Project: TL Type S

**JustinG** · 06-17-2008, 12:53 AM

like the way it looks, man in NC you can get away with doin anything to your car.

WRXtranceformed · 04-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Long time without an update!

Haven't done much to the car lately other than drive the heck out of it. It's already got nearly 60,000 miles and I'm getting ready to do that service. Apparently on this vehicle at 60k you need to replace the PCV valve, so I went ahead and put one on order. I'll be doing the engine air and cabin air filters myself of course, although the engine oil, trans and diff fluids I'm going to let Honda do. I no longer change my own engine oil after the wrist-slicing debacle with my old Tundra, it's just not worth my time.

I did finally pull the trigger and had my Magnaflow resonator installed that I got for Christmas. I went to the shop with the decision to do a "stage 2" exhaust as the TL community calls it, which is replacing the stock resonator with Magnaflow's version and cutting out the mid-muffler and replacing it with an aluminized pipe. Even though I had heard sound bytes of it, I decided at the last minute that it would be more prudent to do it a stage at a time even if it costs 2xs the labor because I don't want to pull up to a client's home with an exhaust that sounds too loud.

First impression was a much deeper tone although very muted still. As I drove it home and the resonator started to break in it became much more aggressive and V8 sounding (!). I'm glad I stopped at "stage 1" for now because I think it's going to get a little louder over the next few trips. I'm obviously very used to extremely loud, droning exhausts. This was a good compromise for me, it will allow me and others to notice a subtle difference while allowing me to obtain a few shreds of professionalism Tongue

If you guys are interested I can record a video so you can hear it.

WRXtranceformed · 04-15-2009, 07:29 PM

I've developed a great relationship with a service advisor at a local Honda dealer in Charlotte, and one of my good friend's friends is a service tech there who does awesome work. An expensive bill ended up being like $75 when I left! I bought pizza and a 2 liter for both of them for hooking it up. Didn't have to end up doing the diff fluid because my car doesn't have a rear diff! :lol:

Car feels even smoother and more powerful with the new filter and fresh Amsoil in it. I took an oil analysis sample and I'm sending it out tomorrow. I'll post up the results here. I'm likely going to switch to an Amsoil oil filter even though they're more expensive, depending on what kind of oil change interval this test company recommends.

Oh also, I took my front bumper off to remove the intake resonator, only to find that the previous owner had already done it. Oh well! Tongue

WRXtranceformed · 04-21-2009, 01:13 PM

I can't say I'm real impressed with Amsoil's choice of subcontractors for these analyses, especially as a dealer. My next sample I'll probably send off to Blackstone labs because they seem to be less vague with the results. Anyway here it is. This was using an OEM filter (I've since switched back to Purolator PureOne and will switch to an Amsoil filter for the next change) and Amsoil 100% synthetic 5w30 (ASL). 59k miles on the car, about 5500 miles between changes. I had to call the tech and he told me that I could probably put another few thousand on it between changes.

[Image: Oilsample.jpg]

No idea why it's flagged as abnormal. I think they originally didn't have enough information from me, which isn't surprising because the sample registration process was confusing as shit. :tomato:

Thoughts from those who know what they're looking at? I just realized that pic turned out really small, sorry.

ScottyB · 04-21-2009, 01:28 PM

its a little hard to read but is your iron 31? thats a bit high-ish, i guess that may be where the "2" rating came from. did you take your sample right after you opened the drain plug or toward the end when the oil was trickling out?

all of your other wear metals look like 0's to me, which is always good!

i've done 3 blackstone tests so far and i like them. the turnaround is pretty good and they give you some personal feedback for what its worth.

WRXtranceformed · 04-21-2009, 01:44 PM

I'm not sure honestly, the Honda tech did it. I'd imagine he probably did it right after he opened the drain plug.

WRXtranceformed · 07-23-2009, 09:19 AM

Went in to have my pads changed and fluid flushed (my friend is a tech at the local Honda dealership) and discovered that at some point in the past the previous owner had taken it to a generic brake shop that overtightened the caliper bolt and stripped out the threads in the caliper. It was barely being held on for like 20,000 miles. Apparently Acura doesn't do an in-depth look at critical systems when they go about the CPO process, they just check the pad depth and rotor life. Acura of course wouldn't warranty it because it was a worksmanship defect from a previous mechanic (no documentation that the wheels had ever been removed at Acura, Honda has never serviced my brakes).

So, an order in to acuraoemparts and $300 later, I had a brand new driver's side caliper. At least my boy did the labor for free on the caliper replacement.

Brakes feel much less spongy now with the fresh fluid and new pads. I decided to try out the Autozone Duralast Ultralast CMAX ceramic pads because I've heard really good things about them from the EVO crowd and they have a lifetime warranty (apparently you can bring them back when they get worn out and they will replace them at Autozone anyway for life). I'll be doing the front rotors eventually.

Mostly going to be routine maintenance at this point on. I'm getting to that stage in life where I'd prefer to pay off debt instead of letting it drag on Tongue

I'm also starting to consider the possibility of me getting married eventually... I KNOW WTF! Anyway, next oil change I'll be replacing the 3rd and 4th gear pressure sensor switches on the transmission. A guy on the TL forums has a built GNX that he races, and his tranny builder took his TL's tranny apart and found that it's actually built to stand a good bit of abuse and extra power. The problem though is that those pressure sensor switches fail and cause all kinds of damage to the tranny. They're $75 total, so it's cheap insurance and I have been noticing some sloppier bump shifts from the transmission lately even though I don't race or really ever push the car that hard.

