What up, just wanted to introduce myself...I've been a long time lurker and now I'm an official owner. I just got a black/black TL Type-s w/ 110,000 miles. It was a 1 owner so its been taken care of. I am scheduled to get the whole 105K service done next week and then will be putting in my XM sat radio that I had in my Maxima. I'm thinking about doing an iPhone auxiliary maybe...

Any other Mods I should consider?? I'm still getting used to the ride but I can tell right now I'm not a fan of the steering...it seems too "luxury-ish" like a buick or something. I want something more responsive. Is there an ECU mod for this?? The ride seems kind of rough but I think its cuz I put too much air in the tires. Anyway, any other mods I should think about??

 

start with tinting your windows for kicks, and get an intake system. just began modding my tl too. really its bare stock plus the new intake, works wonders. great sound too

 

Oh yeah, I'm getting my windows tinted right after I get the 105k service done. Its a must with black/black.

 

Welcome to the club

 

electric turbo charger and false hood scoop!

 

The best and most common mod for a 2nd gen TL is a new transmission. Start saving now.

 

I'm still getting used to the ride but I can tell right now I'm not a fan of the steering...it seems too "luxury-ish" like a buick or something. I want something more responsive. Is there an ECU mod for this?? The ride seems kind of rough but I think its cuz I put too much air in the tires. Anyway, any other mods I should think about??[/QUOTE]

I felt the same way about the steering when I got my 99. My old Accord seemed more precise and it took awhile to get use to the steering and feel of the TL being a heavier bigger car. It sure handles better than the 91 Accord but yes, it had a bigger luxury car feel. I noticed that in the steering especially. You'll get use to it.

 

Welcome!

 

lol...true that...I'm saving up for that just in case as well.

 

If you stick around for a while, you won't even need to ask what to do next...

 

So there is no mod to tighten up the steering? Oh well, I'm getting used to it now. I just figured the Type-S model had more sporty/responsive handling. The suspension is what I expected so far though...

 

Congrats on the new car

The first things I would recommend doing is some preventive maintenance change oil to synthetic, transmission oil, bleed brake lines, pads, rotors, abs fluid, tires and such. Some of it seems a bit over board but it will help the car last longer since the last person never did. Better safe then sorry especially the transmission fluid since 2gen tl have tranny issues.

With ther steering there isn't much you can do besides bigger sway bars, upper strutbar, coilovers, not sure if anything else.

 

flush the ps fluid- do it twice to clean it nice- easy DIY
Use Honda PS fluid, same as acura but 2 bucks cheaper

Put cardboard under front wheels to make it easy to turn them

tire pressure is a percentage of actual weight on tire vs their max load and pressure
subtract the differance for starting point
example- 50 psi max- car weight is 80% of load rated 50psi -20%=40
may go up or down a few psi depending on tire and driving style but thats a good start

get to know your tires

has anyone sent OP to seafoam diy yet?

 

o seafoam thats a good idea 01tl4tl. It will bring back some power and help run much smoother. I personally would upgrade the brakes a bit, at least better rotors and ebc brake pads as the stock brakes to me to me at least, sucked ass

 

Thanks for the tips. I'm having a bunch of stuff done in the 105k service so I might hold off on the tranny fluid. Once my mechanic gives me the specifics on my brakes, I might upgrade those too...they seem kinda weak for a "sporty" model car.

My Sunroof wind deflector and VSM mount (for XM radio) should come next Tuesday so I will be good to go after next week (getting 20% tint too)!! I'm excited!

As for the steering...I'm starting to get used to the less responsiveness. I find that once I gun it, the car handles/corners pretty nicely on the stock set up. I love the way the engine sounds when I'm pushing it.

I'm considering this seafoam stuff too...I've never heard of it until I came here but it sounds like its pretty good.

 

its been around since 1950 so it does work

ck your owner manual as it may differ by year- I believe my 01 tightens the steering at freeway speeds and increases its output at parking lot speed--I think~

 

who doesn't like the sound of VTEC? lmao welcome!!!

 

Be careful with pushing the car to much since the auto tranny is like glass.

