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Picked up a 2006 6-speed with a 170k and plan to show her a lot of love. I have several other vehicles so the TL won't be driven much, but I do want to get her back to near perfect condition.
09/27/2021 - Installed LED tag lights
10/01/21 - Replaced aftermarket engine oil cap with a new OEM one, changed the engine air filter, and disconnected the bluetooth module as a precaution
10/02/21 - Replaced intake boot with a new OEM one and changed the cabin air filter
10/03/21 - Replaced spark plugs, one ignition coil, intake plenum gaskets, valve cover gaskets, valve cover grommets, spark plug tube seals, PCV valve, and completed an induction service
10/04/21 - Installed new license plate bolts
10/05/21 - After some troubleshooting discovered I had a faulty radio, a replacement is on the way
I have a garage full of parts I still need to install. 07-08 base taillights, Type-S rear bumper, Type-S front A-Spec lip, overhauling the entire cooling system, roundhouse brake job, PS pump, motor and transmission mounts, etc. Waiting for parts is delaying everything unfortunately as I'm trying to knock out as many things as possible while I have certain stuff apart. Currently waiting on a new OEM cupholder, OEM shifter boot (current one a little worn for my liking), CT short-shifter, and Maven shift knob before I throw the interior back together with the new radio.
Thanks man! I think I'm rushing things as usual, but want to finish as much as possible before the weather gets too cold.
Originally Posted by guitarplayer16
Waiting for the Type-S goods to go on
I know man! I can't wait to get to some of the fun stuff.
Originally Posted by sockr1
This should be fun!
just curious how come you only changed one ignition coil?
I only replaced one of them because the boot on the bottom was loose. I could have used the old one and been fine but my OCD got the best of me.
Originally Posted by MyGuti
Did you spray cologne on your air filter?
I did! I haven't spent any time inside of the TL since so I can't say whether or not it actually lasts.
Originally Posted by truonghthe
welcome back to the game, funny thing is your cabin air filter. I do the same thing (literally the same bottle) as you lmao.
LOL - You have great taste!
Update:
Got a decent amount done this week, but of course still waiting on parts. Should have the entire cooling system completely overhauled outside of the water pump before the weekend.
Last edited by Abe_Froman; 10-11-2021 at 10:54 PM.
10/12/21 - Replaced the radiator/hoses/clamps/cap, thermostat, thermostat housing/cover, coolant reservoir, front engine mount (vacuums line as well), and the side engine mount. Put some fresh Honda/Acura Type 2 coolant in there afterwards. Once I do the water pump, I'll do another drain and fill which should get the majority of the old coolant out.
10/26/21 - Didn't get to knock out everything I wanted the last two weeks, but made some pretty decent progress.
Added the CT short-shifter, Hybrid Racing shifter bushings, Maven shift knob, and changed the transmission fluid to good old GM stuff. Shifting is absolutely amazing now.
The old shifter boot was pretty worn and the sliding piece on my cup holder went bad. Replaced both of those with new OEM ones (they were NOT cheap). While I was in there, I went ahead and replaced all of the heated seat lights.
While changing my cabin air filter I noticed my trunk lock/unlock switch was basically cooked, so I picked up a new one.
While troubleshooting my audio issues, I basically ended up with an extra amp. This amp happened to be the newer one that went in 2007-2008 models. I went ahead and threw it in even though my old one was working just fine.
Replaced the top transmission mount. I still need to replace the rear motor mount, the bottom transmission mount, and the torque damper. OEM all around here as I avoid aftermarket mounts like the plague.
A friend of mine picked up a TL and I discovered that he had the rare coin holder. Without hesitation he gave it to me since I obviously valued having it way more than he did.
Scored some 2007-2008 side mirrors. Driver side was luckily plug and play. The passenger side I wired to the rear turn signal.
Installed some LED reverse lights.
I hit up Marcus at Heeltoe and ordered a new ATLP exhaust. I wanted to go XLR8 again like my old TL as I personally find the tone on the XLR8 to be way better than the ATLP, but they have no plans to make the exhausts again in the foreseeable future, so I ended up ordering an ATLP catback. One quick glance at the bottom of the car and I realized that I'm getting too old for this shit. Called Marcus back and told him to add a V3 ATLP J-pipe as well. I have zero desire to separate these bolts in the middle of the winter. Now that I don't need to separate the j-pipe/3rd cat from the rest of the exhaust, it should make things a lot easier. Also picked up a nice mini torch gun from Snap-On that should make this job 1000x easier.
ETA on the exhaust is some time in November, but I'm not holding my breath.
