Cheap Performance mods for a 1999TL

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Old 05-13-2012, 11:35 AM
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Cheap Performance mods for a 1999TL

Hello, i have a '99 3.2TL and was looking for performance modifications that are on the lower cost side. Also, if anything can boost performance and boost fuel economy, that would be great. I have been thinking about a cold air intake but what one is best for my car? Also, anyone have knowledge on performance chip?
Thank you, Nick
Old 05-13-2012, 12:59 PM
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Usually people will do CAI and pulley?

-------------

remove most of the seats? I think that can improve the mpg.

And change the tires to thinner type, like the civic does.
Old 05-13-2012, 01:49 PM
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Sway bars.

Old 05-13-2012, 02:48 PM
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Sperry, he's 17. "Performance" to him = go fast not corner on rails lol you're thinking our age. Gotta think younger! By cheap what do you mean? An idea of your budget would help to guide u in the right direction as well as what you're expecting.
Old 05-13-2012, 06:17 PM
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Well I have also thought of sway bars as well but i am looking for some things that can make the car more efficient while also making it perform better. Budget wise, not that i have it but, goals and such so i'd say Up to $1000.
Old 05-13-2012, 06:22 PM
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Air filter, correct plugs, Seafoam oil and then oil change, and get the tire pressure to 32#.
Seafoam gas tank. Run premium.

All that in itself should get your MPG up to 28-ish on the highway.
Old 05-13-2012, 06:46 PM
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Well the air filter wasjust replaced at the Acura dealer,I only run Premium, plugs were just installed at the acura dealer and i am seeing only about 15 mpg. I drive pretty carefully but maybe i am somewhat of a lead foot hahaha. But aside from that i am looking at a Comptech Icebox and Tsudo Axleback for performance. For the hell of it, i may just replace the plugs and see if it helps.
Old 05-13-2012, 06:47 PM
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Also, oil was just changed as well.
Old 05-13-2012, 07:08 PM
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Tsudo Axleback is not going to give you anything noticeable performance wise, I have them and I think they are great for sound and looks, but if you want performance then your best bet would be a full exhaust like the ATLP exhaust, although those run around $1000 (i think).
Old 05-13-2012, 07:20 PM
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do a search there are a million topics on begginer mods for this car. there are however no such thing as cheap 'performance' mod. even a full catback exhaust wont give you much results without less restrictive headers. There no ecu reflashes for the car and CAI are usually pointless and only for sound. read this:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...1#post13772753

my best bet would to buy a 02-03 type-s and have it supercharged (comptech supplies one i think)

if you are keeping a none type-s i recommend investing on brakes, tires and suspension, not much further the engine can go unless you spend nearly 2k on atlp catback and better headers. even then you would only gain ~10hp and much improved throttle response. for the suspension, good brand name coilovers and thicker front swaybars would be the way to go. all my cars have upgraded more rigid sway bars because i do not want to compromise ride comfort (stock spring/shocks).

Last edited by pickler; 05-13-2012 at 07:23 PM.
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Old 05-13-2012, 08:11 PM
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Mmmkay, so no one really gave you any pertinent information yet.

I would start off with a CAI. Since you have a 99TL, you should get the AEM V2 CAI. It is the best CAI for our cars, but it doesn't fit the Type-S models. Gains are only about ~5hp, but this will increase as you add other mods. Most importantly, this will make your car sound much more aggressive. This will run you about $250.

Next up should be headers. I would recommend DC headers, and they will give you about 25hp. These are the best bang for the buck. They will run you about ~$300.

If you want a deeper sounding exhaust, I would recommend the Tsudo axlebacks. They won't give you any HP gains, but they will make your car exhaust note sound much deeper. I believe these are about ~$250, but I could be wrong.

Next up is a lightweight crank pulley. You can get an underdrive Option pulley for about $30, or get a stock sized UR pulley for about $200. Obviously the Option pulley is a lot cheaper, so I could go with that if you're on a budget. Gains are about 8HP.

