[GhostYK1]

Hello all,

Name is Mark. I am new to the Ridgeline but not new to Honda's.

Looking forward to meeting other Ridgeline owners and finding out the ins and outs of this vehicle. Every vehicle that I have owned. I have joined a vehicle specific forum. So I figured, why would this one be any different.

I have only owned the truck for 4 days and I have already torn the stock air box out and installed a "Hot Air" Intake.... :wink: I realize that the stock intake works rather well as a "Cold Air" Intake. However, being a lover of how a nicely tuned naturally aspirated Honda engine induction sounds. I knew that the stock air box & resonator had to go.

Exhaust is on order.

 

[GhostYK1]

DIY Intake Version 1

Here are a couple quick images of my DIY intake. I used a 70mm Ford MAF housing with a custom adapter plate to mount the Honda MAF sensor.

Parts;
6" ID K&N Oval Filter
6" OD x 70mm ID Velocity Stack
70mm MAF Housing with custom Honda MAF adapter plate
70mm aluminum tubing
K&N Crank Case filter (for PCV inlet)

 

[Carsmak]

Welcome to the ROC,

Congratulations on your new vehicle,

With Pictures No less, at least you know about the "improvement" from your CAI, be careful to to over oil it with the additional sensor "MAF" if your doing the exhaust, have you seen any of the threads on the J-pipe installs and resonator delete? Use the VB search and you should find both.

Good Luck and Enjoy the Ride...

 

[GhostYK1]

Thanks!

I'll look into the J-Pipe and resonator Delete.

You are 100% on the over oiling. I have been running oiled K&N filters on MAF sensor engine management systems for quite a few years now. This is my first MAF Honda though. I'm hoping that my best practices from my other MAF cars will transfer over without any major issues.

 

[Carsmak]

Here's a few Links, some may link to some others...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/121025-rv6-high-flow-precats-install-pics.html

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/124137-what-my-j-pipe-options.html

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/46221-rv6-performance-j-pipe-review.html

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/128401-rv6-exhaust-performance.html

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/116897-looking-rv6-pcd-s-improved-towing-performance.html

And if you really want to get crazy...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/108993-anyone-put-acura-tl-intake-manifold-their-ridgeline.html

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/101938-tuning-reflash-possibilities-09-14-model-years.html

And someone who is going the extra Mile...

This started as a Acura 3.7 Install with J-Pipe, Exhaust with PCD's and Manifold, now he's building a Supercharger, Best Thread Ever..

Have Fun Reading, and a few here in So Cal have seen this beast in person, it's real. He's just super busy with stuff around the home front currently, But we know he'll be back.

 

[GhostYK1]

Thanks for the links.

I started browsing through this forum a few days before I bought my Ridgeline. I was looking for all the usual bolt-ons and other model/OE parts upgrade mods. I bought a ZDX throttle body. It should be here today. I am going to port match the stock intake to the throttle body and possibly do a little cleanup of the plenum and ports while I'm in there.

I also saw the RV6-P exhaust options and have the 2.25" x 2.5" J-pipe and a 2.5" cat on their way. Going to wait and see how all the mods I have now work before I go about looking at purchasing the HF PreCats.

The Borla exhaust arrived last night.

Going to wait until I have the cat and J-Pipe to install everything at once.

Going to look at that Tuning options thread for sure. That was my next venture. I have tuning hardware/Software for all of my cars so far. SCT, HP Tuner, Crome Pro/eCtune/Neptune OBD1 Honda stuff and also have a MegasquirtIII EMS sitting on my bench. Not much sense in making a bunch of mods only to have the stock ECU/PCM cut it all back!

 

[GhostYK1]

ZDX Throttle Body Upgrade

Not sure if I should have a build thread for all this or not? Figure I already have a thread started might as well continue here for now.

The mailbox delivered today! ZDX/MDX 3.7L Throttle body.

These things are much bigger for an engine with only 0.2L more displacement. I know from other vehicles that I have had in the past, and still own, a larger throttle body may not always add HP. That being said, it definitely adds throttle response and the room to add more HP with the addition of cams and/or displacement!

