So I know this is pretty dumb, but mod list.
So I know this is pretty dumb, but mod list.
So I just nailed my first job, at 19 years old, I know sad lol. Anyways, I've been itching soooooooooooooooo bad to mod my car and just never had money!
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
-Brandon
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 221
From: Tampa, Florida
Every paycheck you get put a certain amount of money away for mods and stuff you want (Like 35% of the check) and then be smart with the rest of the money for later in life like a house, food, and a nicer car 
It's your money though, and that's the magic of it: you spend it your way
(Haha, do the A-Spec kit first!!)
It's your money though, and that's the magic of it: you spend it your way
(Haha, do the A-Spec kit first!!)
So I just nailed my first job, at 19 years old, I know sad lol. Anyways, I've been itching soooooooooooooooo bad to mod my car and just never had money!
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
More info on your car year/milage/auto or manual lol <---- that reminds of the good ole chat room days A/S/L
maintence first then i would do jpipe
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 67
From: Columbus, o_hi_o
Here's my recommendation of how I would prioritize:
1. Stick some in savings (Pay yourself first... always. Your future is guaranteed to need $, but your TL is guaranteed to only be with you for a relatively short time)
2. Maintenance (Tires would fall under here. Neglect maintenance and you'll spend alot more on #3 below and will never get to #4 and truly get to enjoy it)
3. Build up a cushion for unforseen maintenance that might pop up (I'd say $500-$1k to be safe... and always keep that cushion)
4. Mods (I say Aspec first, but you prioritize based on what you want the most)
Be careful not to put #4 before #1, #2, and #3... Coming from an old-fart 30 y/o, but I've been 19 before.
1. Stick some in savings (Pay yourself first... always. Your future is guaranteed to need $, but your TL is guaranteed to only be with you for a relatively short time)
2. Maintenance (Tires would fall under here. Neglect maintenance and you'll spend alot more on #3 below and will never get to #4 and truly get to enjoy it)
3. Build up a cushion for unforseen maintenance that might pop up (I'd say $500-$1k to be safe... and always keep that cushion)
4. Mods (I say Aspec first, but you prioritize based on what you want the most)
Be careful not to put #4 before #1, #2, and #3... Coming from an old-fart 30 y/o, but I've been 19 before.
Last edited by turbo_oxide; Apr 8, 2012 at 03:01 PM.
Ace
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 139
Likes: 10
From: Plano, TX
I got a 350Z when I was 17. Blew a ton of money on mods then my transmission died... total nightmare. Right now I'm 18 and I have a $3000 cushion for anything crazy that happens. I could probably go ahead and do every mod I want to do to my TL right now, but if it dies I'll be f*cked.
With that said, once you are ready to mod, I highly recommend getting a custom exhaust built. I just got one built for me (double resonated 2.5" catback) and I love it. Also, J-Pipe is a good value. Have fun
With that said, once you are ready to mod, I highly recommend getting a custom exhaust built. I just got one built for me (double resonated 2.5" catback) and I love it. Also, J-Pipe is a good value. Have fun
Okay, I have an 04 auto, non-navi WDP with about 125K miles on it. 105K was done, but my rotors are nearly shot. So next time I change my pads I'm upgrading rotors too for the hell of it. Also, if I turn hard to the left, I get this grinding feel to it. Anyone know what that could be?
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 36,545
Likes: 6,470
From: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
First, welcome Tasty.
Second, they guys have given you some excellent advise....I'm surprised-no sarcasm either. Well done, boys!
It's easy to get excited about having money in your pocket and spending it on your TL. Be sure to devote a certain amount to your car, but not all of it. Open up a savings account too.
Second, they guys have given you some excellent advise....I'm surprised-no sarcasm either. Well done, boys!
It's easy to get excited about having money in your pocket and spending it on your TL. Be sure to devote a certain amount to your car, but not all of it. Open up a savings account too.
the overexplainer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 385
From: OC, CA
TINT 
Do your maintenance first. Then the items in red.
