[Aragrev7]

aragrev7’s build Thread​

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Having done many different and unique mods along the way, I’ve decided to start a build thread to lay out where I started and where I am now. This was my first car coming from two street bikes, so I really had little idea of what I wanted to do with the car. I will admit now that not all my mods were the best of ideas, but in my defense, when I think of a challenging project I really can’t help but see if I can accomplish it. Most of my mods are tried and true by the community, but I like to test out unique mods when I can. I do my own thing, so if you hate, then my thing is not your thing and that’s ok!:buttkick: I try to do everything myself so I can afford parts. Basically everything you see I have had to research, learn and do on my own, or with some help from my cousins a road trip away. I have learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t through trial & error and mostly YouTube videos and invaluable DIY guides/member input found on these forums. So thank you all for helping me get to where I am going!!
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I will start with my current state, and continue updating (w/ pics) as I progress. I decided to add my resource for the part because well that’s how we roll in psychology. Give credit where credit is due! (If I missed you let me know!) aragrev7 = myself and/or cousins.
Picture Story to follow opcorn:
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Meets/Shows/Photo Shoots

• Northwest Accord Mini Meet (Kelowna, BC) & Knox Mountain Climb (Kelowna, BC) - October 2012
• Filipino Family - October 2012(Calgary, AB)
• UBC Okanagan Redline Club Meet - February 2013 (Kelowna, BC)
• Poplar Ave Photo Shoot - March 2013 (Kelowna, BC)
• UBC Okanagan Redline Club Annual Meet - March 2013 (Kelowna, BC)
• Kelowna Car Life Annual Spring Cruise - May 2013 (Kelowna, BC)
• Pothole Provincial Park Photo Shoot - September 2013 (Vancouver Island, BC)
• Wake the Lake Show & Shine - April 2014 (Shawnigan Lake, BC) & Clover Point Photo Shoot - April 2014 (Victoria, BC)
• Top Tier Imports Spring Awakening - May 2015 (Winnipeg, MB)

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Summary of Modifications to date: [Resource]

Security​

Kit:
Viper LCD 2-Way w/ shock, glass, tilt, & proximity sensors, voice module, extra internal sirens, system back-ups [Visions]
Viper SmartStart for iPhone (Entry/Start/Status) [Visions]

Engine/Drivetrain​

Clutch
Exedy Stage 1 Clutch (Organic) [HeelToe]
Exedy Lightweight Chromoly Flywheel [HeelToe]
TL A04 Clutch Master Cylinder [HeelToe]
Adler Clutch Slave Cylinder [HeelToe]
Fastline Performance Steel Braided Clutch Line [HeelToe]

Brains:
07-08 Manual Transmission ECU [TSXClub]
Hondata Flashpro Tune [TSXClub][/COLOR]
Replaced: Hondata Reflash [HeelToe][Hondata California]

Intake:
Injen Cold Air/Short Ram Intake (CGP/Anodized Purple)[SpeedTech-Calgary]
DIY Throttle Body Coolant Bypass[aragrev7]
Hondata Thermal Intake Manifold Gasket TSXclub

Exhaust:
CT-E Stainless Steel Header [TSXclub]
Fastline Performance High-Flow Cat w/ O2 Defouler [TSXclub]
Custom Piping with Apexi World Sport 2 (WS2) Exhaust Mufflers [THMotorsports][Duals Mufflers-Winnipeg]
-Cusco/J’s Racing Hangers [HeelToe]

Shifting:
CT-E Short Shifter [HeelToe]
Strut King Shifter Base Bushings [Strut King]
KTuned Shifter Cable Bushings [Speed Factor Racing-Winnipeg]
-Replaced: Hybrid Racing Shifter Cable Bushings [HeelToe]
-Replaced: Corsport Shifter Cable Bushings [HeelToe]
Skunk2 Shift Knob [TSXclub]
-Replaced Maven Knob (dipped in Dark Chrome) [HeelToe]

Pulleys & Belt
Unorthodox Racing SS Lightweight Pulley Set (Red Anodized) [TSXclub]

Gatorback Serpentine Belt [TSXclub]

Gearing
45 Degree VTC Gear (Pinned) [TSXclub??]

