Touring is a priority, but given the attention the car needs, it might not happen that soon. If not, the plan is to stick with Time Trials and possibly advance to TT4.

Why Time Attack?

Time attack offers extra seat time without the pressure of vying for a season trophy. The vibes of time attack are distinct from HPDE or Time Trials. The intensity and uncertainty of results with only two laps in UMS Time Attack create a thrilling experience.

Detailed Spec Sheet

Engine:

CT Ice Box intake
Weapon R header
J's Racing 70RR stainless single exit exhaust
Hasport 62a front & rear engine mount
Ingalls engine torque damper
RBC 50° VTC gear pinned to 40° with TracTuff pin
UNIT2 Fab steel baffled oil pan
4Piston ported PRB oil pump
K24Z timing chain guides
RDX 410cc injectors
Hybrid Racing fuel rail
Fluidampr crank pulley
Koyorad radiator
Tuned with Hondata Flash Pro by UMS Tuning

Transmission:

Exedy stage 1 clutch
Exedy DC5 chromoly flywheel
EM2 CMC
Hybrid Racing heavy-duty detent springs
Hybrid Racing heavy-duty shift selector spring
Hybrid Racing short shifter
Hybrid Racing shifter cable bushings
APG6 aluminum case from 7th-gen Accord
RSX Type S gear set with TSX 6th and 4.7FD
Synchrotech carbon synchros
M-Factory LSD

Suspension:

Fortune Auto 500 coilovers 12k Front / 8k Rear
Modified Skunk2 front upper control arms
Fastline/PCI spherical compliance bushings
Fastline/PCI spherical LCA trailing bushings
SuperPro poly shock mount bushings
K-Tuned front roll center adjusters
Hardrace spherical rear upper control arms
Hardrace spherical rear lateral camber arms
Hardrace spherical rear lateral toe arms
Progress 24mm rear sway bar for TL

Brakes:

AP Racing CP9440 front calipers
AP Racing slotted & vented rotor discs front
PFC01 brake pads front
Castrol SRF React racing brake fluid
OEM Porsche 997 GT3 brake air guides
Stoptech cryo-treated rotors rear
GLOC R8 brake pads rear
Goodridge stainless braided brake lines
Custom machined hubcentric rings
ARP extended lug studs front

Interior:

OMP HTE-R 400 seat driver side
PCI seat bracket driver side
NRG slim steering wheel hub adapter
NRG SFI rated quick release
Momo Volanti steering wheel
Custom Hinzwerks shift knob
Teamtech Motorsports Rampac 6pt camlok harness driver side
OMP Champ-R seat passenger side
PCI seat bracket passenger side
Sabelt 3” 6pt camlok harness passenger side
Action Fabrication 4-pt roll bar welded in

Exterior:

Euro R headlights, front bumper, lip, & grill
Northwind Composites carbon fiber sunroof delete
Taiwan special fiberglass vented hood
Authentic Mugen 04-05 front bumper
Mayhem Metal Werkz bumper bars front and rear
Takata tow strap

Wheels/Tires:

Rays Gramlights 57DR 17x9+38 front
Maxxis RC-1 255/40/17 front
Work Emotion 11R 17x9+38 rear
Nankang AR-1 225/45/17 rear

Favorite Modification

Among the various modifications, the transmission upgrade has made the most significant difference. However, the favorite modification is the brakes, driven by a fanatical love for AP Racing. An honorable mention goes to the custom-designed shift knob.

Favorite Track & Personal best time

INDE Motorsports Ranch is Tyler's favorite track and the most rewarding to master. Despite only visiting twice and not pushing too hard either time (due to it being the 2nd track day ever and the first track day back from a significant crash), their best time on Config-4 CW is a 1:48.2 on Toyo RR.

This journey into the car world has been filled with learning, challenges, and exhilarating experiences, particularly with the beloved Civic TSX. As the car continues to evolve, so does the passion and dedication to the craft of motorsports.

Follow Tyler's progression on and off track on his Instagram page:

@tyhcl9