@guitarplayer16 has basically been my big bro when it comes to anything TL related for the past decade now. He gave me some taillight ideas and I just so happened to have a spare one with a busted corner. So I did a test run on that one to see if I would like the look. I ended up liking it and did my other two tails that are in perfect condition the same way. I'll throw these on when I put on the Type-S rear bumper this upcoming week.
I also have somehow managed to accumulate 10 OEM rims (8 base wheels and 2 Type-S). I really want to rock some A-Specs and ditch all of these rims, but finding a set has been rather difficult. If I do score a set, I will likely get them power coated to the gunmetal color the 2004 18x8.5 A-Specs came in.
Still a lot more to come, but I think thats it for now.
18x8 ere easier to find than the 8.5, i went with 8.5 lol.
Yeah I went through a couple of sets back in the day and ended up with some almost perfect condition 8.5s. I've found some 8.5s for sale recently, but people are asking way more than I'm willing to pay. For the prices they are asking, I would rather get forged wheels.
Yeah I went through a couple of sets back in the day and ended up with some almost perfect condition 8.5s. I've found some 8.5s for sale recently, but people are asking way more than I'm willing to pay. For the prices they are asking, I would rather get forged wheels.
I wouldn't giving up just yet. Check out your local pick and pull junk yard, here in Houston from time to time we got coupe TL went through with 8.5 Aspec that sold for like $250 for a whole set.
You mean you are looking for these? Currently sitting in primer. Had plans to paint them but never got around to it... Just sitting in the back corner of my basement now.
You mean you are looking for these? Currently sitting in primer. Had plans to paint them but never got around to it... Just sitting in the back corner of my basement now.
Are you looking to sell? Shipping might kill the deal though.
BTW - Did you buy your TL from Quanaman? I remember when we did the timing belt on it a few years back.
Are you looking to sell? Shipping might kill the deal though.
BTW - Did you buy your TL from Quanaman? I remember when we did the timing belt on it a few years back.
I would sell, yes. Shipping would be quite a bit I'd assume. Do you know what the best way to ship wheels would be?
Yes I did. The car was great while I had it. Unfortunately for the next buyer, one of the sparks plugs blew out of the front head about 1 month after buying it. I felt so bad but I never had any issues and the plugs had only 25k on them or something so I never messed with them. I did read they like to back out here and there and many people check them at every oil change, I never did. I do miss that car though. I just never got to enjoy it enough. I averaged 3000 miles a year in it after the first year of owning it and having to drive thru one winter.
I would sell, yes. Shipping would be quite a bit I'd assume. Do you know what the best way to ship wheels would be?
Yes I did. The car was great while I had it. Unfortunately for the next buyer, one of the sparks plugs blew out of the front head about 1 month after buying it. I felt so bad but I never had any issues and the plugs had only 25k on them or something so I never messed with them. I did read they like to back out here and there and many people check them at every oil change, I never did. I do miss that car though. I just never got to enjoy it enough. I averaged 3000 miles a year in it after the first year of owning it and having to drive thru one winter.
shipping wheels aren’t bad. Check out howtoshipwheels dot com, I followed it twice to ship wheels across the country costs around 125-175 which isn’t too bad.
shipping wheels aren’t bad. Check out howtoshipwheels dot com, I followed it twice to ship wheels across the country costs around 125-175 which isn’t too bad.
Thanks Sockr1! I've never shipped wheels either. I'll bookmark that site for future reference.
If I do buy them, a local shop wants roughly $750 to powedercoat them.
I wish that were the case here. That is unheard of here. Matter a fact, I would actually be sketched out by a place here if they only charged that much.
Originally Posted by sockr1
750 is extremely expensive for that job
Funny you say that because that is actually a middle of the pack place here. Pricing wise that is.
Last edited by Abe_Froman; 10-29-2021 at 11:19 PM.
Dude, I come in here to find a NBP with 170K and I'm like...are we brothers?
I'm currently on round 4 with 3G 6MT...it's my 5th or 6th car so I'm cleaning it up
one thing at a time. I miss my old girl very much and as luck would have it when
I was selling my S5, the young man showed up in a fuckin 3G TL with aspec lips...
what's that? BREMBO? Is that a 6 speed? Fuhhhhh...ended up taking a few grand
off the price and giving the wife to be the ole puppy dog "it followed me home" look
when I showed up with exactly the same amount of cars as I started off with before
selling the Audi.
I'll be a frequent flyer in here now...
if you have to address your slave/master...go EM2 without checkvalve and LUK for the slave
and remove it. Not as direct but it's now reminiscent of my S2000 for shifting.
Dude, I come in here to find a NBP with 170K and I'm like...are we brothers?
