I've been thinking about this since I saw the first IX flash...

Ok, so everyone knows the IX makes a little more power than the VIII's in stock form, bone stock, no mods. Buschur and shiv have shown this to be true and consistent, its when the IX is flashed that it really wakes up. Why is this? is the IX really all that much better than the VIII, 20, 30, 40 horses better with just a flash when compared to a VIII with a flash.

What is making these cars kick so much ***. Is it a better turbo, a better ECU (cant be), or the MIVEC. I have a hard time believing variable intake cam timing will make such a huge difference when VTEC has variable timing and lift and makes this much more power on average over non-vtec's. Although, this is a turbo car, and things tend to be amplified power wise with forced induction.

What do the tuners think. If you were to slap a GT turbo on these cars, say 30r, with the same mods, how much more power will the IX's make? I know no-one knows right now, but any guesses? i'm very curious to find out. I'm just wondering what is making the IX's so powerful, and believe me I'm not jealous, Im happy for the people with these cars. Let STI ownage begin! Just thought I'd throw this out there. I wont be getting a IX regardless, cuz i know I'll probably want a X, then a XI...

 

this has been covered a thousand times so far, and nobody is 100% sure yet. when they put a IX turbo on a stock VIII we will know more. And yes, it could bet he ecu being different, Shiv said that they new ecu has like 6 different maps for different conditions with the mivec, so yes the stock ecu could be a reason for the increases. not only is the IX showing more power than the VIII but it's also showing a larger, smoother torque curve.

 

IMHO, it is mostly because of the new turbo, the new ECU and MIVEC help a little bit but probably not more than 10-20HP combined. But the true test is to put a 9 turbo on an 8 or upgrade the turbo on the 9 to one of the GT series.

 

I think it's a combination of everything. The new turbo, Mivec and the changes in the head. I just came back from the dyno tonight with my IX MR and it's currently putting down 340whp 329ft lb of tq with just a flash, MBC and 3 inch exhaust and DP. Pretty insane.. For $1600 dollars invested, you're up 66whp and 57ft lb of tq. It's not even close to the same car from what I took delivery on last Monday.

 

You do realixe that as far as factory ratings go, a VTEC equipped car can rate at ~40 hp more than non VTEC cars. Variable valve timing or on our case variable intake cam timing can have some serious results. Just compare even a Toyota with vvt-i against a car that does not come so equipped.

I too was a non-believer in these cars but i have converted.

 

For the most part its the turbo. Mivec allows boost to come in sooner which also assists 0-60, 1/4 mile etc. When you can move more air for a given amount of boost and also move it sooner and hold it until 7,600 rpm its a recipe for some serious performance - thats the IX.

Its a matter of time before the 'tuners' offer IX turbo upgrades for VIII owners. My guess is coupled with traditional cam upgrades on the VIII the IX turbo will make some serious gains - a stealthy mod but not necessarily the best choice....I mean if your upgrading the turbo there are better choices out there for the VIII owner.

IMO the IX is a detuned X motor whos secrets have been discovered by the Ecutek tuners. Make no mistake the X will have 320-350 HP easy as the tuners have already discovered thats easy to generate on 91 octane. IX owners are just the guinea pigs.

 

yeah i mean look at the rsx compared to the rsx type s, those cars are 2 worlds apart, due to the variable valve timing alone.