99Blackhatch, In the work Acura RL (KA9)

Hey everyone, my name is Josh and was told about this from Jen / ymisoqt and since there are a lack of forums locally for VIP, this is nice to see for once. I'm 26 and live in St. Louis, MO and I currently own this Acura RL and a in the work track built Civic (EK)...


As for the Acura, I got a call from my uncle about the RL that he has. It was hit on the driver's side and needed a new axle, front control arm, fender, and headlight and hood. I won't make any performance changes except for maybe small stuff, intake and such, but otherwise I will get a set of wheels, lip kit, and a drop... And yes, the car is Black with Black leather interior.

Picked up the RL and gave her a quick bath. Nothing special, but here she is and all she needs is a new ball joint, fender and a headlights and it's ready to go. Got 2 small issues besides that, but a full detail and a little PDR and she will turn out great. 

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/RLfront.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/frontdamage.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/assend.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/rearass.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/interior.jpg[/IMG]

Feb, 2010

Ok, so over the past few weeks I've been collecting more and more pieces to get this car moving... literally.


[LIST]
[*]New battery helped out a lot. 
[*]New driver's side brake caliper comes tomorrow
[*]New driver's side rotor comes tomorrow
[*]New driver's side fender
[*]New driver's side upper fork
[*]New driver's side JDM headlight for the driver's side... Great little Christmas gift, a PAIR would have looked better though. lol
[*]Got the tires mounted on the TL wheels
[*]Oil change since my uncle didn't stay on top of that
[*]Automatic transmission flush
[*]Fog lights are working
[*]Swapped out the coil packs for the new ones
[/LIST]



[LIST]
[*]Needs to have the EGR valve cleaned or replaced
[*]Needs a new hood
[*]Needs the driver's side fender painted black and a lot of PDR work
[*]Needs a new primary 02 sensor
[/LIST]



Obviously it needs a bit of a drop. Working on that currently... considering the only setup built for this model RL is the JIC coil overs which are $2,000 without shipping from Japan. 

Looking into using 96-98 Legend forks and then then TL suspension should work for me as well... We'll see what i decide to use here in a few months.

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/BackRl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/RL.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/Rl3.jpg[/IMG]

Been wanting to do a face lift for a while now, but no parts to be found or the full conversion for $2,000 without paint...
[IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/aftermathacura/my%20whip/group%20shots/S42000652.jpg[/IMG]

K Sport Control Pro coilover... 36 way adjustable damping and height adjustment.

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/Slammed.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/34.jpg[/IMG]

Pics from Potts...

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Grasshopper04/Cars/hondameet/IMG_1334.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Grasshopper04/Cars/hondameet/IMG_1455.jpg[/IMG]

Update...

As some of you have heard, I parked in the driveway like I always have and my dad being jet lagged got up for work, backed out of the garage and then I get a phone call, "I might have backed into your car and cracked the headlight..." It was cold that morning and it was 6:30am. I wasn't getting out of bed to check in the freezing cold. When I did go out, there were pieces of the headlight on the ground, my newer hood was buckled into the headlight and the fender was toast.

So, I've been looking for replacement parts for the stock front end. No luck unless i wanted to get a new CERTIFIT fender for $178 and a new CERTIFIT hood for $285 and a JDM headlight for $160. All of that without paint.

I go to the junkyard and I find a 99-04 front end. The front end I've wanted for a while now. All of the fenders and the hood on the car are MINT! And the total cost for everything with the newer front bumper guard and some more 99-04 interior parts were $160. All I need still are the grill and headlights and a front bumper...


Well, I'll be getting the grill from a friend and it's a great condition Honda Legend piece.

[IMG]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k24/sa_im_ne/KA9Grill1.jpg[/IMG]

and also this will be coming too due to selling parts

[IMG]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k24/sa_im_ne/KA9Steeringwheel.jpg[/IMG]

And maybe a set of these if not the clear JDM ones...
[IMG]http://admin.rpmgarage.com/resize.php?pic=attachments/14839_vqdhcawqkohn.jpg&size=640[/IMG]




Now trying to figure out if I want to go with a stock front bumper with a lip kit or should I got with a full new front bumper for a VIP status look... I've been a fan of EVOLUTION AERO for a long time, but I'm leaning towards something new for around here too


[quote=B+O;1510]Please note that Some of these body kits are Japanese Made Products. There are people who will import them in for you.

