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Eldahank

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2023 Civic Sport Touring 6MT, BBP
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I’m getting interested in doing some minor mods to my 23 1.5T hatchback 6spd. I’m new to mods and performance upgrades but something like a PRL high volume intake seems relatively easy to DIY, and safe enough to not worry about voiding my warranty.

I found some forum posts from PRL about the development of this intake for the 11th gen, they talk about their gains on the dyno but they had a civic si as their platform.

Anyone here installed this on their non-si 1.5T? If so did you get any noticeable improvements on your butt dyno? I’m not planning to do any tunes or bigger mods during my warranty period, so wondering if it’s worth the cost for the moment.
 
I just took a look at that PRL kit. I'll give you a little background on my experience with intake plumbing modification. The largest gains will come from those that will require tuning of modules. I wouldn't expect anything over 15 HP. Because they increase the air volume into engine so much they mess with fuel trims. A tune would definitely be in order to compensate and take advantage of all that new air. However if done right you could probably see 15HP maybe. I tried to read that PRL Dyno readout they posted but for the life of me I can't see the chart numbers.😅 I understand this kit doesn't require a tune. However their short ram kit or whatever they call it. Using the Big Bore tube it would require a tune but it looks like it would suffer from heat soak horribly.
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I wouldn't put much faith in these dyno claims so many manufacturers make and are inflated. A Dyno chart like this below would be much more readable however this one is not overly inflated. It also pertains too much more than intake plumbing only mods tq/hp gains. Though I do believe they exaggerate a little bit like most.
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See that adds 8 HP this is all for a 96 F250 with a 7.5 L gas engine by the way. Also note this is not as high as the PRL intake kit gains for the Honda. These are the install instructions below for that intake mod on a 7.5l. Note they have you remove the factory air silencer horns a common modification that costs you nothing. Those little air horns have other bigger tubes over the top of them. They severely restrict airflow from the airbox into the engine. They thought in the 90s through an effect those horns created back then. That it would create a smoother air flow spin effect. Whipping up the air in like a cyclone type motion. Not to mention keep everything quieter but it severely robbed the engine of air. That's why you don't see them anymore in intake plumbing. This truck is also an OBD1 system so it has a very dumb computer and no MAF sensor. It uses speed signal density and programming in the engine control module that pulls from a giant program table. It's a very forgiving system it has its pros and cons. Therefore there is no need to tune anything with allowing that much more air in. It won't mess up your fuel trims and allows for maximum gains. Here's the instructions for removing the air silencer horns. You can see kind of what I mean it lays it all out.
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Most of the gains in this system come from the type of air filter used and the removal of those air silencer horns. Still yet it only amounts to 8 hp. When it comes to the PRL kit and your Honda with the 1.5 L turbo engine. I don't think the PRL kit is worth what they're asking. Looking over it below here we can see it is pretty much the same design as the factory OEM plumbing.
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Though it doesn't use a flat style filter it uses a canister style and it is oiled. The setups look very similar and the filter is in the same position as oem. Look to be same size shape roughly but one is made out of over $200 plastic the other is not. Not to mention they would have us believe it is heat soak resistant plastic very special. Below here is pictured the 1.5 L Turbo with its Factory OEM intake box/plumbing. Where it's located I don't think you have to worry much about heat soak. The location that draws air just like the PRL is a good one. From what I can tell it doesn't look like it's pulling air through the radiator directly into the box. It would have to be drawing for much lower than where it is even with that drop in the lip .
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These are things I highlighted that stuck out to me. The type of filter used being an oiled filter makes a big difference. Oiled filters are not like dry filters. They actually allow for more CFM of air. The gaps in the filter are wider that's why they have to be oiled. This is where most of your gains are going to come from. All that other stuff they pitch is just marketing in my honest opinion like many others. I would drop in one of these filters below if it were me. Best I can tell you're going to see about the same amount of gains as that whole PRL kit claims to gives. Putting in the better performing filter will increase air flow. Probably gain about five to seven HP in a real world scenario. Best part you did it all for the low low cost of $47.69 plus shipping.
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Remember I said the banks Dyno results I didn't feel was too overly inflated. Most of the gains that come from that kit. Come from a more free-flowing exhaust along with exhaust headers that scavenge. Creating like a vacuum effect on the engine reducing back pressure. Causing more air to be drawn in and cylinders gasses to more efficiently empty out. Being the dumb system it is you get the increase but there's not really much to tune. If you did that to a modern vehicle today you would definitely want to tune for it. That or you risk O2 sensors going off fuel trims out of wack all sorts.😬 That's my two cents on the fancy air intakes. For the kind of money they ask on these intake kits. You could really add some serious power. Plug and Play modules better exhaust tune more boost. Sorry for the long post I just wanted to be as thorough as possible. If it were me I would put an oiled air filter in and call it a day. Google has a lot of good articles about dry verse oiled intake air filters cfm. An engine is like an air pump. The more air you can put in one end and get out the other. The more power it's going to make. As long as you keep it within acceptable limits and tune everything for it. Swapping to an oiled filter will net some gains and will not mess with fuel trims. I would imagine you would be able to also feel this in throttle response. Hopefully you find this helpful I probably overexplained the crap out of it. 😅 Being under warranty you can always slap the OEM filter back in there if needed. Good luck and cheers 🍻
 
