Wasn’t Born An A-Spec, Just Destine To Be One. Trendzero’s Progress (Winter Update)
06-22-2010, 01:17 AM
#1
Wasn’t Born An A-Spec, Just Destine To Be One. Trendzero’s Progress (Winter Update)
I purchased my 2005 TL in Anthracite Metallic with an A/T complete with Navi and a Carbon/Quartz interior in October of 2009 for 16K. I have modded many cars in the past but have never been a member of a forum before. I came across Azine and was impressed with its breath of knowledge and general organization so I decided to become a member. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Before I begin my sideshow I want to thank Azine for all the install, troubleshooting, brainstorming and networking opportunities it has created for me and special thanks to the Mile High Acura group for the new friends and all the others on the forum for the great ideas and excellent looks into your cars. Anyways, on to my progress to date…
Excuse the first bunch of photos they were shot on my point and shoot.
This is what she looked like the day I got her.
The immediate two mods I did are ones that most on Azine hate. I put the style spoiler and BSM’s on my AM. I have always had spoilers on my car, it’s just my thing and the BSM’s I actually like a lot but more importantly I work downtown and they serve a legitimate purpose on my car, which is to protect from downtown parking lots and dumbass drivers. Say what you wanna say but they are staying.
The next three mods I did were to complete the carbon fiber, if you can call it that, interior pieces on my car. These consisted of the remaining center console pieces, the shift knob and the rear console piece.
This next picture is a more recent shot but the first one I had with my next mod. This mod was to replace the interior lights with blue LED lighting. Kinda hard to see at night but I like it.
Then I did your typical stuff on this forum like the Type-S rear markers, Type-S taillights and cleared headlights.
I then decided to do a grille mod. I really like the framing of the TL grille plus I saw several AM TLs that painted the entire grille to match the body, but thought it looked too much like an Accord, so I painted the center grille piece to match the body leaving the OEM color in the inset.
Before:
After:
I then purchased my A-spec kit and this is a pic of it installed and consequently a pic from my first Azine meet with the Mile High Acura group.
Keeping with the carbon fiber theme, by the way my wedding ring is carbon fiber, I purchased the OEM carbon fiber steering wheel to complete the interior.
My next purchase was the A-spec gunmetal 8.5” wheels.
Since I was on the theme of A-spec I decided to purchase the A-spec badge for the rear of the car.
I then decided to purchase quad exhaust tips for my car, I am sure you have seen the thread around. After the install I decided they did not fit the couture or look I was going for so I had them removed and had my OEM tips extended to be flusher with the A-spec bumper. A lot of people change out their tips but I think Acura did a great job with these OEM ones.
The next thing I did was get the M/T A-spec suspension kit for my car and took my 30% tint down to 20%. I toyed around a lot with the suspension and decided on the A-spec for a couple of reasons. First, this is my daily driven car which I want it to feel like a luxury car. Second, the M/T offers enough drop without being stupid low. Granted slammed cars look absolutely amazing for photo shoots but offer little to no practicality for everyday driving. This has been by far my most rewarding mod to-date. The feel and response of the A-spec suspension is worth every penny.
The final two mods I have done “as of now…” are I made a carbon fiber engine shroud and installed my CAI.
As you can see I stuck with the OEM theme, A-Spec in particular, and for many on this forum it looks just like any other TL but outside this forum I get some head turns from time to time.
My future mods include:
Finish carbon fibering all the engine bay shrouds;
Install the Sarona or Ebay roof spoiler;
Paint roof and roof spoiler black;
Install the custom fit trunk sub;
Dual headrest monitors;
Replace my side mirror, which has that burnt blemish on it.
Whatever else calls to my wallet……
Here are some pictures of my car as it sits today along with a few pics of myself, my wife and our two beautiful daughters. Thanks for looking comments, criticisms as usual are welcome.
Before I begin my sideshow I want to thank Azine for all the install, troubleshooting, brainstorming and networking opportunities it has created for me and special thanks to the Mile High Acura group for the new friends and all the others on the forum for the great ideas and excellent looks into your cars. Anyways, on to my progress to date…
Excuse the first bunch of photos they were shot on my point and shoot.
