Shoeface

My name is Dave. I live in Springfield, MO. A bit of an introduction is already here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/new-3g-tl-owner-need-your-input-830917/

This is more of less of a log to myself to remember what I've done and in what order. Though I think I've done enough of my own work on my car that will make a worthy progress thread. Not to mention the weather is finally looking up which means there will be more to come throughout the summer! Ok let's start from the beginning:



It already had some work done on it from the single owner before me. This is how it looked when I bought it at a Suzuki dealership:

• Type-S tail lights and sidemarkers
• Blacked out headlights
• A-Spec front lip
• Diffusers removed
• Gunmetal stock wheels and trim pieces
• Shaved emblems
• Magnaflow catback exhaust with straight pipe
• CAI
• Shaved Acura and TL emblems
• ~10% tint on rear passenger windows and rear window (none in front, though I think there once was, because there is a bit of film on the edge of the driver window)

The very first thing I did was get a USAspec iPod kit installed. I can't live without my music!






For about 5 months afterwards, I only got around to doing 1 other mod = Interior LED's. I also bought Type 2 switchbacks, but didn't get to them until later. I don't have a good enough camera to capture the difference, but I got 6K LED's from VLEDS for the license plate, doors, dome, map, vanity, console, and glove box lights:


This little bugger (vanity light housing) took me like 20 minutes to pop out!





The next "warm" day out, I took advantage and cleaned my muffler tips.
Before:


After:





I also installed my Type 2 switchbacks! Changing the bulbs was cake, but changing the resistor on the turn relay was where I went wrong. I had never soldered anything, but I gave it a go anyways.





By god it worked!

But then later that night, they stopped working completely. Upon a later investigation and 1 new turn relay later, I determined that I f'ed up the board. Anyways, new relay is in with the 0.12 ohm resistor that I had used before and it's been working since then. I like this picture




Next project - roof spoiler and calipers.
I ordered my roof spoiler from ebayer BWMOEMSHOP. Great color and fit!








Painted my calipers and hubs black. I picked black because I didn't want them to draw attention to my stock wheels. It's a very settle, but yet a pleasing look. I also swapped out the stock lugs with black stock lugs.

Before:



After:






And here is where I stand now!




Upcoming releases:

• Removal of old tint because it's a crappy job with crappy tint (turning purple). I'm getting some 20% 3M tint all around (excluding windshield). Got this scheduled next week!
• After the tint job, going to install my OEM window visors (already purchased)

At that point, I'll have the cosmetic look that I want for now. I want some Forgestar F14 wheels and coilovers, but that's way into the future like late next year or something.

For the summer, I'm going to do a 3x3 tranny flush with some Redline (will include new pressure switches and filter) and buy a j-pipe! Maybe ATLP will have their new one out by the time I purchase one . If money allows, I'm also going to get the AZ P2R package and lightweight pulley from XLR8. Maybe the aluminum pedal kit from USR and a Progress RSB.

Now that I have this thread posted, I hope to continue to keep it update with some more pics! Please correct me if any of my info is wrong according to what I've described. I'm also open to suggestions, questions, or criticism.

Thank you, AcuraZine, for being the money pit that I've been looking for. It's a love/hate relationship, really.

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

finish the aspec setup and your golden. nice job so far

Shoeface

How could I forget! I definitely have that on my list, just forgot to add it to my thread.

Also, whether you know it or not, I want to thank the following people for helping me get this far:

• Swoosh
• Rockstar143
• Sharksbreath
• guitarplayer16
• IHC
• Inaccurate
• jptl04
• Roger555
• Chewknow
• hwchien
• mmade22
• datmrman

I'm sure there's more, but that's just a quick list of users who's threads I've read to get me up to speed on the things I want to do.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Cool. Keep the pics coming.

dschaos

nice job

M.I.N.O.

iTrader: (1)

Nice start! Welcome to AZ!

Gryphen

Very nice. There is always that fear of buying something already modified but it looks like it was done right. Welcome to AZ, the wallet raping forum.

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

looks good, now get your drop on and some wheels

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Dave. Great progress sir!

