DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Helllo everyone, my names Ken and i've finally got around to becoming a member on AcuraZine!... (been using the forums since I got my car… all the questions I had were already asked/answered by other members haha.. “Search” ftw!..) So I thought I might as well start with a progress thread and introduce myself at the same time…

I bought my first car – a 2005 NBP 5AT Base TL in June 2011 and I’ve been modding it since… I wanna thank everyone on Acurazine for the great DIYs and their useful threads/posts for helping me out…

Here’s my car when I bought it @113km (abt 70 miles).. It was bone stock except for body side moldings and a rear decklid spoiler (most likely ebay)… I was in school when I purchased the car and I thought it looked amazing stock and wasn’t going to do too much to it… Little did I know lol… so here are some pics I took on my iphone.. Let me know what u think…






Imagining what it would look like if it was lower haha…



My first mod: Injen Cold Air Intake… followed DIYs from the 3G Garage and got help from one of my buddies.. love the sound, definitely louder when it hits VTEC… not too much of a power difference but I wasn’t really expecting one…


I’m a strong believer in lowering a car before u get rims… when u drop the car even the stockies look good lol… So my next purchase was the Tein Street Basis Coilovers…. Love the way the car handles compared to stock suspension… feels more stiff and smoother…

After an alignment, realized the rear camber was way out of spec, decided to order Ingalls Rear Camber Kit to adjust this…

I also got my Windows Tinted [35% front, 20% rear]… I noticed some bubbles but ive been too lazy to go back…

Heres what it looks like with the drop and tints:


To get a good comparison of the drop I took the pics at my school again:







Next: My cousin had his old system lying around so i decided to make use of it.. I had someone install 3 x 10” JL Audio Subwoofers and a JL Audio 250/1 Amplifier… Lovin the low frequencies, very clean… plus it leaves enough space in my trunk for a 2-4




Having a system in the car and an iphone led me to my next purchase: USA Spec iPod Interface… great addition as it charges the phone and allows controlling thru the steering wheel … was a little nervous tearing apart the trim but it all worked out ☺ I installed the device under my center console:





Winter Setup: I live in Canada so I got prepared for a dirty winter (which never came this year lol)… so I bought some winter tires: Hercules Avalanche Xtreme 235/45/17s and had them put on my stockies…

And this is what roadside salt on a TL looks like…


I was tempted to do something in the winter but didn’t have too much money to spend so decided to order a couple of things off of eBay…

Roof Spoiler… I think this gives a great little touch to the rear end..





Aluminum Racing Pedals… these were a Mission to install!.. But I think they look clean and match the trim:






*****SUMMER TEASER… Guess whats under heree LOL…



Peeekabooo…





Current Progress:
Jun11 – Bought TL
Jul11 – Injen Cold Air Intake
Aug11 – Tein Street Basis Coilovers
Aug11 – Window Tint [35%F, 20%R]
Sep11 – Ingalls Rear Camber Kit
Oct11 – JL Audio 3x10” Subwoofers
Oct11 – JL Audio 250/1 Amplifier
Oct11 – USA Spec iPod Integration
Nov11 – Hercules Avalanche Xtreme 235/45/17
Feb12 – Roof Spoiler
Feb12 – Aluminum Racing Pedals

Wishlist for 2012:
- Rims/Tires
- Blackout Grill (Plastidip or Vinyl)
- Exterior Detail
- A-Spec Kit
- Smoked Sidemarkers
- LED Conversion
- Blacked Out Headlights

Maybe in the future:
- RSB
- J-pipe
- Exhaust
- Weathertech Mats
- Window Visors

KieranM37

Lookin good so far dude! Get some rims and aspec kit and you'll be golden. Way to rep for the Canadian TL's

NemoTL-S

iTrader: (2)

nice start!! keep up with more mods :-)

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

you cant just show a pic of "work" and not show the wheels cmon!

Carlitos30

iTrader: (1)

Looking good bro.....

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Awesome progress fellow Torontonian.

I've been to that location in the first batch of pictures heheh

More pictures of the rear with the roof spoiler please!
I don't think anyone on here has a roof spoiler with no XM antenna, so I wanna see how clean everything looks.