I didn't want to start a new thread but I'm not entirely sure if I should post this in here either. If I am out of line please let me know but I see that it's not locked so who knows!
I too was going to post pros, cons, prices, links, but then decided this should be just a look up list and not an end all informative list. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to our vendors.
This is truly a work in progress. If you all remember something big, something small, please PM me and I'll see if a mod can add it to the list.
Power Mods
- jpipe(rv6, xlr8, atlp)
- pre cat deletes or high flows pre cat (rv6, xlr8, atlp)
- catback exhaust (rv6, xlr8, altp, greddy, comptech, tsudo)
- cold air intake (aem, dc)
- tb or im spacers & gaskets (p2r, outlaw)
- unorthodox racing pulley (crank | lightweight stock or under drive)
- p2r port and polished intake runners
- comptech supercharger
- j&r turbo kit
- water / meth kit
- type-s lightweight cams (for non type-s)
Aesthetic Mods
- aspec lip kit (front, sides, rear | type-s rear upgrade for better exhaust options on base models; requires cutting)
- tint & moleskin (3m, llumar, formula1, huper | reg, metallic, ceramic | rear quarter windows & rear-brake light | moleskin!)
- wheels (type-s waffles, aspec hotness, aftermarkets)
- blacked out headlights and or angel eyes (really custom mod here)
- blacked out or type-s tailights & or sidemarkers (really custom mod here)
- accord fog lights (go oem here)
- roof spoiler
- trunk base lip, type-s lip, or spoiler
- body matched or aftermarket front grille (really custom mod here, cmods)
Suspension Mods
- drop (coilovers, shocks/springs | comptech, h&r, eibach, neuspeed, koni, ht-spec, tein, )
- rear sway bar (progress, 6spd bar swap for you autos)
- short shifter/weighted knob/endlink bushings (comptech, maven, corsport, ht-spec | do it all at once)
- front sway bar (type-s, h&r)
- bbk 'big brake kit' (racing brake, wilwood, rotora, fastbrakes, brembo swap, rl swap)
- upgraded rotors and pads (rb, hawk, cmax golds, stoptech, powerslot...)
- type-s tophats & bushings
- camber kit (if needed | ingalls, skunk2, comptech)
Misc & DIY mods
- LEDs (interior & exterior | footwell | floodlights)
- zkw projector lense upgrade
- slave cylinder check valve delete
- door lock shave mod
- interior door lock height mod
- hacked navigation
- stainless steel brake lines w/ good fluid (racing brake, fastbrakes, xlr8 | motul 5.1, castrol srf)
- gm syncromesh tranny fluid (if 6psd)
- supercomputer pedals
- window rollup mod
- tb bypass mod
- intake resonator removal mod (if not going the cai route)
- ultimate cooling mod (this does inhibit effeciency of the ac unit I believe)
- moonroof visor (oem or nothing)
- window visors (oem or nothing)
- oem trunk tray & all weather floor mats
- upgrade to HID in fogs (lower and upper if applicable)
- auto tranny cooler (for non type-s autos)
- newer '07+ side mirrors with blinkers
- supercomputer illuminated door sills
- retrofitted type-s gauge bezel (think im one of the very few on here with this)
- sound proofing (cld, mlv, cff)
- drl foglight mod ('04-'06)
- $67 tip mod (double-walled dual tips for non type-s bumpers)
- ipod integration
- stage 1, 2, 3, 4 exhausts mods (careful, do your jpipe/precat stuff first)
- stainless steel clutch line (supposedly for more precise clutch engagement)
- retrofitted switchblade keys
- upgraded clutch (clutchmasters, j&r, xlr8)
- type-s steering rack, power steering pump, power steering cooler
I too was going to post pros, cons, prices, links, but then decided this should be just a look up list and not an end all informative list. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to our vendors.
This is truly a work in progress. If you all remember something big, something small, please PM me and I'll see if a mod can add it to the list.
