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Improve Low & High RPM Power on the Acura TLX with an AEM Cold Air Intake
Improve Low & High RPM Power on the Acura TLX with an AEM Cold Air Intake
Jan 6, 2017
The AEM 21-801C cold air intake boosts horsepower and torque on the 2015-2016 Acura TLX 3.5L
Most midsize luxury car buyers don't even think about an Acura TLX, until one blows past them on the road. The previous Acura TL was rather "loudly" styled, but the 2015-2016 Acura TLX wears more handsome, restrained styling. However, beneath those flowing lines, lies a powertrain that can go toe-to-toe with the best from Europe, Asia, and America. The Acura 3.5L V6 serves up 290-hp and 267 lb-ft of torque with a velvety rage. To keep it all under control, Acura employs the P-AWS rear wheel steering system on FWD models, or the SH-AWD system that uses engine torque to steer you through curves. Combine the TLX's power with the handling tech, and you get a confident sleeper that can hustle you to work with a smile on your face. And now you can add an estimated 12-hp with an AEM 21-801C cold air intake system.
Closeup view of the AEM 21-801C cold air intake installed on a 2015 Acura TLX 3.5L
The Acura TLX 3.5L V6 uses a lot of cutting edge technology to make its power delivery so smooth. But no matter how advanced it is, this motor still makes horsepower the old fashioned way: Air comes in through the intake, then gets mixed with fuel inside the cylinders where a spark ignites the mixture and an explosion consumes the oxygen. If you want to create more horsepower, then you have to increase the amount of oxygen going into the motor. This additional catalyst will allow the fuel to burn hotter, which releases more energy/horsepower from the same amount of fuel. It also helps your Acura to make more power/torque at low RPM's, giving you faster throttle response and a deeper, more menacing engine note.
To make all of this happen, the AEM 21-801C cold air intake system ditches the restrictive stock intake system in favor of a high-flow arrangement. This consists of a wide diameter aluminum intake tube that's been mandrel bent to reduce turbulence and airflow restriction. It's capped by an oversized AEM DryFlow Filter that can flow considerably more air than the stock paper air filter, and the unique synthetic material is able to remove up to 99% of airborne contaminants. This dirt is then held in place for up to 100,000 miles before cleaning is required (depending on driving conditions). The filter is also repositioned just behind the drivers side fender to take advantage of the cold air rushing up into the engine bay.
Turn your Acura TLX into a 3-Series, A4, C-Class and IS killer, with an AEM 21-801C cold air intake
In addition to the extra power at low RPMs, the AEM 21-801C cold air intake system is able increase airflow when the VTEC system kicks in, which results in even more power as the revs increase. To verify all of this, we installed an AEM 21-801C intake system on a 2015 Acura TLX 3.5L FWD, and dyno testing revealed an estimated increase of 12 horsepower and 11 lb-ft of torque.
The AEM 21-801C was designed to fit the following vehicles:
2016 ACURA TLX 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models 2015 ACURA TLX 3.5L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