Also, if you're looking to install lower fogs, let me know

Bladehopper82

Love that drop.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Ken, well done man! I like what you've done, I like your "To-Do" list and your Wish List is right-on!

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Thanks!.. Got some wheels on it noww - ill post pics when i get a chance.. and im on the lookout for an a-spec kit!..

I shall

Hahaha gotta get the excitement goingg!...

Thank u sirr

Thanks bro!.. Its nice having some locals on here... i feel like i live in some random country sometimes with the high shipping/tax rates we have to pay for parts lol... and yes those pics were taken when i was at Western!!.. i miss that placee... Hands down one of the best partying schools in canada!...

And for sure, i'll be posting some pics up when i get a chance of my whole car with the spoiler and new rimss

Honestly, the fogs werent on my radar until u mentioned it.. i checked out ur DIY and i am SOLD hahah... u did an awesome job on that, very detailed and the results look amazing!.. I shall PM u on that soon!..

Me too... the TL can look a lot more aggressive with just a dropp!..

Thanks Steven!.. yea we all have many dreams hahaha.. not sure if itll all actually happen but the more time i spend on here i dont doubt thatt ill be making some progresss!!..

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Lots of my buddies go to Western haha

Thanks for the support for the DIY!
The lower fogs are a must have for 04-06 TLs
The best part is that it's not an crazy expensive mod, either.
You can pick up the OEM kit for like 50 bucks on ebay (compared to $330 from dealers).
Type-S grills are optional

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Yea i like the honeycomb grill, looks better IMO.. I knew my front bumper looked kinda plain - thought the aspec kit would help but after seeing the lower fogs i definitely want to get them!... Gotta love AZ for tempting u to do things that never crossed ur mind before haha!!...

gwai1o

Uhhh...you're missing a pedal, dude..

jp! Looking good so far! How hard was the iPhone thing to install?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yeah the honeycomb definitely makes the front look more unique.



The grills cost like 70 bucks altogether?
2 lower grills
1 center grill
2 chrome bars that go on lower grill

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Loll is the that a shot at the AT?... Coming from the fellow with "1995 Toyota Supra Turbo (AT) in their signature? hahaha... i wish i had another pedal!... due to some complicationss i had to get an auto

anyways, iphone adapter wasnt too hard to install.. just need to take off the trims and a bunch of screws... the hardest part is probably when u have to plug in the connector to the back of the deck.. its hard to fit ur hand in their (while ur laying upside down with ur head on the accelerator lol)... Other than that its pretty easy.. definately something u should be able to do on ur own...

This thread should give u almost u everything u need to know : https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/i-160-usa-spec-install-633080/

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

********UPDATE... Prepped my calipers for the new wheelss:




And now...

Say hello to my matte black Work Emotion 11R wheels
Specs are 18x8.5 +38
They came wrapped in Falken Ziex ze912s - 225/40/18...











So after i washed my car, i had to go run some errands... unfortunately the mudflaps/wheel wells got really dirty and i didnt notice until i uploaded the pictures My apologies but ull still get the idea!....
















And here's a few taken at night:

3g-s

any update on the grill black out? im thinking the same thing

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Not yet man.. Gonna probably wait a bit to do that.. Still debating which direction I wanna take it!!..

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Wow, that looks excellent!

HDIZZLE

iTrader: (1)

aspec and your golden

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

^^ Yupp... Just trying to find one for a good pricee!..

gwai1o

Trust me, I never hear the end of it.. At least it's a TT!

Pghpizzaman

looks good man, ditch the rear emblems too. looks clean with the wheels n drop

MattB07TL

Looks good .Like the rims

Trunk Monkey

iTrader: (1)

fixed

BigPZ

Car looks good, but I'd consider some spacers to fill out those wheel wells

mY sLOW UA6

Looks good moosehead is good stuff too

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Thankss!.. i debated debadging it for a while... but i thought without an aspec or catback/tips, theres not much to look at in the bak... i think im gna wait and maybe revisit that laterr!..

