Old guy here, just picked up this 2003 Acura CL type S
6-speed manual... 132'000 miles... timing belt/water pump done at dealer at 86'000 miles, want to keep basically stock.
but wouldn' mind putting some headers ,looking at xs headers and cai, any suggestions...

 

Welcome! For headers XS-Power or SRS Tuning should clear your rear motor mount. Those are really the ones that are still made for our car.

Any Pic's of the car?

 

Welcome! I just joined the CLS6 club 2 months ago and there seem to be a few other "older guys" who drive them. Mine has 180k miles and I believe that it had the original timing belt before I had it done. I'll be auto crossing it a few times but it's mainly a fun daily driver.

 

Welcome! Share some pictures with us

 

The headers are a good choice. I would recommend OEM Acura gaskets, though. They've been known to make huge gains relative to their cost and difficulty to install.

The intake is a tricky one. I wouldn't expect to see much, if any, gains on an off-the-shelf cold air or short ram intake. The diameters that they are available in just doesn't offer much more over the factory design. I mean, the factory design is pretty simple and hard to improve on. What you will show gains with are custom-made 3.5 to 4" diameter piping air intakes with very large conical filters on them. I paid about $100 in materials to build mine with 3.5" aluminum piping.

A lot of people also recommend an aluminum pulley, be it underdrive or factory size, for the weight savings. I'm not ready to commit to something like that yet, but I'm not basing that off of anything more than feeling. I'd prefer to make that 5hp somewhere else.

It's a little on the expense side, but some of the users here have even installed the J37A4 intake manifold from the '09-'14 TL SH-AWD. It uses a magnesium design similar to the J35A8 but with a much larger throttle body opening. With a PrankParts.com adapter, you can fit a 76mm throttle body on with no issues.

Before doing any of this, I would make a determination on the clutch. If you think it's losing life, I would replace that first.

 

Thank you all.. for your replys , forgot to mention, clutch job was done recently, before purchase... love the way this car drives, and yes, gets up and goes when called on... will try to post some pics after my required 5 post...

 

By the way, what would be a reasonable price to have headers installed, I am in the San Antonio area,anyone know of a shop in my area...

 

I'd expect to spend around $200-250 for installation and shop fees.

 

 

 

fiured out how to post pics , more to come

 

From one old guy to another, welcome! Similar situation for me , got a one owner 03 CL6 that had been pretty well maintained at dealership. Still on original clutch though. These jewels are becoming more and more scarce, looks like you found a nice one!

 

Nice purchase, you will be happy with it! They are great cars and a blast to drive. I have heard and read that xs headers crack around 30-60k miles..

 

Welcome! Definitely check out the DC sports ceramic headers which we have great pricing on. They have great fitment and power gains and are readily available.
DC Sports Ceramic Headers - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

For a CAI you might want to look at the Injen which we've always found to be high quality and provide good gains.
Injen Air Intake - RD Race Division Intake System - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

Enjoy the car!

 

Welcome. Pretty soon we will all be "old guys". My 6 speed car is currently at the paint shop. It will be mostly stock (an old guy thing). I do have a CT Engineering ice box, and slight lowering with suspension improvement. I want to put headers on too. I don't believe the DC headers mentioned above will clear our motor mount. Had not heard of the SRS Tuning headers, and may look into them.