2013 TL BWP SH-AWD 6MT Progress Thread
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Hey AZ members, I been active for a couple of months and finally decided to formally introduce myself and what better way than to make a progress thread of my whip.
So her name is Bella. I picked her up on March 16th from Acura of Peabody. I originally owned an 09 SH-AWD but it got really boring driving an AT and started looking for a 6MT but used. I ended up getting new instead because I got a great deal on it that fit my budget. Plus I never owned new. It's everything I wanted; AWD, 6MT, white exterior and the tech pack. I only put around 1500 miles on her since but loving the driving experience so far.
I've done a couple mods to her since:
-SMD LED tail lights
-2500K Yellow DRLs
-Tint
-Tein SS Coilvers
Me the day I picked her up at the dealer and a couple snaps before I drove her off the lot. First ever new car and what a great feeling!
The cockpit...by far the best looking IMO. And the tint.
The Teins and the drop...
The install was relatively easy I thought. I had my friend help me (he did most of the work LOL). The hardest to do was actually the front believe it or not LOL. And also removing the OEM struts out. Taking off the back seats was a little hard but once I figured out that you have to push down on the seat to release the bottom clips and it took both of us to remove the back seat to unhook. It took use 3.5 hours total and we took our time. Could of had it done in 2 hours probably if not for going back and forth to Advance Auto Parts.
So her name is Bella. I picked her up on March 16th from Acura of Peabody. I originally owned an 09 SH-AWD but it got really boring driving an AT and started looking for a 6MT but used. I ended up getting new instead because I got a great deal on it that fit my budget. Plus I never owned new. It's everything I wanted; AWD, 6MT, white exterior and the tech pack. I only put around 1500 miles on her since but loving the driving experience so far.
I've done a couple mods to her since:
-SMD LED tail lights
-2500K Yellow DRLs
-Tint
-Tein SS Coilvers
Me the day I picked her up at the dealer and a couple snaps before I drove her off the lot. First ever new car and what a great feeling!
The cockpit...by far the best looking IMO. And the tint.
The Teins and the drop...
The install was relatively easy I thought. I had my friend help me (he did most of the work LOL). The hardest to do was actually the front believe it or not LOL. And also removing the OEM struts out. Taking off the back seats was a little hard but once I figured out that you have to push down on the seat to release the bottom clips and it took both of us to remove the back seat to unhook. It took use 3.5 hours total and we took our time. Could of had it done in 2 hours probably if not for going back and forth to Advance Auto Parts.
Last edited by Steven Bell; 05-12-2013 at 11:54 PM. Reason: Merged Posts
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#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks man!
Loving every minute of it.
Thank you sir!
Thanks, I thought it was lil low but after driving it for a few days, it's not that bad. I'm holding off on rims this year though. Undecided on my setup and pockets kinda young right now LOL.
#10
Drifting
iTrader: (5)
What parts were to making runs to Advance auto to get? Did you have the car aligned after lowering?
After lowering my cars alignment was way off and with the stock control arms impossible to get into spec. Used SPC 3arm kit for the rear and as soon as I get wheels will get SPC ball joints for the front.
After lowering my cars alignment was way off and with the stock control arms impossible to get into spec. Used SPC 3arm kit for the rear and as soon as I get wheels will get SPC ball joints for the front.
#11
Drifting
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What parts were to making runs to Advance auto to get? Did you have the car aligned after lowering?
After lowering my cars alignment was way off and with the stock control arms impossible to get into spec. Used SPC 3arm kit for the rear and as soon as I get wheels will get SPC ball joints for the front.
After lowering my cars alignment was way off and with the stock control arms impossible to get into spec. Used SPC 3arm kit for the rear and as soon as I get wheels will get SPC ball joints for the front.
Thanks guys! More to come, stay tuned...
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
So I got my alignment done today. Rear camber is off by -3.6 degrees. I didn't think it would be that bad. Fronts are a lil out of spec but not as bad as the rears. Everything else came within spec. Guess I'll be investing in a camber kit.
Last edited by TeamAcura; 05-11-2013 at 09:58 PM.
#15
Drifting
iTrader: (5)
My rear was pretty bad as well, I got a SPC 3 arm camber kit. The mechanic working on my car said for a novice mechanic or someone unfamiliar with the kit, getting the car aligned with the SPC is a nightmare and Ingall is much easier. Since he's worked on other cars with SPC kits he's familiar with them and likes them much more than the Ingall one. Both kits cost the same depending where you buy them.
#16
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
That's what I've heard about SPC. I'm leaning towards Ingalls right now. Not much to choose for camber kits.
#17
Team Owner
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Looks good, TA! Nice stance.
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TeamAcura (05-17-2013)
#18
Instructor
Congrats on the new ride
There's nothing more exciting than a brand new car. You're wasting no time in getting Bella just the way you want her. Nice.
There's nothing more exciting than a brand new car. You're wasting no time in getting Bella just the way you want her. Nice.
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TeamAcura (05-17-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-06-2013)
#21
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Hey LawnPro,
Yes I did, but only front installed. The rest not yet lol. I was playing around with the dang switchbacks trying to get them to work and have failed miserable. I get no hyperflashing but as soon as I try to turn on the small exterior lights, they do not light up because the fuse blew (like 5 times). So I gave up after that.
Anyway, I raised the car up a little to prevent scrapping and give it a better stance for me. I also got rear camber kit installed. I will post up pics very soon once I get the lip kit installed. She will look much better.
When are you gonna drop that beauty of yours Lawnpro?
Yes I did, but only front installed. The rest not yet lol. I was playing around with the dang switchbacks trying to get them to work and have failed miserable. I get no hyperflashing but as soon as I try to turn on the small exterior lights, they do not light up because the fuse blew (like 5 times). So I gave up after that.
