mynameisraj's Progress Thread
04-22-2012, 02:21 PM
#1
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mynameisraj's Progress Thread
Bought my TL last year. I haven't done much to it, but I thought I'd start a place to add updates.
I like to modify things, but this TL needs a lot of work. I'm trying to fix things more than I modify things. It needs several panels repainted, a new front bumper, refinishing of the wheels, Bluetooth module replacement, and a few leaks fixed that I'll take care of at 105k.
Entire list of "mods":
When I brought it home:
I installed Type-S sidemarkers this year:
I knew that the taillights would be very tricky (I haven't worked on cars before), so I had a friend help me do that yesterday:
Went for a really nice mountain drive and snapped this after I put the new taillights in:
I don't have a ton of money to sink into this thing, but one day I hope to get
in addition to fixing all the cosmetic issues. I bought a set of Supercomputer pedals, but I haven't put them on yet.
I'm off to college next year, and I'm not planning on taking the car with me while I'm a freshman. I hope to resume working on it soon.
I like to modify things, but this TL needs a lot of work. I'm trying to fix things more than I modify things. It needs several panels repainted, a new front bumper, refinishing of the wheels, Bluetooth module replacement, and a few leaks fixed that I'll take care of at 105k.
Entire list of "mods":
- Swapped out the beat up shift knob for a 4G one.
- Added a USA-SPEC PA15-HON3.
- Type-S taillights and sidemarkers
When I brought it home:
I installed Type-S sidemarkers this year:
I knew that the taillights would be very tricky (I haven't worked on cars before), so I had a friend help me do that yesterday:
Went for a really nice mountain drive and snapped this after I put the new taillights in:
I don't have a ton of money to sink into this thing, but one day I hope to get
- A-SPEC lip kit
- TEIN coilovers
- Window visors
- Brakemotive rotors
- Rear sway bar
- LEDs
in addition to fixing all the cosmetic issues. I bought a set of Supercomputer pedals, but I haven't put them on yet.
I'm off to college next year, and I'm not planning on taking the car with me while I'm a freshman. I hope to resume working on it soon.
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04-22-2012, 05:12 PM
#11
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Nicely done! Any pics of the 4G knob?
04-22-2012, 06:28 PM
#12
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It's no different from the 3G knob. http://instagr.am/p/IsVG2BRTkS
Also forgot to mention that I put GM synchromesh in the transmission. It fixed the third gear pop-out.
Also forgot to mention that I put GM synchromesh in the transmission. It fixed the third gear pop-out.
Last edited by mynameisraj; 04-22-2012 at 06:31 PM.
04-22-2012, 11:34 PM
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Nice shots, Raj. I like your "to-do" list too.
12-25-2012, 05:47 PM
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Been a long time without updates! School has kept me busy and I haven't been home until recently.
My friend came over with his 455whp turbo Prelude and after driving that around (boy was that fun… wheelspin in 3rd!), I let him drive the TL. Long story short, he owed me a new bumper, so I picked up a Type-S rear!
I figured I'd take care of the new front while it's at the shop, so I got that as well. I didn't realize how huge these parts were… they are sitting in my garage until it hits the shop.
On top of that, I splurged a little bit and got the following:
The car is supposed to go into the shop on Thursday, but I only just ordered the kit and it has yet to ship. I figure if I'm having them put the bumpers on anyways (it's cold here and I'd rather not work on the car in these conditions), I'll have them install the kit. I'll probably have to call the shop and bring it in next week instead.
After the car comes out of the shop, I'm going to take it in for the exhaust work and then put on the rotors and pads.
It's going to be a fun two weeks! I will be sure to update this thread as things happen.
My friend came over with his 455whp turbo Prelude and after driving that around (boy was that fun… wheelspin in 3rd!), I let him drive the TL. Long story short, he owed me a new bumper, so I picked up a Type-S rear!
I figured I'd take care of the new front while it's at the shop, so I got that as well. I didn't realize how huge these parts were… they are sitting in my garage until it hits the shop.