Mounts/Dampers
Ingalls ETD "stiffy" (Anodized Purple) [TSXclub]

Battery
Optima Yellow Top - #34 upgrade [Manitoba Battery]

Engine Bay Cosmetic Horsepower
Mugen Oil Cap[Local]
Anodized Purple Valve Cover[aragrev7]
CGP Spark Plug Cover [aragrev7]
CGP Intake Manifold Cover [aragrev7]
Anodized Purple Intake Manifold [aragrev7]
Anodized Purple Dipstick [aragrev7]

Suspension​

Ride Height:
Summer:
Tein Super Street Coilovers [TSXclub]
- Refurbished Spring Seats, Seat Locks, and Thrust Washer.
Ingalls Rear Camber Kit [HeelToe]

Winter:
OEM Auto TSX Suspension

Sway Bars:
Progress Rear Sway Bar (stiff) [HeelToe]
Energy Prothane Rear Sway Bar Bushings [HeelToe]
Neuspeed Front Strut Brace (Dark Chrome) [HeelToe]
Anodized Purple OEM Strut Brace [aragrev7]

Wheels/Tires​

Summer:
19x8 (+42) Axis Shadows [Local][/URL]
-Candy Purple starburst [Total Hardcore Customs]
235/35/19 Hankook Ventus V12 Evo [Discount Tire Direct]
3mm Hub- & Wheel-Centric Spacers [NovusTech]
Ichiba V1 10mm Spacers and Extended Studs [TSXclub]
Axis Hub & Center Caps [local]
Gorilla Shorty Lug Nuts [Local]

Winter:
18” Steelies [Harmony Acura]
225/50/18 Bridgestone Blizzak [Local]
- Lift mode for Winnipeg Winter

Brakes​

Rotors:
RacingBrake Slotted Front Rotors [HeelToe]
Stoptech Rear Rotors [HeelToe]
Pads:
RB500 pads [HeelToe]
Calipers:
Acura RDX Brake Caliper Dust Covers (Front/Rear) [Delray Acura]
Anodized Purple Brake Calipers [aragrev7]
Lines:
Fastline Performance Steel Braided Brake Lines [HeelToe]

Interior​

Tech Upgrades
07 Navigation Swap
Aux Video Switch - Front/Rear Cams, Aux Input
Mobile Device Mirroring on Navi Screen
Bluetooth OBDII + OBDII Data Display on Navi Screen
BlackVue DR500W-HD Dash Cam
GROM BT3 Bluetooth Audio Unit

Entry:
FastLine Performance TL-S Switchblade Key
Custom Accord CM Remote Key [aragrev7]
2-Way LCD Viper Remote [Visions]
2-Way Smartphone Viper Module (Start/Entry/Status Notifications) [Visions]

Random Aesthetics:
Carbon Fiber Vinyl Centre Console/Trim [iJDMtoy]
Strut King Racing Pedals [Strut King]

Illumination:

RGB LED Illuminated Door Sills [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
- Currently disconnected over winter.
White LED interior light swap [/url][SuperBrightLeds]

Sound System:

Rockford Amp powering Two 12" Infinity Perfects [Local]
- Sold

Tint:

35% tint rear/back [TintMaster-Calgary]
5% eyebrow [TintMaster-Calgary]

Exterior​

Aerodynamics
A-spec Front/Rear Lip Kit [Curry Acura]
-Modified Garage Lip to fill raised section[Canadian Tire][aragrev7]
Type R Grille w/ TSX Emblem (3M CF Wrapped) [eBay][aragrev7][Mirror Image Auto]
-TSX Emblem Carbon Fiber Wrapped w/ Red Reflective Shadow
LOWPROaero Side Diffusers (3M CF Wrap) [LOWPROaero]
DevSport Winglets (3M CF Wrap) [DevSport]
EGR Hood Deflector [EGR USA]
Spoon Rep Spoiler [eBay]
HIC Rear Visor [HIC]
OEM Window Visors [Silverhill Acura]
Winter:
Urban Camo Front Bumper [Local]
Urban Camo Side Skirts [Local]
Removes Deflectors

