2002 Acura RSX Type S

The first-gen RSX (2002-2004) hasn't proven to be the most popular platform for forced induction. Comptech and Jackson Racing both offer blower kits for the K20, and only a handful of companies, including GReddy, HKS, RevHard and Cybernation, offer off-the-shelf kits for the DC5. The engine's orientation doesn't help matters much, forcing wrenchers and fabricators to squeeze turbos and manifolds into a small space between the firewall and the back of the block.

Some think of it as Honda's way to discourage the boost-addicted. The thinking goes that Honda engineers designed the K-series engine to hit its peak as a high-compression, naturally aspirated screamer, a platform intended for road racing, if it was to be raced at all.

But where those well-intending engineers failed to address the urges of many an RSX owner who just wants to strip compound from their tires in quarter-mile tests, the aftermarket and tuning shops alike have responded.

Tai Ha, of Atlantic City, N.J., is one of those compound-shredding enthusiasts that Honda didn't plan for. Ha received the '02 Type-S as a gift from his Pops for getting his ass through high school. He admits he was "still young and didn't know much about modifying cars" when he started throwing some bolt-ons at the K20. He started with a plan to build a high-horsepower N/A motor and began by opening up the breathing passages.

An AEM intake, HP Racing header and Borla exhaust yielded gains, "but nothing spectacular," Ha says. Still looking for more, he installed a Hondata ECU module and noticed immediate gains. Moving VTEC engagement to 5200 rpm and the redline to 8600 "had really given the car some balls."

Balls being a relative word in import performance, Ha notes he was still only running 14-second/100-mph quarter-mile passes. It was good enough to school a couple of WRXs and Mustangs and lulled Ha into a false sense of confidence that was quickly shattered.

"Being as cocky as I was, I lined up to a debadged, supercharged 2003 Cobra, and it ripped me a new a**hole running a 13.2."