97slammedTL

...........This has been kinda noticable to me for awhile now and is really starting to annoy me....The first generation 2.5TL gets a bad rap everytime on here..I even have noticed how some first generation TL owners who have 3.2's distance themselves completley from the 2.5.
.......While reading other post I have seen others refer to the car as a ***** or slow now granted, 176 stock hp, is nothing and will not snap your neck from a stop. But with the right MOD's and a knowing Honda mechanic, the 2.5 can b made into an extremely swift car that can handle like a 3 series.
.............Case in point take my car for example with its 60 shots of nitrous on command, intake, apex dunk, a lowered 2 inch stance, huge Brembo cross drilled rotors, rear and front strut bar and brand new shocks. Its like no one is even giving the car any credit or wants to for that matter.
.. The 5 cylinder engines are rare but they are good engines with desecent stockpick up, not race inspired
......The 3.2tL of the same era had an eye popping 200hp, 24 more horsepower! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but everything else is almost identical. Some guy recently was saying how completely different his 3.2 is. Give me a break will ya?. Starting in 99 it was a different story , not 96-98.
.......I could see if we all had Benzes and were divided E320 and E430 owners,if our cars had well over a 60hp difference along with other specific mechanical differences i could see it, huge difference their. Not in the case of the first generation TL.. Most don't even know their were two engines offered those years, so lets stop trying to divide where their is already a division between the first generation and second generation TL.
I am seeing a divide between first generation owners....we all share a car that their is not much for, therefore makin our car's even more unique to the aftermarket world than other cars. Our model is truly form Japan unlike the present TL...and was probably held to an inital different quality standard. its looks and body are not completely unique as it still has a lot in common with the vigor and an inital relation to the accor. However it looks very appealing to me after nearly 3 years of being of the production line. The current car and even massaged 01 TL, are still heavenly based on the current accord, and i sware if you look everywhere but under the hood, you may see an accord plain as day...........I am not puttin down the newer cars in fact i love them also..but i also have a love for my car as well. I just wanted to get that off my chest. The 2.5 is a unique Acura and should be respected as that.......and not put down and classified as the forgotten slow Acura.......Anyone in Maryland catch me if you can on the road and I will happy to change your mind and thoughts on the 2.5TL...........
...Any other 2.5 owners see the trend?

SL1200MK4

Well, I never look down other cars... I might say that I don't like them, but no... I don't put them down...

The 2.5TL is Made in Japan, that's one thing I like about it. And as a matter of fact they still offer the 2.5L engine in Japan with the current generation I belive.

Newer is not always better... JMHO...

Edub-TL

We all brodas...

Gen 1, 2, TL, TL-S... doesn't matter. As long as you enjoy your car.

Btw, I first fell in love with the TL when there was only a first Gen. of course I was still in college and could never afford one at time. I just wanted a new one now because I love it even more.

TLBaller

Hey i hear you! I own a 2.5 tl and it is a rare engine..5 banger so it would probably cost a grip to fix if there was engine trouble. Thats one flaw i have for my car. Another thing that bothers me is the availability of aftermarket goodies for our cars. How is it that there are WAY more aftermarket parts for the 99+ model tl's and little for the 96 and 97??? I was searching for inspire tail lights and found out that the inspire tail lights for the newer model tl's cost around 3 bills while our model tail lights cost 5 bills!!!!!!! WHATS UP WITH THAT?!?! its already bad enough that our parts are rare...give us a break.. but im very VERY thankful that "snook" is selling inspire tail lights for our cars though. I can't find anybody else that does. Keep up the good work snook..

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Now watcha know about them TEXAS boys comin down in candied toys smokin weed and talkin noise

acuraguynj

From the opposing view, let's be all honest here, most of us would never have considered the first generation TL. When the new models came out in 99, that is when this car truly got hot and maybe even why this website got started.

The 1st Gen TL is a nice car, but that's about it. I can't say that it's bad, but can't say that it's awesome either. Just a different style. But to each its own, as long as you are happy, this is good enough, but when I saw the 2nd Gen TL in 1999, I said I have to have it.

NEUKYN

Did you guys know that the first gen tl cost more than the current 2nd gen tl/ do the research.....

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97 2.5 TL
CUSTOM COLD AIR INTAKE
NIPPON RACING 17" V5'S
INDEPENDENT FOG LIGHTS
CLEAR BUMPS,CORNERS
CUSTOM HEADERS
CUSTOM CAMS
CUSTOM STRUT TOWER BRACES
EIBACH PRO KITS, 1.25" DROP.
NOS/75 SHOT
CUSTOM CATBACK EXHAUST (STAINLESS STEEL)

Rudebwoy

yeah i know, i did not believe it at first, but i know why. I currently have a 99, but in 1996 i fell in love with the tl series. i think at that time it was in the high 30, to low 40 thousands (canadian) Both gen's are excellent cars, but the first gen had a bit more care, and quality put into it. The first gen tl had supreme clientel in them, that was why they were so appealing. I don't know if anyone can remember the sound system in the 1st gen and the vigor, i think it is WAY better that the bose in 99-02. just my 2 cents.

latez

mikester

Not completely true. The official story is that they were about $5k more, but everyone was dealing on them bigtime because there was a lot of markup. Acura was a little embarrassed that people were walking out with $5k discounts on their luxury cars whereas their competitors were selling at or near MSRP, so they dropped the price on the '99 models but the price was much firmer.