Body Aesthetics:
3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Hood [Mirror Image Auto]
VVIVID Carbon Fiber Vinyl Roof [Vvivid Vinyl]
3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Grille [Mirror Image Auto]
3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Mirrors [aragrev7][Mirror Image Auto]
3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Door Handles [aragrev7][Mirror Image Auto]
3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Rear License Plate Frame [aragrev7][Mirror Image Auto]
3M 1080 Satin Black Vinyl Roof [Mirror Image Auto]

Fenders Rolled and Pulled [aragrev7][Four Function Auto]
Carbon Fibre Vinyl Window Trim [aragrev7]
Carbon Fiber Tucked Front License Plate [aragrev7]
Purple Anodized Front Bumper Vent Accents [aragrev7]
Blind Spot Mirror [Canadian Tire]


Badging:

De-Badged Trunk [aragrev7]
Red LED Rear "A" Emblem [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
-Carbon Fiber Wrapped [aragrev7][Mirror Image Auto]

Headlights:

OSRAM Xenarc CBB 7000K Low Beams [The Retrofit Source]
2 Purple LED Demon Eyes [aragrev7]
4 White LED Angel Eyes – Version 2 w/ 3M White Accent [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
-Replaced 2 White LED Demon Eyes Version 1 [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
Audi Style DRLs [SuperBrightLeds]
Violet LED parking lights (Reflector delete)[aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
-Reflector replaced with 3M Black-to-White Border Reflective Border & 3M White Reflective Accent Strips [aragrev7]
Black Satin Headlight Bezels [aragrev7]

Fogs:
Moromito Honda XB LED Fog Light Assembly [The Retrofit Source]
-Replaced 8000K HID Fog Kit [iJDMtoy]
-Replaced 3000K HID Fog lights [iJDMtoy]
-Replaced 6000K LED Fog Lights [iJDMtoy]
Independent "ON" function [aragrev7]
-turns on with OEM switch independent of low beams


Tail Lighting:
Removed** Custom Designed Complete LED Tail Light Setup (Tinted)[aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds][iJDMtoy]

"TSX" Stenciled High Mount Brake Light [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
White LED license plate lights [SuperBrightLeds]
Red LED Rear Lower Reflectors [aragrev7][SuperBrightLeds]
Turn Signal/Hazard Relay Assembly LED Fix [Digikey][aragrev7]
Manual Reverse Light Tailgater Switch Install [aragrev7]

LED Effects:

Disabled Purple LED Door Handle Glow w/ White LED Puddle Light [SuperBrightLeds][aragrev7]

*Note* Anodized = Anodized Paint Effect

Scheduled Mods​

Scheduled Mods:
Completing MDX Jewel headlight with RGB demon eye & smartphone Bluetooth controller [The Retrofit Source]
Future Mods: - WTB!
Vehicle to be SOLD soon.

 

[Mayuga]

Nice to see another build thread started, good luck w/ the build :tu2:

 

[tsxpert]

Agreed. Now we just need some pictures!

 

[Aragrev7]

ics:
lol I will get these up! Just have to work during the day! Basically that was me procrastinating from doing my thesis. Tonight after vball! Just have to organize all my pictures in order. I didn't really take too many pics in the beginning.
Just wait, I had a HUGE windshield decal on at one point = (f)(l)(a)(

It'll be great for a laugh!

 

[JTrix215]

"Manual Reverse Light Tailgater Switch Install"


Definitely interested in this. I've been wanting to do this exact thing but don't know how. The windshield wiper fluid trick only does so much.

 

[Aragrev7]

I think there's a DIY somewhere. But I will take some pics just in case.
Lol at the wiper fluid. In my younger days in high school my buddy turned his to the side to spray into open car windows... And girls on the sidewalk. not gonna lie, I thought it was hilarious at the time. What a DB.


