BigPZ's Progress Thread - Updated 04/11/2012
04-07-2011, 10:07 AM
#1
Registered 3.5L Member
Thread Starter
BigPZ's Progress Thread - Updated 04/11/2012
After 3 months of ownership I have finally got around to starting my progress thread. I never intended on doing any mods to this car as I thought it was perfect stock, but that's how we all start right???
January 6, 2011. I didn't even have the car in my possession for 24hrs and got it tinted 17% all around, except for the windshield.
Sorry for the crappy pics - these are the only early ones I have
In February I got a great deal on my aspec kit through a GB from AckTL05, and at first I was going to go with the base front under spoiler ala JPTL04. In fact I was surprised and a little pissed off when the I opened the Big FedEx box, and found that Curry Acura had sent me the Type-S front underspoiler, and not the Base 07-08 one which I originally ordered. I unwrapped it from that foam stuff, and decided to do a half assed test fit just to see how it would look on my car. WOW!! I FELL IN LOVE IMMEDIATELY!! I know lots of people say it looks bug eyed or whatever, and honestly I wasnt the biggest fan at first. BUT...now I think the Type-S front really sets the car off and looks super aggressive.
My wife on the other hand thought I was nuts - she comes out to the garage and my front and rear bumpers are removed, with tools all over the place, and the garage looks like a chop shop. "You have the car one month, and already it's in pieces - You're a F*%@IN Idiot"!!
What do YOU think?
I ordered rims for the car shortly after the aspec kit install, and I'm still waiting for them to come in. Because of the Brembos in the front, it was difficult to find something that I liked, and that fit. It seemd that nothing I liked fit, while nothing that fit, excited me. Eventually I found a shop that deals directly with Vertini, and got a great deal on a set of Vertini Fairlady. 19x8.5 19x9.5 staggered. Apparently the rim shop is going to have the factory custom cut the fronts to clear my brakes, so I'm pretty excited about the exclusivity!!Tires, I'll figure out when the rims come in.
I love the machined finish outlining each spoke, which will ensure that they dont just dissappear into the wheel wells.
Now that I have rims on order, I'd be silly not to drop the car right?? One of the reasons I bought the car is because of its sleek and sexy looks - I definately dont want a DONK!
I did some research on here and decided to go with Megans. I got a great price @ $830 shipped, and I loved the fact that these dampers were basically plug and play. I would also be able to store the stock suspension as a backup, and not have to play with spring compressors and top hats and all that crap.
My order arrived on April 1st, and everything looked amazing!
The install was a little trickier than I thought, mostly because I coulndt find the two bolts that are hidden behind the rear headrests. For anyone that knows these bolts, knows that you have to actually stick your socket through the seat to unbolt the seatback - Stupid things took me like 2 hours to find (would have been 4 if murph145 didn't dumb it down for me and explain their location) THANKS JUSTIN!
Other then that, the install went smoothly.
For anyone that's interested in knowing how low I went, here's what I did. Fresh out of the box I raised the adjustable nut 25 threads on the front dampers, and 7 threads on the rears - I have my boy SharksBreath to thank for that advice - THANKS AARON! What I ended up with was a nice aggressive stance where I was just - and I mean JUST able to pull out the jack when I lowered the car to the ground. The nasty and unsighly gaps were eliminated, leaving a pinky gap at the front and about a regular finger gap at the back.
BEFORE
AFTER
Everything was fine on my way to work on Monday morning. On my way home from work though, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the left front damper every time I went over a bump.
After taking everything apart again when I got home, it turns out that the nut directly beneath the damper adjustment knob was installed loosely from the factory - about an 8th of an inch. So even though the damper was secure to the car, every time I went over a bump, there was an 8th of an inch of travel between this nut and the upper pillowball bearing. I tightened that nut up, put everything back together, and no more noise. I have heard from others that this has also happened to them. So my advice for anyone installing Megans, make sure that the nut directly beneath the damper adjustment knob is tight before you install your dampers.
January 6, 2011. I didn't even have the car in my possession for 24hrs and got it tinted 17% all around, except for the windshield.