I'm currently on round 4 with 3G 6MT...it's my 5th or 6th car so I'm cleaning it up
one thing at a time. I miss my old girl very much and as luck would have it when
I was selling my S5, the young man showed up in a fuckin 3G TL with aspec lips...
what's that? BREMBO? Is that a 6 speed? Fuhhhhh...ended up taking a few grand
off the price and giving the wife to be the ole puppy dog "it followed me home" look
when I showed up with exactly the same amount of cars as I started off with before
selling the Audi.
I'll be a frequent flyer in here now...
if you have to address your slave/master...go EM2 without checkvalve and LUK for the slave
and remove it. Not as direct but it's now reminiscent of my S2000 for shifting.
Haha I'm glad someone else has the same issue I do.... The TL is also like my 5th vehicle. Idk about you, but I always buy the owners as opposed to the cars. I never actually wanted any of the cars I currently have besides the 340 and the TL, but found them for absolute steals and upon meeting the owners I knew I had to have them.
I'll definitely need to hit you up for advise on some things going forward. I have another major service I'm currently gearing up to do. It will include the timing belt/water pump, oil pump reseal, oil pan reseal, and replacement/reseal of anything else along the way. Mechanically speaking, the car should be basically perfect after this service (knock on wood). Then I can focus on the more exciting stuff.
I started off with making the car not drive like shit...so basically axles, brakes, got rid of the cheap shitty wheels that were bent.
replaced master/slave but I am gonna need a clutch which I'll address when I tackle all the stuff you mentioned.
I agree too...I buy the person not the car. If there's a cool story and the person is cool...I'll probably take a chance. Technically the
TL was my 5th but now I have a 6th and my 4th has been eating up a lot of time. Love tinkering.
10/6/21 - Swapped out the remaining two transmission mounts. Made sure to get new nuts and bolts.
The only thing left to do now is change the rear mount (still need to purchase) and the torque damper (ordered weeks ago, but still on backorder).
I picked up a used A-Spec rear lip from a friend locally, but it definitely needs some love. I'm going to let the body shop handle this one.
The rear lip did not come with the brackets needed for installation. I got super lucky and found a pair when I decided to randomly go to a junk yard out of state. These are off a 04-06 base rear lip, but I'm pretty confident they are the exact same for 07-08 rear lips.
Lastly, I put on the new tails and my unpainted Type-S rear bumper. Next step is to find a body shop to paint it all. I'll try to get some quotes this upcoming week.
11/11/2021 - Swapped out the heater control valve and all of the hoses/clamps. Doing the valve itself is not bad, but doing the hoses destroyed my hands. Highly, highly recommend switching to screw clamps.
Swapped out the stock rear sway bar for one made by Progress. The old end links destroyed a pair of my locking pilers and my Knipex ones. Eventually decided to just cut them off, which is what I should have done from the start.
Test fitting the Type-S decklid spoiler that will go on when I finally get to the body shop.
I was thinking the same thing!
Try getting long angled needlenose pliers.
or the long hose clamp pliers
Did I mention I have a terrible addiction to tools?
Update: Just got back from the body shop. They are going to make this baby shine like new again in about two weeks. The one exception is the front-end. I will address that later when I do the headlights and switch to a Type-S front bumper.
12/8/21 - Finally got her back from the body shop. We painted the new rear type-s bumper, type-s rear a-spec lip, type-s decklid spoiler, trunk, and both doors on the passenger side. It came out absolutely amazing. I'm going to have them do my type-s front bumper when I get it in to go with my type-s front a-spec lip that is still in the box.
Now for the bad.... I have rust on my rear passenger quarter panel near the wheel. The body shop is recommending I replace the entire quarter panel since any other fix will be temporary in their eyes. The only issue with this is the cost. Looking at roughly $3k for that. Definitely a little bit more than I would like to spend if I don't have to. Either way, I'm planning on having fresh paint basically all around at some point. The price I paid reflects the quality of the work so I'm happy. I honestly don't recall the paint on these looking this good from the factory even.
The ETA for the ATLP exhaust is now mid December, but I'm not confident I get it before 2022. The car is clearly begging for quads! Also, I need to order some new "Acura" and "TL" emblems. Probably going to get some type-s rear side markers too.
Did I mention I have a terrible addiction to tools?
Update: Just got back from the body shop. They are going to make this baby shine like new again in about two weeks. The one exception is the front-end. I will address that later when I do the headlights and switch to a Type-S front bumper.
glad they took care of it.
You haven't lived until you've tried their Comfort grip though.. their linemans.. ooof, makes me look forward to stripping and twisting wire
10-10-2021, 01:53 AM
glad they took care of it.