IPhone Autoguide

 

[Aragrev7]

Intro Buying a TSX!

It took me most of the night to actually organize all my pics and mods in some semblance of proper sequence. The sequence is not exactly accurate, but it seems to flow well. I don't have time to do much else tonight, but I'll start off with the intro.

Before TSX
The first vehicle I owned was a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja EX500R.

I learned to ride on it and it served me well. Awesome on gas, quick to get around. Of course, as anyone who rides can guess, I ended up selling it to upgrade. My first choice was a Suzuki GSX-R1000, and I really wanted it in Black/Burnt Orange. Then I came across a deal I couldn't pass up. And I'm glad I didn't.

I bought a 2007 GSX-R1000 in the colours I wanted. This thing was ridiculous! I modded it where I could. It was loud as a beast! And over 165km/h (100+mph) in 1st gear! There was never anything faster except other bikes really. You don't have to shift when you street race, except down!
If you're interested in seeing this beast: 2007 GSX-R1000 (K7) Black/Burnt Orange Kijiji Ad - YouTube. Beginning and end have some revs.
Here's some good times on a private country road near my buddies - keepin' in legal. Click video to play in another browser.

And so before moving to B.C. I needed to sell this bike. I started taking payments from a friend, who subsequently wrote off the bike. RIP GSXR.

In the mean time I had bought my first car: 2006 Acura TSX MT in CGP.

 

[Aragrev7]

1st Mod - M3 Lip!

Not knowing too much about cars, one of the first mods I did was the M3 style lip spoiler. It gave a subtly sportier look, and it was relatively cheap.

 

[Aragrev7]

Tinted Tail lights - Fuzz Magnet.../ de-badging

Eventually I decided to follow my brother's example on his Evo X MR and tint my tail lights! I personally did not like how bright red they were, and prefer a more stealth look. I ended up making them darker than I wanted to because I was trying to even out the spray (VHT nightshade). I also tinted my side mirror turn signals, but removed that after a while.
Also I decided to de-badge the trunk.

Having tinted tail lights in Winnipeg will automatically get you pulled over by East St Paul police because, well, they have nothing to do. I learned that if you clear out your reverse lights, they either don't care anymore, or can't tell because usually people tint out the whole thing. So I cleared mine and added a clear coat that somehow mixed and lightened my shade. :dunno: Later pics will show that change.

 

[Aragrev7]

A first taste of the dreaded LEDs - interior bulb swap

The next easy mod I could do was a swap of the interior bulbs with LEDs, as I did this with a few on my bike. I chose blue because the car already had a blue shifter and cubby light. Also because it's my favorite colour, and I really dig blue lighting.
I also changed the license plate lights to white LEDs, but don't have a pic anywhere atm. I don't have tons of pics for this, but everyone knows what it looks like. I swapped the all for blue except the vanity lights, which I would need for actually seeing things with clarity in the car.

 

[Aragrev7]

6000K LED Fog lights

I then proceeded to see what else can be turned into LEDs. I moved on to swapping out my fog lights with LED bulbs. I never used my fogs except for aesthetic purposes, and it does not fog over in Winnipeg often (more purposes of course). My low beams were always good enough for me (good NV).

 

[Aragrev7]

As you can see, being a newbie, most of my mods were relatively simple and DIY capable. More later!

 

[Aragrev7]

Audi Style LED DRLs

So I continued with the LEDs. I installed Audi Style DRLs. I apologize for the pics of LEDs. They are very good because I only ever used my cell cam. And they don't do well, especially with lighting. With the cool white LEDs, I really needed to change out the 4300K HID bulb!

