Any Tips for Tuning a 23 Integra CVT?

[AlanTheBoul]

In the future, I plan on tuning my 23 Integra CVT. So far, I've installed the PRL High Volume Intake. But I wanna take a step further and add more power to the car safely.

Since it's a CVT, I'm aware of the risks that come with it. I know it won't turn my Integra into a Lambo. I also won't be aggressive driving 24/7, only occasional fun.

Does anyone have any experience and insights for tuning an Integra CVT? I'm also keeping this car, so "manual swap" or "upgrade to Type S" is not an option.

I did some research, and I saw a few older posts on this but not much insight. As for tuning, I've seen the TSP Stage 1 and Phearable 1.5/1.5R being recommended often. I'm not sure what the difference is and which one would be better.

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[ModJPB]

The Cvt can not go past 250ft*lbs of torque. This engine with addons and tune can spike at that around 4.5K rpm. Make sure to tell the tuner that it is for a cvt, so they can turn down the midrange slightly. Also fuel upgrades are not needed since the OEM are good enough for any torque/hp that you will be limited to by the CVT. Requiring stronger Head studs doesn't seem to be as much of an issue that plagued the 10th gen civics with the similar engine but are still recommended after a tune and/or turbo upgrade.

The following are my experiences with the 1.5t CVT.
(Manufacturer names are on my car and just an fyi, I'm not recommending a particular brand)
(* Highly Recommend)
(# not recommended)

1. * Intake - mishimoto - small increase in HP, more responsive, Intake sound increase.
2. Inlet pipe - 27won - unnoticeable hp change, increase in bpv noise!!!
3. ? Front pipe - 27won - unnoticeable hp difference (probably because still running OEM downpipe)
4. * Intercooler - TypeR - unnoticeable hp difference, engine is predictable and HP consistent hot or cold.
5. Charge pipes - unnoticeable hp change, more air noise.
6. * Lightweight pulleys - NST crank and wunderladen idler - unnoticeable hp difference, RPM changes "CVT Shifts" are faster.
7. # Rear engine mount - typer - added vibrations to interior, no benefit at this performance level.
8. * Coolant bypass - HP doesn't drop as much when hot.
9. # Throttle body - Blox 56mm - no HP change, went down by 4mpg, throttle input to sensitive.
10. ? Downpipe - MAPerformance - On order and will update when installed. The 2nd gen 1.5t is supposed to respond better to downpipes and hopefully get the supposed benefits from the front pipe.
11. *** Tune - Ktuner TSP - Mine is installed and ready to flash, but being a chicken because Im afraid to void my CPO warranty. From others this will make the most obvious large increase in HP.

 

[babytypeR]

The Cvt can not go past 250ft*lbs of torque. This engine with addons and tune can spike at that around 4.5K rpm. Make sure to tell the tuner that it is for a cvt, so they can turn down the midrange slightly. Also fuel upgrades are not needed since the OEM are good enough for any torque/hp that you will be limited to by the CVT. Requiring stronger Head studs doesn't seem to be as much of an issue that plagued the 10th gen civics with the similar engine but are still recommended after a tune and/or turbo upgrade.

The following are my experiences with the 1.5t CVT.
(Manufacturer names are on my car and just an fyi, I'm not recommending a particular brand)
(* Highly Recommend)
(# not recommended)

1. * Intake - mishimoto - small increase in HP, more responsive, Intake sound increase.
2. Inlet pipe - 27won - unnoticeable hp change, increase in bpv noise!!!
3. ? Front pipe - 27won - unnoticeable hp difference (probably because still running OEM downpipe)
4. * Intercooler - TypeR - unnoticeable hp difference, engine is predictable and HP consistent hot or cold.
5. Charge pipes - unnoticeable hp change, more air noise.
6. * Lightweight pulleys - NST crank and wunderladen idler - unnoticeable hp difference, RPM changes "CVT Shifts" are faster.
7. # Rear engine mount - typer - added vibrations to interior, no benefit at this performance level.
8. * Coolant bypass - HP doesn't drop as much when hot.
9. # Throttle body - Blox 56mm - no HP change, went down by 4mpg, throttle input to sensitive.
10. ? Downpipe - MAPerformance - On order and will update when installed. The 2nd gen 1.5t is supposed to respond better to downpipes and hopefully get the supposed benefits from the front pipe.
11. *** Tune - Ktuner TSP - Mine is installed and ready to flash, but being a chicken because Im afraid to void my CPO warranty. From others this will make the most obvious large increase in HP.

Not to be rude or anything, the CVT can handle more torque than 250 ft lbs, even in the 10th gen Civics (rated for 700lbs towing) and there's plenty of evidence online. The Integra that we are talking about has an improved 10th gen Accord CVT (rated for 850lbs of towing).

