Ok guys i have a dilemma on my hands.... i have a 2002 NBP acura tl-p and i NEED to make it look good and fast! But i have one problem. I dont know where to start. I currently have 300 dollars in my paypal and i want to buy something but i dont know what to buy. Ima have another 700 the first week of september to spend on it. SO what should i buy like this week? It is completely stock except h.i.d.s and tint.. so what should i do?!?!

Thanks Guys!
-Ryan

 

buy a buffer and some polishing compounds plus good synthetic car wax for final finish-
removes all the swirls and badness in the paint

that will make the car LOOK good fast!
See section for wash and wax- lots of info there

seafoam the gas 1 can to half tank, and master vac port- that will make it run better
You may be ready for new spark plugs too
all that returns it to like new running and looking

 

^^^ what he said. Also, its your car, why ask people what to do with it. Make it so it satisfies you and not others. People tell me to make mines lower and i tell them to shove it up theirs.

 

I always like performance.

 

your thread title is a really good question, but it really depends on what you want or what satisfies you. you can make your car look fast by making it look good. so i'd say mod the exterior first. then work your way to engine/performance mods.

first thing i would do to the car is lower it. you get both looks and performance. pick up a set of function and form type 1 coils and you're good to go

 

ur gonna need more money than that to make it fast. ur a P so ur already behind in power compared to the S.
underdrive crank pulley, headers, intake, exhaust

 

Personally I would go for looks first. But, I'm not into the performance side of these cars, I like to think of it more as a luxury vehicle than a racer.

 

like Rajca said, youre already a TL-P so spending a few hundred on some "performance" part that you will barely feel doesnt make any sense to me. i guess you could get an intake, but dont waste money on a new AEM or Injen. just get used, or go for an ebay CAI with a decent K&N/AEM cone filter. if you want performance youre gonna have to spend big bucks. if i were you id go all for aesthetics. get a lip kit.

 

Go for cosmetics first. This car can be fast, but you'll be spending a buttload of money doing it though.

 

I'm in total agreeance here too. Way much more money needed to up the performance of these engines. Like 01tl4tl said get a good buffer and polish the sh*t out of it. That will make the paint pop plus get exterior mods. Lip kit, fogs, wheels and tires, some like spoilers and visors, blacked out tailights, lots of led mods too. That will make the outside bang!

 

In my opinion, I would...

1. Remove intake Resonator - FREE
2. K&N Air Filter - $50.00 (at autozone, pepboys, etc...)
3. Tint the tail lights - $ 25.00 (if you do it yourself, and buy the tinting spray)
4. Wax and Wash the car like the rest of the guys said already ( $50.00, in products)
5. HID Fogs upgrade - ( $100.00 - on ebay for 2 bulbs and a full decent HID kit for the fogs.
6. Paint the Housing of the Headlights - ($25.00 - for all of the paint and material needed)
7. Debadge the Car - ( Free )
8. $50.00 extra save it, or buy your girl a nice gift

I hope this info helped you,
another route you could take is buying TSUDO Axle back exhaust which will run you about 300 and some change.

Keep us updated!

 

i personally never saw the TL as something i wanted to increase performance on...

all of my money went into cosmetic and i was never unhappy with the car. b/c for what i used it for, it didnt need to be fast...

with some cars my objective is to make the car fast and handle like crazy..... the TL was not one of those cars...

i believe i got more pleasure out of making my TL look unique rather than putting I/H/E/P that i would have never utilized...

 

Everyone, I appreciate the quick replies! I love this forum!
I agree that looks should be first. I have already polished and waxed thoroughly so thats out of the way. i do need a new hood and a few minor dents to be popped out but thats no biggie. I was thinkin about the tsudo axleback because it does look nice and gives a nice look and its CHEAP!!
Now another thing i am wondering is that here in Missouri the winters can be pretty harsh.. kinda a hit and miss type situation. So that being said should i go ahead and get the lip kit and lower and stuff or what? On days it snows i can probably borrow my grandpas truck and garage my car.... Just let me know guys! I am really wanting to get a lot of positive attention with my car!

 

Also guys.. i have NEVER bought rims before so i need some major help on that. I am buying rims before a lip kit. I just think a lip with oem rims would look gay lol. I dont wanna spend over a grand on rims and tires. I am wanting 19s or 18s but i dont want rubbing.... Idk if thats possible? I want chrome rims. I NEED PEOPLE TO SHOW ME A FEW RIMS AND TIRES I SHOULD GET! I want the experience help on azine!
Thanks a Bunch!
-Ryan

 

I personally like chrome wheels, but most of the guys on this forum hate them. Everyone will try to talk you out of them. Stay true to yourself, if you want chrome, get chrome. Basic five star chromies look the best on these cars imo.

 

well if i could can i get some links or something to some rims??? i want something that looks sporty and classy..

 

snow in Missouri You are to far south to really worry about snow that would effect you. Im lowered and have never had a problem, even in 14" snow storms.