Power Mods
- jpipe(rv6, xlr8, atlp)
- pre cat deletes or high flows pre cat (rv6, xlr8, atlp)
- catback exhaust (rv6, xlr8, altp, greddy, comptech, tsudo)
- cold air intake (aem, dc)
- tb or im spacers & gaskets (p2r, outlaw)
- unorthodox racing pulley (crank | lightweight stock or under drive)
- p2r port and polished intake runners
- comptech supercharger
- j&r turbo kit
- water / meth kit
- type-s lightweight cams (for non type-s)
Aesthetic Mods
- aspec lip kit (front, sides, rear | type-s rear upgrade for better exhaust options on base models; requires cutting)
- tint & moleskin (3m, llumar, formula1, huper | reg, metallic, ceramic | rear quarter windows & rear-brake light | moleskin!)
- wheels (type-s waffles, aspec hotness, aftermarkets)
- blacked out headlights and or angel eyes (really custom mod here)
- blacked out or type-s tailights & or sidemarkers (really custom mod here)
- accord fog lights (go oem here)
- roof spoiler
- trunk base lip, type-s lip, or spoiler
- body matched or aftermarket front grille (really custom mod here, cmods)
Suspension Mods
- drop (coilovers, shocks/springs | comptech, h&r, eibach, neuspeed, koni, ht-spec, tein, )
- rear sway bar (progress, 6spd bar swap for you autos)
- short shifter/weighted knob/endlink bushings (comptech, maven, corsport, ht-spec | do it all at once)
- front sway bar (type-s, h&r)
- bbk 'big brake kit' (racing brake, wilwood, rotora, fastbrakes, brembo swap, rl swap)
- upgraded rotors and pads (rb, hawk, cmax golds, stoptech, powerslot...)
- type-s tophats & bushings
- camber kit (if needed | ingalls, skunk2, comptech)
Misc & DIY mods
- LEDs (interior & exterior | footwell | floodlights)
- zkw projector lense upgrade
- slave cylinder check valve delete
- door lock shave mod
- interior door lock height mod
- hacked navigation
- stainless steel brake lines w/ good fluid (racing brake, fastbrakes, xlr8 | motul 5.1, castrol srf)
- gm syncromesh tranny fluid (if 6psd)
- supercomputer pedals
- window rollup mod
- tb bypass mod
- intake resonator removal mod (if not going the cai route)
- ultimate cooling mod (this does inhibit effeciency of the ac unit I believe)
- moonroof visor (oem or nothing)
- window visors (oem or nothing)
- oem trunk tray & all weather floor mats
- upgrade to HID in fogs (lower and upper if applicable)
- auto tranny cooler (for non type-s autos)
- newer '07+ side mirrors with blinkers
- supercomputer illuminated door sills
- retrofitted type-s gauge bezel (think im one of the very few on here with this)
- sound proofing (cld, mlv, cff)
- drl foglight mod ('04-'06)
- $67 tip mod (double-walled dual tips for non type-s bumpers)
- ipod integration
- stage 1, 2, 3, 4 exhausts mods (careful, do your jpipe/precat stuff first)
- stainless steel clutch line (supposedly for more precise clutch engagement)
- retrofitted switchblade keys
- upgraded clutch (clutchmasters, j&r, xlr8)
- type-s steering rack, power steering pump, power steering cooler
Hey, Ravin, don't hate on the tint. I live in SoCal, and am moving to Arizona. The tint is not a luxury, but a necessity! And yeah the maintenance is needing to be done. I think something on the front-end is going out, probably those bushings. -__- And I reaaaaaaally need to get it aligned, as soon as I get some more money.
Hey, Ravin, don't hate on the tint. I live in SoCal, and am moving to Arizona. The tint is not a luxury, but a necessity! And yeah the maintenance is needing to be done. I think something on the front-end is going out, probably those bushings. -__- And I reaaaaaaally need to get it aligned, as soon as I get some more money.