Anyway, I raised the car up a little to prevent scrapping and give it a better stance for me. I also got rear camber kit installed. I will post up pics very soon once I get the lip kit installed. She will look much better.
When are you gonna drop that beauty of yours Lawnpro?
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FRG (06-16-2013)
#22
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Update on Bella:
Rear camber kit installed
Raised the height; front and rear
Lip kit fitted
Alignment done
I washed her up today and thought it be nice for a little photoshoot.
Messed around with some filters and lighting with my phone and a couple are without filters. It's not the best or clearest but hope yall enjoy the pix. Comments and suggestions welcome!
Rear camber kit installed
Raised the height; front and rear
Lip kit fitted
Alignment done
I washed her up today and thought it be nice for a little photoshoot.
Messed around with some filters and lighting with my phone and a couple are without filters. It's not the best or clearest but hope yall enjoy the pix. Comments and suggestions welcome!
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Jackieee_TL (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
#24
Racer
Looking good!!
Been researching and just looking at photos of the OEM lip kit for the 2012+, and it's starting to grow on me. Thanks for the photos
Been researching and just looking at photos of the OEM lip kit for the 2012+, and it's starting to grow on me. Thanks for the photos
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
#30
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks Stew, I'll get info on the shipping from your other thread probably tommorrow if you're still interested!
Thanks. I love what you did to the grille. One of a kind!
LOL I understand, it's not very popular among 4G members. But I happen to love it. I had a guy on the freeway during rush hour in a 2G honk the horn, roll down his window and gave me a , I just smiled and ditto. I've honestly gotten more compliments and looks w/ the lip kit on then w/o one. Go figure.
#31
TeamAcura...Amazing looking TL!!! I love the fact you raised Bella a bit, she was riding a little too low for my liking initially, but now, she looks amazing! I loved your photos showing the entire body kit and you ALMOST had me regret not having placed the rear piece until you showed the last two pics. To me, that view of the kit is where things break down for me, no offense. Don't get me wrong, on 85-90% of the viewing angle, the car will look amazing but having people following me on the highway and seeing that view would not be something I'd be comfortable....but that is me.
Regardless, the important thing is that you love your TL and trust me, she is a GORGEOUS ride and I am envious of the MT....I sometime wished I would have gone that route. Look forward to seeing where you will take Bella in the future, but you are off to a great start
Regardless, the important thing is that you love your TL and trust me, she is a GORGEOUS ride and I am envious of the MT....I sometime wished I would have gone that route. Look forward to seeing where you will take Bella in the future, but you are off to a great start
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
#32
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
TeamAcura...Amazing looking TL!!! I love the fact you raised Bella a bit, she was riding a little too low for my liking initially, but now, she looks amazing! I loved your photos showing the entire body kit and you ALMOST had me regret not having placed the rear piece until you showed the last two pics. To me, that view of the kit is where things break down for me, no offense. Don't get me wrong, on 85-90% of the viewing angle, the car will look amazing but having people following me on the highway and seeing that view would not be something I'd be comfortable....but that is me.
Regardless, the important thing is that you love your TL and trust me, she is a GORGEOUS ride and I am envious of the MT....I sometime wished I would have gone that route. Look forward to seeing where you will take Bella in the future, but you are off to a great start
Regardless, the important thing is that you love your TL and trust me, she is a GORGEOUS ride and I am envious of the MT....I sometime wished I would have gone that route. Look forward to seeing where you will take Bella in the future, but you are off to a great start
#33
I appreciate that you didn't get offended as it was the last thing I was trying to do. Like I said, I have been torn and on the fence about the rear piece from the day I got my TL because part of me wanted to get the whole kit. The pre-MMC kit was awesome and I was hoping they would have done something similar for the rear piece. They got it almost right, and as I was saying, from most angle, it does make the car look so sexy and aggressive but its that direct view from the back that I just can't seem to warm to it.
Bottom line, I love your car, I like how it rides lower and has a very nice aggressive look to it. You have modded your TL with the right amount of accessories without making it too "bling blingy". I am a firm believer that sometime, people just go a bit too far in modding their TL.....so far, you have it looking just FANTASTIC!
Bottom line, I love your car, I like how it rides lower and has a very nice aggressive look to it. You have modded your TL with the right amount of accessories without making it too "bling blingy". I am a firm believer that sometime, people just go a bit too far in modding their TL.....so far, you have it looking just FANTASTIC!
#34
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I hear ya about the modding part. It's a disease LOL. I will attempt to make mine very tastefully w/o taking away the OEM look. I'm going 20" on the wheels though and maybe even 19". My biggest grip w/ 20"s is it's heavy and I do not want to compromise the dynamics of the car. So if I'm going 20", it will be light and expensive lol.
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TeamAcura (06-16-2013)
#36
Team Owner
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Looks great Team.
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Bill C. (03-12-2014)
#39
Looks good! Did you install the under body kit yourself or let the dealer do it? If you did it yourself, was it easy? If the dealer did it, how much did they charge to install it?
#40
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
From a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest, I'd give it a 5. All you really need is a drill, socket wrench and screw drivers and follow the instructions carefully. Some of the other stuff they have listed you do not necessarily need. It's a little nerve wracking drilling holes in the bumper though so don't screw up ( no pun intended )! Be careful not to scratch or scuff the paint so take your time and it will help if you had an assistant to remove and install the bumpers. I managed to do it without one and the most time consuming and challenging piece is the front bumper. It is heavier and there are a lot more screws and clips involved. I preferably would not want the dealer to install it for me because they might not do it the right way or miss/break something I wouldn't know about. I trust my own work more and obviously doing it yourself will save you money for other mods!
Last edited by TeamAcura; 06-20-2013 at 07:47 AM.
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bigwavedave25 (05-21-2018)