I'm new. What is the cheapest way to add horsepower?
11-18-2011, 03:43 PM
#42
Go Pats!
I have a AEM CAI and trust me you wont feel much at all since the gain is minimal. If u want save ur money i think ATLP is coming out with a new jpipe that will be similar to richie and XLR8. save up and wait for that one i think its going to be the best out of the three.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/coming-soon-3g-tl-atlp-826696/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/coming-soon-3g-tl-atlp-826696/
11-18-2011, 06:11 PM
#46
Go Pats!
11-19-2011, 06:01 PM
#49
BIGDADDYJONES
i was looking into getting the V2 XLR8 but my concern is that it eliminates the third cat and i keep hearing that its illegal to do that. even my exhaust shop told me that. is that true?
11-19-2011, 06:50 PM
#50
Banned
I did the stupid move with my tint last year. I bought my TL last July (2010) and got 18% tint knowing very well 35% was legal. My friend owns the tint shop and did it for free but then the following year i failed inspection. No one would pass me as the NCDOT were taking cars to places to be inspected with illegal tint and if they passed them the shop would get fined BIG as well as the person doing inspection. Luckily my friend retinted my car with legal and I paid him $100 bux for kindness. Were in a time where the states and cities need more revenue so they are fining/ticketing people for any little thing they can to make up for losses so I wouldn't test them (the state of TX).
Good luck...
11-19-2011, 07:43 PM
#51
BIGDADDYJONES
It very well could. It depends on your state. In NC it depends on which county you reside in. If the population is dense like where I am, there is emissions testing to pass inspection. If your muffler shop is telling you the laws in your state as far as your yearly inspection goes, they are probably correct. Being that you are light on funds I'd go the legal approach vs. buying a j-pipe that deletes something you must have by TX law to have your car fail the following year and you have to pay a shop for a 3rd cat and installation to get the car to pass.
I did the stupid move with my tint last year. I bought my TL last July (2010) and got 18% tint knowing very well 35% was legal. My friend owns the tint shop and did it for free but then the following year i failed inspection. No one would pass me as the NCDOT were taking cars to places to be inspected with illegal tint and if they passed them the shop would get fined BIG as well as the person doing inspection. Luckily my friend retinted my car with legal and I paid him $100 bux for kindness. Were in a time where the states and cities need more revenue so they are fining/ticketing people for any little thing they can to make up for losses so I wouldn't test them (the state of TX).
Good luck...
I did the stupid move with my tint last year. I bought my TL last July (2010) and got 18% tint knowing very well 35% was legal. My friend owns the tint shop and did it for free but then the following year i failed inspection. No one would pass me as the NCDOT were taking cars to places to be inspected with illegal tint and if they passed them the shop would get fined BIG as well as the person doing inspection. Luckily my friend retinted my car with legal and I paid him $100 bux for kindness. Were in a time where the states and cities need more revenue so they are fining/ticketing people for any little thing they can to make up for losses so I wouldn't test them (the state of TX).
Good luck...
but the exhaust shop guy said he wont mess with the third cat becasue its illegal to remove and that was on my friends 2007 BMW 550i. i dont know if that car has sensors on the third cat or not. yea, that tint thing is stupid. i dont understand why they have the minimum of 35% in the front but you can 0% everywhere else. its not like it makes any difference, i mean i dont wear my belt ever! (please dont throw rocks at me) and i live next to a police station. On 35% they cant tell i m not wearing a belt even if they stand next to me on a light, which has happened several times! and as far as passing the inspection, i am not worried about that, i have several people that can pass me with another $40 or $50 under the table. the thing is i just dont want to pay that money because it is avoidable lol.
btw
... i am not light on funds lol, i just like to extensively research before i spend a chunk of hard earned money 
Last edited by shalimar75; 11-19-2011 at 07:46 PM.