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Though it doesn't use a flat style filter it uses a canister style and it is oiled. The setups look very similar and the filter is in the same position as oem. Look to be same size shape roughly but one is made out of over $200 plastic the other is not. Not to mention they would have us believe it is heat soak resistant plastic very special. Below here is pictured the 1.5 L Turbo with its Factory OEM intake box/plumbing. Where it's located I don't think you have to worry much about heat soak. The location that draws air just like the PRL is a good one. From what I can tell it doesn't look like it's pulling air through the radiator directly into the box. It would have to be drawing for much lower than where it is even with that drop in the lip .

These are things I highlighted that stuck out to me. The type of filter used being an oiled filter makes a big difference. Oiled filters are not like dry filters. They actually allow for more CFM of air. The gaps in the filter are wider that's why they have to be oiled. This is where most of your gains are going to come from. All that other stuff they pitch is just marketing in my honest opinion like many others. I would drop in one of these filters below if it were me. Best I can tell you're going to see about the same amount of gains as that whole PRL kit claims to gives. Putting in the better performing filter will increase air flow. Probably gain about five to seven HP in a real world scenario. Best part you did it all for the low low cost of $47.69 plus shipping.
To play a tiny bit of devils advocate here. It isn't so much the special heat resistant plastic (for that they are mostly referring to the MAF housings being previously machined from billet aluminum, which WOULD be hotter than the plastic they are currently using) along side the larger 'tank' area the filter sits in, which would in theory assist in regulating temps by having a larger amount of ambient air to heat up in that area.

Secondly, the air ducting they copy from the factory duct supposedly has a bit larger and more smooth path into the filter area. (looks indistinguishable to me honestly and I'm not spending $350-400 to compare either.

Thirdly, I've seen a youtube video where they tested the HVI intake on an accord and it only made power on the stock set-up, not with bolt-ons and a tune. Could be user error, could be the difference in temps etc. But I am definitely not sold on it 100%.
 
I did the drop in filter like the user above mentioned simply not to buy replacements. Can’t tell if it’s any faster but it does sound a little better. Modifying turbo engines without proper tuning is not wise, IMO. You may gain a bit of power but probably not enough to really notice, but are messing with drivability and reliability. Temperatures and prsssures in a turbo engine are considerably higher than a non turbo engine, so any changes you make also have a more drastic effect. And even modifying with a tune, the way these engines are built does not inspire confidence in bumping horsepower to the mid-high 200s. For those reasons, mine is staying stock so I can enjoy the car for what it is and not try to make it what it isn’t.
 
