Hey whats up guys (and gals).

With summer here, it's time for my TL to look hot. I already clayed and waxed the exterior and cleaned and conditioned the leather inside. Now I'm thinking about mods. I bought the car instead of leasing it, I might as well take advantage.

After I bought the TL, I decided it was time to start saving up for a house. Now, stainless exhausts and 19-inch wheels suddenly don't seem as important when I think "oh, those wheels and tires would be XX% of a down payment, I don't think I'll be getting those." So now my attention has turned to low cost/no cost mods. The amount of time isn't really important, but the money is. I've already decided to debadge the car today which costs nothing but a little time and IMHO makes the car look unique and hot. Sometime this summer I'm also going to remove the "cheese" from the front headlights; again, all it will cost me is time and a couple of amber turn signal bulbs. These two mods cost very little to no money but in my opinion add a huge visual impact. My front windows are already tinted with 35% up front (maximum allowable in arizona) and 20% in the back and rear.

What other low cost/no cost mods exist for the TL? What are your favorite low cost/no cost mods? Again, I'm looking to get the maximum visual impact both inside and out without spending any money if possible, and time isn't really an issue. Thoughts?

 

theres a huge thread on a grille mod that takes little money, but tons of guts... headlight mod is a cheap one to but heres another mod that takes some gut to tear apart your car...um theres also some thread on a cheap 4$ mod that uses metal tape on the lower front grille (do a search)...

but other members probably got some more suggestion... but if you want cheap performance... go to the thread titled somthing like "putting the TL on a diet"...

 

I hear ya, I have limited money to play with compared to last year. It sucks I also have limited time too.

It will cost you more time than money, but add these to your list : Clear your headlights (already mentioned but just wanted to reemphasize how different your car will look), mesh grilles, rockblockers, LED interior lights (makes your car look $1 million at night), lip spoiler, resonator mod with mid-muffler delete (a lot cheaper than that SS exhaust we all wish we had with 50% of the effect), license plate might mods, DRL mod, Navi hacks (your own splash screen, no more "OK", trip computer; costs you just a DVD-R, priceless!)

So many more I can add to the list, just can't think of them now.

 

You can get the cover that goes over the drivers side keyhole. Basically go to the dealer and get the same cover that goes on the rear drivers side door. Fairly cheap but I forgot how much I paid, I think under 10$. You can also get cold cathode tubes for the license place lights. 12$ shipped. That is all I can think of off the top of my head

 

Thanks for the replies so far guys!

I just got done debadging the trunk and it already looks better. All it cost me was a few yards of dental floss and a few squirts of quick detailer to remove the residual adhesive. The headlight clearing will indeed take several hours but it will be worth it.

About the keyhole cover: I thought about that one; it's a good idea. However I use the double-lock-to-roll-up-the-windows too much because when I turn the car off before I have a chance to roll up the windows, often the passengers will open their doors, cancelling the window motion. I get out, stick the key in the door, and double-pump the lock to get the windows to close pretty often, so that one's out.

I'll probably do the LED interior lights because it's cheap and easy. Maybe an ebay lip spoiler, those are hot. I'll probably also do the cold cathode tube license plate light. Looking around at pictures of those mods on the boards makes me pretty motivated; the LED and license plate mods are HOT HOT HOT.

Thanks again for the input guys. Anyone else? BTW I have already done the navi screen/disclaimer text hack. One DVD and a few hours later it's done, no cost, just takes some time.

 

you might want to consider getting an intake also. I have an AEM in my car. i picked it up on ebay. It makes it a bit quicker

 

Interior LED mod, that's a good one for sure (mentioned several times already). Another one that might be good is going with a chrome trim molding for above the rear license plate -- the one that's for a TL-S. Another member hooked me up with the auction to eBay, and I took advantage and bought myself one for about $15 shipped. I bought that a couple days ago and it should be here sometime this week. Needless to say I'm excited for that to arrive, given the other chrome accents I've got going on already.

Here's the link: BAM if you're interested....and if the seller has any left.

 

The cover for the driver side door is one of the better, more subtle mods thats cheap. Also, maybe you might think about the short shifter if you're in an 6MT.

I don't know if the $110 is too much but I think the swaybar was a pretty good improvement thats not that expensive. If you're TL is an AT, then the improvement should be worth it.

Since I don't have the money for the big ticket mods I'd like like the A-Spec suspension/bodykit or wheels, I get mods I notice and enjoy and not so much things that other people can see.

Next up is the switchblade key which is sorta expensive for a key but I will literally enjoy it every time I drive the car.

 

Get my blue led mods for your security and memo modules in the drivers door, search for my posts in the Black Market. they're cheap, really unique, and pretty cool. Plus, it's the last set available.

SilverStone... That key mod is cheap. STOCK 2004-6 keys are over $130 each. There's somethign wrong in Acura's pricing, and that price will go up.
At least order the $35 ket NOW, you can do the FLBusa grinding and dealer coding later.

For example. March 31st, TL-S lip spoilers were $98. April 1st they're $260. The same is coming for those keys for sure.

 

Try out the LED mods. And if you're looking for performance probably do a cold air intake like the other people say. could you post a pic of your car with the tints. I'm probably gonna do 35% front and 20% back. although anything on the front is illegal in IL so i might just do 50%.