 

There actually is a great difference in steering responsiveness between the type s and p...The tl-p is much more dampened and has a MUCH more luxurious feel. The type s is a rougher, harder and more responsive ride.
I still live with my parents. They have an 03 tl-p and I have an 02 tl-s. I drive them both on a regular basis, and you can most def. feel the difference.

And yes, the growl of the a2's are incredible.

 

I think that is due to a stiffer suspension in the type-s and bigger sway bars. If you want type-s feeling with a tl-p just need the suspension and sway bar. Not sure about the strut bar but someone can jump in on that. The bigger wheels contribute to the stiffer ride also but not all that much.

 

Just had a TON of stuff done and now my new TLS rides like a CHAMP!

105k service included:
new spark plugs
new timing belt/water pump
balance/rotate all tires
replaced oil, tranny fluid, coolant, brake fluid, etc.
new front brakes
new air filter
new AC filter

basically, they replaced everything for me and told me I'd be good to go for another 100k miles.

After all that, its a way smoother ride than before and is a lot faster. They told me one of my rims is bent though...the put it on the back and now there is no vibration at high speeds. They also told me there was some hose/wire disconnected that was preventing the VTEC from kicking in at higher RPMs...not sure why it was disconnected but now I don't hear the engine roar as much...its much quieter but FASTER. It could be all the other stuff that is making it quiet though.

Anyway, I have a feeling I'm gonna love this car and drive the hell out of it now!

 

Maybe don't drive the hell out of it but do enjoy the power every now and then. If you push it and have a tranny like s lotta people in the tranny failure thread, you won't be happy with it for long..LOL Whenever you do get around to replacing tranny fluid, make sure it's just a drain and refill. NO FLUSH or it will speed up tranny failure...

 

They did a tranny fluid replace with the 105k service...not sure if it was a total flush though. I doubt it cuz they specialize in Acuras so they should know better.

I tell you what though...its HARD not to drive this thing like speed racer! I love this car! Just got my XM hardwire installed and added a sunroof wind deflector...once I get my tint tomorrow, I'll post pics.

This forum is the bomb too...I didn't even have to start a new thread when I was looking for questions about my XM install. Just did a search and voila! found my answers.

 

finally someone who uses the search button before asking a question. Congrats to you and thank you from everyone here.

 

there are several mods to a type P that will stiffen the suspension (Tein$$) or tighten cars overall response with just a lower crossbar (cusco)- under 100 dollars

first mod to my 01 was lower crossbar- even the wife could tell the difference~

If the trans was ever replaced- the vtec power wire has been left off before
ck main bolt heads on trans- painted blue? acura warranty trans

Everyone:
register with acura so any future recall notices are sent to you 1-800-328-2238x5
there is a new one for some of us gen2 on airbag inflator recall.
that 800 number can also tell you if the trans was replaced and when

 

a nice shock/spring setup will do you real good. then do neuspeed upper strutbar, followed by comptech front and rear sway bars. that should tighten up your steering.

engine wise look into intake, headers, pullies, manifold and tb spacers, exhaust, high flow cat. i think thats it if im not mistaken.

brakes looking into a Legend type II caliper conversion

 

welcome

and to everyone else. missed you crazy fools. (no homo)

 

^Welcome back!! Bet you were lost without AZ in your life..

 

i was more productive at work for 3 weeks thats for sure.

HT gets old really fast

 

Well, I should change the title of this thread...my tranny just went out yesterday. It sucks but I have to get it redone...after I've owned the care 2.5 weeks!! I f'in hate acura now. I know, I know...I should have known that these cars had transmission issues but still. I thought my stuff would be covered by the warranty extension. Its not...I'm just over the 109k so after I called acura they said hells no. I talked to 3 different people to no avail. Oh well, this new tranny has a 3 yr, 36k mile warranty so I'm gonna drive the hell out of it...just to punish it! Then I'm gonna sell in 2 years.

SMH...I thought I was getting a deal by getting this 1 owner car for $8500 but now I'm in for an additional $4000 + $1500 for the 105k service. That's $14,000!! I could have just bought a newer TL-S for that! I feel like driving that car off a bridge now...

 

ouch thats rough. i have heard dealers cutting some slack if youre just over well atleast around here. maybe its time for a manual swap?