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DIY: A-Spec Body Kit Installation 3G Garage #E-002

Old 02-12-2007, 02:58 AM
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DIY: A-Spec Body Kit Installation 3G Garage #E-002

Even though there are comprehensive instructions available on this forum and hondacuraworld's website, I will post some additional hints/tips that might help members thinking of doing this install.

Disclaimer: This guide should not be considered the official instructions for the installation. I preformed the installation based upon my interpretation of the instructions provided. It does not mean that this is the correct method to perform this installation; Your interpretation may be different. Although I am making an attempt to post correct information, typos and brain warps may result. Please use your own discretion.


The instructions for Front, Rear, and Side Under Spoilers:
From the 3G TL Garage
From hondacuraworld.com

Tools and Supplies Needed:
* Phillips and flat-head screwdriver
* 10mm socket and rachet
* Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)
* Drill
* Drill bits:
Since I couldn't locate any metric bits, I used the closest bits I could find. Here is a mapping of the bits.
3mm -> 7/64 inch
6mm -> 15/64 inch
10mm -> 3/8 inch
* Felt-tip Pen
* Tape Measure
* Masking Tape
* Optional 3M Super Strength Molding Tape (1/2" x 15') Roll
* A helping hand to lift and hold parts

For my install, I worked from front to rear.


Front Under Spoiler Notes/Pictures

With the provided template, I drilled these three holes.


As for the covers, this is how I aligned the covers: The grooves of the cover aligns with the groves on the front bumper (red dashed line). The back of the cover is pushed back as far as possible (red solid line).


When taping the adhesive backing with the masking tape, I taped them at an angle: the angle indicating the direction to pull on the adhesive backing. I also added additional double sided tape at the ends of the lip (where gaps may appear). The new tape is indicated with blue arrows.



Side Under Spoiler Notes/Pictures

Nothing difficult here. The instructions were very straight forward. With the doors open, pull on the side skirts near the wheel well to pop the skirt from the clip(s). Once that is done, slide the skirt towards the direction of the closest wheel well (slide towards the front for the front rear skirt, slide towards the rear for the rear side skirt) and the original skirt will slide out. Here are some pictures.

Front Driver's Side


Rear Driver's Side



Rear Under Spoiler Notes/Pictures

This part was also straight forward but more time consuming than the other two. The only tricky part I can think of is drilling the holes into the rear bumper. I checked myself a few times before I started drilling.

Basically, there is a groove in the rear bumper. There are etches in the back of the bumper that indicates where to drill your holes. Etches ABOVE the groove are for the factory backup sensors. Etches BELOW the groove are for the rear under spoiler.


The red dashed line indicates the groove. The green arrows indicate the approximate region where you will find the etches.

The holes drilled


After that, follow the remaining steps to finish the installation. Tightening screws in the wheel well may be difficult because of the tight angle. I did not remove my wheels at all, but I used an angled rachet to tighten the screws. Like the front under spoiler, I also added additional double sided tape to prevent gaps.

By the time I was half-way done installing the rear under spoiler, it was getting dark. A recommendation I would make is to maybe start at the rear first since it requires the most attention to detail.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT












Hope this helps you guys out. It was very doable. Estimated time for install was roughly 7 hours (taking it slow and doing it right). Enjoy!
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Old 02-12-2007, 02:25 PM
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great writeup!!...thx
Old 02-12-2007, 03:20 PM
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This Is A Great Write Up Diy.thanks Datmrman..just Received My Kit Today And Cant Wait To Install Them
Old 02-12-2007, 04:15 PM
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I wish I had the foresight to use additionaly double-sided tape when doing my install.
Old 02-12-2007, 04:18 PM
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Thanks guys. Let me know if you guys have any questions.
Old 02-12-2007, 05:24 PM
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great write up and pics!! I'm planning on finishing the rest of the kit soon (rear and sides)!!
Old 02-12-2007, 05:26 PM
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Also, how the heck do you keep your rims soo clean??? Mines get dirty after like 1 week of driving...
Old 02-12-2007, 05:32 PM
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^Its called washing the car...