11-19-2011, 10:17 PM
#52
Yes, removing the third cat will open your exhaust and give some improvemnt in power, but not much. In states with pollution testing (such as New York and Texas), removing anything in the pollution control system will get a mechanic a hefty fine (possible loss of license) and will fail a car on inspection. An inspector has to only see that the exhaust has been changed and he/she will fail it. You could also be fined, at least in NY, for removing the cat. What you do illegally is your business, just don't get caught, and think about the effects on the environment. In NY, at least, you can be stopped for a loud exhaust, and given a visual inspection of the exhaust system. Modification equals ticket equals fine. Adding a cold air intake will give some power, but not much. Neither of these mods is worth the time, effort, or money, in my opinion. If you could find a turbo or supercharger, now that would be a different story. Otherwise, get a nice set of wheels, empty the trunk, crank up the stereo, and enjoy the ride. Hy
Last edited by professor48; 11-19-2011 at 10:24 PM.
11-19-2011, 11:09 PM
#53
Suzuka Master
11-20-2011, 01:29 AM
#54
Yes, removing the third cat will open your exhaust and give some improvemnt in power, but not much. In states with pollution testing (such as New York and Texas), removing anything in the pollution control system will get a mechanic a hefty fine (possible loss of license) and will fail a car on inspection. An inspector has to only see that the exhaust has been changed and he/she will fail it. You could also be fined, at least in NY, for removing the cat. What you do illegally is your business, just don't get caught, and think about the effects on the environment. In NY, at least, you can be stopped for a loud exhaust, and given a visual inspection of the exhaust system. Modification equals ticket equals fine. Adding a cold air intake will give some power, but not much. Neither of these mods is worth the time, effort, or money, in my opinion. If you could find a turbo or supercharger, now that would be a different story. Otherwise, get a nice set of wheels, empty the trunk, crank up the stereo, and enjoy the ride. Hy
11-20-2011, 02:29 PM
#55
Pro
Spend your cash on pot and pussy. Who agrees?
11-22-2011, 02:24 PM
#57
7th Gear
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Agreed.. If more HP is what your looking for get anything besides a honda made car. Take from someone who has done it in the past. But IMO unless your ready to spend 7 grand or more you wont be able to make any Honda/Acura gain any real HP numbers.
I spent $2200 on my Civic SI and gained 20 dyno'd hp. I spent $2500 on my Evo and gained just shy of 100hp gain and 130 ft lbs of tq. If you want power either start with a v8 or a factory boosted car.
O and don't listen to anyone who says 240 hp is enough for a 19 year old. That's just BS haha. When I was 19 I was driving a 330 AWHP Evo (it went higher but that's what it was at when I was 19). And I had friends my age driving 500whp Cobras/vettes.
Age doesn't matter.. maturity and responsibility is what keeps you alive and safe, which only one person can answer if you have enough and it is you.
I spent $2200 on my Civic SI and gained 20 dyno'd hp. I spent $2500 on my Evo and gained just shy of 100hp gain and 130 ft lbs of tq. If you want power either start with a v8 or a factory boosted car.
O and don't listen to anyone who says 240 hp is enough for a 19 year old. That's just BS haha. When I was 19 I was driving a 330 AWHP Evo (it went higher but that's what it was at when I was 19). And I had friends my age driving 500whp Cobras/vettes.
Age doesn't matter.. maturity and responsibility is what keeps you alive and safe, which only one person can answer if you have enough and it is you.
Last edited by Steven Bell; 11-23-2011 at 08:25 PM. Reason: Merged Posts.
11-22-2011, 02:35 PM
#58
You can spend thousands of dollars (like some of these guys) and still go slow. If you don't have a reason/goal, then there's really no point modding.
If you want your intake to sound cool, remove the resonator box...
If you want your exhaust to sound cool, get a cat-back or have a shop weld in glass-packs...
Either way, your not really going to go any faster. Think about it.....you need a laboratory instrument (dynomometer) to tell the difference. 20hp is just a number. It's still not enough to get you anywhere any quicker in such a big car.
Now if you are actually racing, you need to consider the type of racing and the rules. NOS is great/cheap for street racing (if you don't kill yourself/someone-else) or occasional strip racing. Turbo is better for real strip racing. Supercharger is fine for strip racing, but much more limited than turbo. All-Motor is the most expensive way to go, and bolt-ons are NOT going to get you to the podium.
So who are you racing anyways?
If you want your intake to sound cool, remove the resonator box...
