ive had my TL-S for over 6 months and have wanted to mod it, but havent had the time with college, work, etc... now its almost over and i have the entire summer to mod my TL-S. i would post pics but its basically a black factory TL-S . i want to improve its performance (not saying its bad, its actually real good but theres always room for improvement) but i hardly know much about cars when it comes to mechanics (engine). audio i can do, but mechanics i never learned (unfortunately since i love cars). so i need some advice from experienced modders. what do you think should be the first performance mod? im mainly aiming for better traction (cuz its garbage) and higher speeds. appreciate all your help. oh but the only problem is, its automatic so its more limited to mods.



Side note: im not one of those kids with rich parents that buy them anything they want. i had to work my ass offfffff to buy get this car. and still am working just to pay off its bills (financed). only because this has been my dream car since 2004.

 

This isnt more towards engine performance, but rather handling.. How bout a Progress Rear Sway Bar? Many have stated the install is easier than counting beans and the handling is noticeably improved.
Another one, is probably some outlaw thermoblock spacers? costs like 100 dollars, and it is fairly easy. There are some threads on the how to of it, and it appears to be easy enuff.
Um, the other is probably a P2R throttle body spacer...that one has a diy video! I think those are like $120.
Oh yea, and CAI, that one has a lot of diys! Hopefully some of this helps, and happy modding and welcome!!

 

thanks a lot. appreciate the feedback. i will be looking into all your suggestions. and the handling is pretty good, but the traction is horrible. im thinking new (better) tires? cuz i dont want to burn out everytime i accelerate .

 

oh and is the TL-S turbocharged, supercharged, or neither?

 

ankur914 pretty much summed up the usual 'first mods'.
Other options may include getting a spoiler, type-s tails with side markers, roof spoiler, tints... the list can go on.

 

The type-s is n/a... but you can make it supercharged. Look into the comptech supercharger.

 

well visually, i think the factory spoiler is sufficient (looks good to me) so no other spoilers for now, as for tints im hesitating because of the molding problem. all of the tint shops around me are unreliable and they dont know shit about the molding. but ill probably look into visual mods later on. thanks though. and i will look into the comptech supercharger. appreciate your feedback.

 

lol whops yeah. When I said spoiler I meant the factory decklid spoiler [or the wing]. Or the Type-S decklid spoiler.

 

oh and what do you guys think is better to get installed first, a cold air intake or a supercharger?

 

you have a type-s correct? then why are people tell you to get type-s tails and deck lid ifyour car comes with it?

is your TL-S a 5AT or 6MT?
if MT then short throw
and HID fogs if you need some more light

 

let me clarify for the OP:
The Type-S cannot be supercharged at this moment, there is no current tuning available for it, but it will be in a few months.

These are the mods that would good for you:
progress Sway Bar - this will reduce the body roll when making turns.
A-Spec suspension - Factory Accessory, this will lower the car about .5 inch and will make the ride firmer and sportier.
Tein Suspension - will lower the car UP TO 2.25 inches (you can adjust it) and the ride can be adjusted to feel like factory or brick hard.
P2R spacer - reduces heat transfered to the air so air is cooler, which means a little more power.
Outlaw spacer, does the same as above, different location though.
UR Underdrive pulley - this is good for increasing the Pep that the car has when you punch it, this will not work if you are getting an aftermarket audio system in excess of 1000 watts
Cold air intake - allows the car to breathe in colder air easily


Also some free mod's you can do:
Weight reduction: remove the covers in the engine bay, the spare tire and jack, some of the trim in the trunk and so forth.
navi hacks: you can have the start-up image changed.

Here are the best ones for you at the moment:
Weight reduction
Cold air intake

Later on, you should add:
Progress Sway Bar
Spacers
UR Pulley

After that, if yo have money, go for the suspension set-ups.

Sometime when you have the money, upgrade the rims and tires to a stickier, lighter setup.

 

Hey, my young freind, I am/was in the SAME boat you are.

No real mechanical experience, but an itch (thanks the AcuraZine Disease) to mod the TL-S.

I started off real simple: Navi Startup Screen Hack and Interior/Reverse/License Plate LED's.

Did the P2R Throttle Body Spacer next.

Then "Stage 3" Exhaust (more for sound, no gains to speak of) - that was "outsourced" to a muffler shop.

Then Progress RSB plus H&R Sport Springs (with some local help).

The TB Spacer and RSB are good places to start. Pretty easy.

The Springs aren't hard, you just need some help with the seats and spring compression, etc.

