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To keep the tradition of forums alive, I'd like to document the ownership/light build of my recent pickup of a 2005 NHBP Acura RL. Previous owner did some mods that were ehhhh, but nothing that is not reversible. Anyway, I'm a big believer is maintenance before mods. Car is sitting at 105K miles, but a bunch of maintenance has been taken care of so for now I plan on just doing all of the fluids. I want to keep this reliable, comfortable, and simple. Nothing too flashy, but I generally have a style I tend to stick to. Stay tuned for updates every couple of weeks as I try and get this car ready for the summer.
Since picking up the car last week, I have:
- Washed + clay barred (complete 2 stage paint correction planned for spring)
- Cleaned the sunroof area, door jambs, and other neglected areas that don't see much sunlight
- Installed a genuine Mugen oil cap that I saved from previous builds
What's planned:
- Honda Shin-Etsu grease all rubber seals + sunroof/seat tracks.
- Polish the interior plastic trim as it is pretty scratched up from the prior owners
- Install MYSTERY shift knob when it arrives
- Change engine coolant
- Change power steering fluid
Nice! Are you planning on doing some form of ceramic coating in the spring? There are a lot of shorter term options for ceramic coatings that won't break the bank!
Also, would you be OK with me moving this thread to the picture gallery section?
Yeah! I plan on doing some kind of coating during the paint correction. Want to seal it up nice and makes it easier to maintain as well. And you can move this wherever it needs to go haha.
Here's what I used yesterday for the care of the seals. Doesn't need much to get all the seals on the car done. I will reapply this again before winter. A single tube will probably last a couple years easily.
Here's what I used yesterday for the care of the seals. Doesn't need much to get all the seals on the car done. I will reapply this again before winter. A single tube will probably last a couple years easily.
Question about this grease.....how do you apply it? Does it need to be spread onto the surface?
Also, what seals are you doing......would like to possibly re-grease my TL as well.
Car looks to be in good shape, the Aspec package is a bonus!
Question about this grease.....how do you apply it? Does it need to be spread onto the surface?
Also, what seals are you doing......would like to possibly re-grease my TL as well.
Car looks to be in good shape, the Aspec package is a bonus!
I wore some latex gloves and applied it with my fingers (less mess than a cloth or rag IMO). Kind of just rubbed it in and let it sit for about 30 mins and then wiped off whatever excess there was. I did all the door seals, window seals, sunroof, trunk and a few rubber pieces on the underside of the hood.
That's new to me! Looks like a solid product and slightly cheaper than the Honda stuff. I totally forgot about Shin-Etsu grease until I was looking up some rubber seal stuff. Then I saw so many rave reviews about it through multiple forums so I figured I'd give it a try. Granted, my rubber seals were in pretty decent condition already so not a huge difference after application, but at least I now have a baseline.
PCV valve arrives soon along with the MYSTERY shift knob. OEM All weather mats are soon to arrive as well as the 4 bulbs I ordered from Acura for the heated seat switches. Pictures of installs soon to come!
Parts arrived. I did a quick polish for the knob and installed. Only thing is that the logo doesn't line up perfectly horizontal. Needs another 1/4 turn (oh well, it's not a show car). Mats going in. PCV done. Bulbs are for tomorrow. The garage is freezing.
JDM KB1 headlights might need a reseal before installation. I wonder how easy/hard that is?
Also, Morimoto XB35 5500K or Osram CBI? I'm all for quality stuff but one can be had for half the price of the other.
JDM KB1 headlights might need a reseal before installation. I wonder how easy/hard that is?
Also, Morimoto XB35 5500K or Osram CBI? I'm all for quality stuff but one can be had for half the price of the other.
I personally love CBIs. As good as the Morimotos are, I noticed they faded in brightness quicker than CBIs over about a year.
That's good to hear! I was leaning towards the CBI as they are the right temp I'm looking for. At $110 + shipping/tax, might be better to just invest once into those rather than buying another set of Morimotos again later.
Another update. Since TPMS sensors are acquired, I will be installing them onto the wheels and will decide which tire I want to get. 245/40/19 is what I will be going with to stay closest to stock ratios. I also am in the process of locating a couple last pieces to the "Infinite" kit that I have already and then they will off for paint in a couple months. Stay tuned for some sneak peeks this weekend!
Yep. i learned my lesson. And they flicker within a year. Going CBI next. And not from that retrofit store any longer . Finito.
Morimoto is their in-house brand. I don’t trust it. It’s hit or miss.
FYI, finding authentic osram bulbs is a struggle. That’s why I recommend the retrofit source, as they are authentic Osram. And their customer service is A+.
Morimoto is their in-house brand. I don’t trust it. It’s hit or miss.
FYI, finding authentic osram bulbs is a struggle. That’s why I recommend the retrofit source, as they are authentic Osram. And their customer service is A+.
Yup! I plan on going with TRS. I've had good luck with Morimoto in the past but I'll try the Osram CBI's with JDM headlights. Thanks!
Just another minor update. Seat Heater indicator bulbs are now working as they should. Installed the Schrader TPMS sensors on the wheels and tucked them away. Securing the wheels will be genuine discontinued gunmetal RAYS Duralumin lug nuts (35mm) in a rare M14x1.5. There's also the JDM KB1 headlights I mentioned previously. CBI's should look great with them. Also some pictures of the TEIN Comfort Sport that I cleaned up. They seem to be in great condition so I'm not sure if it's necessary to send them to TEIN for an overhaul.
** Next up**
- Decide which SSR center cap to run,
- Send out JDM KB1 calipers for overhaul + powder (probably not until the weather gets warmer though)
Thanks! They are really growing on me. Been enjoying the car so far. Wish this had the 3.7 but otherwise, super comfy and enough umph to get around town.
Originally Posted by jdmjustin
I have a soft spot for RL's. Looks to be a good time!
Tried raising the car yesterday because the SSR's were rubbing so much. Fail. I've never owned anything with 2 adjustments in the rear. Do people adjust from the spring perch or the adjustment on the shock body on the rear?
01-18-2019, 10:51 PM
kit that I have already and then they will off for paint in a couple months. Stay tuned for some sneak peeks this weekend!
. Finito.
I was expecting this. LOL