Anyways, what you mentioned about the OTS tunes reducing torque (and boost) at the lower rpms is correct, but they are able to achieve similar peak HP and TQ #'s as the manuals for said OTS tunes. In fact, the CVT can hold more power than the stock manual clutch.

Not to discredit your personal experiences of the mods you listed, but you have so many bolt ons, you maybe doing more damage than good to your own car. The reason why you experienced no power difference is because you're not tuned for those parts and your ECU is constantly dumping fuel to correct the AFR's. So after one drive cycle after installing each of those mods, your car has corrected everything and makes no additional HP.

Your current TSP tune is inadequate for your current set up and will need a revision for all those parts. I am not sure if TSP offers custom OTS tune for additional mods, but Phearable does.

To OP, if you want to tune your Integra:
- Run quality Oil such as Amsoil Signature, LiquiMoly Molygen, Motul... NO MOBIL 1 (Junk) & NO oils sold at Walmart.
- Do early oil changes and early maintenance.
- Run 91 + 1.5 Gallons of E85 (E20 mix) or 93 Octane fuel only.
- Cool your car down and drive easy before you shut it off. (Run AC to force the radiator fans to kick on)
- Get Ktuner V2 (for your tune) to monitor Knock Control and Temps.
- Have a budget ready for headstuds if you ever get the head gasket issue.

 

[ModJPB]

Not to be rude or anything, the CVT can handle more torque than 250 ft lbs, even in the 10th gen Civics (rated for 700lbs towing) and there's plenty of evidence online. The Integra that we are talking about has an improved 10th gen Accord CVT (rated for 850lbs of towing).

Anyways, what you mentioned about the OTS tunes reducing torque (and boost) at the lower rpms is correct, but they are able to achieve similar peak HP and TQ #'s as the manuals for said OTS tunes. In fact, the CVT can hold more power than the stock manual clutch.

Not to discredit your personal experiences of the mods you listed, but you have so many bolt ons, you maybe doing more damage than good to your own car. The reason why you experienced no power difference is because you're not tuned for those parts and your ECU is constantly dumping fuel to correct the AFR's. So after one drive cycle after installing each of those mods, your car has corrected everything and makes no additional HP.

Your current TSP tune is inadequate for your current set up and will need a revision for all those parts. I am not sure if TSP offers custom OTS tune for additional mods, but Phearable does.

To OP, if you want to tune your Integra:
- Run quality Oil such as Amsoil Signature, LiquiMoly Molygen, Motul... NO MOBIL 1 (Junk) & NO oils sold at Walmart.
- Do early oil changes and early maintenance.
- Run 91 + 1.5 Gallons of E85 (E20 mix) or 93 Octane fuel only.
- Cool your car down and drive easy before you shut it off. (Run AC to force the radiator fans to kick on)
- Get Ktuner V2 (for your tune) to monitor Knock Control and Temps.
- Have a budget ready for headstuds if you ever get the head gasket issue.

You have a mix of correct and incorrect information. Torque is not the same as towing capacity. Search civic / integra CVT tuning torque limit and you'll find it's common knowledge that our cvt belt will slip at 260ft*lbs, most tuners limit it at 250 for some safety. Yes the manual clutch can't take much torque either, BUT the manual owners have the option of upgrading their clutches, we have no such options .

No worries about damage, I've been tuning cars for 30years, none of the bolt-ons I have done currently go outside the limits of the OEM ECU ability to calibrate for. If I upgraded the turbo or put a larger maf housing then yes, that would be a problem. Agreed, some of the performance benefits I am not getting because I haven't tuned my car yet, I was just giving my experience thus far.

Your "Tune" suggestions and the AFR recalibrating back to stock HP sounds like you are more experienced with European cars (Volkswagen / BMW?). Our cars don't adjust the same and numerous dyno charts show it. Our cars wont de-tune themselves when a modification changes the air/fuel, to a point.

-Those boutique oils are great for European cars but not Asian cars. The extra additives such as molybdenum, buildup eventually to the point of clogging the tighter clearances our cars have. In our case Modil 1 is suggested to keep things clean without to many friction modifiers.
- Yes 7500miles seems quite long, so early oil changes on an aggressively driven car is recommend.
- 89 Summer gas or 91 winter gas for untuned cars. 91/93 Summer and 93 Winter for tuned recommend. E85 about 1 gallon if available. I live in NJ, we are not allowed to pump our gas, so trying to explain this mixing to the attendant every time is frustrating.
-Cooling your car down with AC fan is a good tip if you just did a track / autocross run but not necessary for daily driving.
- KTuner is recommended on this generation. I preferred the V1.2 and downloading the app to my phone. The phone app user interface is easier to change and has more options for monitoring various sensors (more colors and layout options) and saves about $200.
- Yes budget for head studs and gasket if it leaks.
- Phearable is praised more highly for its more refined/linear power delivery compared to TSP, but TSP tune has never been considered "inadequate" with common bolt-ons.

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