KJ TL-S's 2007 ASM Type S Progress Thread (Updated 8/13/17)
05-26-2012, 11:16 AM
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KJ TL-S's 2007 ASM Type S Progress Thread (Updated 8/13/17)
Decided it was about time to start my own progress thread, so here we go.
Picked it up locally after a relatively short search. Found out it was being traded in ahead of time, and the same day the guy picked up his 2012 TL I drove home in his like new 2007 ASM TL Type-S.
Right after my test drive in the rain
Odometer when I pulled it into my garage the first time
A few pictures from the next morning
That first afternoon I took it to get 35% tint. First car I've ever had tinted windows, but I'll never go without again.
First mod was 5K LED Interior, License Plate, and Reverse LEDs. All super easy to install and a good first step into working on the car.
The difference between stock on the right and LED on the left
After this I decided the bass just wasn't cutting it, so I bought a used sub and amp.
Loved the sound of having a sub, but I just couldn't give up so much trunk space, so I decided to change out the whole system from Polk to JL Audio and put it in the UnCald4 side enclosure.
JL 10W6v2
JL 500/1 under the trunk mat
Sounds great and I get to keep almost my entire trunk.
Picked it up locally after a relatively short search. Found out it was being traded in ahead of time, and the same day the guy picked up his 2012 TL I drove home in his like new 2007 ASM TL Type-S.
Right after my test drive in the rain
Odometer when I pulled it into my garage the first time
A few pictures from the next morning
That first afternoon I took it to get 35% tint. First car I've ever had tinted windows, but I'll never go without again.
First mod was 5K LED Interior, License Plate, and Reverse LEDs. All super easy to install and a good first step into working on the car.
The difference between stock on the right and LED on the left
After this I decided the bass just wasn't cutting it, so I bought a used sub and amp.
Loved the sound of having a sub, but I just couldn't give up so much trunk space, so I decided to change out the whole system from Polk to JL Audio and put it in the UnCald4 side enclosure.
JL 10W6v2
JL 500/1 under the trunk mat
Sounds great and I get to keep almost my entire trunk.
05-26-2012, 11:19 AM
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I always hated the dull halogen DRLs, but I hadn’t seen a reliable LED solution that seemed to work while at the same time eliminating the DRL light on the dash. Then The Machine posted his DIY on the iJDMTOY LED DRLs so I decided to give them a shot. Install was nice and easy, no DRL light on the dash, and they look great.
On to the biggest change of all, the A-Spec kit. I had been on the fence since I got the car because I just wasn’t sure I liked the Type-S A-Spec front lip, and then I found out it was discontinued in ASM, so I had given up on getting the kit all together. After some research on Acurazine and many PMs with those who had already done it, I realized it wouldn’t take much extra effort to fit the Base A-Spec front onto my Type-S bumper, and two days later I ordered it from one of our vendors, OEMAcuraPartsTim. Fantastic service and great price, I would recommend him to anyone. Picked up OEM Visors on the same order and installed them with the A-Spec kit.
Big box of fun
Went a little overboard on the TL diet….
Finished product
Next I decided that I was going to suck it up and attempt at the relay mod along with some 120 LED Type 2 switchbacks. I had never used a soldering iron and was a bit nervous while doing it, but in the end I realized it wasn’t very hard at all. Everything worked first try, and, as a bonus, they really match my DRLs.
I had a Valentine 1 with concealed display sitting in the garage for about a year, so I figured I may as well wire it in. Followed a nice DIY here on AZ and it went in no problem.
Had some free time on a Saturday afternoon and didn’t have any mods I could do, so I had to improvise. Took a look at the exhaust tips and decided they would make a good project.
Before:
After:
I really couldn’t believe the difference it made. They really stand out now, even from far away. Probably some of the best 20 minutes I spent on the car.
As of now, that is about everything on the car. I’m really happy with the way it has turned out. I’d love to do wheels and suspension, but that probably won’t happen for quite a while. I am thinking of doing the M3 style roof spoiler from eBay though.
Next up will be installing the front and rear Brakemotive drilled and slotted rotors and pads. I’m thinking I want to paint the calipers and add some Brembo decals. I’m leaning towards either ASM matched or the silver slate with black decals that I found on Brembo page on the garage:
Thoughts?
On to the biggest change of all, the A-Spec kit. I had been on the fence since I got the car because I just wasn’t sure I liked the Type-S A-Spec front lip, and then I found out it was discontinued in ASM, so I had given up on getting the kit all together. After some research on Acurazine and many PMs with those who had already done it, I realized it wouldn’t take much extra effort to fit the Base A-Spec front onto my Type-S bumper, and two days later I ordered it from one of our vendors, OEMAcuraPartsTim. Fantastic service and great price, I would recommend him to anyone. Picked up OEM Visors on the same order and installed them with the A-Spec kit.
Big box of fun
Went a little overboard on the TL diet….