If you want your exhaust to sound cool, get a cat-back or have a shop weld in glass-packs...
Either way, your not really going to go any faster. Think about it.....you need a laboratory instrument (dynomometer) to tell the difference. 20hp is just a number. It's still not enough to get you anywhere any quicker in such a big car.
Now if you are actually racing, you need to consider the type of racing and the rules. NOS is great/cheap for street racing (if you don't kill yourself/someone-else) or occasional strip racing. Turbo is better for real strip racing. Supercharger is fine for strip racing, but much more limited than turbo. All-Motor is the most expensive way to go, and bolt-ons are NOT going to get you to the podium.
So who are you racing anyways?
11-23-2011, 08:11 PM
#59
Safety Car
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Save your money. After I spend $10k modding my WDP 06 TL Nav manual and LOVED the way it handled and looked, and it was very quick, I tradded it in on a new 2010 2SS/RS LS3 manual Camaro. I have had my fun with the Camaro as IT BLOWS the doors off my TL I tradded. But I really miss the great things about the TL. If anything buy a used 07-08 Type-S manual if you want more power. My next car will be an 07-08 WDP TL Type-s with ebony/grey interior and an automatic. I am going to mod the looks, lights, tint, Tein SS because I LOVE THEM, and some blue LEDS here and there, maybe a catback ??? Mostly looks and handling IMO. Good luck young man 
11-23-2011, 08:14 PM
#60
10th Gear
You can spend thousands of dollars (like some of these guys) and still go slow. If you don't have a reason/goal, then there's really no point modding.
If you want your intake to sound cool, remove the resonator box...
If you want your exhaust to sound cool, get a cat-back or have a shop weld in glass-packs...
Either way, your not really going to go any faster. Think about it.....you need a laboratory instrument (dynomometer) to tell the difference. 20hp is just a number. It's still not enough to get you anywhere any quicker in such a big car.
Now if you are actually racing, you need to consider the type of racing and the rules. NOS is great/cheap for street racing (if you don't kill yourself/someone-else) or occasional strip racing. Turbo is better for real strip racing. Supercharger is fine for strip racing, but much more limited than turbo. All-Motor is the most expensive way to go, and bolt-ons are NOT going to get you to the podium.
So who are you racing anyways?
If you want your intake to sound cool, remove the resonator box...
If you want your exhaust to sound cool, get a cat-back or have a shop weld in glass-packs...
Either way, your not really going to go any faster. Think about it.....you need a laboratory instrument (dynomometer) to tell the difference. 20hp is just a number. It's still not enough to get you anywhere any quicker in such a big car.
Now if you are actually racing, you need to consider the type of racing and the rules. NOS is great/cheap for street racing (if you don't kill yourself/someone-else) or occasional strip racing. Turbo is better for real strip racing. Supercharger is fine for strip racing, but much more limited than turbo. All-Motor is the most expensive way to go, and bolt-ons are NOT going to get you to the podium.
So who are you racing anyways?
Wow, Ive been modding cars and been on boards like this for nearly 10 years... and Ive never heard anyone put the truth out there so well. Quality post sir.
11-24-2011, 09:02 AM
#62
10th Gear
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EvilVirus (10-23-2014)
10-24-2014, 06:27 AM
#65
Level: Noob
iTrader: (1)
Let me explain it to ya real simple like. I've had this car since I was 18, I'm 21 now. Along the way I've learned that it does not matter one bit how much horsepower you try to get out of the car, because you do not have a manual type-s so you'll never make it that fast. This is a family sedan with a FWD V6, not a corvette. Now there's nothing wrong with some mods, I have an old XLR8 V1 downpipe with 3rd cat delete and a ghetto rigged CAI, some enkei wheels, aspec suspension and a progress rear sway bar, and I LOVE MY CAR, but I'll never forget that it still will be a family sedan at the end of the day.
So do some exhaust stuff, make it sound nice, get some cool wheels, lower it a little, and have fun. Don't expect things out of this car that it cannot do.
So do some exhaust stuff, make it sound nice, get some cool wheels, lower it a little, and have fun. Don't expect things out of this car that it cannot do.
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