hello all, I am looking to buy my 1st TL and I love the 3rd gen. Everything about this car is sexy to me. I was wondering what if any problems I should be looking for from yr to yr. I found a few 04s and a few 06s in my price range. The 05s I have seen are more $$$ is there a reason for this, or not? I currently drive a 02 ws6, its fast(not stock) and can be modded forever with the ls1. These TLs seem to have a limited aftermarket. From what I have read, there is no hondata support until the 07s? I was looking for a sexy dd. Intake, exhaust and tune it. maybe an audio upgrade and be done with modding it. But from what I have read the "tune" part is out huh?

Thanks everyone in advance for your input. And sorry this post is all over the place. had a lot to say and didnt want to start a bunch of threads....

-Bruce

 

04-06 have transmission problems. 07-08 transmissions are a little bit different from what I've heard. Performance wise I'd just stick to the intake and exhaust...don't need to tune for that.

 

If 06 has a made in Japan transmission, you will be happy with it

 

Whatever you decide get a pre purchase inspection OR if you live near one of these knowledgeable members have them take a look at it. I just bought an 05 and unlike usual I just bought it without a proper inspection. The car was immaculate on the outside and very clean inside. I got it home to find the cabin air filter completely clogged, the air intake filter so clogged you couldn't see daylight through it and the car was struggling to breath. Now, I pulled the drain magnet to find massive sludge build up as if the fluids have never been changed! The transmission being the weak part of the car. If you can find a manual tranny buy that for ease of mind. However, if you can find a car with maintenance records you should be ok on an automatic. Read everything you can on here about transmission SYMPTOMS so you can look for them when you test drive it. Factor in the price a transmission flush , 2 pressure sensors and filter(04-06 cars have serviceable filter). My last advice would be to stay away from any "tuner" car. Always buy an adult driven unmodified car....it will reduce the chances of a "street racer" car. Good luck and get it inspected first!

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I have read that the til gets 30mpg but only on prem gas. If that is true that is awesome, these cars are quick and with mpg like that, it is the perfect fit for a daily driver.

 

1 more question (for now lol) how do these perform in the snow? Even if I need snow tires I'm good with that

 

they perform great in the snow, my TL is about 3" off the ground and i havent gotten stuck or lost control of it, it snows ALOT where i live

 

FWD, they are pretty good in the snow...of course that will depend on your tires etc.

I get 30+ MPG on the highway, average about 23. This is a great car...imho.

 

Thanks everyone. Without crucifying the new guy(for not searching 1st), what would you suggest for a quiet free flowing exhaust?

 

And as far as tuning. On an auto can you do a transmission tune?

 

Op to answer your question here it is.

DON"T let the AT issue scare you from buying a 3g TL, I have an 2000 Accord V6 and the AT in these car are prone to failure much more than 3g TL AT rate. However I currently running on original transmission and the car has 144k miles, shifting is fine and smooth like any other car. I wouldn't worry too much on the AT on 3g TL, just make sure you looking into past service records like carfax or invoice from dealer/shop and see if the service is done at recommended time (first time ATF change should be around 60k miles according to Honda).

As far as transmission tune like changing gear in the diff to make it pick up quicker or better top end is nonexistent, I know that more like for domestic car like Mustang, Vette etc.

There is no quite free flowing exhaust for our car, however you might want to consider the exhaust stage mod locate in the garage there are three different stages 1,2,3. Each stage is getting louder and louder.

 

'06 MTs come with limited slip differential. Not sure about '04/'05 MTs though. If you want a newer model 3G with MT then you are limited to TypeS only.

 

all manual cars come with LSD's.
its the autos that DONT come with them.

I would not look at any 04s or 05s.
go for an 06 or up.

a quiet free flowing exhaust? is there such a thing?
coming from a V8, I thought you would no there is no such thing! lol

free flowing = Mandrel bent

and if you're looking for performance gains, I would not do any of the "stage mods". these exhaust mods only provide sound and not a single gain in hp.



the reason i say to stay away from the earlier models is because; an 04 is 9 years old already.
LOTS of little things will start to go out.

