premiumspeed

Any help from the expert acura tl 2gen. I got an tlp 99 looking for ways to make that bby run faast

3.2TLc

Welcome Premiumspeed !!!
So, ya want some cheap ways to make your TL a bit faster ?
Check out previous threads on performance mods for ideas on how to get the biggest bang from your buck on adding a few parts for more HP.

Biggest thing is to make sure that your car is operating at a peak level presently. Sometimes a general tune-up with NGK plugs and basic general PM cleaning of key engine parts will go a long way.

Depending upon how much money ya have to spend, along with your DIY ability.....check out headers and intakes first to get the car breathing.

HairyMonkey019

iTrader: (7)

Type S intake Manifold.

Nicks2001tl

Welcome to Acurazine!


The most inexpensive route to take is as stated a drop in filter K&N and NGK Iridium plugs.


If you were to do the plugs run a 1/2 can of seafoam through the vacuum lines before installing the plugs. Cleans all the carbon deposits, and smokes up the neighborhood pretty good.


Sky is the limit when it`s time to mod your car. Start with the basics and run from there.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if I had a 2G TL, the first thing I'd do is swap in a six speed.

this probably would be the cheapest way to make the thing quicker.

3.2TLc

Hey Crabmaster, ya know that the first thing that you'd do would be to dump the '99 and get a 3rd Gen with a stick like ya already have.

Really, that would be cheaper and more easier than then the 6 speed swap in the long run. Plus the styling, ahhh.....!!!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you think?
lol my car cost me $23k back in 2010....
and I could probably sell it for at least 15.
its a really great condition car.

I have seen some 3G TL's go for $6-10k, but that would be still too expensive for the OP.

with the six speed swap, you could get it done for in the range of $2500 -3000, cheaper if you do the work yourself.

and be one of the quickest 2nd gen TL's in his neighborhood

3.2TLc

My point was that I doubt that Premiumspeed is looking to spend $3000 on a '99 TL that isn't worth any more than $3000.
He's average joe..... low budget, +/- $1000 !!!

So really, and I sincerely think that an '04 TL with a stick could be purchased for about $6000......so why would anybody consider spending big bucks on an older gen TL.....when they could jump up to a 3G with all of it's improvements. IE: 6 speed and newer sportier styling to boot.

Ya know what I'm sayin', crabs didn't get into your head yet, did they ???

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

what I'm saying is that the six speed swap would be more beneficial than any other mods.

headers, exhaust can quickly climb into the 1000 dollar range and not make the car any quicker...

Nicks2001tl

Yeah and after the six speed swap for 3000.00 put in a super charger for 5000.00 full body kit (oem)for 1500.00 and your golden.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

fuck the super charger, that piece of crap sucks.

Nicks2001tl

For 5000 American dollars ouch! Low mile second gen TL`s go for that.

premiumspeed

What engine parts do i have to clean? And im thinking of getting an cai would that be a good idea?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if all you want is to spend about 250-300 dollars on something that just makes noise, go ahead....
you can achieve the same thing by removing the resonator for free.

to me, that $250-300 can be used for something else other than the cold air intake...

headers can be found for $300 and up.
and would be the best "power adder" as you'll see an increase of about 15 horses.
but again, to marginally make the car a little faster and im talking about a very little increase, you're gonna spend upwards of a thousand dollars.

premiumspeed

Ok good one. So a cai wouldnt give me any hp?

premiumspeed

So im screwed with trying to build a racecar lol

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the best upgrade for your racecar would be to swap the 5speed auto out for a 6MT.

for the price of a full exhaust plus headers and cold air intake, you're looking at a faster car already.

gearing and weight make a car faster as well as pure hp.

the six speed manual has an mechanical advantage over the 5speed auto which is leaps and bounds better!
while shaving off couple hundreds of pounds.

these 2 are a recipe for greatness!

premiumspeed

What year 6speed should i get? And what year of the type s intake manifold will fit?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^i would make sure that this is something that you want to do and is your goal.

if not, just keep the car as is and keep it healthy by maintaining it.

premiumspeed

Yes ofcourse it is my goal. Im looking to do all the work on it myself

Nicks2001tl

There are a few things you can do to get optium performance from your TL. It starts with some throttle body cleaner, brake cleaner and seafoam.


Engine cleaning:
1. Clean the egr ports and and valve.
2. Clean the throttle body and oil the hinges that holds the throttle plate.
3. Clean the Iacv valve
4. Seafoam through vacuum line 1/2 can (before new plugs are put in)
5. Seafoam 1/2 can in gas tank.
6. Lube the throttle springs.
7. Seafoam 1/2 can in crankcase before oil change (drive no less than 30 miles and no more than 100 miles before oil change)


Note: These things should get your car to drive better, get better gas mileage and generally improve the quality of your car. Check the DIY section for in depth step by steps.

premiumspeed

Preciate yall. Good look

03blackbeast

I would just pop off the lower intake resonator. I got power gains and sound gain from that. I believe it also boosted mpg's. Its on the driver side behind the bumper. There's 2 bolts that hold it on and it pops right out. Bumper slides off real easy on these cars. I'd also recommend the Shell V power 93 octane. The car burns through it alot quicker and you may lose mpg's but that sucker will fly with that stuff in it.

Nicks2001tl

You can also take off the intake resonator by remove the plastic wheel cover and removing the two bolts 10mm they are on the top side of the resonator.

Nicks2001tl

A race car=fine tuning and dollars and many mods.


There are a couple of guys on here that race their TL`s.

3.2TLc

.................. .....save your money for a real racecar !!!

premiumspeed

So i just take he resonator off and dont have to replace anything?

Nicks2001tl

Yes.

premiumspeed

.Ok intake resonator delete was a success

lowtones

Some pretty crazy advice in this thread. Cheap and real horsepower gains don't normally pan out. A couple of posts were spot on by suggesting that you make sure that what you have now is in peak condition and working as it should. From there, just looking at horsepower, get what you have breathing better with a cold-air-intake and exhaust upgrades; headers if you can afford it. After you get it breathing, then look at your plugs. But remember that plugs and wires go hand in hand and the resistance can change with your plugs. If you take it too far out of spec, the coils may or may not keep up. Much more than this and you'll need to get your check book out. Oh, someone said "f" the super charger? I put one in my 2003 TL-S when I bought it new. My last dyno was 348 ponies and except for having to change the belt and pulley a couple of times and the oil in the charger, it's been very reliable and I have 216,000 plus on it now. If only the TL-S was a rear-wheel drive but from a rolling start, it holds its own and some. Good luck!

Nicks2001tl

Welcome to Acurazine!


A super charger is an expensive upgrade to any vehicle. The op stated that he wanted to find an inexpensive way to get some horsepower out of his ride.

ErickUa5

Guys your forgetting its a 99er the odd ball TL
in my opinion this is what I would do

Drain and fill ATF DW1 (The trans will thank you)
P2R Thermal gaskets (Reduces intake temperature)
Coolant Bypass (reduce intake temps even more)
Remove intake resonator (better flow but you will hear a slight humm at idle)
Remove unnecessary weight (not saying remove seats lol but stuff in the trunk)
Look into a Lightweight battery (probably the most expensive option of this list)
I wouldn't bother with the exhaust except for the headers.

HairyMonkey019

iTrader: (7)

Like I said.... Type S Intake Manifold.... so you can get that butterfly

ErickUa5

Thats another option but you will need the fuel rails, upper and lower part of the intake and injectors I think.