Hi guys, been meaning to make a thread for awhile now.
My name is Elliot and this is my TSX.
Little background on the car. I don't know a ton about it. Saw it on a Chicagoland facebook group and after some research on the numerous problems 04-05s have I went and looked at the car and brought it home.
I live in Chicago and my previous project was a EG2 Del Sol with the OEM b16a3. Had the car for almost a decade until it was stolen in front of my apartment. Decided that as long as I lived in Chicago I wouldn't have a modded Honda. Bought a CBR600 in the spring thinking it'd hold me off, but just over a year after the Del Sol was stolen, the TSX made it's way into my garage.
YES! The car has 320,000+ miles. It's far from perfect. The bumpers are rough as hell and the hood has rock chips for days. There's a couple rust spots including a big spot on the drivers rear door. The left side is definitely worse than the right which tells me it sat on the side of the road and got snow and slush plowed into it alot.
The previous owner picked it up for a daily for his 2 kids so it had to be safe. He went through the usual probs, shakey axles, a/c compressor was dead, PS leaks. It had new oem Acura axles, a new A/C compressor, a bunch of new suspension bits, and a few other tasteful mods.
I never really liked TSX's UNLESS they have the aspec lip kit. The previous owner had sourced the front lip and sides, had it lowered on springs, and found some Accord sport wheels. He also did a full buff and polish and made the most of the paint on the car. After a quick test drive I was surprised it was as solid as it was. Too bouncy for me but that would be addressed.
After taking the car home I honestly only wanted to add a 8" JL audio sub/amp, a few interior mods, and coils eventually. As I dug more and more into the forums I found the RL brake upgrade and a week later the calipers and brackets were ordered.
After installing the sub/amp off the rear 6x9 wires. I immediately realized I'd need to ditch the stock amp and the weird EQ it sends to each channel. This opened the door for a full audio set up. Figured if I was going to do it I'd at least do an amp for the door speakers/sound deadening material/etc.
After stockpiling parts all fall I drove to my hometown for Christmas and also to utilize the shop my parents have.
Huge shoutout to Marcus and the gang at heeltoe automotive. Not only did I get alot of aftermarket stuff but ordered over $300 in random odds/ends/hardware from their OEM parts database.
Mod list of what I've done so far. Future plans include putting more miles on her! I may pick up a spare k24a2 swap to build in case the 320k mile motor decides to quit. Oh that and get the RL brakes on asap too.
Suspension:
Tein Flex-Z Coils
Hardrace front camber kit
Hardrace front LCA bushings
Hardrace front sway bar bushings
Wicked Tuning upper rear camber kit (already installed)
Ingalls rear camber/toe arms
New OEM RSB end links (what a PITA)
TL Type-S RSB
MOOG lower ball joints
MOOG inner and outer tie rods
Rolled fenders/trimmed fender liners
25mm Ichiba spacers front/no name 25mm spacers rear
New front hubs and wheel bearings
New OEM front sway bar end links
Brakes:
RL caliper BBK
12.8 Nissan 350z Brembo equipped rotors
Stainless front lines
EBC Redstuff pads front and rear
Fastbrakes rear BBK MDX 12.3" rotor (I believe)
Fastbrakes front rotor rings
Honda DOT3 fluid
Exterior:
Mugen grille
Mugen 06+ spoiler
Mugen window visors
A-Spec front/sides/rear lip (rear lip still needs paint/installed)
STI front lip
Side skirt extenders (wrapped with 3M cf vinyl)
Painted chrome window trim with SEM trim paint
Custom headlights (no amber reflectors/leds)
6k HID bulbs
6k LED HID bulbs (bright AF)
6k license plate LED lights
6k reverse LED lights
All tail/brake lights replaced with LEDs
06-08 windshield wiper arms (HUGE yet subtle difference)
06-08 rear tails
Painted chrome hood trim NHBP
Formfit Bug Guard
HIC rear window visor
ebay rear diffuser
ebay fog lights
Engine:
Serge Bo flashed ECU (7,700 RPM redline 4,500 RPM VTEC)
Injen CAI
Type-R valve cover/accord IM cover
DIY oil catch can setup
Ktuned mufflers
Amsoil Fully Synthetic 5w-30
Spoon magnetic drain plug
Mugen formula 2.5 oil cap
Mugen reservoir covers
K20A Type-R valve cover and accord IM cover
Drivetrain:
Ghostwerks built OEM trans (Euro-R casing, Si-LSD, new 2-4 gearsets)
Competition Clutch Stage 1.5 clutch
