The North Hollywood native wanted to switch up the sedan's exterior next, so he began fitting parts from its Japanese counterpart: the Accord Euro R. The changeover includes a complete Euro R lip kit, front grille, and accompanying badges. Much like when he purchased his TSX, the Euro R pieces also involved waiting. The three-month span he was told it would take, between the time he ordered them and the time he would receive them, doubled before he actually had them in his hands. Although the Euro R has its own following outside of the U.S, the level of aftermarket support stateside is nowhere near that of the Integra or Civic. Raul debated on which route to go in terms of performance but he knew right away that he didn't want the typical intake and exhaust setup. He wanted something that was truly functional so he decided on a J's Racing Tsuchinoko intake and 60RS titanium exhaust system. Bolted to the exhaust are a J's Racing catalytic converter and a made-to-order J's Racing SPL 4-2-1 header. "I ordered it as soon as I knew of its availability," Raul says. "I later found out that I was the guinea pig when I was on my back for two days in 100-degree heat trying to shoehorn the header past the subframe."
With performance modifications in place, safety became priority. Yes, Raul encountered obstacles along the way, most of which involved twiddling thumbs and tapping feet waiting for parts, but the TSX fan caught a break one day. Raul put a call into Monrovia, Calif.'s, Showstoppers USA where a pair of Bride seats he'd been searching for became available. Takata harnesses were then strapped to the seats to protect Raul in the event of trouble. With safety on the mind, Raul then hit up Canada's A&J Racing for a T1R big brake kit, which consists of two-piece floating rotors, Hawk HPS brake pads, and four-pot calipers.
To further set his Euro R-inspired TSX apart from the crowd, Raul decided on a J's Racing rear carbon-fiber diffuser, originally built for the CL7 Euro R. "I knew that the diffuser would make a difference in the TSX's performance but I didn't realize how much," Raul says. "I now know why all cars have the big GT wings to accompany the diffuser; the back end of the car gets loose." Of course, the diffuser also took more than four months to get, just another testament to Raul's patience.
It may appear as though Raul waited and waited and, well, waited some more for what seems like the never-ending TSX build but, surprisingly, the build only took about a year-an amazing timeframe considering, collectively, the months, even years worth of waiting involved. They say that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Each time the wait seemed unbearable, Raul kept reminding himself of this, along with his personal motto: "Build it once, build it right."
Bolts & Washers
Propulsion:
J's Racing Tsuchinoko intake
J's Racing 4-2-1 SPL header
J's Racing 60RS titanium exhaust
J's Racing catalytic converter
Hondata intake gasket
Accord Euro R valve cover
Hamp oil filter
Carbon-fiber spark plug cover
Neo synthetic 5W-30 engine oil
Stance:
Tein Flex coilovers
Tein EDFC controller
Spoon Sports front shock tower bar
Resistance:
T1R two-piece rotors
T1R four-pot calipers
Hawk HPS pads
Spoon Sports steel braided lines
Motul RBF600 fluids
Rims & Rubber:
17x8 Desmond Marquis Promada (+35 offset front)
17x9 Desmond Marquis Promada (+38 offset rear)
225/45-17 Falken FK-452 (front)
245/45-17 Falken FK-452 (rear)
Outside:
Accord Euro R lip
Accord Euro R badges
J's Racing carbon-fiber rear diffuser
Custom rear window visor
Mugen window visors
Inside:
Bride GIAS Low Max carbon-Kevlar seats
Takata four-point harnesses
NRG harness bar
Alex EGGO titanium shift knob
...
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