This is what she looked like the day I got her.
The immediate two mods I did are ones that most on Azine hate. I put the style spoiler and BSM’s on my AM. I have always had spoilers on my car, it’s just my thing and the BSM’s I actually like a lot but more importantly I work downtown and they serve a legitimate purpose on my car, which is to protect from downtown parking lots and dumbass drivers. Say what you wanna say but they are staying.
The next three mods I did were to complete the carbon fiber, if you can call it that, interior pieces on my car. These consisted of the remaining center console pieces, the shift knob and the rear console piece.
This next picture is a more recent shot but the first one I had with my next mod. This mod was to replace the interior lights with blue LED lighting. Kinda hard to see at night but I like it.
Then I did your typical stuff on this forum like the Type-S rear markers, Type-S taillights and cleared headlights.
I then decided to do a grille mod. I really like the framing of the TL grille plus I saw several AM TLs that painted the entire grille to match the body, but thought it looked too much like an Accord, so I painted the center grille piece to match the body leaving the OEM color in the inset.
Before:
After:
I then purchased my A-spec kit and this is a pic of it installed and consequently a pic from my first Azine meet with the Mile High Acura group.
Keeping with the carbon fiber theme, by the way my wedding ring is carbon fiber, I purchased the OEM carbon fiber steering wheel to complete the interior.
My next purchase was the A-spec gunmetal 8.5” wheels.
Since I was on the theme of A-spec I decided to purchase the A-spec badge for the rear of the car.
I then decided to purchase quad exhaust tips for my car, I am sure you have seen the thread around. After the install I decided they did not fit the couture or look I was going for so I had them removed and had my OEM tips extended to be flusher with the A-spec bumper. A lot of people change out their tips but I think Acura did a great job with these OEM ones.
The next thing I did was get the M/T A-spec suspension kit for my car and took my 30% tint down to 20%. I toyed around a lot with the suspension and decided on the A-spec for a couple of reasons. First, this is my daily driven car which I want it to feel like a luxury car. Second, the M/T offers enough drop without being stupid low. Granted slammed cars look absolutely amazing for photo shoots but offer little to no practicality for everyday driving. This has been by far my most rewarding mod to-date. The feel and response of the A-spec suspension is worth every penny.
The final two mods I have done “as of now…” are I made a carbon fiber engine shroud and installed my CAI.
As you can see I stuck with the OEM theme, A-Spec in particular, and for many on this forum it looks just like any other TL but outside this forum I get some head turns from time to time.
My future mods include:
Finish carbon fibering all the engine bay shrouds;
Install the Sarona or Ebay roof spoiler;
Paint roof and roof spoiler black;
Install the custom fit trunk sub;
Dual headrest monitors;
Replace my side mirror, which has that burnt blemish on it.
Whatever else calls to my wallet……
Here are some pictures of my car as it sits today along with a few pics of myself, my wife and our two beautiful daughters. Thanks for looking comments, criticisms as usual are welcome.
06-22-2010, 07:55 AM
#7
Pro
looks good, and nice writeup. you could consider having your tints redone. just the rear window and rear quarters. the quarters are done half-ass and the rear doesn't need to be cut around the brake light. neither of those will break the bank but will make it look a lot classier. nice ride tho, good work.
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06-22-2010, 08:09 AM
#8
Veni, vidi, vici
looks good, and nice writeup. you could consider having your tints redone. just the rear window and rear quarters. the quarters are done half-ass and the rear doesn't need to be cut around the brake light. neither of those will break the bank but will make it look a lot classier. nice ride tho, good work.
I didn't really notice the rear quarters until u mentioned it, but it's not really anything drastic. I mean, if the OP is a perfectionist, then yeah it should be fixed but as a whole, the car looks fine.
Hey OP- some Aziners might get mifted cuz you have a Aspec badge on your car, but it's not a full aspec. so be prepared for that. but it looks like your going all the way with the aspec theme, so i wouldn't worry about it.
