CryingMidget

I am a freshman in college and I just purchased a 2004 TL. I would like for the car to be a bit louder, without putting much money into it because I am currently paying for college and a loan my parents gave me for the car. What are some cheap upgrades I can make to make the car sound a little better?

350

iTrader: (4)

Muffler deletes make it a little louder but still sounds stock, replace the resonator with a smaller one and it'll sound way more aggresive. Search TL stage 3 on youtube.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

crying midget....we're going to make your user name come true.
Since, you're entering college, you should know how to research and study.


this car has been out since 2004.
take a little time to read(research and study) the forums.

350 gave you a great starting point!!
please use your resources, ie: google, youtube, acurazine.


additionally, this car isnt cheap to mod. if you're already penny pinching, maybe a course in "saving money" is in order.

Here are a few starting points for you.

"stage mods" - like 350 said, replace the mid-muffler with a straight pipe and then add a more aggressive resonator.

XLR8 exhaust.
RV6 True duals.
ATLP exhaust
Greddy exhaust


please research - jpipe, PCD's, cold air intake.

we're glad to help, but its even more awesome when you take initiative!

CryingMidget

Yeah, I've done research on all of that stuff, hence why I'm asking if there is anything cheap! Yeah, CAI's aren't too expensive, just wondering if there's any little things that can make a difference.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Remove the resonator up front.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

oh, you've done your research!
Good Job!!!

then you would know that the cheapest option would be to do one of the stage mods!

04socalTL

iTrader: (1)

when searching for something, type "whatever you are looking for + acurazine" in google.
it will work better than the search function here.
btw someone asked this question earlier this week and the thread is still on the first page of the performance threads, so don't try to pull a fast one by saying you did plenty of research.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

start off with stage 1 exhaust. its only around 40 bucks, then work from there.

Xiomaro

iTrader: (5)

cut out the mid muffler

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

^this and dont waste your money on an expensive CAI. Either modify your stock one, ebay, or if you want a cheap name brand DC Sport. These will be your best bet since you dont have the cash for anything big.

johnfilice

I removed the intake resonator that was attached to the intake box about 6 months ago and didn't notice much of a change in sound or performance. Was thinking about getting the AEM CAI, is this going to be noticeable over what I have already done in the sound department?(much less worried about any power gains)

bachimik000

Where would I get the parts to make this happen

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

to make what happen!?

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

this. It says it right in his question :

To the OP, in my opinion, I wouldn't don't drop too much money on cheap stuff. The TL takes a bit of $$ to mod tastefully. The mid muffler delete is a good start but I'd keep the resonator. After that, I'd recommend saving up for a good jpipe. ALTP, RV6 and XLR8 have options. After that, save up for pre-cat deletes (PCD's) or hi-flow pre-cats (HFPC's) from RV6. You'll get a better sound as well as better performance. I think better sound without better performance is like wearing some gay muscle suit. It's not as if you become stronger by wearing a muscle suit and in most cases it just looks gay.

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

CAI were design for better throttle response and less restrictive air flow; not to gain massive horsepower. The HP you get is little to none. Also, the path you took just help air flow better than in stock form.

johnfilice

^ I have heard many analogies to doing cheap mods on cars, but this one takes the cake!!!

bachimik000

To make the mid muffler delete. And how much does rv6 j pipe cost?

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

DC sports offers a CAI for around $150.

I've heard people tell me that most if not ALL CAIs function the same. Any company can sell hype and bullshit in a box for more than the other guy but in the end it's still all the same.
Buy a product that works, not a name that instigates hype.

I bought the DC sports brand for my TL and I am very pleased with it. MPG has improved slightly and the sound is pretty aggressive.

On light to moderate acceleration it whistles or hisses like a turbocharger, without the blow off of course.

Xiomaro

iTrader: (5)

there you go. http://www.dcsports.com/intakesystemsacura.html

buy it and move on. lol

05lgtny

Great to see that you joined the club! Unfortunately we have some scumbags on these forums along with any other forum. I'm saying this because I just joined here as well and recently got a TL and I love it. For those who are saying its expensive it may or may not be depending on the route you want to travel. This is my second car, the first one being a Subaru legacy gt. So coming from that to the TL the Acura is far less expensive but the Subaru made twice the power that the TL makes. Just take your time modding the car there is no need to rush the modification process. If I were you I would wait to get quality parts rather then rigging something and being "cheap" it wont get you anyway and it is never beneficial. I'm in the same boat as you I'm going into my junior year of college so I dont have any other option but to save. Check out Craigslist near you and also the black market on here there are always some good parts that come up at reasonable prices if you have the patience. Good Luck and take your time!

350

iTrader: (4)

If you haven't messed with anything yet, I'd maybe do CAI first, I deleted the rear mufflers, it sounded stock but made a little more noise, added the CAI last weekend and it was louder than the exhaust near full throttle. Just had a Dynomax res welded in tonight and the intake still is the most aggressive sounding part. YMMV but I think the intake makes the car sound the most aggressive. I didn't notice any sound difference with J pipe only but it was just a hair deeper.

06 nighthawk

thanks for the info guys, this really helps