BTW awesome write up. I also have a WDP which I am going to make an attempt to do this at work on the lifts. Ill prob do the front and rear then take it off the lift to do the rest. Did you use any of that tape for the rear? Thank you once again.
Old 02-12-2007, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by datmrman
Thanks guys. Let me know if you guys have any questions.
datmrman....do you think it 'll be easier if I take the bumper off and install the front lip since im doing a mod w/ lower front grill FOG?
Old 02-12-2007, 05:38 PM
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I forgot to ask. What store can I find this tape?
Old 02-12-2007, 05:45 PM
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if you're referring to the 3M double sided tape, you can get those in any hardware store...example Home Depot, Lowe's...etc. I used it for the front lip as well and its super strong!
Old 02-12-2007, 05:56 PM
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Thanks, did you use it on the rear?
Old 02-12-2007, 06:09 PM
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nicely done, now i just need $$ to get the aspec
Old 02-12-2007, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by SSMTL04
Also, how the heck do you keep your rims soo clean??? Mines get dirty after like 1 week of driving...
I washed my car the day before the install.

Originally Posted by chasieboy
datmrman....do you think it 'll be easier if I take the bumper off and install the front lip since im doing a mod w/ lower front grill FOG?
I think its easier to keep the bumper in place to install the front lip. Just put it on a lift and drill the 7 necessary holes. A lift isn't needed for the rear (nor the sides).

Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
I forgot to ask. What store can I find this tape?
I finally found the tape at AutoZone. Its my new favorite auto store for hard to find parts (mini fuse add-a-circuit for instance).

I was able to find 3M Exterior Mounting Tape at Home Depot (which a few members have used), but I wanted something specifically for cars.
Old 02-12-2007, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by TL1999
nicely done, now i just need $$ to get the aspec

Nah, dont have the sides and rear yet...hopefully it will be on by this spring
Old 02-12-2007, 07:46 PM
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Thank you.
Old 02-12-2007, 08:18 PM
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can you post more pictures of your TL? i plan to do what you've done that i can see. DIY cleared headlights, and the aspec kit. acuraoemparts.com has it for around 800. where did you get yours, and for how much? haha and i think the door moldings on our cars make a big diff. i love it. anyways can i see more pictures particularly from the side angle of your car? thanks
Old 02-13-2007, 12:38 AM
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I dunno. I am thinking of removing the BSM soon.

Originally Posted by ecliptics
can you post more pictures of your TL?
You have great timing. I was about to post this tonight. Here you go: '06 WDP TL with A-Spec Body Kit and Type-S Spoiler

Originally Posted by ecliptics
i plan to do what you've done that i can see
There's more than meets the eye.
Old 02-13-2007, 03:56 PM
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Thumbs up

Great looking ride!!!
Old 02-13-2007, 04:30 PM
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datmrman, how did you make your turning signal clear? Do you have a yellow light bulb?
Old 02-13-2007, 11:05 PM
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Awesome write up! Great Details and Pictures! Loving the ride as well, the clear headlights go nice with the WDP
Old 02-13-2007, 11:17 PM
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just wanted to know if ur rear underbody spoiler matches ur rear bumper. i heard alot of people been complaining about that issue.
Old 02-13-2007, 11:19 PM
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I am answering questions about my ride here: '06 WDP TL with A-Spec Body Kit and Type-S Spoiler

Please keep this thread clean for questions about the install. Thank you.
Old 02-13-2007, 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by SAMGHIPHOP
just wanted to know if ur rear underbody spoiler matches ur rear bumper. i heard alot of people been complaining about that issue.
Before I joined this forum, I didn't look at the paint hard enough to notice any mismatch. Now wherever I go, I can spot a mismatched bumper on a car right away. The theory is: if you look hard enough for something, you will find it.

From the angle of the last picture, it looks like it matches okay. It's all in the angle and lighting conditions. Everything can't be perfect; just enjoy the ride.
Old 02-25-2007, 11:12 AM
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Does It Void Any Type Of Warranty By Installing The A-spec Kit By Yourself.
Old 02-26-2007, 05:21 PM
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Quick question, I just got my kit from hondaworld group deal and I didnt get any templates... How critical is this?
Old 02-26-2007, 05:45 PM
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How do you remove those bolt covers on the rear bumper near the trunk lid?]

