[desertres21]

2009 EX-L V6 Coupe with Navigation
I know I talk a lot on here about buying OEM parts for my car... I figure I should show it to ya.
I think I MIGHT be the first 8th gen owner on here to replace the entire cowl with a brand new OEM. If not... then I'm sure I'm the first person to buy a new OEM glovebox
Cowl was a little over $500 w/shipping & glovebox about $415.

When I had the cowl off I cleaned up and applied a ceramic coating to all the metal underneath. It was pretty dirty under there. Cowl wasn't laying perfectly flat against my windshield before but now is back to factory-new.
Before, with cowl removed:

After:

New Cowl:

Continue on next post:....

 

[desertres21]

Nice and flush....

Glovebox had a few minor scratches on the outside and some more on the inside, my OCD made me order a new one. It's now looking like the day it rolled off the lot.
Only other parts I haven't replaced that are the drivers seat plastic trim piece (over $300) and the passenger side center console plastic trim piece (well over $300). Mine are still 7 to 8 out of 10 but i wish those were cheaper.

^old glovebox





New Glovebox:....

Perfect! Brand new!

Back to like it rolled off the lot! And even re-aligned like not even the factory was able to do for some reason (the release pictures back when the car first came out showed the glovebox misaligned, It's the same for each one, unless they corrected it for 8.5? I don't think so but LMK if I'm wrong...

And also got a new OEM center leather armrest.

Also bought the OEM center console tray

And the center console OEM felt for the bottom.

And also the OEM trunk bag hooks, these are quite useful.

I tried to get every possible OEM accessory. My idea/project for this car is...well for lack of a better word.. a "resto-mod" ... restoring it back to what it could have and should have been from the factory, if Honda wanted to make the car the best they could.

I've also got all new OEM chrome window trim still to install along with new OEM leather seats. Waiting for paint work to finish first though....

Work has been hell on Earth for me the past couple years, preventing me from finishing everything but I haven't lost hope. I'll get everything done soon enough.

 

[DerekWildstar]

Nice and flush....
View attachment 569486

Glovebox had a few minor scratches on the outside and some more on the inside, my OCD made me order a new one. It's now looking like the day it rolled off the lot.
Only other parts I haven't replaced that are the drivers seat plastic trim piece (over $300) and the passenger side center console plastic trim piece (well over $300). Mine are still 7 to 8 out of 10 but i wish those were cheaper.

View attachment 569488
^old glovebox





New Glovebox:....

View attachment 569482
Perfect! Brand new!

View attachment 569480
View attachment 569479
Back to like it rolled off the lot! And even re-aligned like not even the factory was able to do for some reason (the release pictures back when the car first came out showed the glovebox misaligned, It's the same for each one, unless they corrected it for 8.5? I don't think so but LMK if I'm wrong...

And also got a new OEM center leather armrest.

View attachment 569481

Also bought the OEM center console tray
View attachment 569483

And the center console OEM felt for the bottom.
View attachment 569484
And also the OEM trunk bag hooks, these are quite useful.
View attachment 569485

I tried to get every possible OEM accessory. My idea/project for this car is...well for lack of a better word.. a "resto-mod" ... restoring it back to what it could have and should have been from the factory, if Honda wanted to make the car the best they could.

I've also got all new OEM chrome window trim still to install along with new OEM leather seats. Waiting for paint work to finish first though....

Work has been hell on Earth for me the past couple years, preventing me from finishing everything but I haven't lost hope. I'll get everything done soon enough.

I appreciate and fully support this. 💪

 

[desertres21]

I appreciate and fully support this. 💪

Thank you sir.

I also have these yet to install....

New drivers side door panel, door handle, window/lock switch bezel and OEM leather door armrest

OEM roof weather stripping, drivers under steering wheel plastic cover, OEM black door handles to replace the chrome ones, A-Pillar (all plastic trim for A-Pillars and Center/B-pillars were replaced), new passenger window switch bezel, new OEM parking brake handle and new OEM Leather Steering Wheel (over $600 for steering wheel).

 

[fruitcakeinc]

Very cool- didn't know you had that megan racing strut bar. Is it just an oem spec'd with the brand on it?

 

[20AccordEXL11]

I hope you took a lot of BEFORE pictures so you can appreciate all the money and work you're putting into this car.