I would go in the order of items I listed. You should skip the exhaust if that's not your thing. Also, I would space out the time between the mods, so you can see what you like.
Old 05-13-2012, 08:15 PM
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Okay, so basically i should forget about anything that will boost noticable power and just things that will make the car more stiff and better handling? I am down with that. Although, i like those Tsudo's cause they sound GREAT. I cant afford to buy another car at this point as most Type-s' are going for around $8000 around here where i live and a supercharger must be crazy money. Now, i think i will look into tires, wheels (better looking then stocks), and suspension. Thanks for the help guys!
Old 05-13-2012, 08:17 PM
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Karanx7, That sounds like a good idea as well. The AEM V2 CAI, is it really better then the comptech?
Old 05-13-2012, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by stangkid64
Karanx7, That sounds like a good idea as well. The AEM V2 CAI, is it really better then the comptech?
Yes, absolutely. The comptech is the best intake for the Type-S cars though. Unless they want to modify the V2 to fit.
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Old 05-13-2012, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Karanx7
Yes, absolutely. The comptech is the best intake for the Type-S cars though. Unless they want to modify the V2 to fit.
Okay, thanks, man!
Old 05-13-2012, 10:21 PM
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Get intake, headers, pulley; those are the going to give you the most performance and are the best bang for the buck And I got all that for less than $600
Old 05-14-2012, 12:25 AM
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if u really cared about gas you wouldn't have bought a TL in the first place.

But if it means a lot to you you can always remove your intake resonator for free and gut it. i used to get 24 mpg, and after i removed my intake reso and cut it open i got 26 MPG, pretty awesome for a free mod. sounds amazing at vtec, but also swallows a lot more gas lol
Old 05-14-2012, 12:39 AM
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there's a supercharger for the 2G TL non-S and S for sale in the BM right now for 2200. someone jump on it. i just don't have the funds right now
Old 05-14-2012, 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by HairyMonkey019
if u really cared about gas you wouldn't have bought a TL in the first place.

But if it means a lot to you you can always remove your intake resonator for free and gut it. i used to get 24 mpg, and after i removed my intake reso and cut it open i got 26 MPG, pretty awesome for a free mod. sounds amazing at vtec, but also swallows a lot more gas lol
There is a zero percent chance that removing the intake resonator alone will give you +2mpg. 2mpg is a LOT, and removing the resonator gives less than 2hp.
Old 05-14-2012, 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Karanx7
There is a zero percent chance that removing the intake resonator alone will give you +2mpg. 2mpg is a LOT, and removing the resonator gives less than 2hp.
well it happened for me, i always calculate my MPG everytime I go to the gas station. I know it's surprising, but it actually happened to me. I used to get 24.something, now I get about 26.something. I drive the same way as I always have and do a the same amount of driving on the freeway.
Old 05-14-2012, 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by HairyMonkey019
well it happened for me, i always calculate my MPG everytime I go to the gas station. I know it's surprising, but it actually happened to me. I used to get 24.something, now I get about 26.something. I drive the same way as I always have and do a the same amount of driving on the freeway.
Right, but what I'm saying is that you're mistaken. If I were to say, "I bypassed my coolant and got 15HP gain," it's simply not true. That's how much of an exaggeration 2mpg is.

There are probably other factors that you may not be aware of. However, gutting the resonator alone will give almost zero gains, in both HP and MPG.

There are MANY other factors that affect your mpg, and a combination of them probably helped you. For example, mpg will change according to seasons and temperature. Even the gas changes seasonally.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

Look at it strictly scientifically. It's just not possible. The designers of the car would have better designed the intake resonator if it was cutting 2mpg. If they could get the sticker mpg to be 31 instead of 29 by a simple redesign, they would have done it.

Last edited by Karanx7; 05-14-2012 at 02:10 AM.
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