 

if you want to maintain the fuction of the double pump window roll up, and want to do the key hole cover thing, you can buy a window roll up module from KP technologies (registered vendor here) for 59.99. His module allows you to roll up your windows via a double click of the lock button on your key fob. it's a very slick unit, i couldn't live with out mine.

 

Yea, good point, the window roll up unit is great. Definitely impresses people and is really useful.

 

Silver:

Here's a picture of my TL so you can see the tints. I took all of these pictures after a quick wash RIGHT after I took delivery of the car. So it isn't clayed or waxed, and I even have the stupid front license plate thing on. Let me know if the pics don't show up.





I had heard of the window roll up module before, didn't realize it was so inexpensive. I might go ahead and do that one. LED mod for sure. I think I'm going to order from superbrightleds.com. Think I'm going to go for the white T13 6-LED version for the doors, dome, and license plate. Thoughts? Thanks for your input guys!

 

Most of my suggestions have already been made so here are two (if you're into it): paint brake calipers, paint splash guards WDP.

 

I was talking about these LED mods:





If you can solder, it's an easy DIY. If not, I have 1 set left for sale in the Black Market:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...postid=5379041

For interior LEDs from superbrightleds, I prefer the 1W WLED-WHP for everywhere except the door. For the dor I use blue led clusters.



For your license plate led illuminations, these are the bomb, starting at post #111
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...7&page=5&pp=25



Other cheap low cost mods:

- Hack your Navi, see the how to in the Audio forum - Free
- Replace your tweeters and center channel speaker withg infinity's 1011T/32.7 respectively (<$100)
- Debadge the rear emblems

 

hey how did you do this? It didnt damage the paint?

 

apply goo gone, let sit for 3 minutes, gently pull.

 

going to try today.

 

How about adding aftermarket glass break and motion sensor to factory alarm?

 

it was already mentioned many times.... BUT i have to add my

i have done ALOT of modding. just about everything possible except the Supercharger...

and of all the mods, and money and time and appreciation factor...

clearing/blacking your headlights is #1 in my book. cost me total of $16(blacking) ($10 if you go clear)

yes, it is a long, tedious proccess that will take an entire day.. but it will CHANGE your car and have it stand out from the others. trust me, read the DIY and look into it. All you need is a 10mm adjustable socket wrench & screwdrivers.

parts = $5 epoxy, $5 silicone & $6 for black paint if you black them out. look at others threads and pics. you will definitely be happy. probably the cheapest mod i have ever done besides my a-zine decal

 

here is the thread
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/outkast-album-year-2003-a-130132/

 

also. tinting your taillights is cheap. but i do recommend pro-installation.

buy a roll of tint for like $15-20 or checkout our vendor rockblocker. its a nice look on just about every color. especially WDP or SSM

 

here's one i discovered awhile back. some people like it and some could care less. i personally love it... i think its gives it a unique subtle look

pics on page 2 and info on it is throughout the thread.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...window+spoiler

 

u can start by buying the underbody spoiler..buy 1 at a time if your limited on money..i think they cost about 230-260 each..its like paying for a whole month on a electricity bill =)

 

When you are clearing your headlights you could do the projector mod. I love looking at my reflection in other people's car as my lights change from purple, to blue, to white. No cost but big difference.

 

Do You Have A Link For The Projector Mod?

 

hey. just came up with a GREAT cheap mod and im almost done doing it.

Get some DupliColor Engine (heat resistant) paint
and some DupliColor Engine Clear Coat and paint every piece of plastic shrouding under the hood. since my CAI is silver i painted everything a metallic silver. ill post pics tomorrow!

 

This link has a DIY with a link to pics, the second has some more pics. I did not do the forground mod because some say it actually dims the lights overall. I love the blue affect around the outside of the light. If you do the process while clearing you don't need to break the piece, you can do it without taking the light apart but it requires breaking the black piece.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...olor+projector

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...olor+projector

 

Alright, I've decided what I'm going to do for this summer in terms of low cost/no cost mods. BTW, I was seeking mainly cosmetic/asthetic mods only, not performance.

When I started the Summer of Low Cost Mods (SoLCM), my car already had the following "mods":

• 35% tint in the front, 25% in the rear
• Navi startup screen and disclaimer text mod

I settled on doing the following mods for the SoLCM, some of which I have already completed or started:

• Debadge (removal of "ACURA" and "TL" from the trunk - already completed - total cost $0)
• Install white LEDs to replace the map lights, dome lights, door courtesy lights, license plate lights, rear backup lights, trunk light (partially completed with remaining LED bulbs on order - already looks HOT - total cost $60)
• Clear out the front headlights (not yet started - total estimated cost $10)
• Add an ebay rear lip spoiler.. the quality doesn't seem like it will be bad based on the seller's feedback. (ordered, $60 shipped)
• Driver side keyhole cover + window roll-up module (module ordered, $60 shipped) (keyhole cover ordered, $20 shipped)
• Rockblocker 20% smoke out film for the side markers and tail lights (ordered, $75 shipped)

Total cost for the listed mods totals $280, which is slightly more than I was wanting to spend, but considering all of the mods that this $280 buys, I think that it will add a huge impact and make my TL very unique for not very much money. I'll post pics when all of the mods are complete in a month or two. Thanks to everyone in this thread for their input!!!