Makes me think I'll just work a little harder at maintaining mine in pristine condition.

 

[desertres21]

Very cool- didn't know you had that megan racing strut bar. Is it just an oem spec'd with the brand on it?

Thank you.
It's honestly not a ton different from stock, a little bit lighter though and little bit better looking. I was actually thinking the other day if there would be any way to get a metal Honda logo plate to swap in place of the Megan logo but I like it either way.

But I also got the super beefy Progress 28.5mm rear sway bar and this thick Ultra Racing subframe brace right behind it (in the picture for reference (UR-RL2-776), thats not my picture), those 2 together make for a very tight suspension. I had them installed at the same time and right away when pulling out of the shop I could tell a big difference.

I would like to get my exhaust re-done, just the pipe/s from behind the cat to the muffler. Mine are surface rusted, it would be nice to get stainless steel. I don't think there's online ordering options for that, other than full catback with mufflers (I already have mufflers I want to keep, so that would be a waste of $). So I guess I'll just try to find a shop that would do it custom for me.

 

[desertres21]

I hope you took a lot of BEFORE pictures so you can appreciate all the money and work you're putting into this car.

Makes me think I'll just work a little harder at maintaining mine in pristine condition.

Yeah good idea, I should have maybe done more documentation from the start. But I will start to do that.
Definitely a lot of money and a lot of work and time, yes. I think it will all be worth it in the end, if I didn't think so I would've stopped by now.

 

[fruitcakeinc]

Thank you.
It's honestly not a ton different from stock, a little bit lighter though and little bit better looking. I was actually thinking the other day if there would be any way to get a metal Honda logo plate to swap in place of the Megan logo but I like it either way.

But I also got the super beefy Progress 28.5mm rear sway bar and this thick Ultra Racing subframe brace right behind it (in the picture for reference (UR-RL2-776), thats not my picture), those 2 together make for a very tight suspension. I had them installed at the same time and right away when pulling out of the shop I could tell a big difference.
View attachment 569687


I would like to get my exhaust re-done, just the pipe/s from behind the cat to the muffler. Mine are surface rusted, it would be nice to get stainless steel. I don't think there's online ordering options for that, other than full catback with mufflers (I already have mufflers I want to keep, so that would be a waste of $). So I guess I'll just try to find a shop that would do it custom for me.

Very nice. I've consider "upgrading" the rear sway bar with a tlx one (19mm I think?) but I have heard it makes winter driving more dangerous and I have to deal with that every year. I've read a lot of information saying that aftermarket exhaust performance for the 8th generation are very minimal and it's the only reason I dont want to drop $1k on the magnaflow system. I think your approach would be good. How is the KTuner going for you?

 

[Ang]

I've been doing the same thing with my crosstour but for different parts. My cowl has a hole in it from I think hail, but it's a 3 piece design and it's like $350 for that one piece. I'll probably have to go used on this one, I can't justify new when that could go to replacing a different part with OEM.
One thing I can say though is the OEM trunk liner on the accords is junk, weather tech covers more and is way thicker. I returned my Honda OEM one for being thin and warped. An exception is the crosstour though, OEM is identical to weather tech in quality except has openings for the trunk hooks that weather tech covered.

 

[desertres21]

I've been doing the same thing with my crosstour but for different parts. My cowl has a hole in it from I think hail, but it's a 3 piece design and it's like $350 for that one piece. I'll probably have to go used on this one, I can't justify new when that could go to replacing a different part with OEM.
One thing I can say though is the OEM trunk liner on the accords is junk, weather tech covers more and is way thicker. I returned my Honda OEM one for being thin and warped. An exception is the crosstour though, OEM is identical to weather tech in quality except has openings for the trunk hooks that weather tech covered.

Yeah the liner in my trunk is WeatherTech, and also all the floor mats are WeatherTech too, front and back seats.

I would gladly send you my old cowl... I still got it sitting around... but unfortunately I believe the coupe is different from the crosstour for that part.

And I bought these as well, trim pieces to cover the front seats rails/bolts. Did I just lose my original ones years ago or were these only aftermarket(Honda) options? Does anybody know? It's 2 different pieces on each side, the foot cover and the rail cover.