On top of that, I splurged a little bit and got the following:
- A-Spec lip kit
- Dynamax resonator (for stage 3)
- Quad tips (from SoCal Autosports so that I don't look weird rocking UA6 tips with a UA7 bumper)
- Brakemotive kit
- LEDs (dome lights, courtesy lights, trunk, glovebox, center console, and license plate)
The car is supposed to go into the shop on Thursday, but I only just ordered the kit and it has yet to ship. I figure if I'm having them put the bumpers on anyways (it's cold here and I'd rather not work on the car in these conditions), I'll have them install the kit. I'll probably have to call the shop and bring it in next week instead.
After the car comes out of the shop, I'm going to take it in for the exhaust work and then put on the rotors and pads.
It's going to be a fun two weeks! I will be sure to update this thread as things happen.
12-25-2012, 06:34 PM
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Nice update-in for pictures.
01-03-2013, 06:31 PM
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A-SPEC kit came yesterday. It's never going to be warm enough for me to install it, though.
I also got the car back today! It had to have some pretty significant repair done on a quarter panel, so they completely resculpted it (the panel). The new bumper was also mounted… I am going to the exhaust shop tomorrow and will get the "stage 3" completed and quad tips welded there.
I didn't buy the exhaust garnish for the new bumper because I have the A-SPEC kit which has the garnish built-in to the rear spoiler.
I also got the car back today! It had to have some pretty significant repair done on a quarter panel, so they completely resculpted it (the panel). The new bumper was also mounted… I am going to the exhaust shop tomorrow and will get the "stage 3" completed and quad tips welded there.
I didn't buy the exhaust garnish for the new bumper because I have the A-SPEC kit which has the garnish built-in to the rear spoiler.
01-04-2013, 07:11 PM
#20
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Not sure why the image above is broken. Oh well.
I took the car to the exhaust guy today and had the new tips welded in along with the stage 3 stuff done. The car sounds awesome (sounds completely normal unless hard on throttle inside, which is exactly what I was looking for), and it looks fairly good too.
The guy mentioned he couldn't quite get the tips to fit properly, so I took a look and he was right. The bends in the mufflers are a bit weird. I ended up driving it home with the tips looking a bit odd, but he said it was as straight as he could manage (and I took his word for it since he has an amazing reputation).
As you can see, the fitment is a bit odd. It's still not awful though; I'm happy with it. The new bumper looks pretty good too, I think.
Also saw another TL today and parked next to it… turns out it was another 6 speed
I took the car to the exhaust guy today and had the new tips welded in along with the stage 3 stuff done. The car sounds awesome (sounds completely normal unless hard on throttle inside, which is exactly what I was looking for), and it looks fairly good too.
The guy mentioned he couldn't quite get the tips to fit properly, so I took a look and he was right. The bends in the mufflers are a bit weird. I ended up driving it home with the tips looking a bit odd, but he said it was as straight as he could manage (and I took his word for it since he has an amazing reputation).
As you can see, the fitment is a bit odd. It's still not awful though; I'm happy with it. The new bumper looks pretty good too, I think.
Also saw another TL today and parked next to it… turns out it was another 6 speed
01-04-2013, 08:02 PM
#21
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Congrats on the new goodies Raj 
I don't think the fitment is terrible but I wouldn't rule out a full catback system to replace them in the future
I don't think the fitment is terrible but I wouldn't rule out a full catback system to replace them in the future
01-04-2013, 10:02 PM
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I'm not sure how much it can be fixed. The exhaust guy said that there are bends past the rear two mufflers and that as a result he can only angle the tips a certain way. I'm thinking it might look a lot better with the A-Spec kit on.
01-05-2013, 01:44 PM
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As long as you like it, Raj!
01-05-2013, 01:46 PM
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Haha, I'm getting a bad vibe here. To be honest, I don't like it too much, but I don't know what to tell the guy in order to fix it. He told me this was "as straight as he could get it"
I'll try a test fit with the rear underbody spoiler and figure out if it's better. Any advice on what to tell my exhaust guy? I figure he'll want another $50 or so to fix it, but if it's perfect afterwards, I guess it's worth it.
I'll try a test fit with the rear underbody spoiler and figure out if it's better. Any advice on what to tell my exhaust guy? I figure he'll want another $50 or so to fix it, but if it's perfect afterwards, I guess it's worth it.
