2013 Acura ILX 2.0tech Entry-Lux to VIP Journey

Hello everyone.
New member here. I am a member of NWP4life and AcuraZine so I am aware of how most forums work.
Lets start with where my car is currently at.. Took this the day I started this thread.
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I know my car isn't exactly the prime VIP base being the smallest of Acura's current line as well as FWD... so in fact the only thing remotely VIP about the car is the [B]somewhat[/B] luxurious feel. 

Anyways. I hope I can be welcome here and I hope to learn as much as I can from some of the great builds here.

Small background on me. Before this car I owned a 1994 Integra that had very little modding and before that a 1997 Nissan Altima that had no modding. 

Here is what I sold for the down payment on my brand new ILX. 
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1994 Integra ls. Like I said very little modding to get it here from stock w/ 17in pepboy wheels. 

Sold it for a down payment; here is the last shot of the integra before she was picked up.
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I was getting more interested in VIP cars and started watching more and more builds. Ever since I bought the car I have had the same lexus IS on my wallpaper. Jaon Lau's gorgeous IS on Works.
I went with a similar color and knew I wanted that to be a huge inspiration for my slow build.

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Here she is stock with a decent photo after the tint was installed as well as splash guards and some interior oem goodies.

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Yellow fog covers from laminX and some yellow bulbs from Nokya. Contemplating going back to 100% clear then going amber with the DRLs...

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Took this shot and almost threw up when I saw the wheel gap. I addressed that first with some springs. Im looking at going with some coilovers around tax season then a few years down the line when the car is paid off go air ride.

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Lowered on H&R springs. Still flood river-crossing status but it got a little better with new wheels.

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I really love the lines in the rear of this car. I think it will look so good laid out.

More to come in a couple minutes. 
Here are some chops I did to show the direction I want to go...
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^all chops

You may not be able to see it with the chop on meisters due to the heavy editing but I got a splitter from a 2006 sti to fit nicely.
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Messy man-cave shot.

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Replaced some lighting pieces. DRLs with 80w CREE LEDs. Reverse and license plate lights replaced with LEDs as well.

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Megan brace.

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Dirty bay shot.
Moogen socks. Takeda Retain Intake, yoSpeed custom battery tie down. 
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Added a roof spoiler.

And an OEM from lip.
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That I then added the STI lip to.

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...not done yet.

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Needed some spacers


Got some spacers. GarageLine 20mm for the rear.
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Got my VIP knot a little prematurely... sue me. 

That last shot is about as dirty as I let it get. Washed weekly by hand. Waxed about every other month. Sometimes more.


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Then took all the plastidip off the wheels in prep for storage..
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Picked up some Work VS-MX discontinued back around '01. Only 18x8 +38... for now.
Burning Gold, all original hardware. Original dual bolt pattern from work, 5x114/4x100. 
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Sent them out to get refurbished, repainted, and tires mounted.

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They came back looking absolutely perfect. I love them. Still only 18x8 but I will get in contact with VRwheels to go from 18x8 to 19x9 stepped lip. Probably around +13 offset. 

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Old verse New. Mounted on some Falken Ziex 225/40 right now while Im super functional.

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First pics.

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Shots from today at the gun range..
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Next plans are a larger rear sway bar. Some interior vinyl. Wood grain for the VIP feel. And a new self powered sub I can throw in the trunk. The ELX Premium system is great but some more bass could be used. As well some VIP touches, looking into a custom table for the front passenger, some neck pillows for the front, and throw pillows for the rear seats. 

Then come tax season Im looking at going with some coilovers to start scrapping that ebay STI splitter. Still probably have about a half in between the fender and wheels which should then be addressed once I rebarrel these Works to 19x9 for a nice flush look without crazy camber.

That is everything up to date... I'll end with a mods list as of 8/25..

[B]Performance[/B]
H&R Sport Springs
Takeda Intake & Airbox
Megan 2.5" downpipe I never posted
Megan rear lower tie bar
Falken Ziex 225/40
Work VS-MX 18x8 +38

[B]Cosmetic
[/B]oem front lip
STI splitter
roof spoiler
20% rear tint. I had the front done at two different times but acquired tickets both times. 
Cree 80w LED DRL
Yellow Nokya Fogs & covers
yospeed battery tiedown
upograded the internal memory to 45GB
deactivated the active noise control to prep for a new bass. Noticed already a change in bass and treble depth but people can't hear me during hands free worth shit. Oh well.

looks really nice

Lemme know when the VIP journey begins.

never really seen these cars modded at all so it's nice to see this! wondering what's the motor in them, k20 like the RSX or k24 maybe?

thank you for sharing, and keep the updates coming.

awesome ILX!

[QUOTE=MaxiNone;513353]looks really nice[/QUOTE]
Thank you! Couple changes to come.

[QUOTE=33flavors;513356]Lemme know when the VIP journey begins.[/QUOTE]
Ouch. We can't all do major work on a Y33 like you man. Major props. We all have to start somewhere though. 
I hope the rest of my journey brings more positive vibes than negative from the real VIP heads.

