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My model is on the lowest end of that totem pole unfortunately and while the TL may not be race car or sports car fast I haven't given up all hope in the possibility of making more enjoyable to drive, even if it is a 5 speed auto slushbox.
Like I said, at the end of the day it's your car you do what you want, but my honest suggestion would be to leave it alone and do some bolt on modifications. Your transmission is the biggest issue. You can free up some power by doing Pre-cat work (deletes or high flows) J-pipe (Deletes 3rd cat or do a high flow 3rd cat) and a cat-back exhaust system. You can also bypass the coolant which flows through the TB. Just connect the two coolant rubber hoses together and use 2x hose clamps. Another thing that might help response, is installing a ultra light crank pulley but the same size crank pulley as the stock one so you don't change the length of the drive belt. Cold air intake, that's up to you, but the bypass is a must to free up some heat going to the intake manifold. Full exhaust setup will give you a noticeable difference in power. I couldn't tell you what the gains are just due to the fact you can do a J-pipe with a 3rd cat delete, or J-pipe that uses the 3rd cat and you get a high flow cat or use the stock one. Pre-cat deletes or high flow pre-cats and lastly there's resonated cat back system or non resonated. Overall you're talking about 2-5 HP difference in setups, which isn't anything crazy but if you're a numbers person, it matters.
-Basic weight reduction while maintaining practicality
Get a Military haircut
Take a Dumb before driving vehicle
Always drive with -2 gallon of gas on vehicle
Take car to carwash to remove heavy dust
-Past basic reduction
Put kids up for adoption
Divorce wife and get a blowup doll
Eat only 1 apple and a can of tuna fish everyday
Go hit the gym and cut out the fast food. Eat more greens and less red meat. That's a good diet
GREENS, you say?
OP...what is "practical" for you? For some people, cutting out body panels is practical. For others, even removing a floor mat is impractical.
What are you willing to do?
Do you need it? If not, then remove it.
If you're not sure you need it, it would be a good specific question to ax.
The most smart ways to do this stuff is figuring out stuff that gives you doubled results:
-Aftermarket headers, exhausts, and intakes are lighter and make power.
-Removing the AC is weight reduction, power loss reduction, AND if you sweat, you will also lose weight. Plus, because of the odor and sweltering discomfort, other people won't want to ride with you. You'll become lonely and depressed and your tears will further reduce your weight (cry outside of the car pls).
-Basic weight reduction while maintaining practicality
Get a Military haircut
Take a Dumb before driving vehicle
Always drive with -2 gallon of gas on vehicle
Take car to carwash to remove heavy dust
-Past basic reduction
Put kids up for adoption
Divorce wife and get a blowup doll
Eat only 1 apple and a can of tuna fish everyday
Yep following all that would definetely reduce weight in the car, especially taking a dump before entering the car, the only thing is I don't have a wife or any kids so there won't be any problem there😂😂.
Reading between the lines here, most folks seem to be questioning the wisdom of putting your car on a diet; it is a Sport-Luxury sedan not a race car. Within the scope of what it was designed to do, there were only a few competitors on the market at the time which were the TL's equal (or superior).
If you want a car to rip up and make faster, why not leave the poor TL alone and buy something like a Miata to breathe on?
If you want a car to rip up and make faster, why not leave the poor TL alone and buy something like a Miata to breathe on?
Right on or an older ek or eg civic That can be purchase for 1k.
All jokes aside the best way to lose some weight on the TL is to get some light wheels like 17x9 Enkei RPF1 with light tires.
Its a very expensive route, but it will do the trick.
Right on or an older ek or eg civic That can be purchase for 1k.
All jokes aside the best way to lose some weight on the TL is to get some light wheels like 17x9 Enkei RPF1 with light tires.
Its a very expensive route, but it will do the trick.
That's what I did. It made a very significant different. Probably the best "upgrade" I made to the car.
The stock 4G 17" wheels are only 22lbs. So going to 16lb wheels was significant but not as much as when I swapped lightweights in the 3G. The stock 17"s on the 3G are 26lbs. Going from 26lbs to 16lbs a corner is very significant.
I agree with the Miata statement, but damn, when I dropped 600-700 lbs. on my 3G, did all the bolt-ons and put some BC coils on there, it handled like a go-cart and was pretty damn fast. It was the most fun car I've owned. I love my 4G because it's more comfortable and techy but I'll never forget the 3G. May she rest in peace (pieces?)
That's what I did. It made a very significant different. Probably the best "upgrade" I made to the car.
The stock 4G 17" wheels are only 22lbs. So going to 16lb wheels was significant but not as much as when I swapped lightweights in the 3G. The stock 17"s on the 3G are 26lbs. Going from 26lbs to 16lbs a corner is very significant.
I agree with the Miata statement, but damn, when I dropped 600-700 lbs. on my 3G, did all the bolt-ons and put some BC coils on there, it handled like a go-cart and was pretty damn fast. It was the most fun car I've owned. I love my 4G because it's more comfortable and techy but I'll never forget the 3G. May she rest in peace (pieces?)
losiglow Yeah stock wheels are super heavy. I can only imagine how fun it must be to drive a much lighter TL.
I looked at your 17" enkei I was strongly considering them a few months ago.
Too bad about your car glad your ok.
I forgot to mention that one cheap mod that I was considering in the past waa as the CAI since it weighs less than the stock intake and allows more cool air to reach the engine but the only problem with that is when it rains my engine will be toast since the filter is located underneath the engine. Does anybody know a good filter and intake brand that shouldn't have this problem?
I forgot to mention that one cheap mod that I was considering in the past waa as the CAI since it weighs less than the stock intake and allows more cool air to reach the engine but the only problem with that is when it rains my engine will be toast since the filter is located underneath the engine. Does anybody know a good filter and intake brand that shouldn't have this problem?
So, what makes you think it brings in more cold air than the factory CAI?
I forgot to mention that one cheap mod that I was considering in the past waa as the CAI since it weighs less than the stock intake and allows more cool air to reach the engine but the only problem with that is when it rains my engine will be toast since the filter is located underneath the engine. Does anybody know a good filter and intake brand that shouldn't have this problem?
It was completely my fault. I put on some crappy tires for the summer so I wouldn't wear out my good ones. Then I took a left turn too sharp - which normally wouldn't have been a problem with my summer tires - and ran into a Taco Bell drive-thru. Because, you know, racecar. Totaled out an old Saturn that was in line and did some damage to a Lexus behind the Saturn. I also knocked down the drive-thru order kiosk. It was rather epic in hindsight. My coworkers and kids still give me crap. Every time we go to Taco Bell they tell really pile it on. I suppose I deserve that The cops were about to site me for wreckless driving but let me off with an "improper left-hand turn". I got lucky there.
It was a total dumbass move on my part. Won't happen again.
That sounds like exactly how i want to reduce weight on my TL with no difference to the experience of the car. Thanks for the glove box tip i popped mine open and sure enough more weights
I just removed this. Simple 5 minute job with a bunch of screws. I feel like it's there for protection to keep smashers and grabbers from breaking into the glovebox and stealing valuables but I don't keep anything there anyways so I removed it.
10-11-2017, 10:05 AM
It was rather epic in hindsight. My coworkers and kids still give me crap. Every time we go to Taco Bell they tell really pile it on. I suppose I deserve that 
The cops were about to site me for wreckless driving but let me off with an "improper left-hand turn". I got lucky there.
that must be rough to get it from the kids