Here is a list of Websites and Importers

[url=http://www.memoryfab.com]Memoryfab[/url]
[url=http://www.eliteautostyle.com]Elite Auto Style[/url]
[url=http://www.autofashionusa.com]Autofashion USA[/url]

[B][SIZE="5"]Mk.II 99-04 (Kouki　- 後期)[/SIZE][/B]

[B]Mode Parfume[/B]
[url=http://www.blowdesign.co.jp/]Mode Parfume by Blow Designs[/url]
[url=http://www.blowdesign.co.jp/exp_se/sep12.html]Detailed Information[/url]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/Touring240/imglarge_701_1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/Touring240/imglarge_701_3.jpg[/IMG]







[B]AIMGAIN[/B]
[url=http://www.aimgain.net/]AIMGAIN[/url]
[url=http://www.aimgain.net/products/aero/ka9afeu.html]Detailed Information[/url]
[img]http://www.aimgain.net/products/aero/img/ka9eu/pic1.jpg[/img]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/BangO/31e480bc-1.jpg[/IMG]







[url=http://www.g-answer.com/]Garage Answer[/url]
[url=http://www.g-answer.com/aero/ka9legend/ka9legend.html]Detailed Information[/url]
[img]http://www.g-answer.com/aero/ka9legend/Lage/P1010069.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.g-answer.com/aero/ka9legend/Lage/P1010075.JPG[/img]







[B]Evolution Aero[/B]
[url=http://www.evolution.co.jp/]EVOLUTION[/url]
[url=http://www.evolution.co.jp/exclusive/legend/]Detailed Information[/url]
[img]http://www.evolution.co.jp/exclusive/legend/img1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.evolution.co.jp/exclusive/legend/img2.jpg[/img]







[B]Value Sports[/B]
[url=http://www.value-sports.co.jp]Value Sports[/url]
[url=http://www.value-sports.co.jp/aero/sedan/legend_ka9go.html]Detailed Information[/url]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/BangO/keiji_rf.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/BangO/keiji_rr.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Skipper[/B]
[URL=http://www.skipper.co.jp]Skipper SKP[/url]
[URL=http://www.skipper.co.jp/products/aeroparts/35rl2.html]Detailed Information[/URL]
[img]http://skipper.co.jp/products/aeroparts/img/35rl2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://skipper.co.jp/products/aeroparts/img/35rl2_r.jpg[/img][/quote]


Awaits for some hate since it's a Honda.

looks like its coming along nicely, welcome to the forum :)

[QUOTE=99Blackhatch;370080]Awaits for some hate since it's a Honda.[/QUOTE]

lol this car seems like its come further than most 101's "platform" cars. where's that one guy who said he wants VIP style but not change the stock height? :innoutrofl2:

[QUOTE=brainneeded;370096]lol this car seems like its come further than most 101's "platform" cars. where's that one guy who said he wants VIP style but not change the stock height? :innoutrofl2:[/QUOTE]

Now where is the shitty common sense in that. Lol

The front end conversion should happen soon along with new paint... Black again and all the hail dents and such will be gone and I just need to get the JDM headlights and the front bumper and lip.

I'm still searching for a place to find the lip though

ewwww, Honda!  haha, gotta give you a lil bit of hate since you're waiting for it.  Anyways, looking good cause you're progressing man.  Can't wait to see this ride down the road.  What about some lil accessory mods while you're waiting for the bigger parts?  That's the fun stuff to do imo, haha.

This car is like my adopted daughter, I've put enough work into her I feel like she's half my baby lol Glad you joined Josh, I figured this place would be purrfect for what you are trying to acheive.

mode or skipper gets my vote.

mode parfume, easily.  love ka9's good start.  oh and welcome to vsc :D

I also love the Mode Parfume but with it weighing in at $1,200 just for the bumper without accessories, that is a piece that might be down the road a ways.

For now, I'd like to get the headlights and the stock front bumper with a lip kit and a small lip spoiler for the trunk and have it repainted and with a NICE set of wheels before Import Alliance and other meets I'd like to attend this year.


And as for Jen, yes ma'am. I owe you a lot of help and thanks for the work, sweat, tears on this car. I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for your extra parts and help that you were willing to donate and let me have before purchase.

It still needs a "KITTY WAS HERE" decal

I currently have a set of Work Eurolines in my targets for the car that are at a 
-18x8.5 +42
-18x9 +38

I think those should suffice for a while... as for small accessories, such as what might you guy think I would like. I'm new to the scene and tips and pointers are always welcomed.

No problem Josh :) and I still have a kitty was here sticker stashed for you lol I need to have bigger batches made, they've gotten a little popular haha

Wow some of those pics look great

Keep it up :)

[IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/aftermathacura/my%20whip/group%20shots/S42000652.jpg[/IMG]
 
yeah that conversion makes a world of difference
those are my dudes aftermathacuras whips.......pick his brain for tips, that dude knows every inch of that car
 
and btw welcome to vsc=)

Update...

