Current owners of the 2023 Honda Civic Type R and 2024 Acura Integra Type S disagree on the superiority. Hondata found that a hotter stock ECU tune would have given Acura a point for the Integra Type S. Acura is right about five more horsepower. After disassembling, Hondata compared the Type S ECU’s original tune to the Civic Type R. Mechanically; the automobiles share an engine, turbocharger, gearbox, chassis, and ECU. Acura may differentiate itself from Honda by modifying the Type S’s various pieces. Acura changed practically every Type S song after Hondata’s comments. Leaner air-to-fuel ratio, higher torque limit, and two-degree average spark timing increase power under boost. The knock level has been modified to allow more aggressive ignition timing without the ECU placing too much pressure on the engine due to knock. Finally, the throttle is more forceful than Acura claims. Acura claims five extra horsepower. The Integra Type S and Type R share the same Bosch ECU, so adjusting any car is more like tuning a European than a Japanese car. Tuning Bosch ECUs is easier and more demanding due to their sophisticated model, which usually works on a power objective. However, the regular ECU is robust, easy to tune, and safe. Both cars should have the same power after tuning. But the Type S starts with five extra horsepower for a purpose. It needs a little heat.
