Josh99CL - The mod thread w/pics.
05-13-2009, 02:38 PM
#41
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Those photos aren't even remotely close to the real look. I had some type of low light correction turned on and it fucked them all up. They were white/pink tint actually and I sent them back. I'll post pics of the new bulbs when I get them. I figured out how to get the camera to capture way more true.
05-13-2009, 07:55 PM
#42
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Loaded up & Dropped off.
A couple pics of the extremely dirty girl with her new shoes on. Yes a drop is in the plans and yes the calipers are going to be painted black eventually.
A couple pics of the extremely dirty girl with her new shoes on. Yes a drop is in the plans and yes the calipers are going to be painted black eventually.
05-13-2009, 10:52 PM
#43
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holy boxes, that reminds me of the day I did my full suspension install, the dude's face that was doing the work was priceless looking at box after box after box, good show Josh, can't wait to see the 180 your car is about to do. Can't wait to do another set of that to my car
05-15-2009, 03:03 PM
#46
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HIDextra confirmed the bulbs I sent back were defective. When I get the car back and put the new bulbs in I'll post some updated pics of that also.
Be ready for extreme updates in this thread coming soon.
Be ready for extreme updates in this thread coming soon.
05-15-2009, 05:19 PM
#48
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And yes that pic is stock height on 225/40/18s
I'll be dropped on neuspeed sport and kyb agx shocks when I get it back this week.
05-18-2009, 02:25 PM
#49
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Car is gonna take an extra day or two. It's being worked on after hours at a really high end shop (so good equipment). They have a 70,000 dollar laser alignment machine as an example.
Needed a new radiator and getting the fucking trailing arm set me back a day and some $$ but I should be getting the car back wed at the latest.
...
Oh and hybridnrg I thought you were talking about my avatar. The photo was how it looked before I drove it to drop it off and yes that's stock ride height on 225/40/18s in both the photo and my avatar.
Needed a new radiator and getting the fucking trailing arm set me back a day and some $$ but I should be getting the car back wed at the latest.
...
Oh and hybridnrg I thought you were talking about my avatar. The photo was how it looked before I drove it to drop it off and yes that's stock ride height on 225/40/18s in both the photo and my avatar.
05-19-2009, 07:43 AM
#52
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So I went to see the progress but forgot my camera. I had to drive up and get my gym key off my key chain so it gave me an excuse to go see the car again and talk a little.
The rear was done when I was up last night springs/adj arms/springs/trailing arm,bushings etc.
The exhaust is hanging and he was working on the front and the plan was to have it done that night bushings/arms/springs/shocks etc.
Oh... also F/R sways are on.
It should be done this evening and I'll try to get some pictures if there is still some day light if not I'll hook you guys up tomorrow.
I do have one question though. I bought a strut tower bar and I know the CL has a stock 3 point even if it doesn't mount right on the strut stack. My installer advised me to keep the stock as it's seemingly higher quality being a 3point mount. Is this sound advice or does having the bar mounted right on the strut stack make a difference to where the benefit would out weight the stock 3 point? Are there any opinions on this?
The rear was done when I was up last night springs/adj arms/springs/trailing arm,bushings etc.
The exhaust is hanging and he was working on the front and the plan was to have it done that night bushings/arms/springs/shocks etc.
Oh... also F/R sways are on.
It should be done this evening and I'll try to get some pictures if there is still some day light if not I'll hook you guys up tomorrow.
I do have one question though. I bought a strut tower bar and I know the CL has a stock 3 point even if it doesn't mount right on the strut stack. My installer advised me to keep the stock as it's seemingly higher quality being a 3point mount. Is this sound advice or does having the bar mounted right on the strut stack make a difference to where the benefit would out weight the stock 3 point? Are there any opinions on this?
Last edited by Josh99CL; 05-19-2009 at 07:45 AM.
05-19-2009, 08:38 AM
#53
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The stock strut brace is NOT higher quality unless you bought a POS upper strut brace, the stock strut brace is hallow, you'll laugh your ass off once you pick it up and see how light and shitty it is. Tell him to install your upper strut brace
05-19-2009, 09:07 AM
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In other words do you think/know/have reason to suspect that the transition from a arguably cheap 3pt mounting system to a higher quality 2pt would provide increased functionality?
