My first car was a 1980 Toyota Hi-lux with a 20R Motor. I loved that thing so much. After about 2 months of driving it though I began to have 'First car syndrom' of everything failing. First it was an oil leak, then brakes, and even dropped my drive line doing 60 mph on the freeway...THAT WAS FUN!
Also, out of necessity, I learned carburators quickly and well. I had to tune that damn thing every day it seemed like. But none the less I still loved it.
But eventually I got tired of fixing it and it broke down for the last time as far as I was concerned. So I sold it for $500 on craigslist.
I was introduced to the Honda scene several years ago when my older brother purchased his now sold 1992 Civic 4 door with a stock D series motor. It was then that I began reading import car magazines and listening to his "Honda" lingo and developing a passion for Hondas. So naturally when it came time to purchase a new vehicle I began to look around at civics originally but soon was researching and looking into Integras. It was always a dream of mine to own an Integra, I always loved the body styles and smooth, clean feel to them.
After about 3 weeks of looking around on craigslist, calling the bank and getting denied on loans for them over and over again, I found my new baby. A 1997 Integra LS with receipts of over 20K worth of work already done to it! Even better it had 76xxx miles original miles on it which was a plus to the bank. I also got the best of both worlds with the B16A VTEC head swap. I was more than thrilled and still get the same excited feeling now as I did when I first sat down in the drivers seat and turned the motor over.
I learned more in the first 2 months of owning this beauty than I ever did in the years of sitting in my brothers garage discussing the next modification we were going to do. I soon found myself swept up in the JDM craze and what products were good and which were not. I also began to dive into projects myself taking things apart and researching them.
Below are the modifications that I can list for now that have been done to the car both by the pervious owner and myself. Later on I will add a section of whats to come:
Engine:
DC Sport Header DC Sport Muffler 2.25" Piping
22" Magnaflow Resonator
Random Technology metallic substrate catalytic converter
Option Racing Cold Air Intake/Short ram depending on the weather B16A head swap
High Comp. Pistons NGK Plugs Apexi V-AFC Short Shifter Supsension: Eibach Springs Pro Kit KYB Shocks AGX Adjustable (Front and rear) OEM GSR strut bar (Front) Exterior: Shaved door handles Shaved emblems Shaved key slots Shaved antenna Autolock door popper OEM front bumper with half Lip OEM rear bumper Kombat side skirts Paint: Gold metallic flake under black 17" Konig Verdict Rims wrapped in Zexius tires OEM Amber turn signals Diamond Blue headlights
Blue LED License plate lights Aftermarket yellow fog lights
Interior: GSR Leather front seats GSR Leather rear seats GSR Leather arm rest Pioneer DEH-P5000UB Head Unit w/ iPod hook up 12" Pheonix Gold Ryval subwoofer Pioneer 250w amp OEM interior speakers ITR Shift Knob 2 Gauge Bezel Autometer Temp Gauge Autometer Oil Pressure Gauge Blue gauge backlights ITR Shift Boot Mounted Apexi V-AFC controller Acekogyo pedals Blue underdash LED lighting
Cobra fuzz detector
Black LS carpets
Vtec Indicator Light
Here it is when I first got it. It still had the Kombat rear body kit on it.
I began cleaning the engine compartment up of all the dirt and putting a new intake setup on it.
Here is a before and after of when I began to Dig into it.
Soon I was joining forums to further my knowledge and made my first signature. The only forum that I am really active on is Clubintegra.com and I also peak into team-integra.net every now and then.
My B18B1 with B16A head swap (VTEC YO!)
It wasn't long before I decided to ditch that shity Kombat rear body kit for a nice 94-97 OEM rear bumper. I decided to paint it because I couldn't find a nighthawk pearl one to somewhat match it with. The previous owner had it painted black with gold metallic underneath. So either way it wasnt going to be an exact match. So I researched around and eventually decided the only way I was gonna get the answers I was looking for was to just dig in and try it. I came veerrryyy close with some duplicolor spray paint, a lot of sanding, and a lot more buffing. I am very pleased with my results and get compliments on it everytime someone asks about it. =)
|








