Decided to keep the Cl and bring her to the next level!
09-21-2011, 12:45 PM
#1
Decided to keep the Cl and bring her to the next level!
I was car hunting the other day and I decided that I cannot have an NSX as a daily driver. I have 3 young kids who love to drive with me, and the coupe configuration is ideal for them as well as me.
So I decided to keep the CL and just revitalize her. She's only got 38k miles on the clock, and pulls nicely. Here's the mod list I had planned:
- Fix fog light wiring and connectors.
- replace small plastic pieces next to switches damaged from inside
- make shield for fog light surround
- maybe get 2 color fog lamp LED housings, White or amber.
- Purchase two new headlamps or wetland / polish with clear UV protective film
- Trunk without spoiler trade or fill holes.
- 19" Vega wheels refinished Bentley silver or Custom Legend 19" wheels.
- Roof spoiler
- Sun roof visor
- Front window visors
- Align belt, and apply anti squeal belt spray
- Full detail, wetsand and polish
- Remove silicone from body and remove kit to sell.
- get new kit painted and installed properly with silicone underneath, hidden
- Extend and adjust exhaust tips
- OEM catalytic converter
- Urethane motor mounts
- Leatherette arm rest and seats with silver stitching
- Black alcantara headliner, pilars, guage pod.
- 3 matching gauges: Boost, Wideband O2, Fuel Pressure or exhaust temp gauge.
- Motorized License plate mount
- new spark plugs
- Tuneup
How she looks now:
So I decided to keep the CL and just revitalize her. She's only got 38k miles on the clock, and pulls nicely. Here's the mod list I had planned:
- Fix fog light wiring and connectors.
- replace small plastic pieces next to switches damaged from inside
- make shield for fog light surround
- maybe get 2 color fog lamp LED housings, White or amber.
- Purchase two new headlamps or wetland / polish with clear UV protective film
- Trunk without spoiler trade or fill holes.
- 19" Vega wheels refinished Bentley silver or Custom Legend 19" wheels.
- Roof spoiler
- Sun roof visor
- Front window visors
- Align belt, and apply anti squeal belt spray
- Full detail, wetsand and polish
- Remove silicone from body and remove kit to sell.
- get new kit painted and installed properly with silicone underneath, hidden
- Extend and adjust exhaust tips
- OEM catalytic converter
- Urethane motor mounts
- Leatherette arm rest and seats with silver stitching
- Black alcantara headliner, pilars, guage pod.
- 3 matching gauges: Boost, Wideband O2, Fuel Pressure or exhaust temp gauge.
- Motorized License plate mount
- new spark plugs
- Tuneup
How she looks now:
09-21-2011, 01:09 PM
#4
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09-21-2011, 03:06 PM
#8
Thanks, gnats, I'm just past that whole loud exhaust feel. Trying to make it as quiet as possible so I can just enjoy music, condo and the blower whine.
Roof spoiler will be a subtle ebay lip or something. Exterior wise, it won't be much different, just a lot cleaner in person and the interior will be the main focus. It will be as good as a CL can be in person, I want to keep this car forever, even if I get something later.
Roof spoiler will be a subtle ebay lip or something. Exterior wise, it won't be much different, just a lot cleaner in person and the interior will be the main focus. It will be as good as a CL can be in person, I want to keep this car forever, even if I get something later.
09-21-2011, 08:09 PM
#13
This is like the 3rd time I decided to keep her, seems I can't commit to a different car.
So I'm less worried about being unique as I am about having the CL run smooth and strong. Just really getting the rough edges smoothed out, like mismatching gauges, small scratches here and their, oxidized headlights, annoying spoiler, etc.
I just did one headlight with this turtle wax headlight restoration kit, came out pretty nice. Maybe buy me some time until I get another set of headlights.
As for the interior, I am fed up with the shiny wrinkled leather seats. My wife used to have a 1999 BMW 323i, and the leatherette in that car was damn nice, I mean it never got shiny or wrinkled, it held up through everything. Thats what I want, a nice looking interior.
Everything else is details. I was going to repaint the car, but when i'm done, I'm strongly considering a vinyl wrap in matte silver. I know a guy who does this for a lot of cars and he says it will cost between $1500-$2000 and it will last 3 years. At that point I can redo it a different color or just go back to NBP.
So I'm less worried about being unique as I am about having the CL run smooth and strong. Just really getting the rough edges smoothed out, like mismatching gauges, small scratches here and their, oxidized headlights, annoying spoiler, etc.
I just did one headlight with this turtle wax headlight restoration kit, came out pretty nice. Maybe buy me some time until I get another set of headlights.
As for the interior, I am fed up with the shiny wrinkled leather seats. My wife used to have a 1999 BMW 323i, and the leatherette in that car was damn nice, I mean it never got shiny or wrinkled, it held up through everything. Thats what I want, a nice looking interior.
Everything else is details. I was going to repaint the car, but when i'm done, I'm strongly considering a vinyl wrap in matte silver. I know a guy who does this for a lot of cars and he says it will cost between $1500-$2000 and it will last 3 years. At that point I can redo it a different color or just go back to NBP.
09-21-2011, 08:14 PM
#14
09-21-2011, 08:14 PM
#15
Senior Moderator
Nice!
09-22-2011, 08:55 AM
#16
Ron, if you want to run the CL smooth and strong you do not want to put the factory cat back on. It's highly restrictive. I would run aftermarket headers and high flow cat and a stock catback or even the CT-E mufflers, which aren't aggressive. Our new XLR8 cat is 2.5" IN/OUT and it isn't that aggressive in sound.
http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-494447.aspx
Also keep in mind that upgraded mounts like ours with the polyurethane inserts will add some vibration to the cabin.
http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-494447.aspx
Also keep in mind that upgraded mounts like ours with the polyurethane inserts will add some vibration to the cabin.