I also replaced this rear pillar garnish/airbag cover. It had some staining on the fabric and I felt like the shop who will re-do my headliner probably wouldn't be able to re-cover these very easily. $200.

I was happy I was able to pick up this part a few months ago. I had ordered it at least 2 times before from different Honda parts sellers and they each said it was discontinued/out of stock. I decided what the heck I'll try one more time and to my surprise they had it. Its the drivers side door sill, obviously it gets a little worn over the years just by getting in and out of the car. I'm waiting until I've got all the work at shops done before I install things like this, cause I don't want the mechanic or paint guy to scratch it and then have to try to get them to pay for it. I tried to paint & also dye my original one but it just didn't look good enough for me.

 

[Ang]

Very nice. I've consider "upgrading" the rear sway bar with a tlx one (19mm I think?) but I have heard it makes winter driving more dangerous and I have to deal with that every year. I've read a lot of information saying that aftermarket exhaust performance for the 8th generation are very minimal and it's the only reason I dont want to drop $1k on the magnaflow system. I think your approach would be good. How is the KTuner going for you?

It's a TL bar, 20mm. Never heard of it making winter driving more dangerous and it's incorrect, I have no issues in snow.

 

[Ang]

Yeah the liner in my trunk is WeatherTech, and also all the floor mats are WeatherTech too, front and back seats.

I would gladly send you my old cowl... I still got it sitting around... but unfortunately I believe the coupe is different from the crosstour for that part.

View attachment 569724


And I bought these as well, trim pieces to cover the front seats rails/bolts. Did I just lose my original ones years ago or were these only aftermarket(Honda) options? Does anybody know? It's 2 different pieces on each side, the foot cover and the rail cover.
View attachment 569725


I also replaced this rear pillar garnish/airbag cover. It had some staining on the fabric and I felt like the shop who will re-do my headliner probably wouldn't be able to re-cover these very easily. $200.

View attachment 569723

I was happy I was able to pick up this part a few months ago. I had ordered it at least 2 times before from different Honda parts sellers and they each said it was discontinued/out of stock. I decided what the heck I'll try one more time and to my surprise they had it. Its the drivers side door sill, obviously it gets a little worn over the years just by getting in and out of the car. I'm waiting until I've got all the work at shops done before I install things like this, cause I don't want the mechanic or paint guy to scratch it and then have to try to get them to pay for it. I tried to paint & also dye my original one but it just didn't look good enough for me.

View attachment 569726

Yes it's very likely that the cowl is not compatible.

I believe the coupe doesn't have rear seat bolt covers, but the crosstour does as it's higher end. I don't know if the sedan has them or not, but for some reason the coupe while costing more new got cheaped out on some things. There is no door courtesy lights, there is no glove box light (the mount is there, wiring is just missing), and then random little things like those bolt covers not being there, the rear seat not being split folding. If the ones you bought are OEM, it's probably just OEM for the sedan and or the crosstour, and happen to fit the coupe.

While you are doing all the cosmetic stuff, have you done any mechanical too? My interior is clean so I've been doing mechanical. I just ordered an entire set of oem radiator and heater hoses for only $100 to remove the risk of one blowing from age. A few new clamps for the rusty ones too. I also got new upper radiator brackets for $20 as they had rust on the edges, and I intend on getting a new condenser shroud. I also replaced the front coil, and valve cover bolts as they were brown with rust.


Quite honestly though, how come you didn't consider just buying another accord that's rusted out or something but had a clean interior? They do exist for cheap, and when comparing these new OEM parts to what you could have taken from one of those in about as good shape, the cost is the same. And then you still have all the extra parts left over to use or sell.

 

[desertres21]

I believe the coupe doesn't have rear seat bolt covers, but the crosstour does as it's higher end. I don't know if the sedan has them or not, but for some reason the coupe while costing more new got cheaped out on some things. There is no door courtesy lights, there is no glove box light (the mount is there, wiring is just missing), and then random little things like those bolt covers not being there, the rear seat not being split folding. If the ones you bought are OEM, it's probably just OEM for the sedan and or the crosstour, and happen to fit the coupe.

While you are doing all the cosmetic stuff, have you done any mechanical too? My interior is clean so I've been doing mechanical. I just ordered an entire set of oem radiator and heater hoses for only $100 to remove the risk of one blowing from age. A few new clamps for the rusty ones too. I also got new upper radiator brackets for $20 as they had rust on the edges, and I intend on getting a new condenser shroud. I also replaced the front coil, and valve cover bolts as they were brown with rust.

