Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Got my new oem steering wheel installed. It looks killer. I have kind of a steering wheel fetish as its one of the items thats seen the most by owner and driver. I used control buttons from a used wheel I purchased a few years ago. The air bag is the one indigenous to the car, since Acura just replaced the guts on the big recall. Finished trunk and engine bay re-assembly. Installed door panels last weekend. Getting close!

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

looks brand new! that paint is perfect!

Oldsman71

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Got some new goodies this week. Gonna give the XS Power headers a try. Since I can buy 4 sets of these for what someone wants for a set of used comptechs. My exhaust man looked at these and said as long as they fit they should be fine. Car is currently back at the body shop getting a few things corrected that were not done to my standards (mostly related to re-assembly work I had them do.) It should be ready to pick up this evening. Then I will finish getting compound out of nooks and crannies, that they missed. Hopefully have car at the muffler shop in a week or two for the Header install.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

Smart choice. No point waiting for Comptech set since ppl seem to think they can get over 1000 for a used set(2 listed in BM).

Only point to really get comptech is for Carb Legal Plaque.

Hell you can get full header/exhaust built for 1500 at a high end shop.

Enjoy Power increase.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I love this restoration.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

I seem to have read on here somewhere that the oem mufflers actually flow pretty well. Does anyone know who made them for Acura? If I end up replacing mufflers, I want to get something that the stock tips can be attached to, that flows at least as well as stock, and is relatively quiet. A little throatier would be ok, but nothing "raspy" or "noisy". My daughter has a 2011 Infiniti G37 that has a pretty good sounding exhaust note. Any suggestions or info would be appreciated.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

From what I've gathered...magnaflows will be your muffler. Pick one with an exit that the oem tips can slide over.

Oldsman71

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Got the headers installed yesterday. Sound is a little raspier than stock manifolds under heavy throttle. Not too bad. Definite increase in throttle response and "seat of the pants" feel. Think I'm going to like these. Next Thursday I'm having a man out to my house to apply a clear bra paint protector to front bumper front part of hood. He will also be installing some translucent film to a bathroom window as part of my wifes remodel job. As soon as this is done I think I am done for now on the CL. Will try to get some nice pictures shot, drive and enjoy.

HorizonCL-s6

Just got my magnaflow 14832's installed! You can get the same muffler without a tip already installed and they are extremely quiet with a little more grunt at around 1000-2500k rpm. After about 20min of driving the sound gets completely intoxicating under WOT. She screams like crazy

HorizonCL-s6

Did you have the welds looked at before the install or have them heat wrapped? I have read some horror stories of these cracking after a couple of months (Given they were very old posts so it could be irrelevant now). How much did they charge for the install and did the bend fit well around motor mount?

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

The owner of the shop (a long time friend of mine) looked at the welds the day they arrived, and said they looked fine. He has been doing custom exhaust work and building roll bars for as long as I have known him. Since he and his wife bought the shop 10-15 years ago, his shop has become more of a "Hot Rod Shop". He even posts a "Hot Rod of the Day" on his facebook page. Did not wrap them (don't like the look). If they crack I will see about getting a different brand, or go back to stock. It must have gone together pretty easy, as he called me at 10:00 Thursday morning. No rubbing or clanking sounds so motor mount bracket clearance must be fine (I'm sure he would have called me if there was an issue). As far as labor price, its kind of immaterial, as this was a trade out deal between his company and mine. As far as time though, I think it took one of his guys roughly 2 hours to do the Remove & Install.

Oldsman71

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Finally got some time to shoot some better photos. The car is essentially done in my view. Just drive and enjoy as weather permits (Its been really rainy lately with occasional hail).

Oldsman71

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Interior & Trunk

Oldsman71

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Engine Compartment and Odometer (to document mileage @ resto)

zeta

iTrader: (1)

^
Nice and looking good!

My drivers side seat is in about the same shape as yours. When it completely breaks through the guy on the link below offers the cushion and backrest replacement portion for DIY:

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsor.../#post15761261

Humberwho

It turned out Great! Thanks for showing the progression and final pics!

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

If you come to Chicago, I have great condition passenger seat if you want it. It was barely ever even sat in.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, its showing a little wear. Couldn't justify the cost of recovering at this time. At 3-4K miles per year it should hang in there for a while. If that link is from the site vendor list, I got some samples from them, and the grains are not correct. Think they might be correct for a 3G TL, but not a 2G.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Might take you up on that. Are you still using your factory drivers seat? I thought you had a racing seat it it instead. (Maybe it was just the green takata safety belts that made me think this) I'm guessing your drivers seat is probably in better shape than mine. Good luck at the track this weekend.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Love how it came out, man! Wow...great great job on it. I love how well it can come together with a little elbow grease, patience, and money.

Do you have a ballpark of how much you ended up having to invest to make it a show-like car?

zeta

iTrader: (1)

Yes, the link is from this sites vendor list.

Good to know about the differences in 'grains', thanks for sharing. I will definitely have to investigate/weigh that when the time comes.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

More than any reasonable or sane person would spend on one of these cars. I never claim to be either. Roughly 12k. This number includes the suspension upgrade I did in '13, the parts I purchased that I used (oem and nice used), tires, wheels, body and paint work, and the clear bra paint protector. Does not include price of the car, and normal maintenance items that were done. (t-belt, water pump, motor mount, brake fluid flush, trans drain and fill, spark plugs and brake job) Thanks for the compliment.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

My driver seat isn't that great.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Hey, man...I think when you see that car, looking how it does...it still beats having gone and spent that kinda money on a damn elantra or something.