To play a tiny bit of devils advocate here. It isn't so much the special heat resistant plastic (for that they are mostly referring to the MAF housings being previously machined from billet aluminum, which WOULD be hotter than the plastic they are currently using) along side the larger 'tank' area the filter sits in, which would in theory assist in regulating temps by having a larger amount of ambient air to heat up in that area.

Secondly, the air ducting they copy from the factory duct supposedly has a bit larger and more smooth path into the filter area. (looks indistinguishable to me honestly and I'm not spending $350-400 to compare either.

Thirdly, I've seen a youtube video where they tested the HVI intake on an accord and it only made power on the stock set-up, not with bolt-ons and a tune. Could be user error, could be the difference in temps etc. But I am definitely not sold on it 100%.
Those are some valid points. They also have that extra air intake for it that is blocked off. If you used that though it would require a tune for sure. It looks like they put it on the bottom which is a good thing for the extra port. When I look at the canister filter inside and the headroom above around it in box. I think of hot air pooling at the top of the box because hot air rises and cold air falls. The original design splits the top and bottom half of the box with the flat filter. The air is drawn pushed in under the filter then goes through it. Up through the intake plumbing past the maf sensor into the engine. As the engine bay heats up I could see hot air pooling pockets up around above the PRL canister filter. I just don't think it justifies the price for the slight increase in the box size extra port ect. The oiled filter with its slightly larger gaps for air flow CFM. It's only going to let so much air through but having two intake ports it's going to force more through it. At that point though you're really splitting hairs. I just don't think it justifies the cost for the gains. A much better modification to get more air in the engine to make power. Would be to change out the upper intake manifold plenum for something larger. That would require tuning though for sure. I'm a very simple fella let's keep it basic 🤠. Guys I'm going to get down here and blow through the front of these thing. Watch the other end of that silicone tube see if you can feel a draft? Lights up a cigarette and blows into it do you see any smoke ?😀🤣. Let's repeat with stock intake plumbing and box. Was there more or less of a draft using the same oiled filters? According to those engineers that I absolutely despise. Though the Honda ones seem better than most. When I blow smoke into these things that prl one should put out more toward the engine. You know guys I'm starting to get a Head Rush puffing on this thing.🤕🤢 I think they're selling us a bunch of smoke and mirrors🤭. I think my blood oxygen level dropped a few points. We got to get this thing put back together I need to go to the doctor.😮‍💨😂 For the price they are asking you could do a downpipe or water meth injection on the cheap. That would definitely lower intake temperatures.
 
I did the HVI from PRL anyway, but instead of their stupid $50 add on intake to the bottom of the box I did a custom tube to my fog light for more air instead....I quite like how it whooshes under solid acceleration.
Is the money worth it? From a pure performance to cash stand point no. Am I happy I did it anyway? Yes
 
The more I learn about this platform the more I feel like I should just enjoy it as it is. The air intakes aren't worth the money and aftermarket exhausts sound like poop. Maybe some coilovers and wheels and that's it. I enjoy the sound of the car stock.
I watched a teardown of one of these engines, and I have no concerns with it lasting a long long time in stock form, but I just don't think its a great engine to build on. Of course there is going to be someone out there making over 300whp on stock internals because they tune it for low torque or with a ton of headroom using Ethanol/Methanol, and the baby carrot looking rods will not bend. Just keep in mind the engine is designed with efficiency in mind. How do they do that? Lighter weight (and hence weaker unless forged) rotating assembly. Stuff like the rods, pistons, etc. are all tuned to be light and let the engine spin more easily, they are not designed for higher torque loads. The cooling system is likely not up to the task either.

If someone is into FWD platforms and wants to tear the engine apart and upgrade a few pieces (rods, head studs, maybe a few other little bits) then they can probably bump the power and torque safely closer to 300. Unfortunately this is not one of those engines like the FC20/22 that can make 2-3x the factory WHP without ever being opened, and the days of boosting a stock D series way past its prime, knowing its going to blow up and you and your buddies can swap in another junkyard $200 engine on a Saturday, are over.
 
