I have a really dumb question since I am still new to this car and message board. I have a 2000 TL. What is the difference in my engine and one in an 02 Type-S? I know the horsepower and torque is greater on the S, but the engine looks exactly the same and is the same size?

Also I'm having hell trying to find a body shop that can re-paint my fenders and match them exactly. I have the white diamond pearl, and one shop wants $1400. For some reason, whoever painted the bumper cover at the dealer did the fenders as well. I guess they were just scratched b/c they are the original fenders, so no evidence of an accident on the front end that me or any of the body shops could find. They are just slightly off color and no one notices it but me but it drives me nuts. Anybody else have problems doing paintwork on their white diamond? One shop told me that color can't be perfectly matched.

 

Yeah trust me I can vouch for your problem. It is the worst color to match!! Just to give you an idea, the OEM body Kit that I have, doesnt even match my car, and it came directly from Acura. However, the only guy that I trust with my paint job, is a guy in Canada, that I got my spoiler from and he matched my spoiler to my car A++++++++++++++ perfect!!! Better than my body kit matches my car!!!!!!! I was amazed!!!!!!!!

So if you really want to do it, then I mean you can ship the fenders to him and have it painted, and what not, it might cost you about the same cuz he will do it for me for a cheaper price, but then the cheap price is offset by shipping costs. If you're interested then I guess just shoot me a PM.

But as far as bodyshops, its a hit or miss with them matching your paint. I had a small section on my rear bumper cover painted by my body shop, and if you scrutinze it, you can tell that the paint is ever so slightly off.

 

Welcome!
you can always do a search on this site which is really helpfull to find usefull info. as for the differences in the engines, the TL-P (regular TL, not the type-s) has a differnet intake system or throttle body than the type-s, a different exhaust system, and the displacement or something internal is different in the engine. sorry, i forgot what it was exactly. both engines are still 3.2L tho. i'm sure someone else can clarify what the exact differences are, but just search and you will find lots of good stuff. good luck with the TL!

 

Thanks for the info. Although I'm a perfectionist, $1,400 to correct a minor problem w/ color matching just isn't worth it. If you guys' have the same problem and let it go, I will as well. I'm graduating college next week and I need the money for other important things. Love the car so far though. Bought it last month, 2000 w/ 36k miles on it, paid $16,500 + taxes and fees. Not a hell of a deal but its a great car. Will keep it for about 3 years and move up to an 03 Type-S. Thanks

 

I didnt wnat to post up the info before, because I didnt get his approval on this job yet, but here is the info for those who are interested. If you really want a good paint match.

Call Ron up and tell him that you were referred from me (Raj) and you are a part of the TL forum. His number is 877-230-1192 and he's also the guy that a lot of us got our spoilers from as part of the group buy. If you wanted a TL spoiler, he's the guy to talk to. He will also sell you the torsion bars.. .and the price is just unbelievable!! And if you do get the spoiler get the clear Lens.. for an extra 15 bux I think, or lens alone is 30 bux.. still cheaper than everyone else.

He's a great honest guy, who will make you feel comforatable with ur purchase, so trust me... Im sure all the other guys can vouch.

Ne wayz good luck.

 

Also keep in mind that repainting parts of the car with fresh paint won't match due to UV and the environment fading the original paint over time. Someone would need to match it to the current tone of the paint as opposed to the exact colour from a bottle that it came out of from the factory. So if they didn't take the time to change their paint colour around according the specific condition of your paint at this time, it won't match.

 

Both the TL-P and TL-S engines are the same (3.2liters). What makes the Type-S faster is a dual-stage intake manifold and a higher compression ratio (TL-P 9.8:1 TL-S 10.5:1).

 

The only dumb question, my friend, is the one that was never asked....

Welcome to the board, and may you have many, many moons of good reading and posting. And may your ownership of your new chariot be much more pleasurable than the ordinary joe.... :toothless