[QUOTE=timmy0tool;513670]never really seen these cars modded at all so it's nice to see this! wondering what's the motor in them, k20 like the RSX or k24 maybe?
thank you for sharing, and keep the updates coming.[/QUOTE]

There are two other ILXs seeing work that I am following. One with a much more race inspired look out of So Cal and a bagged ILX on Rennen splitrims on the East Coast. Real inspiration to get my ILX on the floor. 

There are two motor options for the first gen ILX, the K24 with a 6speed similar to the SI which has no tech package and the R20 which is similar to the LX civic but .2L larger. This option does come available with tech and navi.

Thank you for the kind words. I'll most definitely keep this thread up to date. Coilovers should be here Monday and that weekend I'll install them probably. Also ordered some ExecuiveVIP double diamond stitched neckpads Im waiting on from VIPdOut.

Going to look into a front table, throw pillows, and custom curtains since my car's got some small windows. 

Then it will be time to rebuild my Work Wheels to around 9.5 or whatever I can fit. 

[QUOTE=barad55;513717]awesome ILX![/QUOTE]
Thank you. I can not wait to go lower and get this STI splitter on the floor. 

Some last pics before the new low. I want to go about an inch lower while Im on 12k/8k. I plan on going stiffer so once I do Ill probably drop the coils all the way. I figure I'll be at about a 2.5in drop until then. I can go 3.5in on these. 
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Thanks for the love guys. When I come back I'll be lower.

[FONT=verdana]Coilovers are here. Plans are for this Saturday. [/FONT]
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Also got my neckpads in by ExecutiveVIP from VIPd Out. Very comfy. Love the look. Can't wait for them to finish my matching table!! 
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my bad - just saying - just in for some styling that represents VIP - welcome JonathanRyanFrederick

[QUOTE=33flavors;514014]my bad - just saying - just in for some styling that represents VIP - welcome JonathanRyanFrederick[/QUOTE]

Body styling wont be for a long long time. I do have plans in the future to run some aggressive specs and Id love to do some wide body work to make it really unique. For a while though I'll be focusing on the easier mods while trying to soak up as much information from you guys as I can.


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New coilover brackets are ready. They will be shipped out Monday or Tuesday. Once they get in I can hopefully install them that weekend.

Plans soon are to refinish the wheels. 
You live you learn.. and Ive learned $500 and a homie hook-up at Americas Tires is good for a wheel refinish using soooooft ass paint. Now seeing companies like RJC offering monoblock sets at $300 or VR offering the coating service for $400. Daaaamn. Hoping that wasn't just for a short time cause they posted some Borphets in copper/polish and HOLY SHIT I feel in love.

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We appreciate your attempt and desire, but nothing about this is VIP. I mean, sure, you got a knot and neck pads and a table. But for the $500 you spent on that (and the coolant wrist band) I would have saved for better (or redone) the wheels. It is not a model we have seen here yet, so I appreciate that aspect of your build, but there is a reason we haven't seen it here yet as well. I'm not knocking you personally, but VIP vs EXE or VIP-Inspired is a big topic. 

That being said, I do like the lines of this car and think it has some potential depending on wheels and coilover stance.

[QUOTE=gh0st;514221]We appreciate your attempt and desire, but nothing about this is VIP. I mean, sure, you got a knot and neck pads and a table. But for the $500 you spent on that (and the coolant wrist band) I would have saved for better (or redone) the wheels. It is not a model we have seen here yet, so I appreciate that aspect of your build, but there is a reason we haven't seen it here yet as well. I'm not knocking you personally, but VIP vs EXE or VIP-Inspired is a big topic. 

That being said, I do like the lines of this car and think it has some potential depending on wheels and coilover stance.[/QUOTE]

I understand the response. I would not claim the car to be VIP. It is no where near the flag ship nor big body. I would only call it VIP inspired. Other than that I wouldn't try to place the car into a particular scene as I just want a really clean and mostly luxurious ride. Most of my changes will be influenced by the VIP I see here and else where. 

As for better wheels, I truly love these Work Wheels. I plan to rebuild them to a more aggressive spec once my coilovers are on and I see what I can fit with just a fender roll. Even then wont be too aggressive. I'm thinking 10in square at the widest for the time being. They are only 8in wide now so if I replace the outer 1in lips with 3in lips it'll look crazy in comparison to what it is now. 

Am I faking the funk saying my car is "VIP inspired"? I'm not trying to make a fool out of myself here. If that is the case Id continue building my car the way I like it and just lurk here. 

Looks like ISC shipped out my lower brackets ASAP. I expected them to ship today but they arrived today instead. Just need to get some time with my buddy to help with the install. Hopefully that should happen within the next couple weeks.

question: how do the H&R springs ride compared to stock? i know when youlower a car with springs it becomes a harder ride, but how much of a difference in "comfort" does it ride? i'm only asking because i'm considering getting H&R springs for my wifes car but don't want it to ride to rough.