I went with a K&N intake. Looks much better and sounds amazing. Performance with an intake alone isn’t worth it and I didn’t want a tune. Made it quieter at low RPMS, but growls at higher. The throttle also is a bit more sensitive and responsive. Power output is about the same though.

Intake alone shouldn’t mess up anything. Exhaust and tune would though.

frankly the intake for the sound alone is very enjoyable, and it’s only loud when I want it to be. Not sure if it justified the price though, oh well.
 
I’m getting interested in doing some minor mods to my 23 1.5T hatchback 6spd. I’m new to mods and performance upgrades but something like a PRL high volume intake seems relatively easy to DIY, and safe enough to not worry about voiding my warranty.

I found some forum posts from PRL about the development of this intake for the 11th gen, they talk about their gains on the dyno but they had a civic si as their platform.

Anyone here installed this on their non-si 1.5T? If so did you get any noticeable improvements on your butt dyno? I’m not planning to do any tunes or bigger mods during my warranty period, so wondering if it’s worth the cost for the moment.
If Your goal is performance, it’s likely not worth it. A drop in filter will do about the same if not better.

Intake noises are fun though.
 
Figured I would come back to this as I can now comment on this with a bit of experience. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and get the PRL high volume intake since PRL had their tax season sale and I had a coupon code for the site I ordered from. The intake does feel well built, everything bolted together nicely, the cone filter was a bit of a tight fit on the MAF housing (not exactly a bad thing), and there are only 5 10mm bolts you reuse from the factory housing, all other hardware is included.

Now to the point of this thread, the performance gained from the intake. It definitely made the car feel 'quicker'. I'm sure the fact I basically have full bolt ons with a tune was a factor, but the acceleration off the line was noticeably better, and it also seemed to add a bit of pep all around the RPM range as well. The turbo noises were also a fun bonus. I have to drive around a bit more as it was a particularly hot day today but as for the cooler intake temps I did notice them being cooler than usual but I don't want to jump to a conclusion before I have more mileage.

To sum it all up, it is a nice set-up, does add some power, and if the whooshy turbo noises are your thing then this is definitely the right intake. Is it worth the $350-$400 they are asking online? I would say there are definitely better mods with more bang for your buck that you could go with. The fact that this is one of the last mods I have purchased should attest to that. Am I happy with it? Yes, I just wish it was a bit cheaper.
 
Figured I would come back to this as I can now comment on this with a bit of experience. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and get the PRL high volume intake since PRL had their tax season sale and I had a coupon code for the site I ordered from. The intake does feel well built, everything bolted together nicely, the cone filter was a bit of a tight fit on the MAF housing (not exactly a bad thing), and there are only 5 10mm bolts you reuse from the factory housing, all other hardware is included.

Now to the point of this thread, the performance gained from the intake. It definitely made the car feel 'quicker'. I'm sure the fact I basically have full bolt ons with a tune was a factor, but the acceleration off the line was noticeably better, and it also seemed to add a bit of pep all around the RPM range as well. The turbo noises were also a fun bonus. I have to drive around a bit more as it was a particularly hot day today but as for the cooler intake temps I did notice them being cooler than usual but I don't want to jump to a conclusion before I have more mileage.

To sum it all up, it is a nice set-up, does add some power, and if the whooshy turbo noises are your thing then this is definitely the right intake. Is it worth the $350-$400 they are asking online? I would say there are definitely better mods with more bang for your buck that you could go with. The fact that this is one of the last mods I have purchased should attest to that. Am I happy with it? Yes, I just wish it was a bit cheaper.
Excellent feedback man. How was the install? Did bumper need to come off?
 
