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Power Pages: 2003 Honda Accord EX

Owner: Honda of America
Dynamometer model: Dynapack 3000

DYNO 1: Baseline
Baseline air temp @ 60.1 Degrees Fahrenheit

Baseline Horsepower: 137.6
Baseline Torque: 148.7 lb-ft

Peak HP: 137.6
Peak TQ: 148.7

Dyno notes: The Accord came as a low-mileage test vehicle from Honda Motor Corporation for new product research and development. It had 3580 miles on the odometer. More importantly, we were surprise from the get go this car produced more torque than horsepower.

Pros: While dyno runs were performed on the DynaPak 3000, engine vitals were carefully monitored using a Honda OBD-II scan tool for consistent temperature readings, ensuring accurate horsepower and torque readings.

Cons: A 3,300-lb car using a 2.3-liter four-cylinder motor? DAMN! This car can use all the horsepower it can get from the new products.

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DYNO 2: DC Sports Cold Air Intake
Air temp @ 63.2 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: +3.1 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 142.2
Peak TQ: 151.5

Dyno notes: At 4400 rpm, a significant increase of 10 lb-ft of torque and 8.4 horsepower was data logged over baseline figures.

2000 to 3500 HP Range: -4 to 4
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: -8 to 5 lb-ft
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 4 to 8
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: 5 to 9 lb-ft
5500 to Redline HP Range: 5 to 7
5500 to redline TQ Range: 4 to 6 lb-ft

Peak Horsepower: 142.2
Peak Torque: 151.5 lb-ft

Part includes: Filter, piping, hose clamps, vacuum lines, intake silicone hose, brackets, instructions and stickers

Pros: There are detailed instructions on removing the factory airbox and resonator unit located under the driver's side bumper. The one-piece, 3-in. design makes installation a piece of cake.

Cons: Removal of the resonator box can be rather tricky, as the wheelwell plastic lining must be removed along with the bumper cover for easier access to the 10mm bolts.

Tools required for installation: Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, 12mm socket, 10mm socket, ratchet, extension

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DYNO 3: DC Sports 4:2 to 1 Header
Air temp @ 66.8 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: +1 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 147.4
Peak TQ: 153.7

Dyno notes: At 6500-rpm redline the Accord was still pulling some honest power figures with a gain of 17 hp over baseline. The largest power and torque gains were seen between 5300 and 6500 rpm.

2000 to 3500 HP Range: -2 to 2.2
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: 1.8 to 6
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 1 to 5.1
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: 0.9 to 4.9
5500 to Redline HP Range: 5 to 10
5500 to Redline TQ Range: 5.5 to 8.7

Peak Horsepower: 147.4
Peak Torque: 153.7 lb-ft

Part includes: All necessary bolts, O-ring gasket, O2 sensor extension, stickers and instructions

Pros: The two-piece 4-2-1 design (1 5/8-in. primary and 1 3/4-in. secondary) made installation simple with lots of clearance in the Accord engine bay. The O2 sensor was relocated from the factory downpipe to the Y collector on the DC header to enable a more accurate reading of the air/fuel mixture. An adapter piece for O2 relocation is included. The header's secondary pipe is much shorter than the factory's, allowing for easier installation.

Cons: The factory Honda exhaust manifold faces the engine firewall, requiring the installer to perform lots of over-the-fender wrenching to remove the header bolts.

Tools required for installation: 12mm socket, 14mm socket, 12mm wrench, 14mm wrench and 20mm wrench

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DYNO 4: DC Twin (TCS) exhaust
Air temp @ 65.9 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: -2.2 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 150.7
Peak TQ: 154.0

2000 to 3500 HP Range: 0.2 to 2
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: 0.1 to 3.6
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 2 to 2.7
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: 1.6 to 3.6
5500 to Redline HP Range: 3.3 to 7.6
5500 to Redline TQ Range: 2.5 to 6.2

Peak Horsepower: 150.7
Peak Torque: 154 lb-ft

Part includes: Exhaust flange gaskets, nuts and bolts, stickers, and instructions

Pros: This is a lightweight 304 stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system with CNC-machined flanges and mandrel-bent 2.5-in. tubing. It meets the 95-dB requirements for 50-state legal street usage. It looks pretty dope, too!

Cons: None

Tools required for installation: 12mm socket, 14mm socket, extension, lubricant for exhaust hanger and breaker bar

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The Parts

1- DC Cold Air Intake $ TBD
2- DC 4-2-1 ceramic Header $ TBD
3- DC Twin Canister System Exhaust $ TBD
MSRP Total
Prototype Products

Conclusion: An additional 24.6 hp and 19.9 lb-ft of torque was unleashed over baseline on the final test run. We have to mention the Dyna Pak Facility in Corona, Calif. Weather was too fucking cold and testing didn't finish until late at night!

Hotbox:
DC Sports
(909) 734-2030
www. DcSports.com

Performance Chart
HP LevelHP+TQ LevelTQ+
Baseline137.6*148.7*
1 DC Cold Air Intake142.24.6151.52.8
2 DC 4-2-1 Header147.45.2153.75.0
3 DC TCS Exhaust150.73.3154.05.3
Final150.713.1149.615.8

All the products dynoed on the Accord are raw, unpolished prototype units. By the time you read this article, the new products will be fully coated and available from DC Sports with the pricing.

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