Ok, well as many of you might know. I'm parting out the '98Trackhatch due to our local track closing for stupid reasons and I now have no place to track race the hatch unless I were to go out of state. So, I figured I'd focus on building the Acura RL a bit and take it from there.

Also, as some of you have heard, I parked in the driveway like I always have and my dad being jet lagged got up for work, backed out of the garage and then I get a phone call, "I might have backed into your car and cracked the headlight..." It was cold that morning and it was 6:30am. I wasn't getting out of bed to check in the freezing cold. When I did go out, there were pieces of the headlight on the ground, my newer hood was buckled into the headlight and the fender was toast.

So, I've been looking for replacement parts for the stock front end. No luck unless i wanted to get a new CERTIFIT fender for $178 and a new CERTIFIT hood for $285 and a JDM headlight for $160. All of that without paint.

I go to the junkyard and I find a 99-04 front end. The front end I've wanted for a while now. All of the fenders and the hood on the car are MINT! And the total cost for everything with the newer front bumper guard and some more 99-04 interior parts were $160. All I need still are the grill and headlights and a front bumper...

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/2.jpg[/IMG]

Well ,this isn't my grill but I should have one similar to it in the next few days, a nice Honda Legend piece.
[IMG]http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/LEGEND95GS/DSC03631.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=370480574669[/IMG]

good updates bro! i miss the honda game!

awesome updates and find...i seriously have a soft spot for ka9's

Welp, It's in the states finally. 

I plan to make the whole car into a KA9 LEGEND and remove all the ACURA and the 3.5RL badges and replace them, The above grill was the wrong one, but the only I could find online, here is the Honda Legend grill.

[IMG]http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k24/sa_im_ne/IMG_6200.jpg[/IMG]

the mode parfume kit looks nice.

[QUOTE=jeebus;370907]the mode parfume kit looks nice.[/QUOTE]
 
[QUOTE=99Blackhatch;370367]I also love the Mode Parfume but with it weighing in at $1,200 just for the bumper without accessories, that is a piece that might be down the road a ways. [/QUOTE]
 
Believe me I know, I'd love to have it

JDM 99-04 Honda Legend head lights with HIDs are being ordered today and those should be here in a week or two and then just the front bumper and lip and then fresh paint to come as well.

I also happened to have found a set of these... 

STERN ST-8 wheels with 0 miles on them
[IMG]http://www.ioffer.com/img/item/875/868/06/o_iw3IeORKT6RQNEE.jpg[/IMG]

Those will look great on the RL Josh :)

Well... I order the headlights on Sunday afternoon and expected them to take a full 2 weeks to get here.


I get a text today from my parents mentioning that I had a package waiting on the front door from Japan. I'll post pics in a little bit All I need now is the front bumper and paint and this is ready to be finished up finally.

nice!!!! super quick.

Test fitted them yesterday...

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/2-1.jpg[/IMG]

Well, the STERNS were too small for the look I wanted so I went ahead and put them up for sale.

so I went out yesterday and bought these...

Thanks Jen for the help and motivation to get me to do it.


19" RH Evo (19x8+35) 
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/jbbplaya05/wheel.jpg[/IMG]

Mint condition, with tires, spacers, and all individually wrapped and packaged up from Texas. Pics soon. :)


Another pic of the wheels...
[IMG]http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d626b3127ccefa9ab00087cf00000030O08AcNmzZm1ZNAe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/[/IMG]

I pick up the last major piece on Friday. I've been looking all over the country for a decently priced and affordable bumper to be shipped here and I find one in mint condition with all the moldings, full cover and rear absorber and the fogs for $300.

Unbelievable and thank God!

at least the last few parts I want from Acura are cheap and I can finish this build up finally.

thin spokes and large openings require BBK!!!! :biggthumpup:

I'm already doing research on that as we speak. :)

Sweet looking ride. I like the RH Evo wheels you picked. I picked up a similair looking set of 19's off Craiglists in STL for $275 for my Lincoln MKZ. They came off a Acura RSX.

Fucking serious? They were in my town and I never saw those on Craigslist here. Lol

I have love the lines on the RL a lot. Im geeked that you are doing a conversion on top of the build. Good Luck with the rest of your build I'll be watching behind the scenes. Welcome to VSC!

As of Tuesday all parts will be in my possession. Time to start sanding  it all down, test fit the fenders, have the fronts rolled and pulled  along with the rears and then piece it all back together.

This is going to be sick.