Still winning...
I stopped counting what I'd spent on my black TL when it exceeded what I'd paid for the car. What my wife always tells her Mother and anyone that asks what she thinks of my hobby/passion..."at least it's not crack or hookers"

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Damn. I think when it comes to the point of needing to re-cover the drivers seat, I'll just do both front seats. Since there is bound to be discoloration that would make a fresh drivers seat stick out in relation to a 13-16 year old passenger seat. I might have my recon friend do what he can to mask the wear for now. Not a true fix, but it would probably help a little

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. I feel like I'm in some type of support group for OCD (Old Cars Disease?). Its real, and I can't help myself. I learned a long time ago that you can't cut corners, lest you'll be disappointed in the end result. I did the CL because I love its looks and lines. Its a neat, low production car that's really fun to drive. Hell, I put $40K in a 1971 Vista Cruiser before I did the CL. A lot of that money is definitely in the wind. But its a really cool car too. I plan on taking both cars to a few local shows this year (Actually taking the Vista on a leg of the Hot Rod Power Tour in a few weeks). Here's a few pics of the wagon.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Dude, that is awesome!
I'm sure you get a ton of looks when you show up in that thing!

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

^
Oh Yeah. It even draws a crowd at the gas station. And its at the gas station a lot.

AnthraciteTypeS

Looking awesome. Really enjoyed all the progress pics as well as your passion and willingness to restore your beautiful 6 speed car.

I spun my car out a few months ago on ice at a slow speed (only 35mph) and took out the quarter panel on one side and just got it back from the body shop yesterday. Was saving for quite a few months in preparation for a hefty bill- I absolutely HAD to fix it as the car had quite a bit of mods and is in excellent shape otherwise. It sure was not cheap, but I had the body shop repaint the whole damaged side and re clear my carbon fiber hood in the process. They also repainted my trunk/spoiler since that was original as well. Needless to say, it was not cheap (although nowhere near as expensive as what you've done). But I'm more than happy with the end result and honestly just want to put the car in my new garage and look at it more than drive it LOL.

Wish you lived closer so we could link up for a photoshoot. I will be starting my own thread in the next few days share pics of the damage and then the final result. Keep on keepin on!

GroundedCustom

I just picked up two dynomax super turboss. Its still a perforated tube style like stock, goes in then turns back then turns back to the outlet

I was looking for the same thing. Stock sound , and factory appeal. Im pretty excited about the muffler. Think it will do good. And dynomax has a 90 day sound gaurentee Worse case

Persoanlly even thou everyone loves the magna flows, its no where near factory sounding.

Not even close.
I wouldnt even consider magnflows based on your desires

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Do you have a picture or a part number?

GroundedCustom

17733
Super Turbo? Mufflers - DynoMax® Performance Exhaust

Check out site

http://www.dynomax.com/mufflers/super-turbo-mufflers

hitek9

wow. perfect.if they made a cl type-s a-spec that would be it.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Well the CL finally added an extra digit to the odometer. Last Saturday on way home from diner it turned over 100K about 0.2 miles from home. I took a picture in the dark, then again on Sunday morning. Also took a few pics of the car Sunday AM. Still one of the cleanest CLs out there (IMO), even with the miles. Wife and I are going to look at an Audi S5 when we are on vacation in a few weeks (if they still have it).

JarrettLauderdale

Looks great as always!

The S5 is awesome. I prefer the first generation models with the 4.2L V8 to the supercharged V6, though. I think that's a car that does everything else a CL does while fixing every performance complaint anyone has ever had about the Acura. Working under that hood looks to be a pain, though.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Jarrett. As much as I like the idea of a V8 (and manual trans), the S5 would be my wifes daily driver (except on days with threat of ice or hail, which she will drive the 3G TL). For this reason a V6 with automatic will fit our needs best. Plan on buying a CPO car that has tons of warranty left, so I wont have to work on. This will be a big step if we take it. My wife says my infatuation with the S5 is due to the fact that it looks like a CL on steroids.

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

Took the CL to its first show since I re-did it. The Moonlight car show in Old Town back in July. This is a really laid back affair. Is more a street party with lots of cool cars than anything else. Maybe 500 - 600 cars. CL actually got a little more interest than i expected. Mostly of the "What is this?" variety. Took the Wagon to the Oldsmobile Nationals in Tennessee later in July. Car scored 977/1000. To be honest with you I've always felt OCA is pretty lenient when it comes to judging. The 1st place plaque was expected (900+ points). Did not win the class (Modified1968 to present) Did not expect to, so all was good. The S5 we looked at in St Louis was..... I can't put it into words, but we didn't get past the f....d up paint on the hood. We are talking about a 3700 mile car, with a clean carfax that had obviously had some repaint on the hood. To top it off the car had been parked under a tree or something and there were f.....d up spots in the clear coat on the hood and trunk lid. We did however pick up an S5 in Denver last weekend. A few more miles than I wanted, but the color is so seductive, and it is a CPO car with warranty until May of 2020.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Wow...quite a cool set of cars you got there, man!

Oldsman71

iTrader: (1)

A friend just texted me a picture of the wagon doing laps at Bristol Speedway during our trip to the Olds Nationals. We got to run about 10 laps in groups of 10-12 cars at a time. No passing was allowed. Top speed I got up to was around 70 mph.

Accord316

Nice new pickup of supercharger Oldsman.....how's the ride difference between the CL and S5,

perhaps ride stiffer or better cornering with S5?