i recently got a 2002 tl type-s and im new to all of this stuff.
If you could comment on what im about do with this car i'd be grateful.

in order of what i have to do

1. replace left headlight (the right headlight was previously replaced so the left headlight looks hella dirty) ~$100
2. replace front rotors (slotted rotors) and brake pads ~$150
3. delete mid-muffler ~$50
4. buy and install f&f1 coilovers ~$600+$200
5. corner balancing and alignment ~$200
6. rims ~$800
7. tint ~$150

for a total of ~$2250.

 

wetsand left headlight, polish it up.

800 for rims is cheap. i hope you're not getting some funky ass rims.

 

1. Don't buy new headlights just because their dirty. You can clean them back to brand new looking.

3. Ripping you off

5. I recommend you get a lifetime wheel alignment. It's less than $200, and it usually pays for itself after 2 uses. I've saved a loooot of money.

+Intake resonator delete ~$Free

 

corner balancing, also know as corner weighting, is way different than firestones lifetime alignment

with adjustable coilover shocks the OP plans to install- you put a scale under each wheel and adjust the actual height of the shock spring assembly until the weight is where you want--as weight transfers to opposite corner
That gives the car perfect balance for things like auto-x racing
It also leaves the car sitting a little funky as balanced is not the same as looks level~

 

put 2500 away for that trans rebuild

 

if the headlight lens has mositure inside--you need a new housing or DIY repair this one and reseal

if just cloudy get a headlight restoration kit- 10-20 dollars and attaches to your cordless drill
see our diy for more info
Note: it may have 1 new bulb with that new housing,,compare light color and output
always want to replace in pairs so they stay equal
Most of gen2 is ready for bulbs or on new ones already

 

thanks guys.

i just restored my headlights using turtle wax's headlight lens restoration kit for $8.99 at autozone. SWEET. its not perfect like the new headlight, but 95% similar. niceEEE

 

when do u think my transmission will go out. it has 81000 miles on it and it has been brought to the dealership for the transmission recall.

 

OH, I see. Thanks for the info. I don't know anything about suspension, yet.

 

the recall has nothing to do with the clutch wearout failure,,, which you are right in the mileage zone for
starts happening around 60...mine went at 68,,other get 80-100..maybe a little more

a rare few are well into the 100s with original trans
ck for blue bolt heads on trans, meaning warranty replaced unit

change 3 qts fluid, external filter and shift selenoids
see diy threads for help

 

if first treatment made headlight lens better- do it again,,
the plastic will look worse at first, then get clearer and cleaner as you go

 

Ook thanks. aww man, i dont wanna spend money replacing the transmission yet. hopefully it'll last. did it cost 2500 to fix?

 

typical repair cost reported on here range from a low of 1800 (may have been trans only -no install), a norm of 2300-2800 and high of 3400,,those are `installed` numbers

all depends on how many bad parts are inside- with auto trans, there is just no telling without tearing it all apart and start cking and measuring things

acura gets 4 grand +++ to sell and install a rebuilt unit of their own as comparson

 

see the main `Tranny Failure Thread` for description of 2nd and 3rd gear clutch pack issues and early wearout

avoid using SS mode to do high rpm downshifts into 3rd and 2nd = to prevent excess wear

 

if you have a late sale 02 (sold in 03) there is a chance its still under the special trans warranty of 7 years 9 months or 109kmiles (some Vins with odometer error court case get 114.5 indicated miles) of course its which ever occurs first time or miles and is from date car first sold new- acura care has that date on file

register with acura care as new owner and ask about that,, and any `open recalls`need to be completed--
airbag inflator is the most recent recall, and still has cars not come in for it!!

1 800 382 2238x5 usa cars
1 888 9acura9 canada cars

 

sweet thanks bro.

 

learned alot

 

lets hope for a freebie trans~ or a long healthy life of the present unit!!

 

install the coilovers yourself. its too easy to give to someone else.

 

corner balancing is a little bit involved then most people do...

first major sign of failure on mine was at like 93k, with being able to get 120k of it, before replaced it (but 5th gear was basically shot though, not the norm though)

it will get better, but will still never be as good as the newer one though

LMFAO, using actually probably made my trans last longer due to not being in 5th as much as normally (but as said not the normal failure point

 

yo i went 2 the shop 2 get my resignator taken out and the guy said not 2 do it bec it wont really give me anything performance wise and theres a chance it will backfire this true?

 

most people do it for the sound then anything


as far as back firing LMFAO, not going to happen VERY easily on a fuel injected car, without a tune (and ALOT more mods)

 

Thats when I would tell him to shut up and do it anyways.