My TL is tinted.What does the noise sound like? Could be a number of things from brakes to end-links.
As for the alignment I would do it when you get your tires. A lot of places will cut you a break on the alignment if you get a set of tires.
BTW the name's Ravi, not Ravin. Welcome to Money Pit.
I know a good little shop around me that'll do it for like 75 bucks. I know my brakes are bad as well! They told me when I changed my pads last time that I would need new rotors cuz mine are super warped.
The noise, when I turn hard left usually, is kind of a grunting/grinding sound. Not good. Also, might be my imagination but it feels like the left side is a lot less sharp on turns than the right side is.
The noise, when I turn hard left usually, is kind of a grunting/grinding sound. Not good. Also, might be my imagination but it feels like the left side is a lot less sharp on turns than the right side is.
I know a good little shop around me that'll do it for like 75 bucks. I know my brakes are bad as well! They told me when I changed my pads last time that I would need new rotors cuz mine are super warped.
The noise, when I turn hard left usually, is kind of a grunting/grinding sound. Not good. Also, might be my imagination but it feels like the left side is a lot less sharp on turns than the right side is.
The noise, when I turn hard left usually, is kind of a grunting/grinding sound. Not good. Also, might be my imagination but it feels like the left side is a lot less sharp on turns than the right side is.
For brakes you can go OEM or some of the vendors on the site has some really good brake deals. You can also go the Autozone/Advanced route on rotors and pads. Depends on your preference and budget.
Acura did my brakes just before I purchased the car and I've put 37K miles on it in 11 months. I'm still at 60%. I'm probably going to stick with OEM when I do mine unless I can come up with cash for a BBK.
No, never was. It hasn't always done this, only the last 1000 miles or so. I would like to have performance brakes, but eh, not a big deal. I think I'm gonna take it down to my usual shop and see what's up with it. If those bushings go out, what are the symptoms?
IDK - could the noise be a bad ball joint?
Yeah those, I think. Someone said something about them going out on just about every TL around 100K. I'm still learning about this car lol. Are there any maintenance things I should watch out for, other than the obvious transmission stuff?
^^^^
Brakes
Tires
Fluids - Trans, oil, PS, brake fluid
Filters
Transmission switches
Plugs unless it was done as part of the 105K service.
After that it sounds like you need to check your suspension.
Brakes
Tires
Fluids - Trans, oil, PS, brake fluid
Filters
Transmission switches
Plugs unless it was done as part of the 105K service.
After that it sounds like you need to check your suspension.
Damn, damn, damn and also damn. Mods will have to wait another couple months or so. Lol.
I think I can squeeze a little more life out of my tires. I need air filters, brakes, tranny fluid, tranny switches, omgwtf
I think I can squeeze a little more life out of my tires. I need air filters, brakes, tranny fluid, tranny switches, omgwtf
You're in CA? There is a guy on the BM selling some Michelin HX MXM4 tires for $350. Not the best in cold weather but will work great for you and the price is really good. I hear a lot of people that say I will squeeze more life out of them. I'm not that adventurous. Brakes and tires I don't mess around with.
Air filter - just get a store one.
Brakes - Spend some money.
Trans Fluid - Read the threads.
Switches - no choice; spend the cash.
Switches are about $80 from Acura.
Fluid will be between $30 and $100 depending on type of fluid and the amount you get. I'm assuming the fluid was changed once or twice before. I would recommend a series of 1x3 changes. DO NOT flush. And space out the 1x3 over a couple thousand miles.
At this time I am using Honda DW1 fluid. I've done my switches and three 1x3 changes and will do another one in 2 weeks when my oil is due. I have not had any issues with my trans and I'm at 109K.
First, you should take the money to invest in yourself rather than spending on your car. Try to learn knowledge and skills to enhance your job ability. Say if you are an auto mechanic, study for an ASE master technician certification. It will help you a lot more than mods. Also, keep in mind that aftermarket parts do not increase the resale value of your car.
