tlbase04

Hello all. Ive made a few posts on here about problems i have been having with a TL that i picked up about a couple months ago. Thought it might be time to start a thread about it.

I picked it up from a woman my fiance works with for pretty cheap cause she was informed, by Honda, that the tranny was in need of replacement. Well, this is supposed to be the second trans, and a rebuilt unit with only 40k miles on it. Turns out, when AAMCO said they put a rebuilt unit in it, it was actually a junkyard unit (given away by the junkyard paint pen writting all over it).

Long story short, she never really took real good care of it, and ive been working on getting it back to perfect running order. The supposed trans problem that was dictating a replacement, turned out to be a couple different things. One, it had the wrong fluid in it. Two, it needed the pressure switches replaced, and the small case filter replaced. Discovered after some issues with it remaning in 5th gear at highway speeds and suddenly downshifting on me to 2nd gear, that the gear position switch was faulty. Just so happens the CV boots on the drivers axles were also torn and throwing grease and dirt all over the damn thing. Messed up the wires and the switch.

Aside from LOTS of cosmetic stuff, it runs pretty damn good. I have plans to do an A-spec kit with a Type-S rear skirt setup on it and a few other things as well. As of right now, she sits waiting for a new axle and gear switch that i have to find time to install. Heres the pics from when i first bought it.











I'll be doing my best to update things as i go. I have some more pics, which i will post up, just going to be a few days. Until then, heres a pic of the last bath she had a few days ago.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Best of luck!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Congrats on your new ride. All the best cleaning her up!

tlbase04

Sorry its been a little while since i have updated this, not that im disappointing anyone lol.

The car was pretty well used by the time she made it to my hands. I have to have cleaned up a full starbucks espresso from the center console and shifter assembly, and loads of dog hair and other nasty dirty stuff in the car. So far, its cleaned up really well.

Heres a few pics of the interior before doing anything.











Fogged over on all the interior lights



Took the front plate mount off

tlbase04

Dash is in pretty sad shape



Its gonna need a new hood. I tried fixing the crease but its still bad.



Headlights were fogged over



Broken left rear side marker

tlbase04

Started cleaning up the center console area. As you can see, it was pretty bad.

tlbase04

Got it all cleaned up and reassembled











Polished up all the clear lenses from the overhead lights



Started cleaning the headlights to

tlbase04

Installed LEDs in the overhead lights and courtesy lights in the doors





Gave the engine bay a full detail and removed the stock intake setup and installed a temporary intake. Its now been replaced with an actual cold air setup. The fact it sits down in the opening of the left lower grill will change slightly once i install the Inspire fog lights i want to get.

tlbase04

I also purchased Type-S tail lights for it too





Then began fixing the front bumper cover too. Big tear, filling in the bumper mount holes and the impressions it left at the top. I also began the center grill mod too.

tlbase04

Ive got alot i need to do still. I have lots of work on the front bumper and i need to replace the rear bumper cover too as most of the mounting tabs are busted out. I do have it held in place with the original snap tabs (passenger side was held on with electrical tape), but the screw and bolt hole mountings are all broke out.

I also got my transmission issue fixed and working properly. Discovered it was dropping out of 5th to 2nd at 70mph because the Gear Selector Switch was bad. It also had a faulty shift pressure solenoid. So all the solenoids and switches were replaced with the exception of the two solenoid packs. I also found out it had Dex3 in the trans. So after about 5 drain and fills and 4 filter changes, shes driving like a dream and i couldnt be happier.

I have plans soon to do some exhaust work, but i may wait till i can have the full works done.

I'll try better to keep updates more current as they happen.

truonghthe

good job, keep us posted.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Well done. Anxious to see the finished product.

hannamand

Very nice! I'm in a similar situation, bought a '04 with a manual transmission and nav last night.

What product did you use to clean the headlights?

tlbase04

I used the Meguires Plastic polish, but after a wash and two weeks in the sun, the lenses look like shit again. Im going to be sanding and re-clearing them here in the next few weeks probably.

hannamand

Good to know, thanks for the tip, I got a cheep buffing wheel from the auto parts place, I've heard toothpaste works, I think I'll give that a go and if not buy a pair of headlights.

tlbase04

Don't have much time sometime to post so progress pic uploading is a bit slow.

Got her fully cleaned up about a week ago, she still shines up nicely.



Started work on removing the badges on the decklid. I have plans to also delete the "A", but i am still on the fence about that. Might just look into a black one.



I also got tired of looking at a not fully reassembled center console. The trim garnishes were pretty roughed up on their decal pattern, so borrowing the idea from another member, i sanded them down and cleared over them. Im loving the brushed look more than i did the original pattern.

All i did was hit it with some glass cleaner and a red scotch bright pad, worked perfectly!







Cleared and installed.







I then decided to pull off the passenger side dash piece and gave it the same treatment.





I have the driver side piece done as well, but dont have any pics yet. It was a bit more tricky as its not removable from the vent assembly, but still came out great. I want to do the same to the doors as well with their metal garnishes. Its a simple mod that really didnt cost anything but some time and a little clear paint. I think it really enhances the look of the dash.

More on the way soon!

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

Interesting move on the trim pieces I like it! For the A, why not just plasti dip it black? It's removable if you don't like it, the A will still be there, and it will blend in!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

^^^ +1

hannamand

The Trim garnishes are aluminum underneath?! Sweet! I was thinking that they would be plastic, the decals on mine look like crap too.

Gadgetmanconnor

Definitely had a rough life before. Good to see someone cleaning it up. Keep up the good work.

DesertMistTL

iTrader: (2)

oh boy, cant wait to see it restored. she's been through a lot.

hannamand

Where's you get the rear air splitter that's in your avitar?!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Great follow up by adding the clear coat! Nicely done. Honestly, I look MORE forward to a build like this, where you're breathing new life by not being a lazy fuck...than the check out how cambered and stanced I am threads.
This shit is awesome.

and for other's
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...inside-837375/

tlbase04

Heres how the driver side vent garnish turned out after wards.



Here you can really see the difference between the decals and the brushed look. I need to do the ones on the door panels now to make it all even. I think it adds a new touch of class to the inside honestly.



Planning on getting the windows tinted too within the next couple weeks. I miss having a car with tint, especially since shes black lol

ff4930

wow awesome progress. I am def subscribed to see the final result! Good luck!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Actually doesn't look too far off from the door trim.
I may go back and do this...adding the clear on top really makes it look great.

DesertMistTL

iTrader: (2)

ebay! diy here https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...nstall-946637/

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

^^^ That diffuser looks good-very aggressive.

hannamand

I like the sanded and clear coated trim pieces... I can't wait to see what you do with the cracked dash!

tlbase04

Cracked dash is gonna take some work. I need to start saving to replace it. I think its pretty well beyond repair at this point.