 

[Aragrev7]

Custom LED Headlights Version 1

Then I got crazy and started to try new things. I baked open the headlights with an oven and heat gun and designed my own LED halos ("demon eye" style) using component LEDs, wiring, resistors and plastic rods to arc the light output. I also blacked out the chrome bezels for a stealth look that didn't BLOCK the light from coming out. Except my OEM DRLs/high beams (both of which I didn't use much). I just pointed my lows higher... :nono: Since I deleted the amber reflector out of the housing, I replaced it with a design of 3M high reflective tape that appears black and reflects white in direct light. This I put along the lip of where the reflector sits.
They weren't the greatest, but the research and learning I thought was impressive just to actually make them work! Each ring is powered by only 2 SuperBright LEDs.
Anyway, aragrev7's Custom LED Headlights VERSION 1: (Again, the colours are all off...)

 

[Aragrev7]

6000K HID low beams

As promised, I swapped out the OEM low beam bulbs for 6000K coloured ones. These are pure white, however, my cell cam thinks they are bluish. Looks MUCH better IMO. I also added white LED parking/city bulbs to match with the flow.
(Yes I cheated, this is a shot of some replacement bulbs after another mod, which I blacked out )

 

[Aragrev7]

Eibach Springs, tint, Chrome, Window Visors, and... smh: Decals

I wanted compliment the chrome already on the car, and make it still unique from what I've seen around. I added Chrome door pillars, chrome accents to the bumper vents, and also some OEM window visors I picked up from a local dealer. The chrome pillars were not the cheap kind, but had a beveled edge that also tapered off for about .5". They served there purpose at the time!
I also installed, on my own, with no air tools, my Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs. This was the first big car DIY mod that I attempted, and everyone knows suspension is the worst. Especially when you have to use spring compressors. This was a learning experience for me. I learned that you don't take the castle nut off without compressing the springs. I unloaded my coils inside my wheel well, still installed. That was a B to solve.
It was also around this time where I had my tinting done, 35% all around, with a 5% brow on the windshield.

Then for father's day, I got my dad a windshield decal: NISMO (the O was white, but you wouldn't see it!) It was done in reflective vinyl so it looks sweet when you drive up to it. I also decided to get one big "Acura" decal for myself= big mistake. It just didn't suit! I kept it on for a while, took some pics, and peeled it off. Sigh, it wasn't cheap to custom make.

 

[Aragrev7]

CT-E Short shifte, Subs/Amp

Shortly after, I had received my CT-E short shifter from HeelToe. This was my next real DIY installation. I didn't take any pics at the time however.
I also inherited a pair of 12" Infinity Perfect subs w/ a Rockford Fosgate amp. My cousins and I installed this using a heavy gauge wiring kit that cost too much. 4ga power from the batter, and ridiculous gauge speaker wires. The install was done clean and everything tucked under the centre trim, carpet, and seats to the trunk. They pound nicely, and were free! Oddly enough though, I don't really drive with music. I like the sound of my car more. Maybe Ill take some pics of these later.

 

[Aragrev7]

18" Rims & Acura caps

I really wanted to get some new shoes for the whip, but since I was relatively poor, I had be really "budget" about my selection. I ended up getting some Rims and tires from WheelsNext in Miami. Who subsequently bent me over...
My bro had bought tires from them and everything worked out. I tried, and they sent me some knock-offs of knock-offs and tires that I didn't order. (ordered falken summers, got, Autogaurd all-season - ya, google them, you wont find them)
Still they were budget, but I wanted a deep dish rim with split spokes: 18" Ruff Racing Rims with 3" lip Machined finish. I ended up making Custom Acura centre caps for them.

 

[Aragrev7]

Basically, I was budget modding for something to do. Still learning and watching the club.

 

[Aragrev7]

Blind Spot bubble

One of my most useful mods for myself was actually a simple one: the Blind Spot Bubble for the side mirrors. I effectively don't have them anymore. As soon as I loose the car makes it to the front side of the bubble, I can see them in my side front windows pretty much. I also use it several times every day as I always back into my parking spots. It's much more practical and safe. Backing into a spot you know whats there as you drive by to angle: an empty parking spot. Backing out of a spot you don't know what's there, or rather you do: stupid crazy people not paying attention :squint: