Legend.org Performance Center - THE definitive info database for Legend owners. If they make it, someone here has tried it, and you can find out all about it (plus links to everything from Xenon headlight conversions to aftermarket cupholders). Huge thanks to webmaster Jim Trinh, who through his tireless efforts has saved me (and I'm sure many others) hours of research and hundreds of dollars.
The Legend Temple - Good general info page. Be sure to check out Tech Scrolls and Webmaster's Car - a must for any prospective buyers thinking about running NOS on Legends. KennyG, the webmaster, also co-moderates the Legend Forum, another indispensible reference.
Robert Pia's Legend Homepage - Visit this page for some stunning examples of Legends with numerous customizations; among them turbos, custom paint, and wild body kits. While not quite finished, this page holds major promise for the serious Legend enthusiast. Dedicated more to "show" than "go".
Legend owners have little to choose from when it comes to cat-back exhausts. GReddy offers its standard-issue coffee-can exhaust, and a shop in Georgia (Full Efx) offers a custom dual-pipe setup, but only the Remus unit matches the quality and style of the Legend. No pretensiouly loud exhaust note, either. In fact, usually only the owners themselves can tell the difference between the stock unit and the Remus. The Remus "hums", not whines or buzzes, and croons most beautifully just below 3000 RPMs. CEC is the official importer of Remus exhaust products, and the quality is evident when looking at Remus application guide: BMW, M-B, Audi, etc... Dig around enough at the CEC page and you'll find some pertinent information regarding the quality of Remus worksmanship. The official Remus page is in Austrian - you can try BabelFish to translate it.
Koni Shocks $112.88 each, $451.52 for all 4
Koni manufactures all of their shocks to vehicle-specific applications. This means Legend shocks are tuned for a Legend, not just an obligatory heavy coupe shock. Konis ship on the softest setting, and recommends leaving it there until you experience the ride. This is where Koni gets its undeserved reputation as being far too firm. Upon delivery, many buyers immediately put the shocks on "full hard", since that is common practice with other brands of shocks. Not even a freshly paved road is bearable on full hard. Left untouched (as mine are), these shocks are the finest sport shock available - they all but negate body lean while retaining excellent ride characterisitics, a perfect combination of performance and comfort. Visit the Koni North America page for more information (FYI: Koni Specials are what I have - distinguished by red tubing).
Suspension Techniques Springs $180 (approx)
To extract maximum performance from aftermarket shocks, higher spring-rate springs are needed to balance the "stronger" shock. Originally, I tried to buy H&R springs, but NOPI was sold out and gave me a decent deal on springs they called "esentially the same". I was wary, but was I ever proved wrong! These springs lowered my car 1.75", plenty for an already low car, and work in perfect harmony with the Konis they surround. The car NEVER bounces, jaunts, darts, or shakes over irregularities. Furthermore, I did not "cut" the springs at all, a practice I think is not entirely without consequences (others would argue with me until the day I die). I am very proud of how well-mannered this car is, even at the limits (please test drive it and see for yourself!). See FAQ page for a skidpad figure that will blow you away!
225/35 ZR-18 Nitto NT555 Tires
18" x 7.5" Enkei Wun-Gun Wheels $1865.60 for 4
I hesitate to put these wheels in the "Performance" section rather than the "Cosmetic" section. Reason being: their weight (26.4 lbs./wheel) actually hinders acceleration (by all of .2 seconds). Their two-piece design provides near- three-piece looks (while not quite as heavy) with near-one-piece strength and durability (but not quite as light). Compared to other 18" wheels they aren't heavy, but compared to the stock 15" alloys they are bricks. However, these wheels look unbelievable on this car - by design they aren't too wild, but certainly aren't mild. Like the tires, they were first installed last April and have approx. 6000 miles on them. These wheels were professionaly aligned and balanced, and are calibrated to a neutral camber and toe to extend tire life. They were removed in early December just prior to our first real freeze, professionaly cleaned, stored indoors, and not re-installed until the middle of February. Bottom line: these wheels have never seen freezing weather or snow/ice.
Cosmetic Accessories
Sun-Gard Window Tint $130.00
All four windows plus the back windshield have been deep tinted (30% light transferrence) for privacy and to keep the interior cool and protected from UV ray damage. Tint is lifetime warrantied.
Gold Package $75.00
The factory gold package option is notorious for peeling/fading after approximately five years. This car was originally ordered without the option, but I had the front-grille "A", rear hatch "Acura" and "Legend", and the antenna stem plated with 24K gold. The appearance is a "brighter" gold than the dull factory offering.
Shaved Emblem $200.00
For some odd reason, someone felt the need to pry off my "A" trunk emblem - a practice I thought was limited to BMWs, Mercedes, and the like (should I take it as a complement, then?). Rather than have the logo replaced, I had the mounting holes filled and repainted. I did this for two reasons: 1. It sets my Legend apart, and 2. It was $20 cheaper than having the logo replaced. The work was performed by a body shop that has done body work for the Acura dealership here in town for over 13 years.
Exotic Wood Dash Supra-Style Spoiler $304.00 *REMOVED*
Being a Motor Trend Driver's Association Founding Member, I receive discounts from many retailers, Exotic Wood Dash among them. So, when the time came to choose a spoiler, not only was EWD the only company to carry Legend-specific Supra and Eclipse-styple wings with LEDs, but I also got a discount! With all my talk of "fitting the Legend's style", you are probably wondering why I opted for an ostentatious spoiler. Well, I didn't. I swear I ordered the Eclipse style, whose curvature closely matches that of the rear of the car. But I also ordered it painted, so I couldn't return it. Next to no one likes the spoiler upon first site, but it grows on them and really looks good from certain angles (see Gallery). One nice thing about it was that it's weight stopped the trunk rattle from my subs! Update 9/00: I had the spoiler uninstalled and the holes professionaly filled. I gave it a year to grow on me and it never did. However, it is still for sale.
Stereo Upgrades
Head Unit:
Pioneer Premier DEH P930 $699.99
Mids/Highs:
Eclipse "SP8962" point-source speakers $179.99
Rear fill (6" x 9" 's) was never in my car audio budget since I would never be in the backseat. Therefore, I wanted the best speaker available that would fit in the stock door location (6.5"). Recalling an old Car Audio & Electronics article on the advantages of point-source speakers over coaxials, I looked to the top of the food chain and found these beautiful Eclipses. They outperform all but the most high-end seperates while being as easy to install as factory speakers. Off-axis response is their forte, and image nearly as well as custom kick-panel installations. Follow the link for full specs and visual.
REST OF AUDIO STOLEN 2/2002