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M111 C230 vs Acura TL Type-S

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Old Aug 31, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
M111 C230 vs Acura TL Type-S

Hey! Coupey guys still around? Haven't been around much lately- work, kids, etc.... Had to share this one. Got off the freeway tonight afterwork...I can see this black TL-S zig zagging in traffic trying to catch up to me. Next light we are both side by side at the lights- car has sadly had the hand of rice layed on it...and the driver starts reving the engine in the TL-S over and over- car has the obligator riced out exhaust- still...it sounds decent. Driver is pretty young...no traffic... and I'm sick of listening to the crap music and constant revving. Keeps revving the engine and looking out the left window while joking it up with the passenger. I suspect he thinks I won't challenge him, or that the Merc is an easy score. Quietly I flick off the ESP, as the light begins to change bring the revs up just slightly, then push it down hard, dump the clutch and away I go, perfect amount of wheel spin and hookup- I can hear the Acura- but he's already falling back, then I shift to second and bark the wheels. With the windows down, I can hear another wheel chirp- its a manual! I keep pulling away and by third I've got a 6 car lead on this guy. I love the sound of the supercharger!!!

Time to back off. Acura flys by as i slow for my turnoff, surprises me with Thumbs Up as they go by. I had more fun beating the guy in the new Lexus LS 3 times in a row the other day, but the fact that this person was a good sport about it made my day. Its not often you get good manners from this crowd.

Cheers!
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Old Aug 31, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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Must be some serious modifications you have on your C230. As the former owner of an Acura TL-S, I could have outran a C230... in reverse (which was good, because with those transmissions reverse might be the only gear that works). Of course it should, as it has 71hp and 40lb-ft of torque on a C230 sedan and not that much extra weight.
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Old Aug 31, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Must be some serious modifications you have on your C230. As the former owner of an Acura TL-S, I could have outran a C230... in reverse. Of course it should, as it has 71hp and 40lb-ft of torque on a C230 sedan and not that much extra weight.
I have a Coupe....and its the 2.3, not the less powerfull 1.8L SC, or the down right tepid 2.5 six found in the sedan. Not the first time Ive beat a TL-S, but certainly the most memorable. My coupe qualifies as mildly modified...figure a solid 240HP.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:29 AM
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Yeah, I know the M111 is more powerful than the M271. But it's not drastic. At least not in my experience (I've driven both) but that's stock form. The J32A2 in the TL-S is a nice and punchy engine. But given that you have a manual transmission, are lighter, and have 240hp and better traction this doesn't really surprise me.

Stock C240/230/320s should not mess with TLs.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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Nice win.
I'd admit, drivers out there that act 'rice' and want to race people all the time are hard to come by being nice these days.

What are the specs of the TL-S and your c230?
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:34 AM
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What are the specs of the TL-S
A TL-S (I'm assuming he is talking about the 2002-2003 model) has a 3.2L V6 with 260hp and 232lb-ft of torque.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:44 AM
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Yeah, I know the M111 is more powerful than the M271. But it's not drastic. At least not in my experience (I've driven both) but that's stock form. The J32A2 in the TL-S is a nice and punchy engine. But given that you have a manual transmission, are lighter, and have 240hp and better traction this doesn't really surprise me.

Stock C240/230/320s should not mess with TLs.
The M111 has entirely different character than the 1.8... much more torquey, and pulls harder in any gear than the 1.8 does. OTOH, its gravely sounding when cold, and doesn't like to rev, and isn't as cheap to run. Its torque that really stands out, even in modified form...you don't get that high rpm snarl like a VTEC six, but it pulls so hard down low that first doesn't last accross the intersection.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:45 AM
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Ah, i thought so.
I drove the same engine in the 03 TL-S. I must admit, i really do like that engine a lot. It feels a lot smoother and power seems to be there at all times. (maybe cause it had lower mileage/less abuse compared to my m112?)

A few months ago i took that car on a roadtrip from Cali to New Mexico [thats 2k miles in 110 Degree dessert heat going non stop for 14 hours and its reliability and build quality blew me AWAY.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Outland
The M111 has entirely different character than the 1.8... much more torquey, and pulls harder in any gear than the 1.8 does. OTOH, its gravely sounding when cold, and doesn't like to rev, and isn't as cheap to run. Its torque that really stands out, even in modified form...you don't get that high rpm snarl like a VTEC six, but it pulls so hard down low that first doesn't last accross the intersection.
What are the specs on your car?
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 01:00 AM
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by holycaoAMG
What are the specs on your car?
M111, 2.3L 6speed. 192HP/208ft-lbs stock....

Overbored TB, Oversize crank pulley, Tubular header, SC silencer delete, greeny filter... never been dyno'd, always a strong runner from day one.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 01:55 AM
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so it was the older body style TL-S?.....not the new one (http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/A...RightRear2.jpg)

because the new one would eat you up regardless of your mods....

Last edited by jturkel; Sep 1, 2009 at 02:00 AM.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 02:32 AM
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This one (03) is 260hp and does 0-60 around 7.5 but the new one is 286hp and does mid to high 5s.

I once raced one and had half a car on it. He was on my blindspot.

Good Kill

Not that I'm doubting you but u sure you had 6 cars on him? I can see it happening though.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 02:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Karo
This one (03) is 260hp and does 0-60 around 7.5 but the new one is 286hp and does mid to high 5s.

I once raced one and had half a car on it. He was on my blindspot.