 

Justin...doesn't changing the "J" pipe increase HP?

 

yes .. not sure if that is a "stage" mod though.

 

I guess I don't really know what the "stage" mods are...I shall read.

 

^yes, changing a jpipe does increase hp.


the members of acurazine have figured out that changing out resonators on the stock exhaust will give you different tones.
they've come up with the "stage" nomenclature

stage 1 represents a deletion of the midmuffler and adding a resonator..
and etc.

 

Just read up on it...I now am informed...I'll forget, but for the time being...

 

J pipe is definately worth getting though. from what i have read you get really good gains/dollar.

 

Like 10-13 HP I think...

 

save your money for Hondata pro oh wait you guy have 04-06 model, suck to be you guy lol.. Crab man is on top everything so far in this thread.

 

J pipe is not a "stage mod" exhaust.

Stage 1: MM delete
Stage 2: MM delete, swap stock resonator with Magnaflow
Stage 3: MM delete, swap stock resonator with Dynomax
Stage 4: MM and resonator delete

 

From what I've been able to gather opening up the exhaust doesn't do much on these cars as far as performance goes. They already have a pretty good intake so your not gonna get too much more air going in so opening the exhaust doesnt do you much. Maybe even loose a little bottom end power to gain some at the top end. Also the computers in these cars are aggressively monitoring and changing things so you've got that to deal with too. Unless you go supercharged or turbo I don't see how you can get any real HP. my

 

^wrong on a few accounts.

opening up the exhaust does free up HP.
but you're going to have to use mandrel bent pipes and not crushed bent pipes.

ALl the stock pieces of the exhaust are crushed bent.
meaning, if you could get better bends the exhaust gas will flow more efficiently

so, what do we have that makes power?

you can replace the stock cats with straight pipes.
again, free path for exhaust = POWER.

so, by replacing the RESTRICTIVE cats with straight pipes, you get an immediate gain.

next up is to replace that restrictive jpipe with an aftermarket jpipe that has better bends.
Also, the jpipe removes the 3rd cat.

so now, you have a pretty good flowing exhaust untill you hit the stock cat back.
replace this with a more free flowing cat back and you will have gains.


the J series LOVES air.
she needs to breathe.
you are correct that we already have a great cold air intake system. but it is restrictive.
the air goes up and down and through the resonator, finally reaching the throttle body.

 

It seems like nobody is able to get repeatable, accurate dyno's with these mods and when you start mixing and matching different mods it has different effects good/bad.

 

^thats how all cars work.

 

When I had my twin turbo Supra and 300ZX TT. Those stage mods were real and proven time and time again. You could guarantee that if you did x, y & z mods you got x amount of HP gain. What I'm seeing with the Acura is no where as reliable or accurate.

 

thats because these newer cars come pretty efficient from the factory.
also, its a small v6.

F/I is a whole other beast. and is easy to gain power with FI

 

^ as long as you have the other mods to support it!

 

Free flowing + quiet = 4 resonators + 2 mufflers

 

Just sayin as far as performance these exhaust mods make a lot more sense if your using a sc or turbo. Otherwise your trying to squeeze blood from a turnip. Maybe I'm just jaded from owning cars in the past where the mods could double or more the HP. 320HP to 650HP Supra TT, Fast n Furious baby lol.

 

^Forced inducted vs small naturally aspirated V6.

gains are easy to be had with FI!!!!
also, gains are easier with larger motors as well.

"theres no replacement for displacement."

 

So basically, just drive it. Intake wont do much? JPipe will help, but unless I want a loud car a cat back is out? Is there no mild sounding exhaust? My car sounds stock at idle, no drone ever, but when I smash it even with the cut out closed it gets loud and mean.... Nothing similar with these cars?

 

My biggest concern is I hate drone, ever! A little louder I can handle, but i dont want to have to scream at the person sitting next to me on the highway.... If you guys say this can't happen, then I will just leave it stock ...

 

^yes, it can happen.
you just need to research and play with your options.

I'm not gonna sit here and baby sit!
I mean I'll help out where I can, butt....there needs to be a little effort on your end too