Finished product
Next I decided that I was going to suck it up and attempt at the relay mod along with some 120 LED Type 2 switchbacks. I had never used a soldering iron and was a bit nervous while doing it, but in the end I realized it wasn’t very hard at all. Everything worked first try, and, as a bonus, they really match my DRLs.
I had a Valentine 1 with concealed display sitting in the garage for about a year, so I figured I may as well wire it in. Followed a nice DIY here on AZ and it went in no problem.
Had some free time on a Saturday afternoon and didn’t have any mods I could do, so I had to improvise. Took a look at the exhaust tips and decided they would make a good project.
Before:
After:
I really couldn’t believe the difference it made. They really stand out now, even from far away. Probably some of the best 20 minutes I spent on the car.
As of now, that is about everything on the car. I’m really happy with the way it has turned out. I’d love to do wheels and suspension, but that probably won’t happen for quite a while. I am thinking of doing the M3 style roof spoiler from eBay though.
Next up will be installing the front and rear Brakemotive drilled and slotted rotors and pads. I’m thinking I want to paint the calipers and add some Brembo decals. I’m leaning towards either ASM matched or the silver slate with black decals that I found on Brembo page on the garage:
Thoughts?
05-26-2012, 11:50 AM
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Awesome progress man, I love it. The whole car looks great. Did you put blue LED's in the DRL's or white?
05-26-2012, 12:15 PM
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Dude, very well done. Be sure to join our Type S Social Group and our Silver TL Social Group from my signature below.
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05-26-2012, 03:39 PM
#9
I like turtles
OMG. I cant take it anymore!!!! I keep seeing these cars with the base and a-spec front lips and I dont know what to do! Your car looks hot with the base lip man keep up the good work.
what did you use on the tips? I need to do that badly
what did you use on the tips? I need to do that badly
05-26-2012, 09:54 PM
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Awesome progress! Isn't the uncald4 sub enclosure great? I love barely losing any trunk space.
As great as those calipers look, since your car is silver, I wouldn't do silver calipers. Well maybe I would
As great as those calipers look, since your car is silver, I wouldn't do silver calipers. Well maybe I would
05-27-2012, 10:40 AM
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Clean ASM =)
Sweet progress!
Sweet progress!
05-27-2012, 11:12 AM
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Thanks! It was your thread that taught me how to clean the exhaust tips! For those asking about what I used, here is his thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/just-reminder-fellow-members-826970/
And here is the product:
And thanks to everyone else! I'll still have to decide on the calipers, not sure yet about the color. I don't want them to stand out a lot, but I would like them to be a color that can actually be seen. I feel like the black just blends in to the wheel well and you don't even notice them. Anyone else care to share their
about a color?On the plus side, it turns out that Brakemotive is located right in Chicago, so I ordered rotors and pads on Friday morning and they showed up Saturday, can't beat that! Looking forward to getting these on:
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JD TL-S (06-20-2012)
05-27-2012, 09:22 PM
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Dude, the rotors will look so nice, especially with the silver calipers.
05-28-2012, 02:29 AM
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The pads and rotors are the Brakemotive package that comes highly recommended by quite a few members here . They are a great deal. I actually picked up the front set for brembos on the black market for $80, and then the rears from the vendor for $106. Those prices include the pads as well.
Haha, lots of votes against silver, one vote for. Any suggestions from the non-silver crew?
Haha, lots of votes against silver, one vote for. Any suggestions from the non-silver crew?
05-30-2012, 07:48 AM
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Just wanted a quick comparison of before A-Spec and after:
The base A-spec front lip is definitely subtle compared to the Type-S, but you can see that it is lower and wider than the stock Type-S bumper. The design is very similar to the stock bumper, but the A-Spec lip just accentuates the original lines.
The base A-spec front lip is definitely subtle compared to the Type-S, but you can see that it is lower and wider than the stock Type-S bumper. The design is very similar to the stock bumper, but the A-Spec lip just accentuates the original lines.
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JD TL-S (06-20-2012)
06-04-2012, 07:46 AM
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Past weekend's update: Plasti-dip'ed grill
I really like the way it came out. At first I only did the bar across the middle, but after pulling back the tape, I realized I couldn't stand the way the black bar contrasted with the gray lower part, so yesterday I re-taped everything off and sprayed the lower part.
I think the next time I take the front bumper off I'll take apart the grill and spray the honeycomb mesh as well, or maybe even re-do the whole thing since that method would be easiest for getting it to come out perfectly. But for now, I'm very happy with it.
I think my next mod, after talking to as many people as I could about it, will be Tein S Tech springs. I think they will give me the drop I'm looking for without breaking the bank.
I really like the way it came out. At first I only did the bar across the middle, but after pulling back the tape, I realized I couldn't stand the way the black bar contrasted with the gray lower part, so yesterday I re-taped everything off and sprayed the lower part.