Excellent feedback man. How was the install? Did bumper need to come off?
No, everything was easily accessible from the top and with me pre assembling the parts in my living room took a lazy 30 minutes to install. Though if I add the bottom vent option I’d have to remove the under tray.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Thanks folks for all the input! Especially enjoy the technical considerations and personal experiences. Sounds like it will be a very minor performance gain without a tune or other mods, and that I could get similar little bump with a drop in filter. Haven’t decided my path yet (my car has been in body shop after vandals took to it 😣), but I think for me at this stage it’s now a question of do I want the cool intake sounds. I’m overall happy with the 1.5t performance, it’s mainly just in 5th and 6th that I wish it was more responsive. Thinking that might be more an issue with the gearing tho bc I believe those are both overdriven
 
Oh no! That's awful with the vandals! That's painful to hear! My dad's getting a K&N Intake for the SI. I have one for the 2.0. I'll let you know how it helps once he gets it sounds once it's installed. Sound and engine presentation alone though, it's a pretty nice and subtle upgrade. The K&N intake also is just really pretty to look at.
 
No, everything was easily accessible from the top and with me pre assembling the parts in my living room took a lazy 30 minutes to install. Though if I add the bottom vent option I’d have to remove the under tray.
Would it need the tray removed? I thought you would just put it on the bottom of the new box before installing the box, then it just hangs down into the space below? And even if you did have to go below I feel like you could remove the area in front of the wheel to access where the resonator would be since it hangs down towards that area.
Anyway I did remove the bumper when I did mine because I put an intake tube out to the fog light lol but I was also doing the intercooler install all at the same time so all the same difference to me.


I don't know that I would call the performance gain minimal like some are saying, its like 10hp across the powerband, that isn't huge but thats a 5% bump and feels like you get power sooner in the rpms because of it. Minimal compared to stock with a tune sure, but not so small that it isn't "worth" it depending on how you define the term. Obviously spending $600 on a tune instead of $400 on an intake is way more power per dollar. But some of us like to just mod things to and have fun with it while also getting gains.
I'll say it this way too, if I was in a financial position where I needed to save up to afford the $400 intake I would not have done it (let alone spending all the money on the intercooler kits!), if the financials are an issue then the tune is the most sensible to get more power per dollar while not going crazy with it
 
Would it need the tray removed? I thought you would just put it on the bottom of the new box before installing the box, then it just hangs down into the space below? And even if you did have to go below I feel like you could remove the area in front of the wheel to access where the resonator would be since it hangs down towards that area.
Anyway I did remove the bumper when I did mine because I put an intake tube out to the fog light lol but I was also doing the intercooler install all at the same time so all the same difference to me.


I don't know that I would call the performance gain minimal like some are saying, its like 10hp across the powerband, that isn't huge but thats a 5% bump and feels like you get power sooner in the rpms because of it. Minimal compared to stock with a tune sure, but not so small that it isn't "worth" it depending on how you define the term. Obviously spending $600 on a tune instead of $400 on an intake is way more power per dollar. But some of us like to just mod things to and have fun with it while also getting gains.
I'll say it this way too, if I was in a financial position where I needed to save up to afford the $400 intake I would not have done it (let alone spending all the money on the intercooler kits!), if the financials are an issue then the tune is the most sensible to get more power per dollar while not going crazy with it
Well said!
 
Would it need the tray removed? I thought you would just put it on the bottom of the new box before installing the box, then it just hangs down into the space below? And even if you did have to go below I feel like you could remove the area in front of the wheel to access where the resonator would be since it hangs down towards that area.
Anyway I did remove the bumper when I did mine because I put an intake tube out to the fog light lol but I was also doing the intercooler install all at the same time so all the same difference to me.
The reason I said remove the tray is because the PRL air vent has a little bracket that I believe bolts the vent to where the intercooler baffle used to bolt to. (I’m not 100% sure on where the bracket actually mounts till i get it, if i do). Though now that you mention it you might be able to access it by the wheel, like i said I’m not sure as I haven’t actually bought or installed it.


My dad's getting a K&N Intake for the SI. I have one for the 2.0. I'll let you know how it helps once he gets it sounds once it's installed. Sound and engine presentation alone though, it's a pretty nice and subtle upgrade. The K&N intake also is just really pretty to look at.
I had a K&N on my SI and it does give you some of the turbo whoos noises but it is pretty subtle. If you’re not planning on going full bolt on or anything like that then the k&n is the way to go
 
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