leedogg

12 years and 200k miles later, I'd like to give my updates on Mods, hacks, etc - Those I love vs those I regret doing. Feel free to post yours (if any OG are still around with their cars that is...)

Favorite hacks/mods:
Reverse camera - worth it's weight in gold and still going strong
Angry Dad navi hack - I just love this seamless startup even though I no longer use the built in navi.
<3 My current navi setup:
Magnetic phone holder that fits in the cd slot: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5 port USB hub for the car which plugs into the cigarette lighter: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and then of course my pixel with either waze or google maps.
My KW coilovers - love the blend of comfort and performance.
Huper Optic tint - fantastic for heat management.

Least favorite Hacks:
H&R rear sway bar. I believe the bar put too much torque on the frame and cracked the frame.
swapping out my speakers for larger ones that dont quite fit. Sound is good, but if you pull the plastic panel on my door off, they would probably fall out and hit the ground. Should have stuck with the infinitis


Anybody else?

LoveMyTL-S

Magnetic phone holder that fits in the cd slot: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My son has this in his TL-S and loves it. What else are you going to use the CD player for? I may get one for my TL-S.

Levon05TL

Thanks for the updates! My 05 TL has 141k and it still runs and drives like its fresh off the assembly line. When I got it ofcourse I had to take care of the usual suspects, HFL module, Navi DVD Drive, Cracked Passenger seat, Cracked dash. I have fixed all those except the dash, I ordered a Coverlay Plastic dash cover for it. Someone was selling a like-new uncracked dash from an 04, however having looked what it involves, I opted out of replacing the dash. Everything works too pristine for me or even a specialist to take everything out and put them back on. Endless broken clips, scratches, chips and cracks from using trim removal tools/screwdriver, buttons and trip creaking. Can’t imagine how that would affect my OCD 😂

DMZ

After almost 14 years and 276K miles:

Reverse camera - agreed

CT-Engineering (formerly Comptech) rear sway bar - tore the metal the brackets holding the links, and broke the links too!.
.
.

Joecop67

No doubt about the magnetic phone holder. Going to order one. Never knew it existed.

Jackass

I've had mine for about 9.5 years now....mods? What are those? The only thing I regret not doing is getting tint done. Every year I think about it...then say no need, I'm getting a new car soon. It has been 6 years and 100k more miles since I started that thought process.

Acura TL Builder

After four years and nearly 80k of 150k:

- My favorite mod are the trunk springs I put in to make my trunk lift up by itsself. Ive got a spoiler so the weight used to make my trunk open but not lift up even half an inch. Now it pops up properly.

- The clavicle pads that go onto the seat belt. Makes it more comfortable in the seat.

leedogg

it's great. pull my phone out of my pocket and throw it onto the magnet. Easier to sit without it in my pocket anyway.

LoveMyTL-S

"My pixel with Waze". I also have Waze, but what do you mean "My Pixel"? Do you put it on your Navi?

LoveMyTL-S

The Coverlay Plastic dash cover looks interesting, as I have a cracked dash. Let me know how the install goes, fit and looks.

Slpr04UA6

^l second that thought! Would like to see some quality pics of it installed!

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Do a search, there is a thread I ran across last summer which shows a number of CoverLay applications in the 3G TL.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

No longer own a 3G. But when I did:

Favorite Mods: HFPC's, RV6 J-pipe, BC Coilovers, Lightweight Enkei wheels

Least favorite: Throttle body and intake manifold spacers (made no difference) and racing seats. Racing seats dropped about 60 lbs. from the car, but aren't built to nearly the same quality as the OEM seats which are designed to withstand thousands of hours of wear. And they aren't very adjustable, aren't heated, and aren't as comfortable.

thoiboi

That would be his cell phone

b15

I just installed a Pioneer nex double din with Android auto and a rear camera. Should've done this years ago. Really freshened up the car.

Scottwax

XLR8 v2 J-pipe, TL-S front anti-roll bar and Progress 24 mm rear bar, HID retrofits and full windshield tint (70% is considered clear and legal in Texas) are the mods that helped the most. RSX wheels helped too because they are so light (16 lb vs 25 lb for the OEM 7 spoke wheels) but the 16" size means sticking with the stock rotor size. Haven't done anything appearance wise other than debadging and a full paint correction and Optimum Opti-Coat Pro.

WDPanda

does it get in the way of the shifter in the manual trans?
i have a note size phone so i want to make sure my knuckles don't graze it. Currently it sits comfortably behind my shifter infront of the storage compartments, but get some blindspots in 1st and 3rd gears.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Shouldn't be a problem if you put the magnet towards the bottom of your phone/case yeah?

subinf

The short throw shifter and removal of the clutch slave cylinder lock ring (or whatever it was its been years) are the ones I appreciate the most. There is a noticeable difference when I'm driving a TL without those modifications.

leedogg

It doesnt get in the way of my auto and I regularly drive with my hand resting there. Be sure to get that model I linked though which positions the phone up high, theres a newer model that has the magnet positioned lower.

Joecop67

My koomus magnetic phone holder arrived today. It doesn't say it the cd's that are in the unit have to be removed before using this. Sorry if it sounds stupid but can anyone tell me? Lol

truonghthe

So 70% tint for front windshield is legal?

leedogg

They do not need to be removed, but you definitely dont want to eject any while the device is in there.