Car: 2003 Acura TL 3.2 (non sport) stock

Newbie to performance upgrades. Not a newbie to working on cars. Above average car knowledge. Not interested in modifications that will make my car look our sound better unless they result in a performance increase. That being said, can anyone suggest some good initial modifications I can make to my Acura? Looking to spend less than $300 possible.

 

Progress RSB.

 

remove intake resonator box- install K&N air filter $60

seafoam gas and manifold $15
clean egr system $15
replace spark plugs $50

cusco lower frame crossbar tightens car up in quick lane changes,,,under 100 dollars

 

get some headers, best bang for the buck

 

progress 24mm rear sway bar, humongous increase in handling. probably one of the best mods iv done for the money.

 

+1 on the rear sway with Moog endlinks or used DC sport headers. You could also go with a set of Xs headers from SS Autochrome for 120 bucks shipped. It says out of stock, but they actually have stock and members are buying sets (great value, solid quality). You could do both xs headers and a rear sway (w/endlinks) for 300 bucks and drastically increase handling and power. Bam, done.

 

AEM cold air intake $250 roughly

 

for the price/gains.. not worth it imo..

i would rather get set of used headers.

 

Sale your car get something better...

JK


intake isn't worth it.. IMO

 

wheres a good place to get the progress 24mm sway bar and moog endlinks?? heeltoe?? or??

 

vendors...

 

^ really??? just wondering which one...

 

Upgrade Both, not just the rear.

 

huh? upgrade both front and rear sawybars?? if so.. what site has the combo with the moog endlinks?? want to compile my order to the smallest shipping possible.. so if ther is a site i can get them all that would be great

 

Is there a noticeable difference in the header install?

 

How is the performance increase(in purported H.P. if anyone knows that) if i were to do a set of used headers, mid muffler delete (how do i do this myself), intake resonator delete (how do i do this myself), rear and front sway bars with those moog endlinks (what are they), seafoam gas and manifold (how do i do the seafoam on the manifold, i know how to do it on the gas: 1/2 tank to 1 can twice for best results [ty to 01tl4tl for that one]), and an EGR system clean (how-to)? I'm a total noob and really appreciate any response that is from someone who has done these things!

 

Honestly it's easier to have a shop do the mid muffler it sounds like it shouldn't be more than 60 bucks(I am waiting until my headers arrive and i will have a shop install both because the amount of rust i have on the underside of my car thanks to all those winters is astounding.), headers on the other hand you can do yourself its just gonna be a pain but since you live in plano you shouldn't have too much rust hopefully. However intake resonator delete is a different story there is a DIY on how to but it is essentially a big piece of plastic that does nothing but quiet the car in the front left wheel well remove some bolts and you're done i didn't remove my bumper to do it just pulled the left side back and reached in there it took me about 20 minutes and a K&N filter install took 5. Seafoam I honestly think you should just do the gas tank method the vac line method scared the hell out of me my car was in a really bad way afterward luckily installing new sparks and an oil change 5 minutes after fixed everything or else I would be very upset right now. EGR is something I am waiting on till I get Thermobloc spacers but it requires you taking off your IM and shooting the EGR valve with carb cleaner, it shouldn't take too long. There is a excellent DIY if you're interested.

 

Also the resonator removal not only makes the car sound awesome but with the K&N filter and it removed I am definitely getting much better MPG's and although I am sure it's only a slight hp increase it feels like 50 to me. Well that's actually an exaggeration but whatever.

 

Hey I'm new to the forums. Just inherited 99 TL-p with 168xxx. Just wanted to know is it even worth modding engine parts like headers etc. the only thing i have on the car are h-tech springs

 

financially no.

but its up to you.

 

Thanks for the advice Katabic.

 

do you know much about the aem v2? will it increase mpg and is it worth the $300?

 

How much the aem v2 what? It allegedly increases HP by 10, but I doubt it. I would say 5-7hp.

No noticeable MPG gain.

 

Sorry Im a total noob to the acura scene, but what is a TL-P? I have a Type-S, so would the P be a base model?

 

so would you say that would be worth the money? Im debating on whether to get that or a good set of headers. any thoughts?

 

get the headers instead.

 

Seafoam- https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...52#post2033721

EGR port clean - https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...67&postcount=8

And for the mid muffler delete and exhaust resonator delete you can take it to a local exhaust shop and probably get it done for really cheap. From what Ive read only like $60 or so.

 

Or here's just the entire 2G TL DIY section https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/

 

TL-P is the TL Premium (Base model), and the TL-S is the Type S.

BTC

 

I done my mid muffler delete on my 99 and I love the way it sounds now, gives it a nice tone at all ranges with stock mufflers.