So, theoretically you could have paid a lot more for a 98 TL, but only if you didn't know how to haggle. This also goes to show what a good deal the newer TL/TLS is even at or near MSRP.

Din

TLBALLER, what color is your TL you got rims or anything?

Wampum

Hey 97SlammedTL

Where did you find shocks? What kind?
Strut bars? Where did you find them?

I am getting Eibach's Pro Kit on Friday too bad its only a 1.5 inch or so drop, but I would like strut bars...etc


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1998 3.2TL Satin Silver
Tinted Dark!!
HID headlights
Boston Pro 6.4's all the way around
Short Ram Intake

TLBaller

Hi..

yes i have rims...they're crappy rims though. 17"s but i got them REALLY cheap. Im just using them for now cuz i traded them for my factory wheels. I also need to save up for some chrome rims. I want some 19"...i think 20"s look WAY too big for the body of my car and 18" aren't big enough for me. That also means more mula hehehe everything is money.. modifying your TL is an expensive hobby that can only be cured by poverty =o( bye

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Now watcha know about them TEXAS boys comin down in candied toys smokin weed and talkin noise

Din

TLBALLER, do you know anyone that want to buy some 18s? I got some 18in chrome MHT v10s that where off my TL.
I wanted 20s when I first got my rims but they didnt make any that would fit the 1st gen TL.

Polyman

I have a 97 2.5 as well and I love it. I bought the car with one thing in mind -- reliability and comfort. I could care less about racing my TL and in fact would rather not do so. As long as I can get on the freeway and pass people when needed. I certainly hope that others wouldn't diss a TL owner because of 1 cylinder and 0.7 liters difference. You do see it sometimes though. I have an old Camaro that suits my speed desires just fine.

97slammedTL

Go to www,powerteck.com.call the 888 number and talk to the guy..He is down in florida and is really cool. He has a lot of stuff, and does not charge tax or shipping. He sell strut bars that will fit our car. Just tell him your car, he is very helpful
I hate to say it but once you out your springs on, you are gonna want it lower. I got the cheaper sportline kit, which was a dramatic 2 inch drop in the front and 1.9 in the back. It looks awesome the way the wheel wells look now even on my stock rims. My car is a 97 so it came with different stock brushed allows,kinda like the ones on the later model NSX. The handling is now frightening for a car its size. I did not know what it was to do 60-80 on ramps, then blasting onto the beltway sometimes
I am warning you man, change your order your gonna want your car lower. The car will look like a luxury car still ride liek a luxury car but handle and have a stance like a sport sedan. Trust me...............

TLBaller

18" chrome?? mht? hmmm let me find out what it looks like and i'll let you know. Would you be willing to trade my rims for your 18"s and pay you cash along with it???

jz983

hey NEUKYN. hows the NOS for the 1st gen TL? Does it f*ck up the engine a lot? I've heard that it will screw with the engine over time and that it might blow up if not done properly or something. obviously that is unlikely but.... how much boost do you get with the NOS? how much for a good system? and where can I buy one?

another thing, where'd you get the custom intakes, headers, custom struts? I need to get those...later

jz983

hey Wampum. can you tell me when you find those struts for your 1st gen. I am also looking for them but cant find them. think they have to custom made. ok thanks

Din

TL BALLER email me...

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Din on April 26, 2001 @ ]</font>

Wampum

They don't make Eibach Sport Line for '98 3.2TL's or else I would have ordered them instead

TLBaller

hey din..

I just saw the v10's..they're nice rims but im not too fond of the look...but thanks anyway! =o)

Wampum

Hey just called the guy at Powerteck and he said the Accord Strut Bar fits the TL's!!!

Thats NICE!

redeye

?????
do they fit both 2.5 and 3.2???
i asked around a lot and everyone said that they don't fit the 3.2??
this is really good news if they do
i'd get mine by tomorrow!!!!



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1997 Acura 3.2TL Silver, Eibach Pro-Kit, custom short ram intake, custom dual square tip exhaust, 17" Konig Impakt +42, 225/45/17 Yokohamas, clear bumper lights, IPF white fog lights, Pioneer DEH-P8000 head unit, 2 Kicker 160SS amps, Kicker RS6 components, 2 12" Kicker XPL subs, Alpine SPS-6939, tints

97slammedTL

told you man, the guy at power teck, has some stuff, hes pretty cool too, how much he quote you for a price for your strut bar?

yu888

I'd email Snook (Tim) first to confirm that info since he knows all sorts of weird info about the TL's, plus he can get all sorts of stuff for you too. Good luck!

Wampum

He quoted $60 plus I think he said $9 for shipping.

Not sure if I am going to go for them yet. I am trying to get rims. I was going to get my springs install today but the shopped was booked. So I have to wait till Monday for it to happen.

Din

Ok cool, well if you know anyone let me know.




<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Din on April 27, 2001 @ ]</font>

97slammedTL

Oh ok , wow that sucks though. They will still make an improvement though. Eibach has a good rep.....