 

[GhostYK1]

ZDX Throttle Body Ported Z5 Intake

Took the day to do the ZDX throttle body mod.

From the start....

Not looking to shabby in there. I have seen these get pretty coked up from time to time.

Piece of 3/8" aluminum plate for the adapter plate

5 minutes with a 70mm Bi-Metal hole saw and almost done!

Just the 4 ZDX bolt holes to tap and the J35 thru holes to drill.

J35Z5 Intake manifold port matched to 70mm.

Ported the outlets of the upper intake plenum to match the gaskets.

I also port matched the top side of the manifold spacer and tapered it to match the lower manifolds. I didn't get any pictures of the spacer or lower intake runners after I cleaned them up with an 80grit cartridge roll.

ZDX Throttle body w/ adapter fitted to the J35Z5 intake.

Side view

Top view

Using a 3/8" adapter requires the throttle body to be clocked a few degrees off center. Hopefully that won't be an issue.

70mm all the way through.... The J35Z5 intake manifold opening only required slight porting to get it out to 70mm. It is already larger than the stock J35Z5 throttle body out of the box.

Not sure if this did anything to add power or MPG, it probably did the opposite. All that aside, I love the throttle response and the sound is amazing! Only time you can hear it is when you are on the throttle. Then you get an extra kick when both the VTEC and the Secondaries open up!

 

[tmy3329]

Congrats on your purchase & Welcome to the ROC!

 

[GhostYK1]

Upgrade Exhaust!

The mail box put out yesterday.

So I was planning on having all of my exhaust components here to install this weekend. Unfortunately Magnaflow and CARiD decided to send me the wrong part. Now they are giving me a hard time with the exchange.

The box arrived in the mail Monday of last week.

Correct part number on the box

Open the box

Wrong part...... That's OK, I'll just exchange it for the correct part. Here is where it somehow gets complicated. Amber from CARiD requests pictures of the part numbers and the reason for the exchange. I comply with her request. Now, CARiD is the third party that I purchased the part from. They now have to send a part exchange request to Magnaflow. Magnaflow's reply to CARiD's request was that "the part number on the box will fit, flow and function as ordered." I think Amber forgot to mention that the part that was shipped in the box is not the same part number.

So I had to send CARiD another response stating I have the wrong part. She already has the images to prove it. There should be no need for further discussion. Send me the prepaid return shipping info and lets get things moving, end of discussion. Nope, I am now waiting to hear back from Magnaflow once again. Now it will be another 1-2 weeks before I get this sorted out. Hopefully Magnaflow will make this right, because I don't think [email protected] has a clue what she is doing. F#@King PISSED!

 

[GhostYK1]

DIY Intake Version 2

Parts arrived for my cold air intake version 2 the other day. Spent 30min last night installing it.

The original CAI design was constructed from parts that I had laying around from other cars that I have built intakes for. Unfortunately 99% of the CAI systems that I build only require 2.5" - 3" tubing. So I quickly realized that using the smaller diameter tubing actually messed with the MAF sensor. Not enough to throw a CEL but my STFT and LTFT were a good indication that the smaller diameter created way to much velocity. This was throwing the MAF calculations off.

So I ordered 3.5" Tubing and couplings to match the stock MAF housing diameter. I actually cut the stock MAF housing off the upper air box. It only required minor porting to have a smooth transition between the plastic housing and aluminum tubing.

I also noticed that once you remove the air box and lower section of the stock "cold air intake". The chassis/frame rail has an opening the size of my filter end. Now I am getting cooler air directly from the lower valiance. Scan tool shows no heat effects after the install of my "hot air intake" LOL

 

[GhostYK1]

Little update on my Magnaflow 2.5" high flow Catalytic converter return.

So after 3.5 weeks of trying to get my part returned through CARiD I decided to call Magnaflow customer service. After a lengthy 35 minute discussion I come to find out that Magnaflow does not make a true 2.5" bolt up Cat for the Ridgeline.

I thought that was rather strange considering this is what comes up on the Magnaflow website for the 2012 Ridgeline.
Part Number 23943.

