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Hi. I just bought a 2003 CL type S w/ 6spd. I wanted to join a forum to see what info I could pick up on this car. I didn't see a new members section so I'm posting here. I have a truck for work and wanted a car for fun. I was looking for an affordable E36 M3 but couldn't find one in my area. I looked at Mustangs. Nope. I had a deal set for a 300zx twin turbo but it fell through at the last minute. I saw the ad for the CL and was mildly interested until I did some research. It took a few weeks to get a time that was good for the seller and me but when I did and went for a test drive... As soon as I took it out on the freeway I knew. I've lurked enough to see there doesn't seem to be much in the way of cost effective mods but that's okay. It's quick and fast enough to get me in trouble already. I'm not into modding anymore but still open to making some changes.
My name is Mike and I'm in Houston TX.
Here's a few cars I've owned:
'73 240z w/ cam, triple Webers, & exhaust.
'99 Cobra
Infiniti G30t
'88 300zx Shiro Special w/ built VG30et... t3/t04e, tec3r etc
'85 300zx turbo
86 Mustang 5.0
Thanks for the welcome guys. About the headers... all I've read says that the only headers available are for cars w/ auto transmission. Are the stock cams and exhaust good enough to make headers worthwhile?
Most CAIs I've seen on cars are no better than stock and some are worse. I don't want the car sucking in hot underhood air and there seems to be a duct leading to the front already. That's where the cooler air is.
Oh and I've already decided I'm not disappointed The car is great.
Thanks. Definitely looks like they have good clearance from what I see in the pics. I'm wondering why some people have a fitment problem and some don't.
Thanks. Definitely looks like they have good clearance from what I see in the pics. I'm wondering why some people have a fitment problem and some don't.
I think the problem was that people were getting shipped the auto headers instead. At least three of us have ordered recently and got the headers with the correct bend in them.
The headers are definitely worth it! I was shipped 6 speed headers about 6 months ago from XS and for some reason they just wouldn't fit, no matter what I did. But from what it looks like on here, just about everyone recently who ordered the 6 speed headers had no problem on install what so ever
I think the problem was that people were getting shipped the auto headers instead. At least three of us have ordered recently and got the headers with the correct bend in them.
Originally Posted by Scottyknows007
The headers are definitely worth it! I was shipped 6 speed headers about 6 months ago from XS and for some reason they just wouldn't fit, no matter what I did. But from what it looks like on here, just about everyone recently who ordered the 6 speed headers had no problem on install what so ever
Okay. Maybe they have their shipping dept in shape now along with their QC. Back when I was into Datsun/Nissan XS Power was not considered a reputable vendor. I think people had begun to see a little more quality in their intercoolers tho as I was getting out.
Originally Posted by gnuts
also headers are the best mod for these cars. The stock ones are very restrictive. You should get around 20whp from them alone.
Good to know. Most people that I learned from consider headers as more of a supporting mod than a major power adder. The heads and intake plenum on my Nissans were major restrictions and of course better cams always helped the engine breathe better.
I'm guessing w/ the VTEC and 4v that headwork would be too complicated and expensive and might not be necessary anyway. And more importantly... I'm not looking to seriously mod the car. An extra 20hp for $260 and a few hours wrenching sounds good
I'm guessing the stock exhaust flows okay? and the fuel system and ECU can support an extra 20hp?
I'm still getting used to the front tires spinning
Oh and NGK IZFR6K11 plugs and premium gas right?
Originally Posted by Oldsman71
Congrats Mike, What color combo did you get? Some pics would be nice to see too.
It's black on black. It has 147k on it but looks pretty good other than a little dent here and there. The interior is still pretty nice other than an off smell. I'm hoping that's the cabin air filter so I'm going to replace it. It still has the factory stereo which sounds good but the CD player doesn't work. I'll get an adapter to hook up an mp3 player. The heater and ac work and that's really great in Houston
It has the original wheels and it will stay that way. I think they look better than any aftermarket wheel I've seen. I'm not a rims kinda guy anyway. The only thing I plan to do is black out the chrome wings on either side of the grill logo. And maybe the chrome window/door trim.
I need to get some pics soon. Do I have hosting privileges here?
Like most engines Okay so I checked out the Ingen CAI and its a true CAI. One of my headlights is really wonky so I have to replace those and figured I'll be in the vicinity when I change the driver's side light so I ordered one online for 199. I'll go ahead and try the headers soon too. That seems like a good place to pause until it needs tires and suspension.
