This reflash is for the RSX automatic with K20A3 engine.

Applications

• K20A3-auto ECU flash program 7300 rpm REV limit

The K20A3-auto program advances the ignition, alters the cam timing and optimizes the fuel for a cold air intake headers and exhaust, adding 5-10 ft lb across the rev range.

We do not recommend the use of nitrous or forced induction for this reflash.

Pricing

• $595

Hondata does not sell direct - all sales and payment must be conducted through Hondata dealers. The upgrade information form must be sent with your ECU.

2002 Auto RSX, headers and CAI before and after the K20A3-auto Flash program.

• 7 Peak HP gain depending on the dyno and modifications (results will vary)
• 5-10 ft lb torque across the rev range
• Power peak raised 400 rpm from stock .
• Rev limiter raised to 7300 rpm.
• Fully dealer compatible - works with all Honda scan tools and equipment.
  

Who can use this upgrade?

Any K20A3 Auto RSX owner with the ECU part numbers :

• PND A51 through PND A55

What if you have modifications?

This program was tuned specifically for a CAI (cold air intake) as they give the best power gains.

Headers have been tested with this program.

Test pipe. This will eventually give you an engine check light telling you have a faulty catalytic converter. We have not seen this error cause any power loss.

If you have nitrous this program will probably not be suitable due to the aggressive ignition advance used.

For consistency in dyno testing we suggest you follow the dyno procedure outlined here.

Tuning notes

This car was tuned 91 octane pump gas - which we recommend. As the ignition is advanced there will be less tolerance for poorer quality fuels.

The extra low down torque as illustrated on the dyno chart, may in fact be due to the torque multiplication effect of the torque converter. With an auto transmission, very little time is spent at low RPMs. Most medium throttle openings will bring the engine to about 3000 rpm very quickly.

We do not modify the shift points. These are left at stock. The higher rev limit is accessable in the sportshift mode

When intake, headers and exhausts are added, the power peak is moved above the stock Honda redline. Extending the redline in this case, even if the power peak was not increased will increase your average power.

In the dyno chart above, a shift from 6700 rpm to 5500 rpm (stock rev limiter) goes from 132 HP to 122 HP - an average of 127 hp.

A shift from 7200 rpm (raised rev limiter) to 6000 rpm (140 hp to 132) will give you an average of 136 hp - a 9 hp increase over the typical rev range used under full acceleration.

Will this affect my warranty?

Any increase in RPM limit is at your own risk. If you suffer engine damage that is related to excessive revs Honda / Acura will not cover your warranty.

With regard to aftermarket parts, the law is that warranty coverage cannot be denied simply because such parts are present on the vehicle, or have been used. For more details read the K series FAQ.

User Review by BlackNite from RSXworld

Let me get the bad outta the way first. The thing costs $605... and there isn't any new hardware to show for it. You keep your same ECU, same hardware, with no backups. Add to the fact that you will be without a car for at least 2 days. I sent in my ECU at 7:30PM on a Tuesday, and got it back Thursday morning at 9:50AM. I live in VA, so that's a very good turn around time however. You have to pay $50 to have it re-flashed if somehow it gets erased and will be without your car again for the same amount of time.

Now to the good stuff. Initial impressions are good. We base owners don't get that awesome peak wheel HP that the Type-S gets... and us Auto RSX owners don't get the big torque bump that the base manual owners appear to get. What we do get is a much needed higher redline to start with. Normally when revving to the fuel cutoff, our power peak comes before the cutoff so our revving past it is only to increase where the revs drop to the next gear. With Hondata, I feel it pull until I hit the cutoff, and shifting to the next gear drops me into allot more power than usual, resulting in a higher average HP, which is really good. Hondata explains this better with numbers: "Extending the redline in this case, even if the power peak was not increased will increase your average power.

I let the car idle for 10min after installing the ECU. I immediately took it for a spin... WOW, the car just seems so much smoother. The more gas I gave it, the more power I got from it. No funky power fluctuations, just a smooth rev band to the top. Smooth, smooth smooth...it's the only way to describe it. I always have and always will use 93 octane in my car, so I can't give you a test on how it reacts to 89... sorry, just can't do it. In a previous email sent to Hondata inquiring about the benefits of using gas rated higher than 91 from me, a reply was sent to me stating that the ECU will take advantage of better fuel. I take it that you'll see a pony or two by using the good stuff and recommend that you do. Here is where I would normally talk about gas milage, but since I haven't gone through that many miles with the ECU or filled up (I've driven it maybe 30 miles at most), I can't really comment on fuel consumption. I don't think it would be fair either since I'm pushing the car hard each ride for performance testing. I'll edit this post on my next fill up. I usually get about 280-300 miles city/highway per tank before my gas light comes on. Take in mind that I drive my car hard all the time, so this will be less than the typical driver gets.

Overall, I am very impressed with what Hondata has done with this ECU. I would love more power, but like they said... our car just doesn't breathe well at higher RPMs. I still have to add my Hondata gasket that is bound to give me a couple lbs of torque down low, and I'm sure headers will net me more power, especially with Intake/Exhaust/Hondata. My goal of 145WHP may be reached with less mods than planned! The 1st 15 second N/A base auto with less than 150WHP is right around the corner. Yes, my goals are small... but it's nice to meet them every once and a while.

Thanks

Shawn Church Automotive for the Dyno facilities, testing and useful feedback. Shawn has hundreds of Honda/Acura dyno plots on his Dynapack dyno if you would like to compare your Acura/Honda performance.