Competition Clutch 11.5lb flywheel
Speedfactory detent springs
Speedfactory shift selector springs
Ktuned MC/line/slave cylinder - Replaced with OEM EM2 CMC and OEM TSX slave - Ktuned stuff is junk
Hybrid Racing shifter bushings
Hybrid Racing shifter base bushings
New OEM Acura Axles (already installed)
GM Sychromesh trans fluid
Spoon magnetic trans drain plug
New OEM clutch pedal custom welded up for added durability
Interior:
Strut King pedals
Custom VIP tray (thanks Dale)
Buddy Club shift knob/Maven weighted knob/CTR knob/Spoon Duracon 6-speed knob
Crown Royal red 'Chicago Blackhawks' shift boot
6k LED interior lighting
Had a OEM tape player - replaced with a standard cubby)
Stinger digital voltmeter (in the not an ashtray cubby)
Broadway mirror
CB radio/PA speaker setup
LED lights under front door panels
Rear seat USB charger - 1 2.1A 1 1.1A port
Audio:
Stock head unit
Rockford Fosgate line driver
Focal Access 165A1 SG components - front
Focal Access 165A1 SG components - rear
Metra speaker brackets (cut to fit focals)
JL Audio 12w6 and JL HO ported box (speaker basket custom painted metallic dark red)
JL Audio slash series 300/4
JL Audio slash series 500/1
JL Audio Bass knob (custom mounted in center console)
JL Audio 4 ga power cable throughout
JL Audio 4 ga ground wires inside.
JL Audio batter terminals
JL Audio inline maxi fuse
JL Audio distribution block
Knuconceptz RCA's and speaker wire
Did the "Big 3" upgrade with 4 ga wiring. Including a power cable from the alternator to the battery.
GROM bluetooth integration module
~60 sq ft of sound deadening material and ensolite in the trunk/trunk lid/doors.
Removed the torsion bars and added trunk dampers (to remove rattles)
Okay pics:
When I bought it:
My EM2 peeking through in the back. Been in my family 10+ years and 286,000 miles on her too!
A week after I bought her.. I planned on mostly leaving her alone.
New headlights:
The parts pile:
04-05 vs 06+
Before:
And the teardown:
My name is Elliot and this is my TSX.
Little background on the car. I don't know a ton about it. Saw it on a Chicagoland facebook group and after some research on the numerous problems 04-05s have I went and looked at the car and brought it home.
I live in Chicago and my previous project was a EG2 Del Sol with the OEM b16a3. Had the car for almost a decade until it was stolen in front of my apartment. Decided that as long as I lived in Chicago I wouldn't have a modded Honda. Bought a CBR600 in the spring thinking it'd hold me off, but just over a year after the Del Sol was stolen, the TSX made it's way into my garage.
YES! The car has 320,000+ miles. It's far from perfect. The bumpers are rough as hell and the hood has rock chips for days. There's a couple rust spots including a big spot on the drivers rear door. The left side is definitely worse than the right which tells me it sat on the side of the road and got snow and slush plowed into it alot.
The previous owner picked it up for a daily for his 2 kids so it had to be safe. He went through the usual probs, shakey axles, a/c compressor was dead, PS leaks. It had new oem Acura axles, a new A/C compressor, a bunch of new suspension bits, and a few other tasteful mods.
I never really liked TSX's UNLESS they have the aspec lip kit. The previous owner had sourced the front lip and sides, had it lowered on springs, and found some Accord sport wheels. He also did a full buff and polish and made the most of the paint on the car. After a quick test drive I was surprised it was as solid as it was. Too bouncy for me but that would be addressed.
After taking the car home I honestly only wanted to add a 8" JL audio sub/amp, a few interior mods, and coils eventually. As I dug more and more into the forums I found the RL brake upgrade and a week later the calipers and brackets were ordered.
After installing the sub/amp off the rear 6x9 wires. I immediately realized I'd need to ditch the stock amp and the weird EQ it sends to each channel. This opened the door for a full audio set up. Figured if I was going to do it I'd at least do an amp for the door speakers/sound deadening material/etc.
After stockpiling parts all fall I drove to my hometown for Christmas and also to utilize the shop my parents have.
Huge shoutout to Marcus and the gang at heeltoe automotive. Not only did I get alot of aftermarket stuff but ordered over $300 in random odds/ends/hardware from their OEM parts database.