Sorry for the crappy pics - these are the only early ones I have
In February I got a great deal on my aspec kit through a GB from AckTL05, and at first I was going to go with the base front under spoiler ala JPTL04. In fact I was surprised and a little pissed off when the I opened the Big FedEx box, and found that Curry Acura had sent me the Type-S front underspoiler, and not the Base 07-08 one which I originally ordered. I unwrapped it from that foam stuff, and decided to do a half assed test fit just to see how it would look on my car. WOW!! I FELL IN LOVE IMMEDIATELY!! I know lots of people say it looks bug eyed or whatever, and honestly I wasnt the biggest fan at first. BUT...now I think the Type-S front really sets the car off and looks super aggressive.
My wife on the other hand thought I was nuts - she comes out to the garage and my front and rear bumpers are removed, with tools all over the place, and the garage looks like a chop shop. "You have the car one month, and already it's in pieces - You're a F*%@IN Idiot"!!
What do YOU think?
I ordered rims for the car shortly after the aspec kit install, and I'm still waiting for them to come in. Because of the Brembos in the front, it was difficult to find something that I liked, and that fit. It seemd that nothing I liked fit, while nothing that fit, excited me. Eventually I found a shop that deals directly with Vertini, and got a great deal on a set of Vertini Fairlady. 19x8.5 19x9.5 staggered. Apparently the rim shop is going to have the factory custom cut the fronts to clear my brakes, so I'm pretty excited about the exclusivity!!Tires, I'll figure out when the rims come in.
I love the machined finish outlining each spoke, which will ensure that they dont just dissappear into the wheel wells.
Now that I have rims on order, I'd be silly not to drop the car right?? One of the reasons I bought the car is because of its sleek and sexy looks - I definately dont want a DONK!
I did some research on here and decided to go with Megans. I got a great price @ $830 shipped, and I loved the fact that these dampers were basically plug and play. I would also be able to store the stock suspension as a backup, and not have to play with spring compressors and top hats and all that crap.
My order arrived on April 1st, and everything looked amazing!
The install was a little trickier than I thought, mostly because I coulndt find the two bolts that are hidden behind the rear headrests. For anyone that knows these bolts, knows that you have to actually stick your socket through the seat to unbolt the seatback - Stupid things took me like 2 hours to find (would have been 4 if murph145 didn't dumb it down for me and explain their location) THANKS JUSTIN!
Other then that, the install went smoothly.
For anyone that's interested in knowing how low I went, here's what I did. Fresh out of the box I raised the adjustable nut 25 threads on the front dampers, and 7 threads on the rears - I have my boy SharksBreath to thank for that advice - THANKS AARON! What I ended up with was a nice aggressive stance where I was just - and I mean JUST able to pull out the jack when I lowered the car to the ground. The nasty and unsighly gaps were eliminated, leaving a pinky gap at the front and about a regular finger gap at the back.
BEFORE
AFTER
Everything was fine on my way to work on Monday morning. On my way home from work though, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the left front damper every time I went over a bump.
After taking everything apart again when I got home, it turns out that the nut directly beneath the damper adjustment knob was installed loosely from the factory - about an 8th of an inch. So even though the damper was secure to the car, every time I went over a bump, there was an 8th of an inch of travel between this nut and the upper pillowball bearing. I tightened that nut up, put everything back together, and no more noise. I have heard from others that this has also happened to them. So my advice for anyone installing Megans, make sure that the nut directly beneath the damper adjustment knob is tight before you install your dampers.
Last edited by BigPZ; 04-07-2011 at 10:14 AM. Reason: Computer issue
04-07-2011, 10:12 AM
#3
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looks great joe!take some more pics of your suspension set up, wheel gap, etc.
keep up the good work!
04-07-2011, 10:20 AM
#4
Registered 3.5L Member
Thread Starter
Some more pics of how the car looks after the Megan drop
(car is a bit dirty)
(car is a bit dirty)
04-07-2011, 11:52 AM
#7
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Nice progress! The drop and A-Spec kit changes the whole look of the car! 
