Hey guys well I though it was time to go ahead and start a build thread.

and I think the best way to do that is start with the car as I first got it. (Minus the Injen Intake, that was me. no pre-intake pics sorry. It went on first five days haha)






and then Post up what I've done so far
Fixed the headlight issue (minus condensation, but no more hazy surface)
left side refinished, right side untouched for comparison.



Then I took of the torn leather shift knob that was OEM, and decided since I was replacing it anyways I might as well upgrade. Hence this:



btw, I would recommend the shift knob to anyone, it makes yours shifts a hair quicker but more importantly smoother and a bit more sure. As we know the Cl-S has a relatively short throw for a stock car to begin with. for the $42 mo local tuner shop charged it was well worth it.

Next, I refreshed that old sun damaged black grill and deleted the chrome bezel running through the center. Then I painted the center A gold. Will be debadging and doing the rear tomorrow. Here is the front as of today:



Much more to come.

 

Good luck with the build! Too bad you have holes in the front bumper from the license plate bracket. I would replace the shift bezel. Looks pretty bad. Are you gonna debadge it? Gotta love AM though, I'm glad I have the same color.

 

i looove that shifter. im sorry, but i might have to get one too..
gold emblem? thats different, but fix those headlights, do a debadge and buy some coil-overs and slam that 4x4...lol...gl

 

I recommend the shift knob to those who are considering. Its relatively cheap and a very good looking/functional addition.

Debadge is partially done (CL and Type S off). I was going to finish all the painting today (Rear emblems gold to match, wheels a sick bronze). Got up early to paint and heard.... Thunderstorms. Piss.

Now I probably won't have a whole day to finish the painting for another week haha.

I know the gold is different, But I kind of like the way it pops on a white or dark colored car. I can always go back to chrome, or order Type R emblems if I want (Dad works for Honda so I get parts at cost. Amazing what list vs. Cost is on a badge.)

I am currently pricing suspension packages. I am not going with coilovers as the car is DD and Buffalo destroys coilovers in two years (my last accord had Teins that seized)
Looking real hard at the Eibach Pro System Plus. Head good things from fellow forum members.

 

Please don't, there is nothing JDM with this car at all and that would be tacky if you ask me.

I like how everything is going so far though, I actually like the gold on that colour

 

Thanks. Plus I loooooove the way the gold turned out so no Type R for me. Gotta shake my roots in accords haha. I'm in a mans car now, not a young adults toy. So I am still painting the stockies Bronze though... that is not to tacky is it??

And update, I at least managed to finish the back emblems in gold today. Damn rain messed up me painting my wheels!





Making progress.

 

those emblems pop on that color.
Your doing the wheels the same ?
Bling Bling

 

Well I am doing the wheel with duplicolor's hpw105 color. I am on my phone now or I would find a link or pic to post up. If it doesn't wind up looking right then I will be open to suggestions for wheel color. I just don't like chrome or shiny. I prefer dark colors like gunmetal and bronze and black. Especially since the calipers are getting painted red too! I want to have it look tasteful and high class, true to Acura's roots. So gunmetal or black if the bronze doesn't mesh well. I don't want busy.

 

Please dont paint the stock wheels.

Kepp them STOCK and use them as winter wheels with winter tires since you live in New York.

Hit up eBay and craigslist for some decent deals on 17 or 18 in wheels.

 

Haha why?It doesn't affect how they work.
They can always be refinished back like they were stock.

Makes for not having to buy rims right away, as I'd rather spend my money on other parts of the car first.

Having Winter rims later when I can afford to get nicer ones is even more reason to paint them. That way even in winter my rims can look nice too. Who says winter rims have to look like trash?

There are no conceivable down sides for my situation.

 

im not sure how bronze wheels would look with that color but who knows it could look great. Also one of your first priorities should be to lower the car it makes the car look 10 times better.

 

I'm going to try bronze first (I agree it could defiantly go either way.) The best part of painting your wheels is if it doesn't look good, they are already painted so you can just try a different color

I'm thinking a smokey metallic, like gunmetal if bronze doesn't look good.

I am currently saving my pennies for the Eibach Pro Kit Plus (struts, springs and sways.) My one major problem I've had with my Hondas is that they were always Jeep height haha.

 

Painted the fronts, waiting until I have another 6 hours straight on Tuesday to do the backs.





What do you guys think? I think they turned out nice. Now I just need to lower it and then She will look how I envisioned her, and then it will be time to turn to performance ;]

 

Finished.

 

Not really feeling the wheels, but to each his own.

 

I like the wheels

Great color

 

I just think they look better than stock. Given my choice and enough money I'd take Work CR Kais

But right now the $40 in paint is less than $1600 rims.
SOMEDAY though ;]

 

Thanks man. It was the first time in a looong time I painted rims, and 3 out of 4 turned out excellent. Not bad.

I need to lower her ASAP though, it is like she is walking on stilts.

 

It for sure looks better than stock.
And I'm really liking the whole bronze/gold theme.
I'm in the same situation with lowering my car, gotta save those pennies a little more

 

Fixed my IMRC actuator today (temporary, just used washers to shim the actuator tighter to the spindle.) Going to go get a new one when I get a moment. Right now I bought Timing belt water pump and Tensioner. And some NGK Laser Iridiums. Tune Up Time! Between dead IMRC working and my timing and valve lash being adjusted, and she will run cooler with a new pump, It'll be a whole new car!