05-19-2009, 09:32 AM
#56
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Anything is better than the stock POS, it's not really much of a 3 point since it only bolts to the frame, you're better off tying your struts together, you really have to see how flimsy and light the stock brace is, it's HALLOW!
05-19-2009, 09:41 AM
#57
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Yea I was trying to do some reasoning in my head. 3pt frame/firewall or 2 pt strut tower.
I guess I may as well have it installed since it's in hand.
I guess I just wanted to make sure it was actually going to be a functional upgrade and when I got some feedback about the stock 3 pt it really got me thinking. The last thing I want to do is downgrade.
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/towerbar.asp
Their bar is also hollow :/
I guess I may as well have it installed since it's in hand.
I guess I just wanted to make sure it was actually going to be a functional upgrade and when I got some feedback about the stock 3 pt it really got me thinking. The last thing I want to do is downgrade.
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/towerbar.asp
Their bar is also hollow :/
05-19-2009, 10:21 AM
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Still better, for the simple fact that it ties the struts together, which is why you bought it
05-19-2009, 11:48 AM
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No, if you look, it doesn't even touch the struts, just the frame, but it's very rigid, and useless from what I've seen of it, seriously, unbolt it (6 bolts (10mm)) and see, you can swing it around like it's a roll of wrapping paper it's so flimsy
05-20-2009, 07:45 PM
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HERE
WE
GO!
.................................................. .....................................
Sexy Ass - I'll de-badge when I paint (maybe next year) due to it being black.
Shocks/Springs/Camber/Trailing arms/etc
Close up of the muffler
Engine Bay w/new strut bar
Finally a bracket on the intake: Buddy of mine doing the install is a great guy and just made this just because. It was on my to do list but he beat me to it =)
WE
GO!
.................................................. .....................................
Sexy Ass - I'll de-badge when I paint (maybe next year) due to it being black.
Shocks/Springs/Camber/Trailing arms/etc
Close up of the muffler
Engine Bay w/new strut bar
Finally a bracket on the intake: Buddy of mine doing the install is a great guy and just made this just because. It was on my to do list but he beat me to it =)
05-20-2009, 07:56 PM
#63
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Exterior Shots:
I needed the car back so some of the sand blasting/painting work rotor/caliper/shield etc will have to wait a while.
Driver Seat:
...and a pic of me being a fuck...and since I've never posted a pic of myself here ya go
I only had a chance to run her through a touch free. There is some cleaning plans in the work and my "Tuf-Shine" order came in from excel detail so I'll get some conservative cleaning/shine on the tires.
She's not perfect but it's definitely much improved and I'm extremely happy with it so far.
She corners way better with the sways and rides smooth as fuck. Also in the video below you can hear the Apexi WS exhaust. I love the sound and the car is so fucking quite at low rmps and idle that you can barely hear it. It has a great tone and sounds great at higher RPMS IMO. I would definitely suggest this exhaust if anyone is looking for a catback.
I needed the car back so some of the sand blasting/painting work rotor/caliper/shield etc will have to wait a while.
Driver Seat:
...and a pic of me being a fuck...and since I've never posted a pic of myself here ya go
I only had a chance to run her through a touch free. There is some cleaning plans in the work and my "Tuf-Shine" order came in from excel detail so I'll get some conservative cleaning/shine on the tires.
She's not perfect but it's definitely much improved and I'm extremely happy with it so far.
She corners way better with the sways and rides smooth as fuck. Also in the video below you can hear the Apexi WS exhaust. I love the sound and the car is so fucking quite at low rmps and idle that you can barely hear it. It has a great tone and sounds great at higher RPMS IMO. I would definitely suggest this exhaust if anyone is looking for a catback.