01-05-2013, 01:52 PM
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Raj, can you get the plastic trim piece back on? I think that will help a lot!
05-24-2013, 06:59 PM
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Updates!
The exhaust definitely looks better now. I'm off to California for a few months, but when I get back, I'm upgrading to an XLR8 exhaust and hopefully some nice coilovers (torn between XLR8 and Tein SA).
- A-Spec kit
- Hardwired V1 (window lock switch idea was great!)
- Comptech short-shifter
The exhaust definitely looks better now. I'm off to California for a few months, but when I get back, I'm upgrading to an XLR8 exhaust and hopefully some nice coilovers (torn between XLR8 and Tein SA).
Last edited by mynameisraj; 05-24-2013 at 07:03 PM.
05-24-2013, 08:30 PM
#32
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A-Spec ftw! Congrats sir
01-04-2015, 08:46 AM
#33
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Back on this site after being torn for quite a while. I really wanted to sell this car and get an E46 M3, but I decided I need a reliable daily and that this car is pretty good.
I have been neglecting her a bit…but I installed a 10" sub in an uncald4 box a year ago. Really happy with it. The sub is an Audiomobil sealed one and blows my friends' systems out of the water in terms of quality. This is the first system where I can have a conversation in the car even when the bass is booming.
Also slapped on some Brakemotive rotors and pads all around… stops on a dime now!
But, the real reason why the Acura hasn't seen much attention… I wanted to get into RWD/drift, so I picked up this '90 325i on Craigslist.
All my money went to that car for about a year until I traded it for another red Bimmer:
Been working on the red car and the TL has taken a back seat. List of work done is incredibly long… new transmission and a ton of driveline components.
I'm driving cross country in May and need to get the Acura prepped. I have a few things that need to go on, including a set of brand new Supercomputer pedals that I've had for ~3 years now.
I think that it's finally due for a set of coilovers. Can't decide which ones. Maybe BC Racing… probably a rear sway bar too. If I have extra funds then I'll get a set of 18" wheels and tires.
Till the next update, whenever that may be…
I have been neglecting her a bit…but I installed a 10" sub in an uncald4 box a year ago. Really happy with it. The sub is an Audiomobil sealed one and blows my friends' systems out of the water in terms of quality. This is the first system where I can have a conversation in the car even when the bass is booming.
Also slapped on some Brakemotive rotors and pads all around… stops on a dime now!
But, the real reason why the Acura hasn't seen much attention… I wanted to get into RWD/drift, so I picked up this '90 325i on Craigslist.
All my money went to that car for about a year until I traded it for another red Bimmer:
Been working on the red car and the TL has taken a back seat. List of work done is incredibly long… new transmission and a ton of driveline components.
I'm driving cross country in May and need to get the Acura prepped. I have a few things that need to go on, including a set of brand new Supercomputer pedals that I've had for ~3 years now.
I think that it's finally due for a set of coilovers. Can't decide which ones. Maybe BC Racing… probably a rear sway bar too. If I have extra funds then I'll get a set of 18" wheels and tires.
Till the next update, whenever that may be…
01-04-2015, 11:10 AM
#34
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E30 
01-04-2015, 01:06 PM
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Love the old 3 Series!
Those were the best years for BMW. You could look at the car and tell which series it was. Today, they all look the same.
Those were the best years for BMW. You could look at the car and tell which series it was. Today, they all look the same.
03-08-2015, 11:31 PM
#36
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Progress Rear Sway bar is in as of a few weeks ago. What a difference!
I also ordered a set of Tein SS in January, but now I'm having second thoughts about it. The delays at the port have given me some time to think about where I want to go with this car. Thinking I might want a DC Integra now…
Been working on my E30 more too among other things. Here's a shot of mine (left) with a friend's identical model:
I also ordered a set of Tein SS in January, but now I'm having second thoughts about it. The delays at the port have given me some time to think about where I want to go with this car. Thinking I might want a DC Integra now…
Been working on my E30 more too among other things. Here's a shot of mine (left) with a friend's identical model:
03-09-2015, 07:28 PM
#37
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RSB's make a HUGE difference! Glad you like it.
Honestly, you'll love the Teins. They're worth the wait.
Honestly, you'll love the Teins. They're worth the wait.
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