(Step #2 in the instructions for rear underspoiler)
Old 02-26-2007, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
Quick question, I just got my kit from hondaworld group deal and I didnt get any templates... How critical is this?
I got the front a-spec bumper recently online through a dealership, and i didn't get the templates NOR did i get the bumper covers. How critical are BOTH these parts?
Old 02-26-2007, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by SAMGHIPHOP
Does It Void Any Type Of Warranty By Installing The A-spec Kit By Yourself.
This is really not a mod, but the installation of a factory product. Other than the rear bumper and screws, theres not much that a dealer can say about warranty. They will have to prove that your self installation was the reason something broke. I'm not sure what you can really break (other than maybe the bumper) from this install. This is like every other car installation, if the dealer states that the installation of a certain product (not installed by them) caused the malfunction of another, then they can claim that the warranty is voided.


Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
Quick question, I just got my kit from hondaworld group deal and I didnt get any templates... How critical is this?
The template helps you screw these three holes:



It is still doable without the template. I can also try to scan the template and post it if that would help.


Originally Posted by SSMTL04
How do you remove those bolt covers on the rear bumper near the trunk lid?]

(Step #2 in the instructions for rear underspoiler)
I tried to send you a reply to your PM, but your box was full. Simply use a small flat head screwdriver to pop the covers off.


Originally Posted by Laxplaya11385
I got the front a-spec bumper recently online through a dealership, and i didn't get the templates NOR did i get the bumper covers. How critical are BOTH these parts?
The template was discussed above. As for the bumper covers, I have read that some members didn't even bother installing them. You can perform a search and bring up those old threads.
Old 02-26-2007, 07:12 PM
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Yeah, sorrya bout that, I emptied my mailbox this morning. Thanks for the answer...I guess I need a really thin flat head because the flat head I have ain't working.
Old 02-26-2007, 07:17 PM
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I used a very small thin one, like the ones you would use for eye glasses repair.

Something small, thin and flat should do it.

The clips are held on by two plastic hooks; one on each side. If you can't get it out from one side, move onto the adjacent side. Mine popped out in a few seconds.
Old 02-26-2007, 07:18 PM
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sweet, thanks for the tip!!
Old 02-26-2007, 07:20 PM
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My kit should be arriving by the end of the week=)) I'm excited....but i need to wait till it warms up to install it...
Old 02-26-2007, 07:30 PM
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Sorry, I somehow missed this question:

Originally Posted by 04WDPSeDaN
^Its called washing the car...

BTW awesome write up. I also have a WDP which I am going to make an attempt to do this at work on the lifts. Ill prob do the front and rear then take it off the lift to do the rest. Did you use any of that tape for the rear? Thank you once again.
I also used additional tape for the rear skirt. Unfortunately it was getting dark and I was trying to finish the install so I did not take pictures. The additional tape was placed near the edges wherever possible. I did not want to worry about gaps.
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Old 02-26-2007, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by SSMTL04
My kit should be arriving by the end of the week=)) I'm excited....but i need to wait till it warms up to install it...
Nice! Make sure you inspect over the kit for shipment damages and any missing parts before proceeding with the install. It took two attempts for my shipment to arrive flawless.

I'm looking forward to seeing your results. Good luck!
Old 02-26-2007, 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by datmrman
I used a very small thin one, like the ones you would use for eye glasses repair.

Something small, thin and flat should do it.

The clips are held on by two plastic hooks; one on each side. If you can't get it out from one side, move onto the adjacent side. Mine popped out in a few seconds.
those tiny eyeglasses screwdrivers would work well. if u have a swiss army knife just use one of those skinny blades. there is not that much tension on the plastic clip holders so once u stick a swiss army knife blade in there it should pop right off.
Old 02-26-2007, 09:00 PM
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Thank you for getting back to all my silly questions. I am pretty nervous about the install and I am planning on doing it with a fellow co-worker/friend who has 3 years of autobody exp. I hope to have the entire kit put in with 2-3 guys in 2 hours or so. I will do this thursday night.
Old 03-05-2007, 10:53 PM
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took me and my friend 1 hour to do the side skirts will work on the front lip tomorrow . The 3 three clips on the side skirt are a pain in the butt.
Old 03-06-2007, 01:09 AM
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Pain to remove or reinsert?

I was afraid I would brake the old side skirt when I was removing those clips, but a little bit of force did the job.

As for reinserting the clips, one side popped in quickly and easily, while the other one just didn't want to cooperate. A little patience did the job.


bigmoetl1, please post pics when its all said and done.
Old 03-06-2007, 01:48 PM
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Question about front lip

Is it necessary to put the car on jacks to install the front lip? Thanks

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