Honestly, your best bet is to learn to use the search feature. You will get answers faster. You can look for every subject and then if you have questions ask. Look in the rim threads, and the Picture threads for ideas.

Yes 18s and 19s are possible without rubbing. Just get the correct offset. (again, look in the wheels and tires subforum for answers and guidelines to start with)

 

I was jus mentioning the snow because i would hate to get my lip kit or somethign messed up lol. but at least i have nothing to worry about now! I will search around and talk to people that have setups like i am interested in..

 

make the car look good, paint any faded trim, wax/claybar, blackout headlights/grill. paint the engine covers. cold air intake is the only engine mode iv done. this can all be done for under 300 easy.

also cheap performance modes: suspension kits (only shock and spring kits are "cheap" i guess), rear sway bar, better brakes.

go fast modes are pointless unless you can go around corner and stop. keep that in mind too.

 

I'm a fan of looks. Performance always end up costing more.

If you want people to show you rims you should get you going to have a bigger head ache. Find something that you like. Cheap rims and tires search ebay. Sometimes you can get rims and tires shipped 18's for under $500. Now personally I think rims without a drop looks gay. Lip kit with stock wheels really don't look bad on our cars. Not a fan of chrome but I have been persuaded other wise by members on here (02ACTcLean). So I would look into the Function and Form type 1 coilovers (kinda stiff ride but good price around $500-$600) Or you can get some lowering springs for now which can range from $150-$400 or so.

If you are worried about messing up your kit def make sure you get either the OEM lip kit or Wing West kit. They are both made out of poly urethane and basically indistructable. But keep in mind you have to pay to play you are looking at $700-$1000 for the kit.

 

Thanks a lot guys!!! What type of paint do i use to paint the side dorr vinyl? They are all faded and it looks like shit!

I am ready to pay for the lip kit that is for sure!! I LOVE the way they look!

The rims i am gunna find something like josh had on his tl... I loved the racing harts he had. the ones with the multiple spokes!

Im not quite sure if i wanna paint the headlights black or not.... i think it gives it kinda a classy look stock... but idk yet...

i am definately thinking the first mod is to buy soem lowerign springs! I NEED SUGGESTIONS!!!! i want them for under 200 for front and rear and i dont wanna worry about rubbing with 18s or 19s.... Any suggestions guys?

 

Missouri gets snow? lol

If you're worried about messing up a lip kit in winter....take it off before the snow hits.

May I ask why you want it faster?

All I wanna say is if you have money to spend, use it wisely. It sounds like you're not seeking anything in specific and just want to blow the money you're about to get on your car. Make sure you've got the basics taken care of before you start modding. You could do a lot with a thousand bucks...

With lowering springs, some would argue that you'll need some aftermarket shocks to go with them. Would be hard pressed to find a set of springs/shocks for under 200.

 

well yeah man.. i jus wanna blow it on my car. i guess i should start with lowering.. that would be most practical. can i use stock shocks with aftermarket springs?

 

how many miles on your car? If you have over 100k I wouldn't really suggest putting the springs on the struts with that many miles, they MIGHT hold up...they MIGHT NOT. I wouldn't advise taking the chance.

 

i currently have 77k man... Is it just a better idea to spend the money and get coilovers?

 

Coilover ftw

 

Im looking for soem funtion and form type 1s right now!!! wait till my chekc is in the bank and bam! I CANT WAIT!!!

 

Performance...
But, when you slam the car, you get the best of both worlds...Better cornering and greatness aesthetics wise.

 

Slamming the car doesn't make it handle better

 

Let me clarify...When I said slamming it, I meant lowering it, nothing drastic. And I never said it handles better, it corners better, or at least it feels more confident in corners...Obviously all the chassis bracing, roll bars, etc will make it feel great, but lowering is a start.

 

yep, instead of trying to take a corner fast (the whole reason for lowering) you are slowing down so that you don't scrape so much.

 

Im pretty damn excited to order the coilovers lol. I want the damn 4x4 status GONE!!!! And on coilovers cant u adjust the heighth so like in the winter when it snows u can raise back up?

 

yes u can. just spray some lube, or pb blast on the threads every few months so they dont seize up.

 

well sounds easy enough lol..

I have 300 in my paypal now.. im getting around 700 for my paycheck in a few weeks... since 300 wont cover the coilovers should i use the 300 now on something like drilled/slotted rotors or what? I NEED TO BUY SOMETHING! lol

 

nsx/ legend dual piston calipers with some sticker pads (i love ebc red stuff) and some slotted rotors

 

can i get that for 300? and where can i find that stuff? I looked ebay but i dont want junk... any links to the red calipers and what not? I LOVE RED AND HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE RED CALIPERS!!! lol

 

rockauto.com I thing. Ebc for the pads. Give or take a bit but right atound 300

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

these calipers? on top?

 

does show anything. direct link or print screen

 

i believe its these. ur u search on here u will find the part number and all the info
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=984836
$77 after core