3 months ago, I purchased an 05 S2k bone stock from Carmax. Currently, I have 8k miles on it.

A couple of days ago, I stopped by my local Honda dealership looking to buy parts and out of curiosity, test drove an 06 Yellow S2k with dealer installed Momo/Polk speakers and amp, which had been sitting on the lot for quite some time. It has only 1000 miles on it. I popped open the hood, and everything looked the same as my car.

So during the test drive, I opened up the throttle and I noticed there was a BIG difference in power from mine at VTEC. So I tested it a couple of more times during stop/start acceleration just to make sure I wasn't imagining it, and the results confirmed, there was a BIG difference in power at WOT.

Now I'm really stumped. Is there something wrong with my car? Performance wise, the 05 and 06 should be the same right? Up until VTEC, the 06 feels the same as mine. But at 6K rpm, the 06 slams me into the seat. My car just doesn't do that. Comparing the two, VTEC feels more linear in my car. Do I need an oil change or something?

 

How much oil do you have now?

 

your car may have a problem... on the other hand 06+ have seen some slightly higher dyno numbers. The DBW may feel different but I imagine that isn't a huge change.

 

For starters you can, theses are freebies:

Check oil level
Check air filter
Check throttle cable
Check spark plugs
Fill up at a different gas station
Reset ECU
Make sure carpet isn't bunched up under the gas pedal

Next steps might cost you a little:

Get a Dyno!
Compression test

 

Thanks for the tips.

I omitted that I checked my oil level yesterday, it's still at full.
Last week I replaced the stock air intake filter with a K&N drop in.
Didn't notice any change after the filter install, altho I have not reset the ECU. I will do that today.

Carmax changed the oil right before they sold it to me. They used a generic filter and conventional oil. I'm due for an oil change since it's been 4k miles. I have Mobile 1 10w-30 synthetic and Honda S2k oil filter ready (not sure how much of a diff that will make) but I will post my results if any.

I will check my plugs tonight in case they are fouled up. Perhaps they seafoamed it before they sold it to me. I dunno.

I have been using premium Shell, Chevron, Costco, Krogers, and Texaco gas. All seem the same to me. My car has always felt like this, so I know it's not the gas.

I think I might need to get a dyno done and post my results. Thanks everyone.

 

I couldn't help but notice your proximity to New Orleans. Perhaps you bought a Katrina car? I'm just throwing that out there. If you did...I would get a lawyer and sue.

 

For how long did your 05 sit in the lot, do you know?

I'd get a compression/leakdown done before getting a dyno, the fact that you can actually feel the power difference between them is a bad sign.

Take this advice seriously. Valve problems usually affect performance in a distinguishable way, and your car may have been overrevved or abused in an other way before you bought it.

Get a compression/leakdown test before the dyno or driving aggressively -- if indeed there is such a difference in performance between the two cars.

 

He'd have to find out what was wrong with the car first so that puts him right back in this position.....

 

maybe they hondata'd it =] lol

 

Thanks Brimstone, I'm going to get a compression test done at the dealership tommorow. My car should still be under warranty.