The Kardinal
So i am also considering an 02-05 acura rsx but im having some concerns.
The regular base model , has a vtech but runs normal gas.
The Type S model same, but has to run 91 octane or premium.
The problem with this is this will be a daily driver , some that i will only mod for looks no performance what so ever ( with the exception maybe a cold air intake and exhaust.) My problem is that paying for premium gas will be costly and something i dont want to deal with. But i heard from a friend ( so it may or may not be true ) that if you have a tech anything you should run 91 octane. He even runs "jet fuel" on his 92 turbo gsr swap
pic . Which is fine and all, but he is into racing , i dont want to do none of this. My 240sx is good enough performance wise for me.
You're not making much sense. Explain to me as to why you would want to get a Type S with a high compression engine over the regular base model when you have ZERO aspirations of performance at all? If performance isn't important to you, then don't bother with the Type S. My father used to own a 6spd Type S. It really wasn't that fast. In all reality, Honda cars are not performance cars unless they're the S2000, NSX, or have a fatass turbo. No offense to anyone, but it's true; in comparison to what you can get for the same price.
Also, CAI and Exhaust modfications on a 2.0L (or lower) engine will have next to no effect whatsoever. The 500$ you put into those two modifications would likely be better spent on, in your case, aesthetics (as that's what you want the car for, yes?) I wouldn't bother with an exhaust or CAI on a RSX for performance; maybe for sound if I wanted that ricer sound, but otherwise, I wouldn't touch it. 500$ is a good contribution to getting new parts or fixing other parts.
Also, you choose a very good car for aesthetics. Out of all the Honda's, aside from the NSX, the RSX is the most attractive. No doubt. In my opinion.
Also, do NOT run 91 octane in "everything." Some engines are designed for 87, some for 89, some for 91, some for 94, and some for even higher. The higher the compression or induction of oxygen pressure, the higher the octane needed to prevent detonation. Higher octane fuel has a higher resistance to detonation due to it's higher heat range. Also, due to this, it burns SLOWER while having a nearly identical energy content to a lower octane gasoline. What does this mean? Running 94 in a car designed for 87 will cause the car to burn the fuel too slowly and will therefore lose power as some of the gasoline is still igniting at the bottom of the powerstroke (least leverage) or even into the exhaust stroke (big power loss, and big backfire.)
Your friend may be running jet octane due to his turbocharger. He may be running so much boost that the extremely high octane is necessary; if he is not running an extremely high boost figure, then he is indeed LOSING power.
All in all, only put the octane that the engine is designed for when fueling up. There are consequences if you don't do this. Now, when you start modifying an engine is where octane ratings raise or lower.
Also, it is VTEC, NOT vtech. Unless your car comes with a wireless home phone branded vtech... Which... It shouldnt?
Also, if you're hell bent on getting a Type S but the 91 octane rating is scaring you away, you can still get the Type S and either A: engine swap to an engine that runs 87, or B: lower the compression. These are the easiest ways to require less octane; though they are expensive modifications.