Well, after Potts and Rob came over today to give some help, I got some work done. Nothing too fancy. 

Went from this...
[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/52.jpg[/IMG]


To this...
[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/frontendcompleted_filtered.jpg[/IMG]



Rob did the inner and outer rods so I can finally go and get an alignment on the car and not have camber issues anymore. And then after some test fitting and redrilling, we finally got the car for the most part squared away for the night. More work tomorrow and then some wrapping on Tuesday to make it all black until I get it painted.

After getting the car aligned yesterday from the help of Rick / SleepyCivic... I need to pick up some front and rear camber kits and also a toe adjuster on the rear as well...
 
Front are... 
Front driver's side has -4.2* camber (due to the accident from befor I picked it up)
Front pass. side has -3.5* camber
 
Rears are...
driver's side is -3.5*
pass side is -3.5*

Quick picture from last night after getting her done. Car is a little dirty, but you get the point...

[IMG]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190382_1654886494476_1306470009_31466465_8342563_n.jpg[/IMG]

what a difference the facelift makes.  feel like your in a different car looking over that hood now right?

Once again, thanks for all the insight and help on this conversion. and the next conversion as well. 
 
I haven't been able to stop smiling about it. I sit at my desk and look outthe window from time to time just to look at it. It feels liek an entirely new car all together.

That conversion is like that.

I love the way your car looks in your sig-pic, it's totally stealth OEM look, but I really love it.  The conversion is very nice though, overall a very nice build thread you got going.

night/day difference! cant wait too see it with those new wheels :biggthumpup:

Very Nice!!!!!! :biggthumpup:

Thanks guys... I hope soon enough I can become a full member on here. :)

What a differerence!! Looks sick man.

Thanks everyone. I want t the rear quarters rolled so bad so I can get my wheels on. This sucks.

[SIZE=2]I'm  going to need to roll and pull the rears to get proper fitment  considering I needed the jack to support the car so it wouldn't sit on  the tires themselves.. As for the fronts, I think these will look pretty  nice.[/SIZE]

[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/testfit.jpg[/IMG]

man looks GREAT

love it, and love these cars.  id chose one over a ls400 10/10 times.  the wheels look pretty good...wouldnt be a permanent choice for me, but not bad for the time being once you get the rears all situated.

Talked to my local shop JDMHookup in St. Charles, MO and having Mike / "Omar" pull and roll the rears on Tuesday night to get the rears on finally.
 
I'm also planning to send money Monday to get the Work Eurolines DH wheels.

Looks good I have always liked the RL

Welp, here is how she stands after today....
[IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/99BlackHatch/Cars/99BlackHatch/96BlackRL/Frontend.jpg[/IMG]

[LEFT]As much as I hated to do it, until I get paint... I had to raise the car up a bit to prevent rubbing and to prevent the front from tearing my front fenders apart.

Pics coming soon. :)
[/LEFT]

Ok, well... I'm not really digging the 19 in thin spoke Racing Harts. 

I did find out something thought about Mustangs. That have the right offsets. :)


They make these...
18x9 +35
[IMG]http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/mustangtuning_2151_303507103[/IMG]

Another set would be like this...
Mustang Fan blades...
18x8
[IMG]http://images.craigslist.org/3n33kd3m15O15U35S0b3nd5bf3f3eab3c11ea.jpg[/IMG]

my advice is to save up for some legit wheels!

x2 with all the $ youve wasted on other wheels you could have had a legit set of wheels for the car.

[QUOTE=SFL_Y33;383916]x2 with all the $ youve wasted on other wheels you could have had a legit set of wheels for the car.[/QUOTE]

word

Very true... I'm a wheel wh***. I like new shoes, but valid point, I need to just save and get the final set I need. 
 
Thanks for the wake up call guys.

sick job putting work! 1st gens have it tough. But you tackled that front end conversion quick.

Nice upgrade on the front end. I like the big faced fogs on these vehicles.

thanks again, and for the time being, I've decided to keep the Racing Hart Evos and still searching for a front lip otherwise something custom might have to be made for up front. 
 
Buying another set of wheels isn't in the budget.. buying a house finally > wheels. After that, I can move all my wheels into the new house and resume wheel whoring. Lol

Looking Good so far my man :)

I have a guy over in Japan right now looking for my lip and a few other pieces. Once i hear back on if he was able to pick them up, we'll see where this build goes. 
 
Otherwsie, I'm doing research into just building my own. I plan to sell the 19" wheels since they just aren't what i'm looking for. Not the look i want... i think a smaller 18" would flow better on this car to be honest. 
 
We'll see what happens in the next few months