Mod list of what I've done so far. Future plans include putting more miles on her! I may pick up a spare k24a2 swap to build in case the 320k mile motor decides to quit. Oh that and get the RL brakes on asap too.
Suspension:
Tein Flex-Z Coils
Hardrace front camber kit
Hardrace front LCA bushings
Hardrace front sway bar bushings
Wicked Tuning upper rear camber kit (already installed)
Ingalls rear camber/toe arms
New OEM RSB end links (what a PITA)
TL Type-S RSB
MOOG lower ball joints
MOOG inner and outer tie rods
Rolled fenders/trimmed fender liners
25mm Ichiba spacers front/no name 25mm spacers rear
New front hubs and wheel bearings
New OEM front sway bar end links
Brakes:
RL caliper BBK
12.8 Nissan 350z Brembo equipped rotors
Stainless front lines
EBC Redstuff pads front and rear
Fastbrakes rear BBK MDX 12.3" rotor (I believe)
Fastbrakes front rotor rings
Honda DOT3 fluid
Exterior:
Mugen grille
Mugen 06+ spoiler
Mugen window visors
A-Spec front/sides/rear lip (rear lip still needs paint/installed)
STI front lip
Side skirt extenders (wrapped with 3M cf vinyl)
Painted chrome window trim with SEM trim paint
Custom headlights (no amber reflectors/leds)
6k HID bulbs
6k LED HID bulbs (bright AF)
6k license plate LED lights
6k reverse LED lights
All tail/brake lights replaced with LEDs
06-08 windshield wiper arms (HUGE yet subtle difference)
06-08 rear tails
Painted chrome hood trim NHBP
Formfit Bug Guard
HIC rear window visor
ebay rear diffuser
ebay fog lights
Engine:
Serge Bo flashed ECU (7,700 RPM redline 4,500 RPM VTEC)
Injen CAI
Type-R valve cover/accord IM cover
DIY oil catch can setup
Ktuned mufflers
Amsoil Fully Synthetic 5w-30
Spoon magnetic drain plug
Mugen formula 2.5 oil cap
Mugen reservoir covers
K20A Type-R valve cover and accord IM cover
Drivetrain:
Ghostwerks built OEM trans (Euro-R casing, Si-LSD, new 2-4 gearsets)
Competition Clutch Stage 1.5 clutch
Competition Clutch 11.5lb flywheel
Speedfactory detent springs
Speedfactory shift selector springs
Ktuned MC/line/slave cylinder - Replaced with OEM EM2 CMC and OEM TSX slave - Ktuned stuff is junk
Hybrid Racing shifter bushings
Hybrid Racing shifter base bushings
New OEM Acura Axles (already installed)
GM Sychromesh trans fluid
Spoon magnetic trans drain plug
New OEM clutch pedal custom welded up for added durability
Interior:
Strut King pedals
Custom VIP tray (thanks Dale)
Buddy Club shift knob/Maven weighted knob/CTR knob/Spoon Duracon 6-speed knob
Crown Royal red 'Chicago Blackhawks' shift boot
6k LED interior lighting
Had a OEM tape player - replaced with a standard cubby)
Stinger digital voltmeter (in the not an ashtray cubby)
Broadway mirror
CB radio/PA speaker setup
LED lights under front door panels
Rear seat USB charger - 1 2.1A 1 1.1A port
Audio:
Stock head unit
Rockford Fosgate line driver
Focal Access 165A1 SG components - front
Focal Access 165A1 SG components - rear
Metra speaker brackets (cut to fit focals)
JL Audio 12w6 and JL HO ported box (speaker basket custom painted metallic dark red)
JL Audio slash series 300/4
JL Audio slash series 500/1
JL Audio Bass knob (custom mounted in center console)
JL Audio 4 ga power cable throughout
JL Audio 4 ga ground wires inside.
JL Audio batter terminals
JL Audio inline maxi fuse
JL Audio distribution block
Knuconceptz RCA's and speaker wire
Did the "Big 3" upgrade with 4 ga wiring. Including a power cable from the alternator to the battery.
GROM bluetooth integration module
~60 sq ft of sound deadening material and ensolite in the trunk/trunk lid/doors.
Removed the torsion bars and added trunk dampers (to remove rattles)
Okay pics:
When I bought it:
My EM2 peeking through in the back. Been in my family 10+ years and 286,000 miles on her too!
A week after I bought her.. I planned on mostly leaving her alone.
New headlights:
The parts pile:
04-05 vs 06+
Before:
And the teardown: