Hello all,

This is my first post, so please forgive me if I ask questions that have been previously answered. I did some searches and got some good info, but I still have a few questions I hope you guys can help with. I just bought a 2002 3.2TL Silver w/black interior. It has all the goodies except nav (didn't want that one anyway). The car only has 43,500-ish miles on it and only had one previous owner. He took good care of it, and I intend to do the same. I do, however, have the mod bug.

To give you some background, I've been a sportscar guy all my life. I've owned 3 mustangs ranging from my '67 289 coupe to my most recent '97 Cobra convertible. I also enjoy offroading, and my current toy is a '93 Bronco. I have lots of experience tuning and modifying domestic v8 RWD cars and trucks (4x4 too) but I'm kinda new at the FWD v6 semi-luxury stuff. My go-fast days are mostly over, but I still enjoy a well-performing vehicle, which is why I decided on an Acura. I'm most certainly opposed to body kits, neon, loud raspy exhaust, bling-bling, etc. on what is supposed to be a sport-luxury sedan. I want to make it perform a little better without changing it's demeanor too much. I know it's possible, since I *was* looking for a type-S. I'm starting to wish I had held out for a type-S, but I've already signed the papers, plunked down the cash, and the TL is sitting outside right now.

On to the point...

How can I modify the intake/exhaust to gain in performance without getting loud and obnoxious? I've seen one cat-back kit that claims to be a low, mellow note, but I don't want to spend $1000 on it without really knowing how it sounds. Also, I'd like to swap my 16" wheels for the type-S 17" version. Will these wheels be heavier overall and actually hurt acceleration, or are they lightened since they are designed for the type-S? Is there any tuning I can do via the car's engine management computer that will not void my warranty? Can I upgrade the bass response of the Factory Bose system without completely replacing it? I love the way it sounds, I just wish that subwoofer had about 5dB more output and responded on a little bit lower frequency.

Any and all responses are welcome, of course. Please feel free to point me to another thread as necessary.

Thanks!

 

Go to www.comptechusa.com, they have parts for the TL. As for the subwoofer, you can always build a custom box and add an extra amplifier to power it.

 

Thx for the site. I'm not sure that they have what I'm looking for. The also have that cat-back kit, but I was hoping for an opinion of it. Do you have any info about the '02 17" type-S wheels? Does anyone else have a reply?

 

The wheels should fit fine. They might be just a tad heavier but you probably won't feel the difference if you are worried about upsprung weight.

 

cool. I have a lead on a set of 4 in good shape. I'm hoping to get them at a decent price... not trying to "pose" as a type-s, just wanting OEM 17" wheels for my Acura. Are there others I should be looking at? Obviously, the A-spec wheels are available, but a bit out of my price range. Also not really the style I'm looking for.

Anyway, as for subwoofer options, is there no tuning that can be done? One would think that a company such as bose would make the system tunable to a certain extent. At least an extent above "Bass +6, Treble +6". I was hoping to find a way to increase the amplifier gain... I could build a box and install an aftermarket amp and subwoofer, but once again it goes against the grain of a car like this. I want to keep it cherry

 

Unfortunately, there are no adjustments you can do to the sub. except the bass/treble knobs on the deck.

 

It seems like you got it right for the most part.

Welcome to HAN, and good luck with tha ride.