When you have money left, take your friends and your girl to the outdoors and enjoy your life.
Second, on your list, J-pipe and a cat-back exhaust ($1,200+) will increase engine output; a good set of (max performance summer) tires ($600+ for a set of used; $1,000+ for new) will improve cornering ability; and A-Spec body kit ($1,000+) will give your car a better aesthetic appearance. The rest are pretty much useless.
For performance modification, I recommend you to do it in this sequence:
1. forged 17/18 wheels + max performance summer tires (~$2,500);
2. damping adjustable coilovers + rear sway bar + corner balancing, tuning, etc. (~$2,000);
3. J-pipe + cat-back exhaust (~$1,300);
4. big brake kit (~$3,000).
If you have to modify your car, do not buy cheap crap aftermarket components. Buy good ones that will actually increase the performance and that will last.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 621
Likes: 64
From: San Jose, CA
at 19?? u might wanna learn how to be in control of ur car first.......regardless what you drive,
not to be an ass, i spent most of the paycheck into my GSR when i was 19, kinda regret now.....u r already lucky to own a TL at 19!
not to be an ass, i spent most of the paycheck into my GSR when i was 19, kinda regret now.....u r already lucky to own a TL at 19!
I know, I'd like to take some good driving lessons or something, I can handle it well enough to not kill myself, and I'd say I'm a decent driver but I'd like more "professional" training. And yeah, I don't cheap out on anything with cars. Learned that with my first car that died 
And I get what you guys are saying, spend money on stuff that's important and necessary first. I'm in college and doing well, and I try not to waste too much money. I just wanna treat myself and have some fun, lol.
Also, Ravin, I found service records, previous owner changed the fluid about 20K miles ago. How often should I do it? Every 30K? I heard it's bad to change it too often.
And I get what you guys are saying, spend money on stuff that's important and necessary first. I'm in college and doing well, and I try not to waste too much money. I just wanna treat myself and have some fun, lol.
Also, Ravin, I found service records, previous owner changed the fluid about 20K miles ago. How often should I do it? Every 30K? I heard it's bad to change it too often.
So I just nailed my first job, at 19 years old, I know sad lol. Anyways, I've been itching soooooooooooooooo bad to mod my car and just never had money!
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
So I have decided that hence the new job, I'll need to blow money on something, and I wanna put together a list of mods to do. These are not in any particular order, but just what I wanna do. Can you guys give me some input on what to do first, and some general prices?
1. AEM V2 CAI Kit
2. J-Pipe (idk which one?)
3. JnC Custom Headlights with ZKW and Led Halos
4. A-spec kit (of course!)
5. Some sort of exhaust mod, not sure which.
6. Cross drilled/slotted rotors
7. New tires!!!
8....?
#1-A-Spec body kit.
#2 Tint.
#3 Tein or similar coliovers.
#4 RV6 Long tube J-Pipe
$5 ATLP catback
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 5
I say do the tint over the aspec kit because it'll be much easier to get the $$$ for the window tinting than the money for the aspec kit + tinted windows make a dramatic appearance change. Then work towards the aspec kit.
Aspec kit is next on my list!
Aspec kit is next on my list!
I r haz teh tintz gaiez.
So after my maintenance, I'll look into an aspec kit, and then go from there probably with headlights cuz they're cheaper and look so sexy, and then the sway bar, and then exhaust if I get that far.
So after my maintenance, I'll look into an aspec kit, and then go from there probably with headlights cuz they're cheaper and look so sexy, and then the sway bar, and then exhaust if I get that far.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 743
Likes: 47
From: AUSTIN, TX
Do non-Acura addicts generally notice when you guys get A-spec kits? Just curious, I haven't seen one in real life -- but even after looking at the photo comparison threads, I *still* can't really tell what the heck A-spec is. I think it just adds two teeth on the front mouth, but... for $1k? I think I'd rather get a new hood and new front bumper -- since those are the most beat-up parts I have (the only thing that tells people my car is more than 2 years old)