drbam007

hey guys, I am stoked to have just picked up a 98 TL 3.2 in cherry condition and I'm looking for advice. I love the luxury but I want a little more aggressive stance and improved handling. I intend on opening up her breathing soon with hi flow cold intake and free flow exhaust. But first things first. I've been going thru some forums and seen some wicked cool cars with sweet wheel/suspension packages. My research has me looking at putting on some 17X8 " shoes (Correct bolt pattern and Co claims "guaranteed fit" but I don't know offset for sure) with some Nitto InVo tires (225/45/17 with a W speed rating) a full coil-over system of some sort and lower car 1.5-2.0 " front and 1.0-1.5" rear. Would this setup perform well? Would there need to be fender work? Camber adjustment? How might that ride? I want a "luxury performance" feel.

X-LAX

It’s great that you have embraced First Gen TL’s. First I would save the money on a hi flow cold intake. They don’t give you any noticeable power. Save your money on that one. But I am sure there are those that feel differently after they spent that much money.

If by any chance you do find a full coil-over system with struts that are new and not used let us know. All that I have found for the 3.2 are lowing springs from Japan and Ground Controls coil-over adjustable springs. With 225/45/17 tires you might rub a little. I have the same tire size and I have not lowered yet and I get a little rub all ready.


And Please post some pics!

drbam007

x-lax, how do you post pix to these threads?

X-LAX

Hi drbam007!

Check out this sticky on posting Pics. ----> https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tl-photograph-gallery-102/need-someone-host-your-pics-heres-some-help-559689/

drbam007

LET THE MODS BEGIN !!!! 1998 Acura TL 3.2 in Cayman White Pearl and in near perfect condition. I'll be "personalizing" it over the next several months

drbam007

for some reason i can only upload 1 pic at a time.. that's morning dew on hood as i just rolled it back into sun

drbam007

i love that pearly paint

drbam007

Okay X-lax, i got some pix up! Thanks for your help... I'll post more as MODS are installed.. Now back to wheel/suspension set up... so if your 17X8's are rubbing without lowering and i'm lowering 1.5"-1.7", then does that mean fender rolling will absolutely be necessary? If so, then my question becomes this: can I do 17X7.5 without fender work or IF fender work will be necessary then should I move up to 18X8's?

drbam007

calling all 1st gen TL owners... plz chime in with your opinions to above thread topic re:wheel/tire/suspension setup.. thnx in advance for you advice

SmokenTL420

https://acurazine.com/forums/picture...ictureid=48259

I agree white does look the best! As far as improvements go, I'd say fix some things under the hood before you go drop a ton of money on wheels and suspension. Lets face it our cars are getting older so I'm sure your ride has some old parts. If you got the money to spend then by all means, but if your looking to have that luxurious car its going to be useless sitting in your garage. How many miles does it have?

I wouldn't go bigger than 17 for shoes. We have stock 15's so in my opinion 17's look perfect. Lower it an inch up front and a inch in the back. That's what I want to do to mine this winter. I finally got myself a decent winter car in a subaru forester, so my TL is getting the winter off and hopefully some work done!(if my wife lets me that is)

drbam007

Smoken... thnx for your post and sweet picture. Car is 1 owner and was immaculately maintained as far as service goes. I just had timing belt/water pump and full 120k sevice done when I acquired it. He wrote down every single gas fillup with mileage and mpg since he got it! What do you suggest for under the hood? I intend on looking up safe performance mods soon (what do you suggest?) but it runs so nice right now my plan is exterior/wheels/tires/suspension first. Then audio/NAV and then engine enhancements/exhaust. Plz share what you've learned...

drbam007

last pic of stock ride

X-LAX

Fantastic find drbam007! I am so impressed with how great it looks after a decade and a half.

To answer your question about rubbing; Yes go for the 17’s like Smokentl420 recommends and I hear that 215/45/17’s work out nice with a mild drop without messing with the fender wells. Personally I have Hollander #1733 (17X8,offset 45mm 5 SPOKE) wheels on 225/45/17 tires. They look great and are a little understated and that is just how I like it. But it does need to be lowered. Again Smokentl420 is right about a mild drop. My only added recommendation is lowering your car 1.5’ front and 1” in the rear. This gives a little bit of a rake that works great with the proportions of our cars. When I finally get my Ground Control adjustable coilovers I plan to do the a similar lowering profile.

1997TL-P

what's up. my set up.i have going is 18x8 Avant-garde M310 rims with 225/40/18 and 35 or 42 offset i forgot but my rims are concave.the ones you see for my pic are old...those come out rather than dipping in....i have it lowered 2.0 front and 2.5 rear. i have the camber kit in the rear at -1 haha also i r. olled the rear and banged the inside. i went oldschool with the lowering part since i couldn't find any suspension kits! i cut them.and put kyb struts on them...do not do because you'll blow them out quick. but for right now IM riding fine but stiff. if. were you I'd stay with the 17x8 and all get 225/40/18 because it will give you more room to lower it and so it wont rub. tha .5 will do a lot. also coilovers.......the best suspension out there that's why they cost so much but they ware worth it, I'd stick with getting them.because you can adjust them anyway you want unlike stock suspension or lowering springs you can't get that right fit or adjustment and over time they were out quicker. if your getting rims get a reputable brand and not the generic, because they are made of weak metals and will crack.....I've seen it. you pay cheap you pay twice. tire wise you have a good choice.

drbam007

Much appreciated and I will be awaiting the availability of the STREET coilovers from Megan. I expect many people will be putting them on their rides too as apparently choices have been very limited. Thanks again for your role in moving things forward. Are $150/rim wheels from element/wheelfire of poor quality? If so, why brands boast quality ?

1997TL-P

cool and those coilovers are for 3.2L. as for rims you can tell and just.because they say they are of good quality doesn't necessarly mean that they are. if you go to this website called wheelwarehouse.com you'll see what IM talking about because every brand they have on there is high quality and you have many companies to.choose from. its cool for me because these company's are within driving distance for. me and pay this listed price no tax since i work in the automotive business. one more thing when you lower your car and put bigger rims on it will put stress on the old ball joints. be sure to take care of stuff like that as well.