09-22-2011, 10:22 AM
#18
Now this I wouldn't try, because it will probably crack at the seam. Urethane tends to expand and contract a bit from winter to summer. Here's a pic of another guy who molded it, and it looks sweet, don't know how it held up. Also, a member who has a black cl and our kit named "crazy something or other" did it, but he owns a body shop, so he can afford to do it now and later.
Ah thanks for the insight, my friend has a fab shop so was going to get his thoughts, but I might just get it on and painted next year if it's too much work. good luck with your re/restore
09-22-2011, 03:28 PM
#19
What happened to these? They looked much better
09-22-2011, 07:25 PM
#20
I agree, we sold out of those and the wheels that were on my car were just prototypes. I ended up selling these other sharpie ones to another customer as second hand wheels. Never got back to them. I have a new wheel project I'm working on, but we'll leave it at that for now.
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AustinTaper (09-23-2011)
09-22-2011, 09:25 PM
#21
Nice to see not everyone is abandoning the CLS6, good job! Can't wait to get my blower and kit on! Couple of things I might recommend
- the turtle wax headlight restoration is temporary, I might try the meguiars kit instead. The key is getting a kit that also comes with a sealer after the polish. Still only temporary but lasts alot longer.
-have you considered installing a magna flow resonator? Don't know much about it but seems a couple of people have gone that route to quiet up the exhaust. Also wouldn't recommend going back to stock catback with blower on, but if you do I have a set of CT axle backs I bought from Jason I never installed. Went with greddy instead.
-what do you mean installing the kit with silicon underneath? Probably going to install mine over winter as well and was just curious.
Anyhow congrats and you won't regret holding on to her, I just picked mine up a couple years ago and can't see parting with it anytime soon.
- the turtle wax headlight restoration is temporary, I might try the meguiars kit instead. The key is getting a kit that also comes with a sealer after the polish. Still only temporary but lasts alot longer.
-have you considered installing a magna flow resonator? Don't know much about it but seems a couple of people have gone that route to quiet up the exhaust. Also wouldn't recommend going back to stock catback with blower on, but if you do I have a set of CT axle backs I bought from Jason I never installed. Went with greddy instead.
-what do you mean installing the kit with silicon underneath? Probably going to install mine over winter as well and was just curious.
Anyhow congrats and you won't regret holding on to her, I just picked mine up a couple years ago and can't see parting with it anytime soon.
09-23-2011, 10:15 AM
#22
Yeah, I did one headlight and it looks great, comes with 4 pads of sandpaper, so it gets the oxidation out, then there is the sealer than helps slow down the oxidizing. So that will work in the mean time. I occasionally get a little condensation after a cool day and a car wash, so I still want to fix that.
Right now, the exhaust sounds great, everybody who heard my car both before and after the changes i made said it sounds great now. Think i'll leave it as is with the stock mufflers, a no-name mid muffler and the magnaflow high flow cat.
Also, I got this anti belt squeal belt conditioner. My goodness, this shit solved all my issues with slippage. No more squeal, and 6 lbs of boost register's at all times under WOT. Car feels so much stronger to redline. So happy I got this stuff. Highly recommended even for those who have no real problems, it helps keep the belt running smooth.
You will love this car with the blower, once it's running problem free and you get all your mods, you will fall in love with the car all over. Every new car I drive, from the 4G TL-6 speed, to the 92 NSX to the Accord 6 speed, all pale in comparison to the CL supercharged 6 speed. It's the perfect dd to me.
Right now, the exhaust sounds great, everybody who heard my car both before and after the changes i made said it sounds great now. Think i'll leave it as is with the stock mufflers, a no-name mid muffler and the magnaflow high flow cat.
Also, I got this anti belt squeal belt conditioner. My goodness, this shit solved all my issues with slippage. No more squeal, and 6 lbs of boost register's at all times under WOT. Car feels so much stronger to redline. So happy I got this stuff. Highly recommended even for those who have no real problems, it helps keep the belt running smooth.
You will love this car with the blower, once it's running problem free and you get all your mods, you will fall in love with the car all over. Every new car I drive, from the 4G TL-6 speed, to the 92 NSX to the Accord 6 speed, all pale in comparison to the CL supercharged 6 speed. It's the perfect dd to me.
Last edited by rondog; 09-23-2011 at 10:20 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by m733l:
Jacobpockros (10-07-2011),
rondog (09-26-2011)
10-06-2011, 09:40 PM
#24
Got her detailed, my goodness, the paint is so smooth to the touch. My guy waxed it twice, once with the machine, then by hand. He also clay barred it and detailed it with a frigin toothbrush. He did the engine bay, it looks like how it looked from the factory. Just need to finish the interior and maybe by the end of the winter wetsand and polish to get ready for 2012.
Looks so much more amazing in person!
Looks so much more amazing in person!
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Jacobpockros (10-07-2011)
10-07-2011, 01:56 PM
#26
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Looks good.
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rondog (10-12-2011)
10-12-2011, 03:01 PM
#32
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Man, paint looks flawless in those pics
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rondog (10-12-2011)
10-12-2011, 08:48 PM
#36
I shave my change purse
10-12-2011, 10:23 PM
#38
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
+1 on untinted tails. Tinted tails is too much IMO.
10-12-2011, 10:53 PM
#39
I just got to get my hands on a heat gun, or maybe my wife's hair dryer, lol. After that, I need to wetland the paint and polish to get the deeper scratches out, and finally get the spoiler removed. Wish I could just swap trunks with someone who doesn't have a spoiler and needs one.
