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Honda Accord 1.5T

  1. Airflow for the Masses - Performance Intake Kit R&D, Part 4 - Testing Results

    Airflow for the Masses - Performance Intake Kit R&D, Part 4 - Testing Results

    One of the leading reasons for buying a mega-mass-produced product is reliability. Your Honda Accord already bears that trait thanks to Honda's decades of tried-and-true testing. Functionality and reliability are features that we also aim to make synonymous with our 2018+ 1.5L Accord intake kit, but that only comes with the same level of rigorous R&D. So, we put our intake to the test.

    The first leg of the testing journey takes place on our flow bench, which you might remember from the prototyping post. During the design phase, we used the bench to pinpoint the most restrictive components in the OEM intake system. From there, we could generate more free-flowing designs and put our prototypes, and eventually the complete production kit, to the test against the stock unit.

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  2. Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 3 - Production sample

    Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 3 - Production sample

    Honda inadvertently morphed the Accord into an enthusiast car when the turbocharged variants took over. That means drivers are sure to push the 10th generation Accord to the limits in all walks of life. Whether you're picking up groceries, laying down lap times, or setting a new personal best time for your work commute, the turbo mounted to either engine variant adds a practical boost and economical speed to your family-oriented sedan. That is, of course, until the intercooler soaks with heat.

    As we covered in our last posts, no matter your driving style, it's never practical for the intercooler to fill with heat. We covered why this happens with the stock cooler, and our plans to combat the issue. Now, those plans have come to life, and we're eager to show them off.

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  3. Airflow for the Masses - Performance Air Intake R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample

    Airflow for the Masses - Performance Air Intake R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample

    A significant step in ensuring a product is ready for the masses is to triple-check your work. The designs and prototypes might be perfect, but a final check of what actually comes off the production line is the best litmus test. We're about to perform that litmus test on our 1.5T Accord performance air intake, and we're eager to show off its new look.

    We refreshed the airbox from the ground up, complete with a sleek new look and sturdy design thanks to rotational molding. Our airbox is molded from high-density polyethylene, meaning it won't crack under pressure and looks right at home

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  4. Airflow for the Masses - Performance Intake R&D, Part 2 - Design Plans

    Airflow for the Masses - Performance Intake R&D, Part 2 - Design Plans

    Anything deemed "for the masses" doesn't happen on a whim. Just think of all of the items that took the world by storm, like the Beetle, the iPod, or even this Accord. Plenty of careful thought and consideration went into the design, production, and distribution to ensure that every individual unit rolling off the production line would live up to the sensation created around it. While our intake kit for the 1.5T powered Accord won't reach the same tier as the iPod, we still want to ensure that we put equal consideration into the development, starting with the plan.

    To start, we need to know precisely how well the stock intake performs in terms of flow. For that, as part of our previous "intakectamy," our engineer, Ye, strapped the factory kit on to our flow bench for preliminary testing. Ye then

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  5. Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    Practically Cool - Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    Practicality comes in many forms in the automotive world. From the towering full-size SUVs to the micro hatchbacks, there's a version of practicality that suits everyone. For most, the mid-sized sedan fits that vision, which is where the 2018+ Honda Accord shines. Not only does it deliver four doors, cavernous trunk space, and plenty of legroom, but also two potent turbocharged engines and the option to row through the gears manually. The 2018+ Accord provides practicality tailored to the enthusiast.

    There is, however, one aspect that stifles the potential of both the 1.5T and 2.0T variants of the Accord: the intercooler. When it comes to squeezing every drop of power out of your L15B7 or K20C4, keeping intake air temperatures down while promoting flow is vital. But, the stock heat exchanger isn't quite up to the task, especially once the boost increases. We here at Mishimoto are already hard at work on our new intercooler design, but first, let's dive into the stock unit and why it's

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  6. Airflow for the Masses - Performance Air Intake R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    Airflow for the Masses - Performance Air Intake R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review

    The last few years have solidified Honda's turbo generation. Sure, there have been sprinklings in the past, but the 2016 Civic was a gateway to the flood of turboed Hondas, including the darling mid-sized sedan, the Accord. The 2.0T variant stole the show with boasting CTR-esque power in a big cushy sedan, but let's face it, as good as the 2.0T is, the 1.5T is going to be the Accord for the masses. Even with the smaller displacement, there's still plenty of available power and efficiency that lend the 1.5T Accord for being a great all-around sedan and robust platform with tons of potential. Granted, for most owners, bone stock is perfect for their daily commutes, but some want to squeeze even more performance out of their Accord, starting with an intake.

    The L15B7, more commonly known as the 1.5T, is, for the most part, shared between the core of Honda's current lineup, specifically this Accord, the CR-H, HR-V, and the Civic. The Accord received the second most potent iteration of the

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  7. Shared Heartburn - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 2 - Production Sample and Test Results

    Shared Heartburn - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 2 - Production Sample and Test Results

    Most of us have that food that we can't resist but we know isn't going to agree with us. We know the outcome is going to be unpleasant, but we still scarf it down anyways with antacids at the ready all the while asking if it's really worth it. That's sort of the same situation that's happening inside your L15B7. We know that there's blow-by. We know the consequences of leaving the intake valves unprotected. Do we just sit back and use a chemical clean as a sort of temporary relief, or do we look for a more permanent solution?

    If you already read our last post, you'll know that a cure for this ailment is underway. So far, we've designed our prototype kit and set our donor vehicle out for the Mishi equivalent of clinical trials, a 1000-mile road test. This cycle tests

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  8. Shared Heartburn - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 1 - Concept and Design

    Shared Heartburn - Direct Fit Catch Can R&D, Part 1 - Concept and Design

    It's not out of the ordinary for auto manufacturers to share parts across their lineup. The practice of repurposing a component rather than producing something completely new and unique is a huge money saver. This is why we see the Chevy LS engine everywhere, and why the Accord is also sporting a turbo-flavored setup similar to the Civic. We already spent some time rerouting blow-by in the K20 powered Accord, very much aware that the 1.5T would share some of the drawbacks.

    With the K20C4 replacing Honda's V6 Accord option, they still needed something to fill the gap between that and the mild Hybrid. Enter the L15B7. The 1.5T variant is powered by almost the same engine found in the Civic. Granted, there were a few adjustments needed. For instance, this 1.5T has less aggressive tuning and uses a different intake system. This means that

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