Thanks bro!...

Hahaha i was waiting for somebody to mention that!... yea i knw theres a bunch of scratches and swirl marks, owner before me used to take it thru gas station carwashes (found receipts)... but ive been busy doin other things kind of neglected the paint ill be looking into that soon!...

Yeszirr!... after the drop noticed a big gap... especially on my stocks.. but yea after i decide on the height i want to keep it i will look into spacers to get it more flush...

Thanks man!.. .yea moosehead is the bombb, Eh!.. hahahaha

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone.. so i thought id revive this tread with some updates for the spring.. since the last time i posted ive done a few things:

So first i replaced my driver side mirror bc of the ugly mark thats been bugging me since i got my car (i know its not as bad as some other members on here, but it really bothered me)...






I also picked up a used ATLP V1 J-pipe from a local for a good price... I ended up installing that, along with the "stage 3" exhaust (Dynomax Resonator and Midmuffler Delete).. love the sound, it has a nice deep rumble to it, and some added midrange torque

.... However, i want to put a type-s aspec rear on my car - which also means quads... i should have just saved up for a full catback but i think now im just going to do a custom magnaflow setup bc i already hacked up my exhaust, might aswell just add to it.. trying to find the right tips tho (staggered 3.5" single walled - can't find them anywere if anyone has suggestions let me know!...





Next - i added 50hp with this mod... hahaha added work wheels stickers on the rear quarter windows... not sure how long ill keep these on.. i really want the diecast acurazine ones but i guess i have to wait until xmas for the holiday drive?




Then i ordered Akata Spacers off of ebay after reading good reviews on az..

I got 15mm Front and 20mm Rear... they seem well built and make a HUGE difference on my car..



Before spacers..





After the spacerss.. (i can actually see my rims from the side now lol)








So the weathers been nice down here in toronto the past couple of days... so i finally got around to Plastidip Front Grille and alsoo my full oem A-spec Lip Kit came in!..

So far I've only installed the front and the sides.. i got the type S rear so it will require some modification.. hopefully i can get to that next weeek!..

Sunkist_EM1

Nice build so far bro !! I love the work 11r wheels.. I had a set as well but they were bronze and 18x9.5 +30

Here's a pic

05_NBP_TL

iTrader: (1)

Nice progress. the lip kit really set it off in the end. post back when you get the rear type-s lip installed. I'm looking at going the same route right now (have the base aspec lip and want the type-s w/ ATLP quads)

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

SIC! Love the progress dude!! Great job

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Nice progress, keep it up Have you ever considered losing the BSM's?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Wow, beautiful work brother!

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Debadge the rear!

ebelp

Nice progress so far!!!

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

oh my god what a difference spacers make. i didnt like the rims before now I love them

DarkNite

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man.. yea those wheels look really aggressive on your car!.. i like the colour combo too.. I wish i had 9.5s all around and gunmetal, but i got a good deal on this used set, so i didnt really have the option to choose!..

Oh well the black is growing on me and i think the spacers helped out the gap!.. and damN, that pic makes me want to go lowerrrrr

Will do!... and yes the atlp quads are perfectt.. just a little pricey!..

Thank you!.. Modding really is addictive.. its taking over my life haha!..

Thankss!.. and yes, i have considered getting rid of them.. it'll look a lot cleaner

But... the problem is that i work downtown and park my car at the train station... that place is a zoo!.. even tho i park at the farthest part of the lot someone decides they want to park beside me Still debating whether the looks outweigh the added protection

Thanks Steve!..

Haha almost everyonee on heres debadged their rear!.. trying to keep it a little different.. rep the TL!.. but who knows.. maybe one day ill be bored and end up doing it

Thank you sirr!..

Hahaha trust me!.. thats what i said.. i bought them off a guy with a tsx.. the 8.5s looked good on his car.. when i put them on mine i was like uh oh, did i just make a bad choice... but its true the spacers make a Huge difference.. the car looks so much more aggressive, they're perfect now

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Awesome progress buddy!

Bankz

nice progress see you at the meet tomorrow

k1x

iTrader: (1)

keep it up!!!