mbelliveau

I'm working on a 2001 CL-S right now and I just wanna see what other people have for some ideas. Feel free to post pics of the interior, body, and engine bay. I would post mine but it's currently taken apart down to the frame while I install a roll cage and remove the J32A2 to put in a K24 engine.

TacoBello

Why are you dropping a V6 in favor of an I4? What are your plans?

coopcoop30

Is there a reason you are going to the smaller engine and that's going to be a ton of custom work. are you going to supercharge or turbo the thing? As far as ideas are concerned there are a ton of ideas around here.

mbelliveau

I'm aiming for originality. The V6 is nice, but it takes up so much space. I want a turbo in there plus, since it's a 2001 and it only came in automatic I'm modifying the body to accomodate a 6speed manual transmission. The focus is definitely on acceleration and less on top speed.

TacoBello

The 03s came with a 6MT... Was there much difference between 01 and 03?

mbelliveau

A few aesthetics and the ability to use a manual transmission changes a few things like a pedal for the clutch. That's about it.

mbelliveau

Since I'm doing all this body work in the first place, I'd like to convert it to AWD (I know I know).

mbelliveau

In summation to whoever views this, despite my possible insanity with modifications, I'd love for people to show off their best CLs.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

just search the photos section. The CL side is not very active but there are tons of nice ones if you search.
Why not swap to the CL 6speed and turbo that? Better yet throw in a J35A3 and turbo that. It's not like turbo CL's are everywhere....this car is rare as is.

mbelliveau

I definitely feel the rarity of them, I mean I own the only 2 in my province so says the registrar. I guess you could say that besides originality I wanna create the best CLS ever. I'm a Mechanical Engineer/ComputerScientist, efficiency and maximizing potential are what I do. Thanks for the advice though, it's appreciated.

CL SpeedsteR

CL SpeedsteR

previous set up...

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

What kind of numbers would a turbo k24 make? You'll be spending a ton on putting a k24 in there. A stock J35a3 can handle boost very well and make more than enough hp/tq and you won't have to have a built motor.

Want to be original? Contact Gerzand here and put in a rotrex supercharger. Or contact Paul and put in a m90 supercharger and make a reliable 400+whp all day.

mbelliveau

Money isn't really an issue, so if it's costly then meh. But I'm getting my K24 crate engine from a company called KMOD, along with a trans and a turbo from them too. Not a fan of superchargers from a physics point of view. The engine I'm buying with the turbo I want aims gives about 700whp and 487wtq at 26psi.

mbelliveau

Thanks for contributing, love to see under the hood. Where'd you get your body kit?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^most people are stock...with a few minor bolt ons...

the serious people's engine bays dont look that awesome...as it's just a J32 with either spray or turbo or super...
Not sure what you're looking for in terms of whats under the hood...just take a look at your car. lol


and since the car is pretty old now, i dont think any one is still modifying the body with body kits,etc....
a clean lowered CL with rims is as pretty as it gets....

if you have all these ideas in your head...stop talking and get to working

mbelliveau

I would except it's currently a skeleton. Waiting on my crate K24 right now.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^so then you know what a J32 looks like....

mbelliveau

Yes.. So you're saying that noone has really done anything extravagent with their engine bays besides keeping things as they are and adding a little on, right?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

pretty much.

- you'll have the noobie bolt on mods...
- then they get a taste for nitrous
- then people move to forced induction....either supercharger or turbocharger...


there was one guy who made his CL into a 8 sec RWD V8 monster. but it looks nothing like a CL.

mbelliveau

That V8 monster sounds pretty fun-tastic. I guess I'm going in the opposite direction of that though: I4 Turbo Time Attack style. Do you have a link to that CL you're talking about? The V8?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

sorry, it was a J32 turbo.

mbelliveau

Oh wow, that thing is beautiful. I wish I could contact the guy on advice for the FWD to RWD conversion.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

good luck with everything and I hope you post your progress here. If money was not an issue I don't think I'd bother with this car. Plenty of better platforms to start from. (Or newer, faster cars) But seriously good luck. What province are you in?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Focus RS has AWD and 345hp while we think it'll start at $35k...

that would be my car if money was no object and i wanted to build a time attack car.

Fuck the CL.

mbelliveau

New Brunswick, and Yeah I know there are a bunch of way better cars to start from, but this was my first car and I fell in love with it so I bought a second one in way better condition, less than 100 000 km on it, and wanted to make my mark with it. Like I said, only 2 in my province are owned by me (registrar verified), and while the one I drive annually will soon die within 3 years, the other will hopefully shine. Thanks for the encouragement and I very much intend to post my progress.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

why would it die in 3 years?

mbelliveau

Just a guess, the frame is rusting out and 3 years is being generous.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

More like Fuck you and your crappy car. I'll beat that silly ford at autocross. Ford has horrible build and material quality. They are not reliable. Paint is a joke. Interior parts are so cheap. All Pedal arms are plastic and flex when you push them, etc. Could go on for days. They can't even get Pedal placement right. You have to install a gas pedal spacer. Good luck keeping a ford for over 12 years like I have with my cl. Window trim around my Ford was brown when I bought it, and other owners all have same issue. Looks so much worse new then my 12 year old acura trim. People with focus are having to replace cracked windshields multiple times a year because glass sucks and is thin. Ppl are blowing up stock engines, etc.

If you want the RS in first year, dealer markups will be insane. Will end up costing 40-50 grand and you still have same focus body and other parts as a 17k focus. Money no object you would buy a focus? Wtf. The only reason you buy Ford or Focus in general is because you are on a budget.

Also No one builds a time attack car from a brand new car in its first year without any aftermarket support yet.

Back on topic. I don't wanna knock you, but why use a CL shell if you are getting rid of everything else and want rear wheel drive? You can spend 50-100 grand on a CL and the most common comment you will get is why mod a cl and waste your money.

CL SpeedsteR

Its the OEM TL kit side skirts and rear lip. The front is an STI V lip in this pic, and in the other pic its an OEM 99-01 TL front lip, current set up. I have a set of 01-02 cleared OEM healights in new condition for sale.

CL SpeedsteR

Oh and its stock under the hood with the exception of an intake.

mbelliveau

Yeah I had started another thread and someone educated me on that. I'm likely sticking in the Jseries engines, but I don't know what yet. Someone recommend Paul "NVA-AV6" to help make a J37 out of a J35 with a J32 camshaft and I'm not really up to date on all the parts to switch out I just have money I wanna throw at someone to make this CL as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.. It still smells like a new car when you get in and I love it.

mbelliveau

Thanks for that info, gives me an idea of what's compatible for the outside.

CLSilk

@brian6speed........ I noticed you're dyno says King motorsports. Are you around the Milwaukee.Madison area? I too have a 03 CLS, unfortunately just auto. Was just interested in looking for members to speak to in the surrounding 608 and 414 areas for better knowledge of this rare car. Thanks.

twinzdad0724

very sik stance...Im feeling it