I completed my A-Spec upgrade this week. I did make one change – I went with different tires - Pirelli PZero M+S in 245/40/18. They ride better than my stock EL-42’s did. That may not be much of a surprise, but I was expecting some loss in ride smoothness with the lower profile. A smoother ride was an unexpected bonus. Traction is much, much better now. I have to really be trying to break the tires loose. It’s much easier to get a great launch.

Ride quality is firm but not harsh – noticeably firmer than before, but absolutely OEM quality. As far as handling goes, here are the some of the specific improvements I have noted. Nose dive when braking is gone. Body lean when cornering at high speeds is drastically reduced. ‘Float’ over up and down pavement at freeway speeds is gone. The car settles very quickly. The suspension has definitely added some oversteer. Not RWD fishtailing oversteer, but definitely noticeable and beneficial oversteer. When I first felt it accelerating hard in a tight turn, my response was “Holy @&$!” This is a huge improvement over how the car previously responded and specifically improves some of the ‘torque steer’/LSD issues. Acura did an excellent job engineering this suspension.

The A-Spec steering wheel is a really nice piece of work. I’ll be honest, I was expecting to be disappointed – but now I’m glad I got it. It is much higher quality than the stock wheel. The leather is better quality, so is the stitching. The blue stitching looks awesome and fits in with the blue lighting theme. It is firmer and has a different, less round shape that offers a better grip. The perforated leather thumb areas are a nice touch and very comfortable. I guess it’s another example of the value of good ergonomics. It really does add more to my driving experience than I thought it would.

Overall, A-Spec has met or exceeded all of my expectations. Check out the pics: http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery...1067&uuid=1148

 

 

Holy shiite!!!

I've seen a lot of pics on this site, and you take the cake, Aegir. That is the best TL I have ever seen, bar none!

One question - is that the A-Spec badge on the trunk lid, lower right?

 

looking good

 

Thanks. Yes, that's the A-Spec badge.

 

I gotta agree ... that is by far the BEST looking TL I've seen on this site:

Here's why I think that:
1) you have tight rims and tires w/ plenty of tire dressing .. gots tah have dah wet tire!
2) the Aspec kit looks badass on the black TL .. and you have a 6-spd to boot...sweeeeeeet
3) your car just looks money .. i bet you get TONS of looks!!!

Hey -- do you have any gaps in your body kit in the front or rear?

 

Thanks! The front underbody spoiler had a gap on one side when first installed. I took it back and it was readusted - looks good now.

 

this is my favorite shot ... that decklid spoiler is much better IMHO than the wing spoiler... i just wish it wasn't so expensive

 

Now go out there and trounce on some G35 6-spds!

 

No wait, THIS is my favorite shot

 

Wait for the group buy to appear on here.

 

Simply a beautiful car. Thank you for describing the ride improvements. Does the steering feel any tighter? Loose steering is my #1 complaint about the TL.

 

DYAAAAAAMMMMMMMm
thats the best A-spec TL ive seen on this board
1. its NBP
2. there somethin about it that makes it look so good ..cant figure it out

very SHINNYYYYY too
did u wax it?
if so which wax did you use

 

I think it's the wax job that's making it look so good!

 

Can I ask why you guys are calling them A-Specs when it seems like you guys are just adding the wheels, tires, and the bodykit? The real A-Spec package is also the suspension and a couple trim items (I guess it includes a steering wheel?).

 

What are you talking about, I believe Aegir get the complete A-spec kits. Look at his pics, they tell you everything.

 

he didnt get the drop?
i think he got the entire kit including suspension

hey its got the badge ..its gotta be the a-spec TL

 

Aegir,

That is a truly one awesome NBP TL you have there!

As a member of Team Nighthawk I'd like to extend an invitation to join our growing list of NBP members.

Furthermore, I'd like to suggest the Title of "Senior Aesthetics Consultant", as you obviously have a keen eye for what looks good.

Check out the link in my sig, to see a list of the current members.

 

Won't be able to keep up with my g35c, but you will look just as good

 

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!

Did you Zaino? That shine is awesome.

 

Hey Aegir:

So you were able to piecemeal your A-spec? Did you buy your parts from various different places and have your local dealer install it? Which dealer did the work for you?

 

Yes, it's everything - suspension, wheels, steering wheel, underbody kit, spoiler, badge, and all. Only deviation was the tires, and that was by choice.

 

Yes, when I bought the car it already had the body kit. I found a dealer who was able to help me obtain the remaining parts. I got everything else from them except the wheels and tires - which I had already committed to buy through the group buy. The nice thing was that I was able to choose different tires. The bad thing was that it was a pain in the butt to get everything this way.