Good Kill

Not that I'm doubting you but u sure you had 6 cars on him? I can see it happening though.
agreed. 6 CLs is a TON. i find it hard to imagine unless the acura mis-shifted or perhaps this went from 0 to way past 100 since these cars arent either that fast. see my post (#7 https://mbworld.org/forums/kill-stor...ck-e46-m3.html) to show my proof on car length, mph, time, distance, etc.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 05:38 AM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Yeah, I know the M111 is more powerful than the M271. But it's not drastic. At least not in my experience (I've driven both) but that's stock form. The J32A2 in the TL-S is a nice and punchy engine. But given that you have a manual transmission, are lighter, and have 240hp and better traction this doesn't really surprise me.

Stock C240/230/320s should not mess with TLs.
I've messed with a CL-S when they first came out. 2000-2001 ish. I was in my 328Ci. ran pretty even with it. the 328 only had 193hp. but then again the 328 was quicker than the 320 at that time already because of gearing.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 09:49 AM
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The Acura TL Has a pretty Strong Engine... It Is Actually Based on The C32b That Was in The nsx... BASED NOT IS.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by OneOfaKindTrini
The Acura TL Has a pretty Strong Engine... It Is Actually Based on The C32b That Was in The nsx... BASED NOT IS.
No it isn't. The displacement of 3.2L is the only thing they have in common. The J-series engine and the C-series engines are totally different - i.e. one is a 90 degree V6 and one is a 60 degree V6.

That said, my 02 TL-S would haul ***. It was just a lemon otherwise, though. Tons of minor problems with it during the time I had it.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 11:23 PM
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by Karo
This one (03) is 260hp and does 0-60 around 7.5 but the new one is 286hp and does mid to high 5s.

I once raced one and had half a car on it. He was on my blindspot.

Good Kill

Not that I'm doubting you but u sure you had 6 cars on him? I can see it happening though.
yeah, its the angular one pictured above. I had him by a lot when I backed off in 3rd, so figure 70mph...hard to gauge the length in the right side mirror.

I'm not much into the my car is faster than your car horsecrap, but the fact that the guy gave me the a thumbs up as he went by makes it memorable. Most of these guys keep the hammer down long after you've backed off, and then sail on by like they beat you 'cause my vtec just kicked in'...
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Old Sep 2, 2009 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Outland
yeah, its the angular one pictured above. I had him by a lot when I backed off in 3rd, so figure 70mph...hard to gauge the length in the right side mirror.

I'm not much into the my car is faster than your car horsecrap, but the fact that the guy gave me the a thumbs up as he went by makes it memorable. Most of these guys keep the hammer down long after you've backed off, and then sail on by like they beat you 'cause my vtec just kicked in'...

Ya, I know what you mean. I raced a BMW 525 on the freeway. I killed that car then he did a flyby and put on his emergency blinker

Always feels good when they are a good sport. I always give the guys that I have a run against a thumbs up.

Info
The guy cut me off bad so I hopped on his tail then it was game on from there.
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Old Sep 2, 2009 | 03:33 AM
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maybe he never fixed his tranny. i remember the 01-03 v6 honda's had a tranny recall. My friend's boss has a 03 TL type S. He got the tranny rebuilt by honda and still shifts like crap. Its a honda blunder that still haunts them to this day.
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Old Sep 2, 2009 | 04:02 AM
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Originally Posted by TemjinX2
maybe he never fixed his tranny. i remember the 01-03 v6 honda's had a tranny recall. My friend's boss has a 03 TL type S. He got the tranny rebuilt by honda and still shifts like crap. Its a honda blunder that still haunts them to this day.
Yeah they were a nightmare. I never thought the transmission shifted badly, when it shifted. I really wanted to love my TL-S, but it really had a love for new transmissions and I really couldn't risk it post-warranty. 3 transmissions in 75,000 miles.
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Old Sep 2, 2009 | 08:28 PM
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Outland
M111, 2.3L 6speed. 192HP/208ft-lbs stock....

Overbored TB, Oversize crank pulley, Tubular header, SC silencer delete, greeny filter... never been dyno'd, always a strong runner from day one.
Tubular header?
As in the supersprint? Or did you manage to snag something else.

Our cars are similar (but I'm auto, so thats minus 30 HP to the wheels!)
I don't have the overbored TB, BUT I did remove the screens on the maf and TB (see thread on the R170 board)
everything else, I'm about the same, + I have free flow cat and Remus...
so there's a little more as well.
Still running stock paper filter....but the real impediment to airflow isn't the airbox, it's the screens.

I can easily keep up with my GF's ML350 with the 270HP V6.
The ML is heavier, so it's about even.
Removing the screens made a huge difference, + sealing the MAF so the boost gets to the engine.

I can quite easily believe that you could beat a stock Acura. I'd also guess I'm around 240 at the crank.
You should get a dyno....it would be fun to see how much power is making it to the wheels.
Most anyone as had on either 4 banger was around 200 to the wheels....
I think you could easily get to 210HP.
And claim the new forum record!

Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Sep 4, 2009 at 01:20 PM.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Karo
This one (03) is 260hp and does 0-60 around 7.5 but the new one is 286hp and does mid to high 5s.

I once raced one and had half a car on it. He was on my blindspot.

Good Kill

Not that I'm doubting you but u sure you had 6 cars on him? I can see it happening though.
0-60 on stock 02 coupe is about that. R&T quotes 7.6 sec.
Add mods and you got a solid kill.
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Old Sep 4, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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who cares a kill is a kill... sometimes it depends on driver also but ofcourse car is important also
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 12:11 AM
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The 02-03 TL-S was much quicker to 60 than 7.6. It was more like 6.6.
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