My buddy just had a new type of tint applied to his windshield that doesn't hurt visibility but eliminates 60% of UV and IR rays. He said that it made a huge difference in how hot his car gets with our summer down here. I may give it a go if it really doesn't affect visibility at all. I do still plan to remove the mid muffler at some point and if I have an extra 400 bucks burning a hole in my pocket at some point in the future I may still pick up a j-pipe to pick up around 10whp/13 torques. And I will eventually get the massive scrape on my rear bumper repainted haha

CaptainHenreh · 07-23-2009, 01:31 PM

I'm a little disappointed that a "certified pre owned" Acura had such a blatant defect and won't fix it.

What's the fucking point of buying CPO?

.RJ · 07-23-2009, 01:35 PM

CaptainHenreh Wrote:What's the fucking point of buying CPO?

Make you feel better about spending more for the car.

WRXtranceformed · 07-23-2009, 02:41 PM

CaptainHenreh Wrote:I'm a little disappointed that a "certified pre owned" Acura had such a blatant defect and won't fix it.

What's the fucking point of buying CPO?

I feel the same way, but it's not really a battle I felt like fighting with them.

The car didn't cost me any more as CPO than it would have otherwise, especially after I negotiated with them. The 100,000 mile powertrain and 62k bumper to bumper definitely helped too.

CaptainHenreh · 07-23-2009, 02:52 PM

WRXtranceformed Wrote:The car didn't cost me any more as CPO than it would have otherwise, especially after I negotiated with them. The 100,000 mile powertrain and 62k bumper to bumper definitely helped too.

Helped with what, exactly?

Clearly not with a busted brake caliper...if your engine pops tomorrow, are they going to say 'Well, a mechanic must have used the wrong oil filter, we're not responsible, that'll be 5,000 dollars plz.'

WRXtranceformed · 07-23-2009, 05:10 PM

My car has 64.5k miles on it right now. I drive a LOT. haha

It helped with the sale, I bought it with 44.5k on the clock. Trust me, if it comes down to a big ticket item like the engine or transmission failing, I will be going to battle if they try to say it's due to workmanship. The fact that the caliper bolt was overtightened and my car was technically out of warranty really didn't leave me much ground to stand on, especially since the brakes have never been touched by neither the Honda or Acura dealership.

WRXtranceformed · 08-25-2009, 10:32 AM

So the new brake pads are pretty awesome, saved me a good chunk of loot too. I would highly recommend them so far to you guys, the grip is just as good as if not better than stock after they have been broken in.

My buddy Trevor is parting out his modded TL-S and I'm probably going to pick some stuff up from him even though I promised myself I wouldn't mildly mod this car until it was paid off. I might splurge and pick up his Injen intake and Progress RSB on the cheap. I REALLY want his 19" Volks but I can't justify spending 2k+ on wheels that are going to hurt my mileage with as much driving as I do. They do look pretty sick though!

[Image: DSC01085.jpg]

fiveoh2go · 08-25-2009, 10:40 AM

WRXtranceformed Wrote:I REALLY want his 19" Volks but I can't justify spending 2k+ on wheels that are going to hurt my mileage with as much driving as I do. They do look pretty sick though!

Do it. You only live once...

WRXtranceformed · 08-25-2009, 10:58 AM

fiveoh2go Wrote:
WRXtranceformed Wrote:I REALLY want his 19" Volks but I can't justify spending 2k+ on wheels that are going to hurt my mileage with as much driving as I do. They do look pretty sick though!

Do it. You only live once...

Been there done that... hahaha :lol:

fiveoh2go · 08-25-2009, 11:25 AM

WRXtranceformed Wrote:
fiveoh2go Wrote:
WRXtranceformed Wrote:I REALLY want his 19" Volks but I can't justify spending 2k+ on wheels that are going to hurt my mileage with as much driving as I do. They do look pretty sick though!

Do it. You only live once...
Been there done that... hahaha :lol:

I just thought I'd give you a little encouragement if you needed some positive reinforcement to pull the trigger. :mrgreen:

WRXtranceformed · 08-25-2009, 11:30 AM

I can always count on you guys haha

ScottyB · 08-25-2009, 11:46 AM

i thought the roads in Charlotte were pretty good overall but doe you think they'd hurt your ride pretty bad? i know 85 through there is hell. if you carry clients alot it might be not so fun.

WRXtranceformed · 08-25-2009, 12:44 PM

Fortunately I don't have to carry clients much, but the roads are pretty awesome around Meck. County. I'm worried more about the impact on my fuel mileage and the subsequent cost of more expensive 19" tires. Trevor drives with a pretty heavy foot, but he averages <200 miles per tank... I'm getting a lot better than that. I put a LOT more miles on my car than Trev does too so it wouldn't make sense for me.

They definitely slow him down a little too. We had a fun little stoplight to stoplight jaunt a few months ago (on a closed course, of course... haha) and I pulled him by about a half car up to ~70mph. His intake sounded so mean when he hit VTEC though, I'm pretty stoked to pick that up with the combo of my exhaust Smile

fiveoh2go · 08-25-2009, 01:50 PM

WRXtranceformed Wrote:They definitely slow him down a little too. We had a fun little stoplight to stoplight jaunt a few months ago (on a closed course, of course... haha) and I pulled him by about a half car up to ~70mph. His intake sounded so mean when he hit VTEC though, I'm pretty stoked to pick that up with the combo of my exhaust

Well in that case, actually being fast > looking the part.

How much labor is involved in re-gearing your car to overcome the gear you "lose" with the 19's?

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