 

Thanks man!

Yeah it is rather expensive, but so necessary on these vehicles. BOth from a standpoint of looks and handling.

 

Picked up an insane deal the other day after trolling Ebay forever.
I can't even bring myself to admit what a deal I got on these suckers.
19x8 correct bolt pattern. Lets just say the tires are going to cost me a lot more than these did For those of you who don't like my stockies these will look way better!

 

These wheels are nice. I believe Jblue had these on both of his ABP CL's and he loved them. Only thing is he had 18" and then 17", not sure how the fitment will be when you drop it (rubbing?). Might want to consider that prior to shelling out some $$ on tires. And honestly no wheels will ever make the car look as good as lowering it. Love the stockies too, blends real nice with the paint!

 

That's it! I agree. I have researched a little on the topic and discovered the the front does have a really tight fit (the upper control arm is literally about an inch from the rear tire wall. So obviously with lowering and larger rims I am going to hit problems. The good news is that after searching, Ingalls makes a whole upper control arm for our car (With Balljoint) that is much more compact and should (Not sure what will happen but I have to try) allow me to squeeze out the 2" ish drop I'm looking for.

I decided on full coil overs for the project anyways, If I'm going to do it I might as well go all out the first time and be satisfied. I'm certainly going try to make this work, these rims are 1500$ rims used. I paid a small fraction so I lucked out! I could always get spacers too (Last resort) if I only need a few MM of clearance.

Worst case I sell the rims at a handsome profit and get ones that fit!

On that note, who has full coilovers? I'm looking at the Ksport, can anyone chime in on experience?


Tune up this week (Hopefully)

 

just realize I put 19", the rims are 18" *facepalm*
Either way I hope I wont have trouble squeezing them on

 

What offset are they?

 

+41 I believe. We need a slight positive offset on the CL don't we? I know there isn't much space to work with either direction, to much offset and the control arm is in the way and to little offset and its into the fender

 

You'll be fine with that offset unless the wheels are like 9-10 inches wide...

 

Ok great. I wanted to avoid spacers at all costs

Now I have controversially colored winter boots and pretty neutral and enjoyable summer shoes! I just have to afford tires for these, thinking of just saving and getting some really, really nice summer tires. Do it right, not again....

 

Nice choice on wheels! one of my favorite wheels. I almost bought those wheels a few month ago, but I decided not to.

 

Hahaha this might sound weird but for what I paid, it wasn't even a choice. I HAD to buy them. That being said, I love classic 6 spoke like the Type C and would have chosen something like this anyways!

I am very happy/excited about this pick up.

On another note, saving to swallow the 1,200$ comptech header. Thanks to you guys I realized I just needed to swallow the Auto One (It will be up for sale on the black market soon.)

 

just get the xs power headers, unless you have the $1100 for the comptech without a problem...gl on your build

 

XS has been sold out of the headers for nearly two years now. For the 6MT, its CT, used, custom, or mod your rear mount bracket (not something Id do).

 

Thanks man! Much more to come over the next year-ish!

Correct sir. So that left me in the listed option boat. I decided against modifying the bracket. That put me into custom or comptech. I weighted the pros and cons. Seems like one column filled up quickly.

Comptech advantages: Proven gains, Great company behind it, full 304, bolt up like OE fit

Comptech Disadvantages: Price

Custom Advantages: Possibility of higher gains, Possibility of good fitment

Custon Disadvantages: COSTS MORE THAN COMPTECH! Also possible that less gains will be made (Company isn't going to try several configurations, just build it and done) Possibility of lesser quality steels like 409, possibility of not fitting correctly at all ( And I'm out the cash)

All said and done I think swallowing the one time cost of $1100 for a set of headers that will outlive my car and are proven on the dyno, is worth it.

I'm not psyched on their cost, but I kinda have learned my lesson with past cars that just getting the best or a high grade part for your car in the end makes for the best final product. Every time I bought the $100 header in the past, it was replaced by the expensive one in the end anyways. So even if XS was an option still, I'd be buying Comptech. Its about the "Set It and Forget It" factor.

Selling a boat load of stuff on Ebay to offset the cost. I figure it's money I dont have right at the moment, and if I use it right away to order the header, its not like I ever had that $ in my pocket anyways. Plus I can sell the Auto one I have right now to every single person who has been hounding me to part with them

 

Also have you seen the used out there
They are rusted to high heck and j pipes all collapsed and still commanding $400.
No thanks!

 

The fitment on mine was not perfect. It also takes them 2-3 months to get them to you.

 

No fitment is going to be perfect, but bolt an Ebay header up and then try a Greddy. I've been there and holy sh*t do good brand names fit sooooo much better.
As for the wait, if that's what it takes, then that is what it takes. I mean what better alternative is there?

If I'm shelling out, I'm getting a sure bet with Comptech.

 

Nice thread but that skunk2 shift nobb gets Extreamly HOT in the Sumer & super cold in Winter so I guess it teaches you how shift faster lol but good luck

 

Haha this I have already found out the hard way. I'm pretty sure Skunk2 did that on purpose, now everyone with that shift knob has a Skunk2 logo burned into their hand from the side.
Great marketing scheme haha.

 

I have the accessory S2k shift knob on mine and yesterday it was 104* here. My hand is still red from grabbing it.