So, I got a used 03 Acura CL Type-S Automatic for my first car. 105k miles, new transmission, timing belt, need some new brake pads, but other than that, works great and is a wonderful ride.

(note: Images quite big, not for 56k)


My friend, who happens to drive a 91 Honda Civic Si that has quite a few upgrades (only thing he is missing is a turbo and v-tec head), has inspired me to start working on my car.

This is my first post, and I'm asking for advice and guidance. What should I start on with my car? From what I've seen, you guys are experts at making the CL great, and I would love to reach a tenth of what I've seen here.

 

Welcome and congrats.

Do you want to upgrade looks or performance?

 

Performance. Frankly, I think it's rather ridiculous to have a nice looking car without the engine to match it.

 

^
Depending on your budget, you can supercharge your car. That's the best performance mod available, but also the most expensive.

For more practical performance mods, I highly advise you to upgrade your suspension. Upgrade your rear sway bar, and get some summer performance tires.

 

Thanks for the advice princely. I don't think I can lay down that much money in my car for a supercharger yet. I think I'll be able to afford a rear sway bar pretty quick though. I'll update the forums once I get my full set of tires and a rear sway bar.

 

Very clean CL! You should be glad to have that as your first car. The first mod I recommend doing is a drop.

 

First mod: Save up for a new tranny.

Second mod: Repeat first mod.

 

no offense Inteuniso

 

There's a Odyssey/TL tranny swap that these guys keep forgetting works! Please stop the non sense about the tranny. Search forums for p.diddy's posts on it. And he's supercharged 01 AT. I'm following p.diddy's route. I don't think any of these guys talking about trannys are even supercharged...

 

we only ever read about other members auto trans failures. there were at least 30,000 of these cars made and we have maybe what? 50 active members that drive a CL w/ auto trans.

Im not saying dont worry abot it at all, just kinda tone it down a little.

 

Im a major proponent for the Odyssey tranny swap. If you were here longer, you'd realize most of my posts were tongue-in-cheek.

But that doesnt mean the stock transmission isn't going to blow. Look around at how many people post on here about their tranny being replaced for the umpteenth time. Its bound to happen. Also keep in mind Diddys CL has not been supercharged the entire time he has had that transmission in his car. He is only NOW reinstalling the blower. Its been off the car for quite a while too.

Besides, I dont have to worry about the tranny, I have a 6MT.

 

Full set of tires is the time to buy rims. they almost give you the tires. Check out tire rack or discount tires. Maybe DC headers as that will give you 30hp by itself. I had the same Aegean Blue Pearl CL-S6spd with bronze Volk Racing Wheels. Get a rear spoiler or lip soon. The back looks like a ford thunderbird w/o.

Here are pix of the one i had back in 03.




I love CL's if done right.

 

welcome. like everyone said i would keep an eye out on the tranny. its bound to go out. but there is odyssey/TL tranny swap. i have an '07 TL auto tranny in my car. the cheapest performance mods to start with if you have a limited budget right now is intake, pulleys, springs, sway bars. just search around and youll find all the info you need.

 

Welcome
If you haven't already please read through our very helpful FAQ. Should answer almost anything you want to know....
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/%2A%2A%2A-official-2nd-gen-cl-information-thread-%2A%2A%2A-480087/

 

Welcome to Acurazine! Please feel free to ask any questions about your car.
That blue is my favorite by far!

 

Should've waited for ABP... But anyhow welcome

 

Me personally I'd invest more money into "preventative" mods over performance/aesthetic stuff. Put money and time into a ETD and aftermarket motor mounts, brake upgrades, etc. I know that's definitely no fun at all, but the thing is, if you put down more power, you're gonna go through motor mounts and rotors more often than you would if you were 100% stock.

I'm mostly suggesting this because broken motor mounts usually come around not too long after I start enjoying my car and the work put into it.

 

Preventative mods means what? What prevents things from happening if you mod?

