I've been on this site for almost a year now, considering I've been collecting parts since last year and I've started installing, figured its about time to post what I have and my plans.

Last May (2013) I picked up a 2005 Acura RL. At the time it wasn't my first choice but a friend recommended looking at them and I got a good deal.

Here's a pic of my last build, a 2003 Honda Accord 5spd:
-17x9 Algernon Intelesse on the car (off the car are the winter wheels Work CR Kai's 18x8)
-OEM Fog Lights
-OEM front lip
-Tein Flex coilovers
-H&R Front Sway Bar
-Megan rear Camber kit
-Front Camber kit
-EBC Cross Drilled/Slotted rotors



Here's my current RL:



Currently for the RL I have purchased the following:

-OEM Window Visors (installed)


-UAS Bagsetup (used, replaced both rear bags)
-Accuair Management (System Complete from Bag Riders)




-SSR MS1 19x9.75/10.75 (yes their staggered, I am looking into changing that)


-JDM Headlights
-JDM "Legend" Door sills


It sucks because not long after completely deciding to go air I found out of an opportunity to pick up some Harmonic coilovers. I will probably end up getting them for the winter.

More things coming, wont post until I purchase.

I will also be posting progress as parts are installed. Decided to start this now because the car is going in to get the air installed by the end of this week.

 

It is going to look good! Are the headlights being installed with the suspension? I have a JDM set myself I will install soon.

Paying for the install and depreciation then changing it in less than a year

 

The headlights will be on later, probably when I put the wheels on. Congrats on the find on your set.

As for the suspension, I really wanted coil-overs when I got the car, but after learning the Teins wouldn't give me the low I want, I decided on air. I daily my RL, the bags will do well for the summer, but I'm concerned on the affects of the NY cold. It's something I'm considering. For now I'm just thinking out loud, lol.

 

Great progress! Love the JDM parts for it so far....Keep up the good work!

 

Where can i buy those headlights!!!!!!!!!! =p

 

We've had some serious modders come out of the wood works as of late.

 

hehehe....

StReCh4130...What are you using for front/rear camber adjustment if you don't mind me asking? We can go pretty low once bagged, but the natural camber so far hasn't been enough to maximize potential when aired out. I was going to approach a few shops in the Bay Area (a few professional drift garages that fabricate lots of parts), but I'd love to hear what options you've pursued as well! Feel free to PM me if you want, I'm in the works of bagging my car too and at the moment have the Harmonic coilovers on my car.

 

Its funny, I've been meaning to start this thread and after seeing your thread I stopped procrastinating. I havent figured out yet how I'm going to camber the wheels. I'm really hoping I can avoid it, and that the natural camber will suffice. I was going to ask you about a camber kit and I'm really looking forward to your build. If natural camber doesnt work, expect a PM or message somewhere on here from me.

 

Well this car has become quite affordable lately, so we can expect more builds. Some in good taste, and we all know that with the good comes the bad.

 

Yeah, I know. It's been affordable for a while, and we have seen some interest here and there. However, it seems the really serious guys were here before I got here, and this forum was boring as shit for three years.

 

Those weren't the "serious guys", those were the "rich guys", lol.

 

My price range was about $25k on the high end. The nicest awd luxury sedan I could find for my taste was a 2011 Infiniti M37x with 70,000+ miles. I decided I would rather drive a tastefully modded 2nd gen RL.

 

Yeah, I paid $26k in Dec 2010 for a 27k mi 2007. I put a whopping $400 into mine.




$300 of that was the wheel and knob.

 

I wish i could find the steering wheel so cheap lol

 

That's another thing I'm interested. I had one in hand (with cash in the other), ready to buy from a guy at an unbelievable price, but I backed off because I felt the brown on the wheel and my interior didn't match. Is that common?

 

Forgot to add these.

 

When you say "brown in the wheel", do you mean the "wood"? It is very common to not match because the wheel is fake and the dash is real. Once you put it on, though, you will never take it off (unless you total the car ). The wheel is the best mod there is.

 

yea the shift knob and steering wheel wood is a darker shade

 

The knob should match. It is real wood and the same type as the dash. Even my MDX knob was a perfect match.

 

can't wait to see it bagged on those SSR's, nice progress

 

I have the knob, and it seems to match better than the steering wheels, maybe because of its position and its size? I dont know.


Well he car is bagged now. I will post pics soon. I test fit the wheels and I'm so excited not to need spacers for the front. I'm now sourcing tires and lugs.

I had no idea lugs for these cars where so darn difficult to find. Anyone want to give advice on where I can find decent 14x1.5 lugs? (links please)

 

The knob is real wood like the dash. The wheel is plastic. That's why.
http://www.oemacuraparts.com/acura/r...eel-sato-rashi

 

Sorry. What I meant was after market lugs.

 

What are you having problems finding?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...+lugs&_sacat=0

 

Perfect. I found some other through Evasive Motorsports, but this works well also. Thanks.

 

Here's an update on the air ride setup:




I'm really happy with how clean this came out.

 

Final product:

 

Gangster.

 

Looks good. I like the potential. Everyone stepping up their game haha. I was going to not bother with the JDM headlights but they look so nice. I'm going to have to be on the look out for a set. Nice work.

 

Man, this is awsome...

Could you elaborate and ur bag system. All the parts, combinations and the install procedure. Did u had to modify anything on the car like Ambiguious RL, and how much did hte setup cost you ?

 

I did have to modify the front wheel well where the strut goes, just like Ambigous did.

The setup was sold to me by RL Chi-Town a member on here, I feel like I was scammed for $1650. For starters, both front and rear bags were scratched up, he only mentioned the back because I pointed it on in a photo. Turns out the compressors didnt work, and the front passenger strut setup is leaking. I contacted him and got no response. He's funny, he was all cool and social when the money was being sent, now its like the dudes fingers are broken and he cant text. I would warn anyone about buying from this guy. I was told by another member that he was trying to push the bag system on themas well. The guy has even blocked me on Facebook and Instagram. If he wasnt wrong why ignore me?

Anyway... So I replaced the two rear bags, used an Accuair management system, picked up a new compressor in the mean time (until I buy a second one), and I am in the process of figuring out if to fix the bad strut or replace it at $400+.

This dude really did a number, I wouldnt be on here mentioning it if I wasnt being ignored. My mistaking for thinking I was dealing with adults on the RL forums.

Thanks RL Chi-Town

 

 

That sux... I know how it feels, been scammed too. I was sold A-spec springs as H&R springs inside a H&R box. I already had a-specs on my car, so I swapped the springs and the car didnt dropped a bit. Money lost into thin air...

 

Doesn't surprise me. How else can an Aficionado afford to paint everything white?


My favorite impression came days after him taking about running stretched tires. I deleted the PM, but it was to the affect, "We were running back from the National AZine meet, and my RL was limited to 135. The TLs weren't. What can I do eliminate the governer?"

 

Well I too lost money into air, lol. If you need any help or advice on air and I can help, lmk.

 

The plot thickens. Just called Airbagit, the company that made the original strut and they no longer make the style I'm currently running. So I need about $850+ to replace both front struts.

 

 

Sorry to hear about these problems. This is way worse than the defective navigation unit I bought on eBay. I feel your pain.

 

It's a real crappy position to be in, especially with everything else I have for the car that I'd like to install. This setback is far greater than anything I would've imagined.

 

Install your lights in the meantime? I'm gonna install mine and lower mine on Thursday, I'll text you updates or something.