I don't suppose there are any mufflers that sound good?
I think I saw mention of coolant lines in the TB? We don't have much cold weather here so can it be bypassed by joining the hoses?
I found a couple of pics from the CL ad where I found the car. I'll post them if I have pic posting privileges.
I'll post a link to a vid of one of my old cars too. If there is an exhaust that makes a straight 6 sound good then surely there must be something for a V6.
2]Very awesome 240! Looks CLEAN! Did you do all the restoration yourself?
No, it didn't need any restoration. The only thing I can really take credit for on the 240 is updating it to electronic ignition and a couple of other small things. The z31 Shiro on the other hand was something I put a lot of work into. I built the engine and rebuilt the suspension and steering. I miss that one more than the 240.
The Ingen intake came today. I'm going to have to bookmark that ebay seller
I replaced the cabin air filters today. Been noticing an off smell since I bought the car. Even tho I cleaned the interior and put some conditioned on the leather the smell was still there. I hope it smells better now. The filters and the filter compartment were filthy. The filters had never been changed w/ 14x,xxx miles.
I replaced the cabin air filters today. Been noticing an off smell since I bought the car. Even tho I cleaned the interior and put some conditioned on the leather the smell was still there. I hope it smells better now. The filters and the filter compartment were filthy. The filters had never been changed w/ 14x,xxx miles.
UGLY! i think i need to check mine as well. im at 143k now
Yes it was nasty in there.
Okay... I ordered the SSAutochrome headers. After this it's all basic maintenance until I can afford to do some brake and suspension upgrades. Seems like a good idea to set back a couple hundred $ in case of a speeding ticket too
Yes it was nasty in there.
Okay... I ordered the SSAutochrome headers. After this it's all basic maintenance until I can afford to do some brake and suspension upgrades. Seems like a good idea to set back a couple hundred $ in case of a speeding ticket too
Lol,
Update how install goes ...met a cool mechanic dude who works for dealer who will probably install my headers
Update how install goes ...met a cool mechanic dude who works for dealer who will probably install my headers
Oh I would much rather have somebody install them
I'm too cheap tho. And I have tools from my z days. I'm not looking forward to it tho. I just sold my truck so I may do the exhaust too. After that everything I said before goes. Brakes, maybe tbelt, and then suspension. Reliability first... err second
Seriously the brakes & suspension are fine and the tbelt is about 30K miles. I may have to have a shop remove that cat before I install the headers. Or I may just cut it off and slip fit everything from the headers back in 2.5".
So I removed the exhaust manifolds and J pipe today. I cut the exhaust just after the cat. It was about as easy as most people said. Working with tight spaces is the most difficult part. Whoever suggested removing the rear manifold from the top... no way. I couldn't even get the exhaust shield out through the top. Working by flashlight is not recommended
I installed the headers but that's as far as I wanted to go in the dark. The rear header fits fine.
Two thoughts... I was surprised that the manifolds and J pipe came off w/o breaking any studs. One or two broken studs is almost a given when removing z31 exhaust manifolds.
These O2 sensor connectors are tricky. Any tips on getting them apart?
I'll try to get started earlier tomorrow and finish up. I'm going to try to keep the stock resonator in addition to the one I bought. I'd like to keep the exhaust as quiet as possible when I'm done and I won't be buying mufflers till the piping is all in place.
Thanks In case anyone else new to Honda electrical connectors runs across this problem here is how it goes.
This is what you're working with although I'm using one from the fan:
You need to separate the connector from the bracket by pushing this tab.
Push inward toward the wires and pull the entire connection off the bracket.
The rest you can figure out. The one on the upstream O2 sensor is like this. The downstream O2 sensor connection is attached with a different type bracket. I couldn't get that one unplugged so I removed the bracket. Don't do that if you can help it
I got everything in and tight. I hope the rear header nuts don't need to be torqued. If they do and anybody has done it you can torque mine
Everything fit well. Wish I could figure out some heat shielding.
Looks like I won't be able to keep the stock resonator. Too bad, it was a good one. Maybe I'll buy a bigger 2.5" resonator. Time to run some pipe back and install the new Y split and think about mufflers.
I had to modify the j pipe outlet flange to match my 2.5" cat. That was a PITA. Also had to use a 2.5" hole saw to modify the gasket.