05-20-2009, 08:06 PM
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Video clip with some exhaust tone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACHLqJJVqMc
...and yea we just got back from the gym if you're wondering about the shaky video =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACHLqJJVqMc
...and yea we just got back from the gym if you're wondering about the shaky video =)
05-20-2009, 08:11 PM
#68
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wow looks good. gives me a good look at what the ws2 looks like. is that with the 4 inch tip on it? I'd want to move it a smidgen to the right n tuck it a bit closer up to the muffler. Sounds relatively quiet too, i like that.
05-20-2009, 08:14 PM
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I was used to shifting based off the sound when I had my massive rusted out exhaust leak so I have to get used to driving it by ear/feel again.
05-20-2009, 08:16 PM
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F/R adj arm camber kits
Neuspeed sport springs
KYB AGX shocks
Tanabe F/R sways and F strut
Apexi WSII catback
Bosal cat (direct rep)
New aluminum radiator
Poly bushing set + other random bushings
New rear trailing arms < this fucking sucked it was 500 bucks from the dealer since you can't buy them OR the bushings after market.
A few of the other control arms that were shit got replaced also.
+ miss odds and ends
The catback by itself was like 420 and installation is pretty cheap there isn't much to it.
05-20-2009, 08:21 PM
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DAm so around 500 for the exhaust installed huh? The drop is sick but you might make the car look more aggressive n sick if you add a lip maybe.. lol maybe its just me cuz i am looking around for one rite now. but yea. NICEE!!!!!!!!!!!
05-20-2009, 08:24 PM
#73
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When I decide to do some more exterior work I'll definitely consider a front wing.
Call a few muffler shops and get some quotes but it's usually pretty fast and easy to hang a new catback.
05-20-2009, 08:27 PM
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Yep thanks man. For the front lip. West Wings cost around 350ish on ebay. BUt iono if there is any other websites. but yea let me know. that is all i can tell you and also im not sure if we can put accord front lips on if we can then.... hehe im kinda gonna get the cheap ebay ones? lol but yea thanks man ima try some shops n probably midas....
05-20-2009, 08:47 PM
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Great transformation Josh, lookin good, love the new rims, exhaust and drop
05-20-2009, 08:52 PM
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Also Chris I really want to thank you for all your help and input.
I would also like to thank AcuraZine for turning a new exhaust into a full suspension rebuild =)
05-20-2009, 09:40 PM
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Hey..... lol i might sound REALLY REALLY REALLY STUPID but i highly doubt myself. The red bar in your engine bay is just for looks rite? or does it do something?......
05-20-2009, 09:43 PM
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It replaced the stock strut bar. It ties the two strut towers together to reduce roll. It's one of the best suspension upgrades you can do from a cost/effectiveness standpoint. The 2.X CLs have a stock one but it's not very effective or so I'm told. I don't know if the 3.0s have one or not.
If you have a car that doesn't have one at all it's definitely worth it.
If you have a car that doesn't have one at all it's definitely worth it.
The strut tower bar is arguably one of the least expensive upgrades that can provide a very high degree of benefit that is felt immediately after installing. Often one of the first modifications performed on a vehicle, the strut tower brace improves handling and stability of a vehicle.
The Sustec Tower Bar has been very popular due to its low price and high functionality. By connecting the strut towers, and creating a balance, the shocks are prevented from independently moving and causing small changes in suspension geometry.
The Sustec Tower Bar has been very popular due to its low price and high functionality. By connecting the strut towers, and creating a balance, the shocks are prevented from independently moving and causing small changes in suspension geometry.
Last edited by Josh99CL; 05-20-2009 at 09:46 PM.
05-20-2009, 09:50 PM
#79
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Everything looks great. Nice choice on the exhaust. It's definitely my favorite off the self system. 
I forgot to check back, but I'm guessing you got that bushing problem sorted out?
I forgot to check back, but I'm guessing you got that bushing problem sorted out?
05-20-2009, 09:59 PM
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^ Nope, apparently no one makes rear trailing arms or replacement bushings for our cars. I shelled out 500 for dealer parts :/
I found a company that makes them but no one that sells them (Hardrace).
I found a company that makes them but no one that sells them (Hardrace).