Local dealer wanted $6900 for A-Spec, parts and labor. They were unwilling to come off that quote even though I already had the body kit and spoiler installed - by them. Lowest local quote I got from a dealer to install the suspension and steering wheel was $600. It's sad to see dealers using A-Spec as a cash cow. So here's a twist, I did the work myself. It took four hours to do the suspension (1.5 front, 2.5 rear) and one hour to do the steering wheel.

Was I qualified to do the work? I think so. I was an industrial mechanic for 10 years, turning wrenches on cars a lot longer than that, have a well-stocked tool box - and considered this an easy job. Most important, everything came out perfect. I had fun doing the work and got to know my car a lot better. What about the warranty? Parts still carry the same Acura limited warranty. Did I miss out on any of the A-Spec experience? Just the dealer fleecing!

 

NXT. I waxed it four weeks ago. I used the spray wax today after washing.

 

Yes, it's the Acura A-Spec suspension. No ricer tricks here. The drop is definitely more subtle than the Comptechs and Eibachs. I didn't measure, but I think it's about 3/4". I think it is just right.

 

Aegir:

Wow, you installed the steering wheel yourself? That's tricky - especially since that can affect your steering wheel's alignment with the wheels. And the suspension is not an easy thing to do too.

NXT looks pretttttty darn nice on your car.

 

Thanks for the clarification! Awesome!

 

Aegir,

Folks, I have been communicating and following the progress with Aegir's ride on the side, as a fellow ASPEC owner, I never thought I could be envious of another ASPEC'ers ride.

NICE RIDE and great job with the install...I hope Acura is listening. When a nice kit leaves the companies, its unfortunate that dealers abuse quality products by ripping off customers.

Since I included my package in the initial lease, it was either work with me on the ASPEC pricing, or I would walk out completely on the whole car deal, that made them a little more negotiable.

BTW, I have a nighthawk MDX, so I know the power of Pearl, I chose Anthracite partly because I didn't want two Pearl cars, so verdict is out, those gunmetals do work with Black. I knew they would because the 2000 Integra Type R's were black with OEM gunmetal grey color wheels.

I applaud your decision to "complete" the ASPEC kit and now you know, the ASPEC is NOT JUST a cosmetic upgrade. Its a totally different animal.

 

I am so glad I did not go all the way with A-SPEC. The wheels would look terrible on silver and that steering wheel cheapens the interior. Sorry

The wheels look good on black though...

 

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...elected=847030

 

Wow, off the top rope... I thought the stock steering wheel seemed cheesy in comparison when I had them side by side. I like the feel of it. I like the appearance but can see how the accents won't work for everyone. Thanks for being so honest...

 

Does anyone know where I can get the A-spec emblem for the back of my car. I did all the A-spec upgrades myself out of a dealership in So Cal. for a lot cheaper but cannot seem to find the A-spec emblem for the back of the car. Help me out!!!

 

Awesome looking car Aegir, looks damn near exotic.... beautiful. Enjoy!!

 

Good job, Aegir (and good taste in car colors and equally dark beer!)

I've purchased the coilovers from the A-Spec for my NBP (camel, 6MT, non-navi), and the dealer wants $680 to install. I might get someone else to do it, but I've ordered the shop manual and am considering tackling it myself. I understand the rear seat replacement can be tricky, but what else is tough about this one? Ideally, I'd like to throw some Energy Suspension bushings in there as long as I've got it up on stands and partially disassembled. I've got torque wrenches and some experience, but I'm no mechanic. What do you recommend?

 

Nice Pictures!!

 

Thanks. I sent you a PM. Aside from the rear seat, it's a pretty easy job. The rear seat isn't hard either, but it does require appropriate care and consideration. DIY is a viable option. So is using your own mechanic. I'm sure there are many good independent mechanics who would do the job for a reasonable price and appreciate the business.

 

Nice ride Aegir, and good choice in tires. Let me know how they go in the rain. I want to get those for winter driving here in NY. I have the HPT option with my 6-speed, so I may just throw a set of Pirellis on the OEMs and come next Spring, spring for some new wheels. I am patiently waiting for when Acura decides to just sell the A-Spec suspension...I love the car as is, without the aero package. I want substance, not style Acura/Honda of America!!! Do you hear me?

 

From your comments I take it that spring compressors are not needed with the A-Spec susspension? If so, I may go ahead and order mine and do it myself as well. I have done coil replacements on an old Celica I had (about 20 years ago). Learned my lesson about not doing it unless I had the right equipment. Would yuou please clarify that the suspension replacement can be done without any more than standard tools? Thanks.

 

Do you have more details on the Dyno images? Your image states "after resonator removal" - I assume this means after removal of the stock CAI or is there more (i.e Catback removal)? This may have been covered before but do you also have a before Injen dyno? Very nice job BTW.

 

No spring compressor needed. The replacement shocks/springs come assembled. It's pretty straightforward if you've done suspension work before. Basic hand tools. No special tools beyond torque wrenches.