Hello all,

First time on this site. I've had a 2002 TL-S for about 8 months now outside of a tire and rims issue have loved it. I'd like to start adding some performance items to make it a little more fun. I'm curious about cold air, underdrive pulley system. etc. I live in Michigan so I have to deal with the weather. where do I start.

JC

 

Welcome to the forum. You dont have to worry about any issues of where you live. Headers Intake, and pulley are the best places to start. It doesn't matter which you do first. All result in gains. Header being the most.

 

General consensus here (based on what I've read):

Intake = Comptech Icebox, Injen, or AEM
Header = XS (eBay), Comptech, or DC Sport
Crank Pulley or Set = Unorthodox Racing

I started with the Comptech Icebox and will probably go with the UR crank pulley next. Perform searches on this forum and you'll find a vast number of threads that will educate you on every conceivable mod. Also, if you get serious about purchasing parts, look in the Black Market or contact Excelerate. He's an AZ sponser that has great customer service and prices for almost all of the above mentioned products.

 

word, i agree with the above post, i just bought a AEM V2 CAI from him, best price that i found thus far. good luck and have fun!

 

then you need to change your sig.

 

I appreciate everyone getting back to me. My concern with adding headers would be excessive noise. I work in a professional enviorment and sometimes entertain clients. I can't have a obnoxious sounding car when I go out for lunch.

Does the kind of CAI really make a difference? I've found a lot of inexpensive intakes, and AEM's are usually more.

 

Well if you are worried about excessive noise just get headers and the crank pulley and not the intake. I understand what you mean, that is why I sold my cold air intake because the roar was unbearable.

 

Well the cheaper headers do make some noise. They have a wooshing sound in earlier RPM's or a resonace. The only headers to date not to produce any real noise over stock are the Comtpech's. They are the most expensive though but they are the best quality.

If you want a quiet intake get the Comptech Icebox. It sounds like the stock icebox with the resonator removed. Basically the only time you will notice increased intake noise with that intake is if you go WOT.

 

Coming up on 100K and want to change plugs. Going to go NGK, but is iridium worth the money or should I stay OEM?

 

Headers wont make any more noise with the exhaust, Especially if your still a stock exhaust. I would also stick with the Icebox for the intake. Plugs, stick with the OEM NGKs. There is no benifit from the other plugs, plus the OEMs will out last the others.

 

I'll stick with the OEM platinums. Is there a big difference from the ice box and just putting in a K & N filter in the stock application? And will I notice a difference if I don't change the rest of the exhaust?

 

Just go with the Comptech Icebox - better performance and almost no noise change during normal driving. In my opinion, just putting in a K&N will not perform better, it just makes maintenance less frrequent.

I also added the XS Headers and it definitely does NOT sound like my old 69 Camaro with headers - if you are adding them and still want the car quiet (like I did) , you will not be disappointed.

And no need to change out the exhaust, you will notice that it runs a lot better with just these 2 mods and no negative change in MPG...

 

I purchased my TLS in December and have only added the Comptech Icebox w/ K&N cone filter thus far. Definitely no worries about noise at normal RPM's. However, it does sound great when you punch it (if you want to impress your clients).

Next on my list will be the UR Underdrive Pulley. From what I've read here, this gives a good bang for the buck and obviously won't make the car louder. I would think you'd even be okay with a decent set of headers, as long as you stick with the stock exhaust.