My coupe has a glove light box and came from the factory with it, that was not one of the things I had to add

For mechanical... master cylinder for brake system was swapped out earlier this year with a new OEM, along with 3 new OEM calipers, brake lines are stainless steel, also replaced the power steering reservoir (OEM), replaced the radiator cap & oil cap hehe, and I also took apart my intake manifold and cleaned it up and ported it to the best of my ability. My engine runs like the day it rolled off the lot so I don't need to do anything to bring that back to life, its already good. Same for transmission. Only thing I want to do for mechanical now is replacing all the ball joints/lower/upper control arms/ knuckles/all of that; all with OEM and I won't be able to do the work myself so thats like a $5-$7k bill after labor. I've got Tein Flex-Z coils. My car still handles great, no klunking so its not urgent at all but I would like to get all that done sometime soon.

Quite honestly though, how come you didn't consider just buying another accord that's rusted out or something but had a clean interior? They do exist for cheap, and when comparing these new OEM parts to what you could have taken from one of those in about as good shape, the cost is the same. And then you still have all the extra parts left over to use or sell.

lol thats a clever idea TBH. Didn't think about that. You're smarter than I am perhaps. But also to be fair... there would still be some parts that are inevetiably slightly worn... like the 4 figures I spent on the exterior chrome molding, there isn't a single Accord in the world that has the chrome trim still in factory condition with no scratches/marks or anywhere close to it cause that stuff scratches easily (unless somebody has an 8th gen still in the plastic with literally no miles, but I don't think anybodys done that). That chrome installed next to a nice new paint job is one of the things I'm really looking forward to, the world hasn't seen that since 2012 right? hehe...... I don't have kids but my car is something that keeps me motivated.

 

[desertres21]

Very nice. I've consider "upgrading" the rear sway bar with a tlx one (19mm I think?) but I have heard it makes winter driving more dangerous and I have to deal with that every year. I've read a lot of information saying that aftermarket exhaust performance for the 8th generation are very minimal and it's the only reason I dont want to drop $1k on the magnaflow system. I think your approach would be good. How is the KTuner going for you?

hmmm interestinggg. I currently don't live somewhere that gets any snow or really any rain either, so I don't have to worry about that but I won't be living here too much longer and plan on going back east more so I'll remember that; perhaps it will force me to buy a 2nd car right away after moving....

Yeah I agree I don't think the whole catback aftermarket magnaflow is worth it. Just high flow j-pipe and high flow mufflers; I've thought long and hard about HFPC and PCD but just don't think its worth it.

K-tuner... I didn't keep it :/ , it was a spontaneous decision and after sleeping on it for a bit I just didn't think it would be worth it for me at this moment. I don't know how much I could do myself (more than the base tune) so would it be worth it? ), and also I found theres a Honda shop in the city that could possibly do some tuning... I will post some pictures of what I did to my intake manifold, maybe I'll see if people think its enough to make a difference in doing a tune.

Thanks man.

 

[Ang]

My coupe has a glove light box and came from the factory with it, that was not one of the things I had to add

For mechanical... master cylinder for brake system was swapped out earlier this year with a new OEM, along with 3 new OEM calipers, brake lines are stainless steel, also replaced the power steering reservoir (OEM), replaced the radiator cap & oil cap hehe, and I also took apart my intake manifold and cleaned it up and ported it to the best of my ability. My engine runs like the day it rolled off the lot so I don't need to do anything to bring that back to life, its already good. Same for transmission. Only thing I want to do for mechanical now is replacing all the ball joints/lower/upper control arms/ knuckles/all of that; all with OEM and I won't be able to do the work myself so thats like a $5-$7k bill after labor. I've got Tein Flex-Z coils. My car still handles great, no klunking so its not urgent at all but I would like to get all that done sometime soon.



lol thats a clever idea TBH. Didn't think about that. You're smarter than I am perhaps. But also to be fair... there would still be some parts that are inevetiably slightly worn... like the 4 figures I spent on the exterior chrome molding, there isn't a single Accord in the world that has the chrome trim still in factory condition with no scratches or marks (unless somebody has an 8th gen still in the plastic with literally no miles, but I don't think anybodys done that).