Any plans to finish the A-Spec kit?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Nicely done, so far...man! Wow, was honored to be on your list for inspiration...especially being up top!

J.

Keep us updated!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Well done Dave!

If you're in Springfield, you're just 2-1/2 hours away from Kansas City. Make plans to join us for our National Meet on June 9-10th!

Shoeface

I will eventually. I got some non-cosmetic mods I'd like to do before that.

Yeah man, I've read all 50 something pages of your thread. Lots of helpful info!

Already signed up

acura_dipset_tl

iTrader: (40)

Nice progress Dave, keep up the good work.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thank you again, man...honestly, I sometimes go back and reread it and find my own older comments and things that used to stump me pretty funny.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

+1

Shoeface

New tint job complete!

Gotta wait a few days for the tint to settle and then wash the car. I'll probably have some new pics next weekend after installing the visors.

Shoeface

So after it stopped raining for 5 days straight, I finally was able to wash my car this morning and take a few pics before work. I went with a 20% all around with 3M's FX-HP because to me, it was less hazy than the Color Stable line. I should have the window visors installed next week after I give the tint a few days to settle.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Nice Dave-you'll like the 20%'s. I've got 20% on my Type S.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

20% here too...wise choice, dave.

ebelp

Just fyi...you don't need to roll down your windows to get the OEM visors installed.

Shoeface

I've been loving the 20%! It goes nice with the NBP.

Oh snap! I should probably take a look at the manual. I just assumed. You know what happens when you assume Well it's going to rain the next few days, so hopefully this weekend.

Shoeface

Window visors installed!

I'll have some pics up later this week after a wash.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Hmmm...Actually, I did need the windows down to install my oem visors...AND the weathertechs. You have to pull down the inside weatherstrip.

PICS PLEA$E!

steel619

iTrader: (2)

where do you guys get window visors? are oem better or weather tech?

Shoeface

I bought mine from AckTL05. He does group buys and such.
https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/group-buy-anything-oem-796482/

The OEM ones look A LOT better than something like WeatherTech has to offer.

Shoeface

So it's been quite some time since I've posted here or done anything to my car. That's probably because I've been rearranging my life - got a job at the Sprint headquarters in KC! I start my new job on the 29th, so whoever is in KC, we'll have to hang soon. This also means that I'm a definite, 100%, absolute for the KC national meet

Anyways, I haven't done anything to my car besides drive it. I'll have a garage soon enough to complete my summer to-do list, but I hadn't uploaded an pictures recently of the window visors, so after I gave it a wash today, took some more pictures. Enjoy!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Congrats on the new job! You'll have fun at the National Meet

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Car looks great dude!

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

I just moved from Arizona to Missouri. Is all that nasty rust what I can look forward too? Fuck that sucks. Makes me hate rain and humidity even more.

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

damn congrats on the job, lucky being so close to the national meet

05_NBP_TL

iTrader: (1)

^He got a job in KC so he could go to the meet.

Progress looks good. keep it up

mY sLOW UA6

Progress is looking good, now just please complete the A Spec kit.

Shoeface

Thanks all! Yeah, the full A-spec is definitely on my list. Can't wait!

The rain is ok, but the humidity sucks. Winters are bad too because of the salt The only good thing about the midwest is that you get to see all of the extremes of each season

JDiMage

I like! Can't wait to see some wheels.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Sweet progress!

Have an exhaust video?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Congrats on the new job at Sprint, Dave! Buda works there too.

We'll be glad to have you as part of the KC posse. Be sure to join our Mo/Kan TL Social Group from my signature below.

Shoeface

Nah, don't have a good enough camera to record a quality video.

Thanks! And I just joined the group. I'll have to contact Buda to see what he does at Sprint

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

just saw this thread....

you have made some serious progress....and in the right direction....and thanks for the list....we are all here to help....

see you at the meet

Xsupreme

The trim pieces look really good on the black!

Shoeface

I'm now living in KC, so expect a text or 2 for some help and/or ideas

Yeah thanks! I actually need to redo them along with the wheels.