Unless you plan on driving in a straight line all the time the RSB, Springs and Shocks (or a Coil-Overs) ARE Performance Improvements. My traction is better and understeer is reduced.

Next up CAI.

Exhaust is pretty easy since they generally bolt to the stock locations, but relatively expensive (say $800+). Tires/Wheels are easy too, but again pricey.

 

NEW TIRES. THE STOCK ONES ARE JUNK

 

you must know how i feel then. i hate being oblivious when it comes to something i love. i will be taking a course in the summer though about car engines, hopefully it will help.

back to topic, i dont really care much about how it sounds, more about its actual performance. but i will look into your suggestions, thanks for your help. after testing the traction again on the car tonight, im still frustrated. how can acura create the car with so much acceleration with insufficient traction to support it.

and especially when i increase the performance, the traction will worsen unless i make it better. i dont really want to lower the car much because in my area there are a lot of hills, and it will scratch the bumpers if the car is too low

oh and any suggestions for tires with the best traction? also, can you provide links to the parts you named?

1 more thing, since ive never done any work on cars (performance wise), ill have to have professionals do it

 

thanks for your your advice and everyone else too. and im installing an aftermarket system with 2000 watts so i guess no underdrive pulley.

 

Michelin PS2s are sweet tires.

 

dude you can still get a UR pulley, they make a stock size diameter version which is still much lighter than stock pulley and almost make the same difference as the unuderdrive one.....you can run a aftermarket system with it....dont understand why the post above didnt state that.

 

Def. go for the UR pulley, makes a big difference in my opinion. And an intake is a must have.

 

Yea you can still do the pulley, but as someone higher up said the stock tires are junk, I have a 2004 Tl (so not as much power as you) and had the same traction issue, I ended up getting Eagle F-1 All season tires, I think I got them on Tire Rack for 650ish???? but have been loving them since i got them...also lowering the car can help with traction, with tighter suspension the car will have less lift in the front of the car keeping the front tires on the ground, now will you still lose a little traction...probably, will it help...definently, and lowering a car doesnt mean you have to lower it 2.5 inches, just get a basic kit like the A-spec from Honda (expensive) or get the Eibach springs, they are like 230 for the set and they lower the car an inch in the front and rear, nothing to drastic, but enough to make a difference...good luck dude, I know how feel about bills and what not, I am living the same life, just with the 04 not the type S

 

To the OP, I have the exact same car as you and am contemplating the same mods. I'm currently wrestling with tire/wheel choices but I would definitely recommend upgrading the OEM Michelins...even if you stay with the stock TL-S wheels...which I really like. A mild drop is also a relatively small investment/big payoff mod in terms of looks and performance.

 

Sorry, I was forgot to add that the under drive pulley needs less than 1000 watt systems. You can buy the stock sized one which is lightweight, this will have the motor spin up faster as well. This way, you can keep the 2000 watt system.

 

anyone have any advice on how to go about this? for example, where is the best place to buy the parts from, where should i get them installed (acura dealership service center), etc...

 

dude u know.....since ur still bustin ur ass to afford this car and doin ok at it, id leave it or go with something simple... intake, pulley, HIDs...IMO

 

Excelerate in the group buy section should have most of this. Try installing them yourself, the installs are pretty easy and there are a bunch of DIY's on here. If not, go to a local place that does work on cars, labor will be much cheaper there.

 

oh yah, i know. im upgrading it little by little. i cant afford to do a quick instant upgrade of 5000 dollars at one time. but ill probably get what you suggested installed first then go on from there.

 

thanks man. ill PM him.

 

I'd say Progress RSB and lowering on some Teins would be my first choices. And some better looking wheels.

Marcus

 

wheels and rear sway were my first mods

 

oh btw, word was going around that there was a supercharger out for a TL-S? even if there is i still wouldnt install it now, but for future reference.

 

I am not sure if you would even consider this a mod but before I even took the car home from the dealership I had them remove/mod the car by taking off the ugly side body moldings and some ugly pin stripes.

what can i say I love cars with clean lines. thats one reason i may never go with the 07 tl type-s lip kit.

D

 

damn i need to get my knowledge of cars up there. i need to take some classes. oh and did you guys buy the UR pulley, Progress RSB plus H&R Sport Springs, etc... from local shops or online?

 

lol....

 

i kind of guessed it was neither lol, but someone told me it was turbocharged, and i was like wtf? so i didnt want to assume anything until i knew for sure.

 

How about a J-Pipe ?

 

where do i purchase it from?

 

Read post 27 in that thread.

 

a spec

 

probably A spec Body kit, suspension and i would call it for a while, i love my Type S rims so far no need to change that.