Oh and I forgot another thing they didn't get is a backup camera for any model year. The sedan got it on the facelift.

I mean I'll check again but there was no bulb or wiring, just the cage where it should be. And I have a fully loaded facelift minus navigation.

Why would you do 3 calipers but not 4?
My crosstour is a facelift so I have electric power steering but Im doing a new radiator cap as well. Also new AC valve caps, spare tire and valve stem, coolant reservoir. Ball joints is definitely going to have to be my next thing as well.

My chrome window trim is in like new condition on my accord, my interior and exterior happens to be in very good shape. But yes if you go for a cheap exterior worn accord obviously some parts you may still need new, but the amount of parts for the price would be worth it.

 

[desertres21]

Oh and I forgot another thing they didn't get is a backup camera for any model year. The sedan got it on the facelift.

I mean I'll check again but there was no bulb or wiring, just the cage where it should be. And I have a fully loaded facelift minus navigation.

Why would you do 3 calipers but not 4?
My crosstour is a facelift so I have electric power steering but Im doing a new radiator cap as well. Also new AC valve caps, spare tire and valve stem, coolant reservoir. Ball joints is definitely going to have to be my next thing as well.

My chrome window trim is in like new condition on my accord, my interior and exterior happens to be in very good shape. But yes if you go for a cheap exterior worn accord obviously some parts you may still need new, but the amount of parts for the price would be worth it.

I bought 4 and then subsequently broke a new bleeder screw off in the front left new caliper, snapped flush off and with the ball bearing in the center it was impossible to drill out. I literally threw away a brand new caliper into the trash, it sucked.

And please... post a close-up of your window trim. I guarantee it's not without many scratches and marks (surface scratches, I don't mean like somebody took a screwdriver to it). It's a very soft finish on it.

 

[Ang]

I bought 4 and then subsequently broke a new bleeder screw off in the front left new caliper, snapped flush off and with the ball bearing in the center it was impossible to drill out. I literally threw away a brand new caliper into the trash, it sucked.

And please... post a close-up of your window trim. I guarantee it's not without many scratches and marks (surface scratches, I don't mean like somebody took a screwdriver to it). It's a very soft finish on it.

I would still get another one and replace it, not worth the issues of mis-matched calipers. i had to do all of mine on the accord at 180k, they were all seized open and barely functioned. Crosstour is getting all new performance brakes soon too.

The accord has some places of tiny micro scratches, and lots of clean places. It mainly just dirty because I don't touch the accord.

The Crosstour is completely mint

 

[desertres21]

I would still get another one and replace it, not worth the issues of mis-matched calipers. i had to do all of mine on the accord at 180k, they were all seized open and barely functioned. Crosstour is getting all new performance brakes soon too.

The accord has some places of tiny micro scratches, and lots of clean places. It mainly just dirty because I don't touch the accord.

The Crosstour is completely mint

That does look pretty good! Good job and respect for taking care of your car, most look a lot worse! Especially the crosstour

But the "micro scratches"... I've replaced several parts that had "micro scratches" that most probly wouldn't notice. I'm trying to get it back to no scratches anywhere. Also those pieces have the rubber weather stripping attached to them, that obviously won't last forever so I figured I'll just get it replaced now, that's another reason.

Mine looks about the same as your Accord.

 

[Ang]

That does look pretty good! Good job and respect for taking care of your car, most look a lot worse! Especially the crosstour

But the "micro scratches"... I've replaced several parts that had "micro scratches" that most probly wouldn't notice. I'm trying to get it back to no scratches anywhere. Also those pieces have the rubber weather stripping attached to them, that obviously won't last forever so I figured I'll just get it replaced now, that's another reason.

Mine looks about the same as your Accord.

It just happens from Washing, and i can guess my crosstour went through automatic car washes by the previous owner with the heavily microscratched paint, but i cant justify paying for paint stuff when i am not going to wash it twice a week, as its just going to be dirty from pollen the next day. it overall looks good from anything but an inch away, and the inside is super clean which is what matters. a lot of the small oem parts im replacing is mechanical, and then some surface rusted engine bay stuff.
My accord though the rear window piece the rubber is cracking, but those don't actually seal water, its just to make the trim flush with the window.