Trending Topics
04-07-2011, 10:05 PM
#14
Drifting
yum!!! lokn fwd to the rims getn on! 
haha im glad i was able to point you in the right direction Joe i was at the gym when you called so i didnt hear the first ring
haha im glad i was able to point you in the right direction Joe i was at the gym when you called so i didnt hear the first ring
04-07-2011, 10:16 PM
#15
hey nice drop i know you can change the damper settings on the coil overs my question is how? i mean if you were to change the setting in the back would you have to remove the seat and turn the knob on the top? or is there another way..thanks
04-07-2011, 10:21 PM
#16
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Ride looks so clean =)
Nice drop.
Nice drop.
04-08-2011, 09:06 AM
#19
Registered 3.5L Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Guys!! I love how it looks now!!!
Aaron, for some reason I'm not surprised you're one of the first to comment!! Thanks again for your help!
I agree 100%..the car looks way different than stock!
I know!! I cant wait for the rims!!! Just hoping its soon
And Joe I'm not kidding, next time I'm down near NJ we gonna have a Spy vs. Spy photo shoot!!
Teins, good pickup! And no I'm not gonna sell the waffles...I need rims for the winter...I hate getting it all covered in salt and shit, but I cant really afford another car right now
, got married and bought a house last year.
Justin you bastard!!! If you weren't trying to get so buff for the ladies you woulda saved me 5 mins of SERIOUS AGGRIVATION!!
There are adjustment knobs in the center at the top of each damper. On Megans the adjustment range has 32 levels. 0 being the hardest and 32 the softest. Each click in either direction constitutes a change in firmness. Each time you wanna adjust the rear dampers you do have to take out the back seat. BUT now that I know exactly where all the bolts are, it shouldn't take more than 10 mins MAX next time.
Thanks! Where in Toronto are you?
Thanks for the positive comments! Listen noober!! I'm no different than you!! This is why the forum is such a valueable resource!! Aspec kit installs run from $250-$500 (depending on where you go) and suspension installs can run you the same amount. So doing these two mods myself saved me between $500-$1000!!
$$$ for more toys!!! I'd rather buy myself a new present than pay some random dude to work on my car + I know that if I take my time I can do it right won't worry later! If you ever need advice holler at me, if I can't help you, I'll know someone who can!!
I'll see how she looks with her new shoes...if I have to go lower then I will...ahhh the beauty of coilovers!!
And Joe I'm not kidding, next time I'm down near NJ we gonna have a Spy vs. Spy photo shoot!!
, got married and bought a house last year.Thanks! Where in Toronto are you?
$$$ for more toys!!! I'd rather buy myself a new present than pay some random dude to work on my car + I know that if I take my time I can do it right won't worry later! If you ever need advice holler at me, if I can't help you, I'll know someone who can!!I'll see how she looks with her new shoes...if I have to go lower then I will...ahhh the beauty of coilovers!!
04-08-2011, 10:02 AM
#23
Registered 3.5L Member
Thread Starter
For everyone asking or PMing me about my Megans, I got them from Henry Wong at Statik Performance out of Monterey Park, California.
I know it sounds like a plug, but I was very happy with the way Henry treated me. All in all a very hassle-free transaction.
Thanks! I have my dampers set to 22 front and 23 rear, and the ride is just a little harsher than stock. I only really notice a difference when I go over larger bumps - but you have to remember, the car IS lower to the ground.
^
Thanks! I want my Type-S to be just as UGLY yours!!! Another candidate for a Spy vs. Spy photo shoot!!
I know it sounds like a plug, but I was very happy with the way Henry treated me. All in all a very hassle-free transaction.
Thanks! I have my dampers set to 22 front and 23 rear, and the ride is just a little harsher than stock. I only really notice a difference when I go over larger bumps - but you have to remember, the car IS lower to the ground.
^
Thanks! I want my Type-S to be just as UGLY yours!!! Another candidate for a Spy vs. Spy photo shoot!!
Last edited by Steven Bell; 04-22-2011 at 08:03 PM.
04-28-2011, 01:35 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
Since my last post, I wrapped my headlights with bluebat partial overlays while I figure out how exactly I want to black them out for the long term. (I currently have slight fogging issues, which will have to be remedied sooner rather than later). I also tinted the turn signals on my mirrors. The installs were pretty straight forward, but it took me a lot longer for the headlights. With the mirror turn signals, you can heat the vinyl, stretch it to fit, then trim the excess. The partial headlight overlays cannot be stretched too much, or you will deform the cutout for the HIDs.
