ttribe

Okay, I've been hanging around here for a couple of years and I've been making some subtle changes to my car (RSB, iPod, etc.), but now the time arrived to make some more significant exterior changes. So, a couple of months ago I ordered some TL-S marker lights, but I couldn't stop there.

So, here's what my car looked like a couple of months ago:



And then Santa stopped by on Tuesday (12/2) of this week (thanks to Tim at HondaAcuraworld.com):






Naturally, I couldn't just let all these goodies sit in my garage, so under the "knife" my TL went and here are the first pictures after the installation of the A-Spec Lip, A-Spec Suspension, and A-Spec Badge (I installed the TL-S markers a while ago, but these are the first pictures with them):

The paint seemed to match up pretty well on the lip.


The side view shows how well the TL-S markers blend in on AM.


The obligatory "rear-end" shot.


The badge.


Last one.


I realize the A-Spec suspension doesn't result in a huge drop, but it really does suit me. It's got a little more aggressive stance, the handling (coupled with the Comptech RSB) is superb, and it still fits my lifestyle as an executive at my firm and a parent of three. Overall, I'm really happy with these changes...and yes, I know, I need to get some different wheels...one thing at a time (I'm leaning toward 18 inch RJ Inspyres)

Thanks for looking and comments are welcome.

elkayem

Santa stole my car.

ttribe

Well...it is nicer than the sleigh...does it fly now?

Jays_04TL

Looks good. I think you should get some 18" Aspec's for that bad boy!

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Looking good.

ttribe

Thanks for the compliment.

I've thought A LOT about A-Spec wheels...but have found myself leaning more and more towards RJs lately.

Thank you sir.

Distorted Reality

Posting from a blackberry but looks good dude. Just need to get the tl-s rear tail lights and the the rest of the aspec kit and will look even better!

pffpffpass

iTrader: (2)

Looks good.. I also was thinking of just getting the Aspec front lip only..

Anywho.. Nice job..
I know that suspension install was no fun.. Darn rear seat!!!

HONgDA

iTrader: (1)

+1

I hope this sways your decision toward the A-Spec wheels more.

omnuts

looks good.. aspec always a nice choice..

jeowen

Looks real clean man- and i personally dont think u can go wrong...the Inspires or A-SPECS will look great!

ttribe

As far as the lip, I think it turned out nice with only the front. I'm not a huge fan of the ASpec kit's back end.

As far as the suspension...unfortunately, I didn't do the install...Acura of North Scottsdale did (so it was plenty fun for me).

ttribe

You guys are killing me! I'd almost made up my mind on the Inspyres and now I'm thinking about the A-Specs again! I think if I went with the ASpecs, I'd try to get that "Platinum" finish. I like that polished look on those wheels.

HONgDA

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad we can persuade you to go A-Spec. The A-Specs has more of a "executive" look than the Inspyres IMO. It looks wonderful in any finish and it will give your AM a bit more contrast with that finish.

Nyght Rhyder 786

Ya you cars looking great but the aspec wheels will deff look nice with your. Hopefully you get those.

FiveLiterCheater

gunmetal a-specs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> inspyres

Looks great though! How do you like those tires?

ttribe

Love the tires. A little more noise (but not a ton) and "feedback" from the road, but very sticky in corners and inspire a lot of confidence.

mAC4rmthebACkoftheAC

yo wats the size of ur tires.

ttribe

235/45/17

officialTL

Did you DIY, the front lip, if you did, how easy was it and how long did it take?

ttribe

I'm afraid I didn't. I took the parts and the car to a dealership near my work that I have a decent relationship with and they did all the work. I'm pretty sure there are some "DIY's" on the front lip in the 3G garage though - https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-service-department-aka-garage-questions-answers-check-here-first-553557/

chill_dog

Nice. The car looks really good...and familiar (save the color). How are you liking the suspension, so far?

ttribe

I like the suspension pretty well so far. I haven't had an opportunity to really "test" the suspension so far, but I have noticed it's more responsive, less body roll, and seems to reduce the understeer. It is noticeably stiffer, but not uncomfortably so.

AcuraAddic

How much did the suspension cost u???

Blazing GT

rear underbody spoiler ftw

ttribe

$659 Here's a link to where I got it: Acura TL A-Spec Suspension Package: Hondacuraworld Honda Acura Parts & Accessories

c_potvin

Hi ttribe,

Congratulation on your mods. You'll love the A-Spec suspension and also discover that the car is much more neutral when playing with the gas pedal in a curve (front end corner plow with base suspension). I can even get some oversteer. Even with winter tire and sliperry roads actually in Montreal, it's a lot of fun. Increased feedback is helping alot when you're about to lose grip.

I second the A-Spec gunmetal rim option on your Anthracite. That's what I have (with complete lip kit) and get a lot of positive comments on the wheels, asking if I got them painted. The only downside is the 8,5" width making them prone to curb scratch. 2005+ A-Spec rims are 8" wide.

Here's the important part of my message: get a 4 wheel alignment soon (let the suspension settle down for 2 weeks) or you will eat the inside of your rear tires very fast. Camber and toe change with the height of the car because of the multilink rear suspension setup. You now have a more pronounced negative camber. This makes the car very sensitive to the toe adjustment as you're using more the inside of the tire than before, and now your toe is off. I had mine aligned by my Acura dealer and they screw it up (I destroyed my Goodyear F1s, it was the last summer for the tires so I don't care about wear but security became a concern, worn down to the cord) so next time I'll go to a specialized performance alignment shop.

Have fun with your "new" car!

Carl

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

Nice, Santa needs to bring me some 19inch Volks lol

Car looks good though man

jchuong123

i wish santa give me something for free

ttribe

Thanks for the advice. I actually had it realigned at the dealer when they installed the suspensions. Are you suggesting that it might need to be revisited again after things have settled some?

c_potvin

I'd say measure the height all around and check if the suspension is still settling. You can also keep an eye on your rear tires to see if the wear is even, something I didn't do. This way you will be able to detect the problem before your tires are ruined. Another possibility is to have the alignment checked. Some places do it for free.

Carl

WalkerUA6

iTrader: (1)

Its a start bro, but before you decide to get another mod please make sure its the rest of the kit, or atleast the rear lip

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Really nice car! I would complete the A-spec kit and get them A-spec rims and if you are going to get the RJ I would do 19's...fill the gaps better