06-22-2010, 10:22 AM
#12
06-22-2010, 12:00 PM
#14
contemplating future mods
iTrader: (4)
Great progress. Now what? Performance mods or are you going to keep the focus on aesthetics? If you are a carbon fiber "maker," how about making a carbon fiber cover for the upper console (by the center vanity lights)... If you do/can, make two and I'll take the other
06-22-2010, 12:24 PM
#16
The A-spec suspension is already installed.
I agree. The place I had them done won't do what should be done so I am taking it to another place to at least get the quarter panels flush. It bugs me for sure.
I made it. If you look in one of my photo albums you can see all the carbon fiber work I did on my grand prix.
The only thing I don't have from the A-spec package now is the brake upgrade. I don't intend to get it either because it limits my wheel selections if I decide to change it up in the future. Otherwise, I've got everything else plus I don't feel it's wrong to represent Acura's performance line, much like Nismo Nissans
Thanks
Like I said, great for photos but.....
I don't intend to do anymore performance. I did that on my prior car and now I think its all cosmetic. I don't plan on doing any interior carbon fiber pieces simply becuase the real carbon fiber pattern conflicts with the faux fiber pattern in the car now and I don't like that.
They are just cleared that's all.
Thanks for all the comments.
I agree. The place I had them done won't do what should be done so I am taking it to another place to at least get the quarter panels flush. It bugs me for sure.
+1
Great progress. Now what? Performance mods or are you going to keep the focus on aesthetics? If you are a carbon fiber "maker," how about making a carbon fiber cover for the upper console (by the center vanity lights)... If you do/can, make two and I'll take the other
Great progress. Now what? Performance mods or are you going to keep the focus on aesthetics? If you are a carbon fiber "maker," how about making a carbon fiber cover for the upper console (by the center vanity lights)... If you do/can, make two and I'll take the other
Thanks for all the comments.
06-22-2010, 01:06 PM
#19
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
You've come a long way with the TL and I'm very impressed. Clean and subtle mods sometimes look better than going over the top.
What kind of camera were you using for those shots? I'm guessing some sort of Nikon because of the last picture holding the lens cap.
What kind of camera were you using for those shots? I'm guessing some sort of Nikon because of the last picture holding the lens cap.
06-22-2010, 02:48 PM
#22
looks good! really clean and oem mods are always a plus. I wouldve blacked out the headlights though, I think clear looks like too much for the AM. i had clear and switched to black pretty soon after, and it seems to suit the car a lot better. just my .02
06-22-2010, 06:30 PM
#24
Yeah, I do wish it dropped the car down about .25" to .5" more but over all very happy and even more happy with the ride quality over stock.
06-22-2010, 10:27 PM
#25
Drifting
Really nice. Very classy and tasteful selection of mods. Which Discount did you get your tires at?
06-23-2010, 07:54 AM
#29
GODZILLA & 3G TL
Sick ride Scott. That's the only way to describe it. Very clean, especially in person. We will definitely have to do a photoshoot soon
The more I see your stance, the more I want to do the MT aspec too...damn Azine! Probably get my brakes done first though, I feel they may need it sooner than later.
The more I see your stance, the more I want to do the MT aspec too...damn Azine! Probably get my brakes done first though, I feel they may need it sooner than later.
06-23-2010, 10:14 AM
#31
Drifting
Your a great photographer. I really like the way your car is turning out. AMFTMFW. BTW, I'm one of the AM's that painted his entire grill, but I don't think it makes the car look like an Accord at all.
Also, any performance mods? Like a CAI atleast?
Also, any performance mods? Like a CAI atleast?
Last edited by d-townhakuzo; 06-23-2010 at 10:17 AM.
06-23-2010, 06:27 PM
#36
LOL, if I only had the extra time....
Yes, we need to do a AM photo shoot soon!
+1
Sick ride Scott. That's the only way to describe it. Very clean, especially in person. We will definitely have to do a photoshoot soon
The more I see your stance, the more I want to do the MT aspec too...damn Azine! Probably get my brakes done first though, I feel they may need it sooner than later.
The more I see your stance, the more I want to do the MT aspec too...damn Azine! Probably get my brakes done first though, I feel they may need it sooner than later.
+1
06-23-2010, 06:33 PM
#38
Former Whiner