Some pics I took after a good wash(note the fogging mentioned above)
It's starting to look properly BLACK!!!
I also finished wrapping my front grille shortly after I took the above pics. (SharksBreath thanks again for your advice - This dude seems to know everything about everything with these Type-Ses)
I used Black Glossy Vinyl called "ORACAL Glossy Color Finish Vinyl Car Wrap Sheet" from StickerCity.com. A 60"x1 Foot sheet, which is more than enogh costs $25, making this a very inexpensive mod - if you dont live in Canada. I was only given the following shipping options on their web site:
UPS Worldwide Express Plus - $198.86
UPS Worldwide Express - $154.46
UPS Worldwide Expedited - $133.71
UPS Worldwide Saver - $149.30
...for a $25 product???? Not gonna happen.....So I called them up and long story short had it shipped to my house by express USPS for under $30...still too much if you ask me...
The installation was not too bad, having already removed the bumper a few times. It's a tedious task, but it will turn out as good as the effort you put into it. I'm very particular, and wanted it to turn out perfectly, so all in all it took me about 4 hours. Each part of the grille has to be taken apart, cleaned, dried, wrapped, and put back together.
Here's what it looked like:
Everything disassembled and cleaned
Everything wrapped and ready to be put back together
Ready to be put back on the car
End result!!
I LOVE how it looks, and I cant wait for the Rims!!!
Some pics I took after a good wash(note the fogging mentioned above)
It's starting to look properly BLACK!!!
I also finished wrapping my front grille shortly after I took the above pics. (SharksBreath thanks again for your advice - This dude seems to know everything about everything with these Type-Ses
)I used Black Glossy Vinyl called "ORACAL Glossy Color Finish Vinyl Car Wrap Sheet" from StickerCity.com. A 60"x1 Foot sheet, which is more than enogh costs $25, making this a very inexpensive mod - if you dont live in Canada. I was only given the following shipping options on their web site:
UPS Worldwide Express Plus - $198.86
UPS Worldwide Express - $154.46
UPS Worldwide Expedited - $133.71
UPS Worldwide Saver - $149.30
...for a $25 product????
Not gonna happen.....So I called them up and long story short had it shipped to my house by express USPS for under $30...still too much if you ask me...The installation was not too bad, having already removed the bumper a few times. It's a tedious task, but it will turn out as good as the effort you put into it. I'm very particular, and wanted it to turn out perfectly, so all in all it took me about 4 hours. Each part of the grille has to be taken apart, cleaned, dried, wrapped, and put back together.
Here's what it looked like:
Everything disassembled and cleaned
Everything wrapped and ready to be put back together
Ready to be put back on the car
End result!!
I LOVE how it looks, and I cant wait for the Rims!!!
Last edited by BigPZ; 04-28-2011 at 01:47 PM.
04-28-2011, 02:21 PM
#27
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04-28-2011, 02:27 PM
#28
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lookin good man...our cars are starting to look a lot alike.
keep it up!
keep it up!
04-28-2011, 02:44 PM
#29
Cruisin'
You sir, have a beastly black car. Very nice. I was a bit skeptical of the vinyl at first.... then I scrolled down to the pictures and you definitely changed my mind. Turned out great
BTW, I'm a TL noob so I'm still forming opinions on vinyl covered grills. lol
BTW, I'm a TL noob so I'm still forming opinions on vinyl covered grills. lol
04-28-2011, 04:07 PM
#34
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04-28-2011, 08:36 PM
#35
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when you are referring that you got a good deal on those wheels, what is the price by the numbers?? how much you got it for? i saw those wheels on ebay for 1400 shipped, was it better than that??
04-28-2011, 09:50 PM
#36
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Excellent job on the headlight tints and the nose. I had BlueBatmobile 6/10 tints on my headlights before I cleared them and installed the LED's. I liked the BlueBat tints a lot....enjoy!
2011 National AcuraZine Meet-Kansas City-June 12, 2011-Details Here!
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2011 National AcuraZine Meet-Kansas City-June 12, 2011-Details Here!
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04-28-2011, 09:53 PM
#37
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Damn that grill looks great. Nicely done sir
04-30-2011, 09:34 AM
#40
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Thread Starter
So I think I did OK.