First post....
Hello, As my screen names states I like to trade cars every few years... This time I thought I might cure that bug with some mods.. The TL is the best car I have even owned and I love it....She will have a spot in the garage for many years to come. Although I may need to expand the garage or kick out my wifes Mazda3 skyactiv to make way for that Mustang gt (Childhood dream).... Can I get someone to break that news to my wife?

My 2005 TL base is getting 4 upgrades today. B&G springs, K&N cai (went with the american made product ), RV6 jpipe (third cat deleted), and powerstop dirlled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. ATLP base cat back exhaust with resonator is on order... A shout out to Marcus at heeltotoe for taking the time to talk me through my purchas.....

Anyone in NC deleted the third cat and if so any inspection issues? I have read on here that I should be fine, but I am saving the factory parts just in case....

I made some of my choices based on cost such as the power stop brake package and the B&G springs, so I am very interested in gettting behind the wheel to see If I like the changes. 40 is closing in on me, I hope the rides is not too rough.

pics coming soon and product reviews coming soon.

Great site with lots of helpful posts.. thank you!

 

I've had no issues with the RV6 third cat delete, but that "looks" like a HFC. As for the newer RV6 Jpipe, it's doubtful a shop would say anything unless they know for a fact there used to be a cat in that location. Doubtful.

 

No issues here with 3rd cat delete. im running full catless exhaust too!

go to a small independent mechanic that inspects vehicles if you have any problems. i dont go to dealerships or big names service centers for inspections.

Congrats on the upgrades all at once!

 

I see that you live in NC so it might not be as bad for you...but my 3rd cat bolts are rusted to hell. If yours happen to be as bad as mine, you might be better off waiting for the ATLP exhaust and just installing it at the same time rather than trying to break it from your stock exhaust.

 

^ you again...

 

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Edit: My post was relevant...no point in messing with those rusty bolts if he has an aftermarket exhaust on order.

 

Just picked up my TL from my mechanic.. Thanks form the hookup Bruce on the labor charge... to bad he won't see that.

B&G springs: Wish it was a little lower. The factory ride is 90% intact. Sharp bumps are a little sharper. Scrapes coming in the driveway now. Angeled entry or defuser removal?

K&N cai: Nice throaty sound coming from under the hood at higher RPM's. Better throttle responce. The only issue I see is getting to the filter to clean it. Any pointers on extracting the filter?

RV6 jpipe. Nice exhaust sound with good power gain. Factory catback exhaust still intact for now. No issue with rusted bolts that I know of. I am a capable mechanic but I dont enjoy it so I dont mind paying for the service.

Power stop brake package. There is a little vibration that I hope is a temporary issue..

 

Why can't I edit my post to correct my spelling errors?

 

you only get 15 minutes to edit your posts

 

Forgot to mention that my rear camber is negative like 1.4 now, I have to get that fixed asap. Tires are too expensive to let that ride.Just purchsed a set of rear camber arms that should fix that. Man it is way to easy to spend money online.....

 

I have some personal experience with these type of mods so I'll add what I can.

Lowered: Are you just scraping the plastic piece that hangs down under the front bumper? If so, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Otherwise, angleing in is the way to go. I'm not sure how low those springs are though (I have Tein SS coilovers lowered so there's no wheel gap but not super slammed).

CAI: The easiest way to get to the CAI filter is just taking off the wheel and pulling the plastic shield away. If you feel like you need more room, then taking off the bumper isn't that bad.

V3 Jpipe: I actually failed my smog test with rv6-v3 jpipe because of the missing cat. I'm in California though so a visual inspection is done. If you go to a place that has no idea what they're looking for (if there's visual inspections in your state) then you're gonna be fine. Emissions were still way under the limit. Switching it back wasn't that big a deal though.

 

So someone did a visual and failed you? Where, so I know not to go there?

 

try getting stainless steel brake lines (heeltoe has those too), greatly improves brake pedal feel

 

Davis Smog, in Davis. I switched pipes and went back the next day for free re-inspection and passed.

Edit: He said: "What's this shiny pipe?!!!"

 

never go get a visual inspection with shiny new parts, bc then it becomes obvious that it wasn't originally there

 

My mechanic said he would pass it as long as the check engine light didn't come on during the test. Not really worried about it to be honest. I will need new brake fluid in about 10k miles so I will do the brake lines then. As for removing the cai filter ,I was hoping the obivious answer was not the correct one.. ow well. I s till like the upgrade.

 

It was close to a year old. I'm not sure why my pipes stay shiny haha