I think the next time I take the front bumper off I'll take apart the grill and spray the honeycomb mesh as well, or maybe even re-do the whole thing since that method would be easiest for getting it to come out perfectly. But for now, I'm very happy with it.
I think my next mod, after talking to as many people as I could about it, will be Tein S Tech springs. I think they will give me the drop I'm looking for without breaking the bank.
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JD TL-S (06-20-2012)
06-04-2012, 11:08 PM
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Great job on the grill-keep going!
06-05-2012, 10:03 AM
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Grille looks awesome
06-05-2012, 10:17 AM
#25
Loving the progress, did you install your brakes yet or did you decide what color your going to paint your calipers? I decided to keep them both black for me but I think color matching look pretty unique to especially behind the Type S wheels.
Well from a fellow ASM Type S I approve of your progress haha....
PS how do you like the front base lip...do you have any shots of it straight on?
Well from a fellow ASM Type S I approve of your progress haha....
PS how do you like the front base lip...do you have any shots of it straight on?
06-07-2012, 07:30 AM
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Brakes have not been installed yet, but that may happen today actually. I'm waiting to see what the Acura dealer I bought the certified car from says about the fact that 6,500 miles after they certified the brake pads/rotors all around the car to be at 90%, they are now essentially gone and needing to be replaced in the immediate future. To be certified, they would have needed to be at 50% or more all around, and there is just no way that's where they were.
Long story short, I will see what they have to say, but the new brakes will be on soon either way. Worst case scenario, I figure at least I'll be able to get them to throw them on for me, as I just don't have enough time this month.
I haven't touched the calipers yet. I thought I might paint them when I had them off, but now if I'm not the one doing the brake job, I'll probably hold off and maybe do it later this summer. Still don't know about the color. Maybe with the nicer looking rotors, black calipers would stand out more.
Oh, and here are a few head-on shots. Looks pretty similar to the stock front, just a little lower, wider, and sticks out farther.
Long story short, I will see what they have to say, but the new brakes will be on soon either way. Worst case scenario, I figure at least I'll be able to get them to throw them on for me, as I just don't have enough time this month.
I haven't touched the calipers yet. I thought I might paint them when I had them off, but now if I'm not the one doing the brake job, I'll probably hold off and maybe do it later this summer. Still don't know about the color. Maybe with the nicer looking rotors, black calipers would stand out more.
Oh, and here are a few head-on shots. Looks pretty similar to the stock front, just a little lower, wider, and sticks out farther.
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JD TL-S (06-20-2012)
06-07-2012, 12:09 PM
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Thanks ziggy!
Quick update: Acura is installing my full Brakemotive package for free, with potential reimbursement for the parts. I will try to bargain more for that later on based off the fact that a full brake job should never have been required at the first oil change interval. Not trying to make anything here, but just trying to "brake" even.
Quick update: Acura is installing my full Brakemotive package for free, with potential reimbursement for the parts. I will try to bargain more for that later on based off the fact that a full brake job should never have been required at the first oil change interval. Not trying to make anything here, but just trying to "brake" even.
06-08-2012, 10:10 PM
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OK, car is back from the dealer. They installed the full BrakeMotive package for free, and they also replaced the rear calipers under warranty as they thought they might have contributed to the rear rotors warping. They are also reimbursing me for the cost of the brakemotive package, so full new set of brakes for free, can't beat that!
A few pictures of them
I think they look really nice behind the rims! Makes me really want to get those calipers painted so they stand out too.
And I just thought it looked nice as I walked up to it tonight, so I snapped a quick pic:
A few pictures of them
I think they look really nice behind the rims! Makes me really want to get those calipers painted so they stand out too.
And I just thought it looked nice as I walked up to it tonight, so I snapped a quick pic:
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JD TL-S (06-20-2012)
06-08-2012, 10:11 PM
#31
06-08-2012, 11:28 PM
#32
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keep us updated I want to see how it sit on Tein S Tech, have them in my Accord before love them but I want to see how much lower on the TL.
06-09-2012, 08:06 AM
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You have an amazing dealership! Free brakes!?
They look great
now wheels and a drop 
They look great
now wheels and a drop
06-09-2012, 04:14 PM
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06-09-2012, 06:17 PM
#37
RLTW!!
Great work, looks awesome...
06-11-2012, 11:51 AM
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So I called the place I bought it from, and I think to cover their asses for certifying a car with bad brakes, they were willing to pick up the tab for the brake job and I only asked for a "partial" reimbursement for the Brakemotive package I brought them to install.
Either way, full new brakes for free, I'm not complaining. Everything worked out nicely.
Also, slight drop is coming with the Tein S Techs, but no wheels for me. This will be about it for mods for awhile (as if we haven't all said that before). But I am happy with where its at.
Only thing I'm still considering is the M3 style roof spoiler from eBay, which I think looks nice with the visors and type s deck lip.