Customer service rep from Magnaflow said that where it states "direct fit". means that it uses stock flange fittings. Well if that is the case, then why would the specs say 2.5" Pipe, 2.5" inlet and 2.5" outlet? He tells me that he will have them update the website. They do not make a bolt-on cat for the Ridgeline that is a true 2.5" through design. He tells me that the only difference between the part that I ordered and the part that they sent me is are flow numbers for the elements inside the cat. If that is the case, they sent me the one with the more restrictive design..... man what is up with companies these days?

So after all this is it even worth my time trying to send this one back? Magnaflow only has universal fit cats that are 2.5". then I would have to find my own stainless flanges.

If that is the case I might as well cut off the 2.25" pipe and flange. Then bore out the flange and add a piece of 2.5" stainless pipe that I have in my garage. I really didn't want to have to do any fabrication on this.

I was looking for a bolt-on exhaust system. Oh well, what's an few hours spent down in the garage. Maybe it will help blow off some steam after having to deal with 3 weeks of poor customer service and false advertising.

 

[GhostYK1]

Magnaflow Cat Dispute

Went to start cutting this thing up and adding my 2.5" stainless pipe to it and to my surprise magnets reveled another issue. Magnaflow is using T409 in their "Stainless Construction". This is by far the lowest grade stainless that I have ever worked with. T304 is usually the lowest grade for even the cheap Chinese exhaust components. Not hard to see why they don't list the grade of stainless in the specs. Cost saving!

Magnet stuck to flange, pipe and cat body.

This fridge magnet about sums up how I feel about CARiD and Magnaflow right now!

Well at least Magnaflow covers any rust that penetrates through the T409. That's good to know considering I live in the rust belt and this is a winter vehicle.

 

[GhostYK1]

Grille Upgrade!

Picked this up from the dealership today! Love that this will be a direct bolt on as it comes with Crystal Black Pearl trim.

 

[Carsmak]

Ghost,

Not sure if you've seen the posts by Jason Burtman of Burtman Industries, but he's been a supporter of the G1 Ridgeline and the ROC for quite a while. You may want to check out his posts on the Gibson Exhaust sale and other items he's got available.

Carsmak

EDIT: Just realized you have the Borla Exhaust, but you may want to check out Jason's offerings

 

[GhostYK1]

More RV6-P Goodies!

These came in the mail today from RV6-P! :grin:

I have modified the 2.25" Magnaflow cat with a 2.5" pipe and bored out the flange to match.

Now it will be 2.5" from the J-pipe all the way back, like I wanted. Now I just have to find the time to install all of these goodies. 13hr nights on shutdown really leaves no time for garage play.

 

[GhostYK1]

Drop Springs and KTuner

Mail box put out once again this week.

Thanks to Jason @ Burtman Indutries these drop springs shipped very quickly and arrived as described. Great customer service

Thanks again Jason.


As well have to send a shout out to Chris Harris @ Xenocron Tuning Solutions for the quick shipping of my KTuner purchase. As usual great customer service from them as well. Go to Chris for pretty much all of my tuning hardware and software.

Just finished my last night shift and should hopefully be able to find some time to install all of these parts sooner than later. Fun in the snow is right around the corner! :grin:

 

[GhostYK1]

Sneak peak of what is install for the RL for the spring.

 

[GhostYK1]

UPS delivered today!

Set of 20's.....

Love getting summer parts in the winter......now the long wait for the snow to melt!

 

[GhostYK1]

BakFlip and ITBs

My Bakflip G2 tonneau cover arrived today!

After that I stopped by my local machine shop and picked up my intake manifold.

Had the lower spacer and the bottom portion of the upper intake manifold machined to accept my throttle bodies.

Spacer

Upper Intake Manifold

GSX-R Throttles

I will take some time this weekend to fit up the secondary fuel rail, throttle linkages and fabricate the mount for the throttle motor.

The fuel injector spacing on these ITBs is exactly the same as the stock J35 rails. So I purchased an extra set of rails. I have a modified set of GSX-R injectors and complete wiring harness to install as well.