 

......

putting in a BBK or new calipers since the OEM ones are pretty bad.
putting in a ETD or aftermarket motor mounts since the OEM ones are pretty bad.
Saving up and making plans to get a TL or Oddysey swap for when the trans goes out (since it's pretty bad)

Not so much for performance, but just so you don't have to deal with headache associated with poorly designed OEM components.

 

congratz on the new car ... welcome to azine

 

Might as well give an update...

I would love to give this some upgrades. Lowering Springs, Coilovers, hell, even a CAI.

Unfortunately, approximately 0% of jobs in my area want to hire. Looks like I'm going to have to wait on upgrading this one.

 

congrats on getting a great car for the price.
There are plenty of things you can get for this, and just search this forum a while and make a wish list, and once you get a good job, start going through that list in a productive way...
hope you can find a job soon, welcome to AZINE

 

actually my friend has 01 CLP and almost 280k miles on oryginal tranny but i have to say he drives like a grandpa and does oil changes every 15k i dont think this car ever seen VTEC

 

My transmission is be going out. Check engine light came on, VSA turned itself off, and transmission is hunting in park and neutral, and revving too high and clunking about in gears. D:

EDIT: PRetty sure my car's still covered under warranty, I'm under 109k miles.

EDIT: EDIT:Fuck, might be past 93 months. Better be covered.

 

Lets think about this, you said new transmission so at worst its 3 years old per say. 93 months -36 months =4.75 years remaining. I'd say you're in the clear unless you bought it from some shit shop. Love the car, hate the problems.

Keep us updated. I want to hear what the shop says good luck

 

don't rebuild the tranny from acura if you plan on keeping the car unless you're under warranty. if you like automatics, then get the oddysey transmission, it's the cheapest and most reliable. you can also use the 04-08 TL automatic tranny. Although from what I heard the 04 TL tranny is crap too.

however, if you like your car, do a 6-speed swap. trust me. I think you can use the Honda Accord J30A and the TL6MT tranny if you can't find a CL6MT tranny. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

Drager caaaaaaans! w00t! Represent.

Here's what you should do. Lower it..a lot, buy some nice wheels. Done. that's just my opinion on everything though I like low n slow a lot lol.

 

Good luck with the tranny issue.

 

I just spit out my drink, thanks for the laugh

 

wow you ended up being right.

 

The 93 month extended warranty only applied to certain 03 CLs and only to the original transmission.

 

My 2002 CL/S was covered by the 93 month warranty. That lapsed 2 years and 3 months ago but the mileage was so low and it's the original transmission so I started a case file with Customer Relations. We're hammering out the final details but so far it's going pretty well.

 

Haha , I've been through 3 . GOT DAMN TRANNY .
first at 90k second at 130k third at 200k -___-

 

sorry to hear that.

 

my first trans went at 96000 KMS 2nd went at 126000 KMS third i am on now.. (has trans cooler and level ten bullitt proof rebuild kit in it.) and i'm at 160000 KMS/ 100000 miles.

bulllox i tell u

 

"level 10 bullitt proof rebuild kit"?

Was the 3rd, or the other 2 for that matter, a factory reman and dealer installed or were they independent re-builds.

I'm waiting on a back ordered reman which the dealer won't install without a new PCM.

 

I have a 2002 Acura Cl-S automatic and at 192xxx...

 

Turns out, it wasn't the tranny. Something was mucking with the computer, causing it to throttle incorrectly with the pedal and throttle up and fall again in park. Got it fixed at the local Honda dealership. I survive again!

Also got my rotors machined, put on a set of Kumho Ecsta 4x, and has really changed the handling. My parents are great.

I have about $300-400 to spend as well from graduation presents. Any suggestions for upgrades?

 

If you want to lower the car, excelerateperformance.com has lowering springs for pretty cheap prices ($200-$230) and a rear sway bar would cost about $130. Or you can look into improving the engine first before looks. Cold air intake is always a good start.

 

Congrats on it not being the tranny! You should buy my Comptech mufflers