What brand did you pick up? the headers did need to be torqued down. It was a two person job, I was underneath lining up the socket and extension from the top down, and someone was on the top side of the engine torquing it down once I had it lined up
XS or SSAutochrome. Are the torque specs the same as stock? I don't suppose they would be but I could at least find the stock specs. Yeah I would imagine torquing them would be easier with two people but I do have a click torque wrench so I could probably manage if there is enough room from the length of it. I'm used to working alone so that wouldn't be a major problem. It's just frustrating hard getting a socket on the rears by touch. Seems like I read on the z31 boards that headers need to be retorqued after a couple of weeks but I didn't pay much attention to NA posts.
I was tempted to start it up when I finished last night but it was 2AM and I was beat anyway after all the crawling under and out from under the car.
Discovered I have a torn half shaft boot too. Probably why I have some light clicking.
Oh one more thing. Were Tokico blues and Tein sway bars OEM? The dampers are still good, just curious.
From another post on here, what I used as a reference during my install
"Manifold to A-pipe is 40 ft/lbs.
Manifold to Head is 23 ft/lbs.
A-Pipe to Cat is 25 ft/lbs.
Vibration mount is 16 ft/lbs. I think.
Also, don't forget the anti-seize on the O2 Sensor threads"
As for the Tokico's and Tein sway bars.. no those are aftermarket
Thanks... lower than I expected. I probably overtorqued. Cat is an entirely different setup so those numbers may not apply. I used a gasket since its an aftermarket 2.5" cat and I modified both mating flanges. The other flanges used crush washers/o-rings.
Vibration mount? Flex pipe?
The sensors had anti-seize. I used Bosch. I've heard some people here don't like Bosch but I figure since Robert Bosch invented the O2 sensor it should be fine. I've never had a problem with Bosch sensors.
Okay I get that even though it might seem odd to anybody not into cars. My Nissans didn't like anything but NGK conventional copper spark plugs. If the Bosch sensor doesn't work out I'll get something else. Denso? NGK?
I had a little money saved to go towards that z32 so I don't know why I cheaped out
I drove the car tonight with the new headers and CAI. Right now I'd have to say I'm a little disappointed. The butt dyno didn't show much improvement. On the plus side... no CEL and the idle is still rock solid. And to be fair I still need to install the rest of the exhaust. Have it installed that is. I don't weld so I'm going to let a shop do it. I connected the new cat and resonator to the old exhaust just to get a chance to drive it.
Still loving this car after almost 2 years. Quick, nimble,, fun, reliable, and pretty comfy. I drove my sister's new Escape last week and that made me appreciate the CLS even more. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to drive a manual shift much longer. I hate selling cars but I'll really hate selling this one.
What, really? So I girl I will be seeing this in the For Sale forum soon, or you have a local buyer, sounds like a nice car... I love the quick shifts of the 6 speed!!!!
Something along those lines. I got this thing called peripheral neuropathy affecting my left foot and hand. I haven't thought much about how I'd sell it. Hate to put it on CL because either people won't know what it is and won't appreciate it or will know what it is and just want to test drive it for fun. It's a great car but I don't think anyone out of town would buy it. It was parked on the streets of NYC the first 9 years of it's life and it shows.
I installed the end links today. Should have been a half hour job. The fronts were a breeze but the back ones were a PITA. I had to break out the sawzall because there was no way to keep the bolts from spinning when I turned the nut. Also got around to getting the new tires installed. Had to go back and have one tire remounted. They got the direction wrong. /rant
I'm guessing the cv axles are a pain too? They barely make noise. Maybe I'll let the next owner deal w/ them.
Changed the coolant and belts and hoses. The belts would be easy w/ that special thin wrench for the tensioner. I had to cut the 12mm end off an old 12/14 offset combo and use one of my old 300zx spark plug tools as a cheater. It was a bit fat but it worked. Maybe nobody will buy the car and I'll be forced to keep it Does anybody think the '03 CL s 6mt will ever become one of those not so well kept secret values or is it doomed to be a great unknown?
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02-02-2015, 09:57 AM
As soon as I took it out on the freeway I knew. I've lurked enough to see there doesn't seem to be much in the way of cost effective mods but that's okay. It's quick and fast enough to get me in trouble already. I'm not into modding anymore but still open to making some changes. 
The car is great. 
