JDM Honda Craze

Jesse Walker is truly a front-drive Honda enthusiast. All of his creations have been from the Honda family, past and present. Some of his earliest project cars, a 1991 CRX and a 1995 Civic hatchback, both had hybrid engine swaps back when you couldn't find hybrid Hondas in all of Texas. In 1997 he went to the local Acura dealership to purchase an Integra GS-R. He ended up buying a Type-R. Walker proceeded to build it into his ultimate Honda, a 1997 Integra Type-R with full JDM conversion. Tasting the capability of the Type-R, he was no longer hooked; he was obsessed. However, on Christmas night in 2000, Walker received a gift he didn't want: The Type-R was stolen. It's an all-too-familiar story. Walker was stricken. He bought a CL Type-S as a replacement, but after driving the Type-R, he couldn't get rid of the need for a sporty compact.

Then he saw the RSX Type-S. The car did not impress him instantly in the same manner the Type-R had, but there was still a sense of balance. Some research into the car's aftermarket yielded pictures of the Mugen RSX. He ended up buying the kit before the car. The wait for King Motorsports to source the kit was five long months, time enough to plan a few extra mods. A set of JIC FLTA2 coilovers dropped the car and stiffened up the suspension. Spring rates are quoted to be 9 kg/mm in the front and 10 kg/mm in the rear, which are quite stiffer than the stock luxury tuned pieces. To further control body roll without going to an obscenely stiff spring, Walker installed a Mugen front anti-sway bar and a Comptech rear anti-sway/tie bar combo.

Reminiscing about the old B18C5 he used to have access to, Walker decided he wanted Type-R power and response once again. This time it had to be DC5 JDM Integra Type-R power. A visit to Prodrag Racing in Houston resulted in a set of JDM Type-R 11.5:1 compression pistons. These were hung on the stock rods and crankshaft. The cylinder head received JDM Type-R camshafts, Mugen double valve springs and Mugen retainers. Engine induction now takes place through an Injen air intake into a bored throttle body feeding into a JDM Type-R intake manifold assembly. Exhaust exits through a custom race header and a Magnaflow Ti exhaust. For added go-power, a shiny Nitrous Express bottle sits in the rear. The transmission received only a Type-R clutch. Maintenance pieces include a Mugen radiator cap, oil cap and reservoir covers. Controlled by a Hondata reprogrammed ECU computer, the RSX Type-S now makes enough power to propel itself through the quarter mile in 13.6 seconds at 102.45 mph on old, used street tires.

Bringing the car to a stop from those speeds is a Wilwood front brake kit with upgraded brake pads. The stock rubber brake lines were replaced with Wilwood braided stainless steel brake lines, which improve pedal response when stopping. Connecting those brakes to the earth is a set of Falken Azenis Sport tires wrapped around 17x7.5-in Advan RG wheels. The Falken Azenis Sport tire is designed to be the ultimate performance street tire, offering great dry grip in exchange for a little less wet weather grip. For a while, this tire was the one to have in SCCA street class autocrossing.

With the RSX going, stopping and turning the way he wanted, Walker turned to the cabin. With help from his friends at jspek.com, he assembled a true JDM driver's experience. A set of Mugen S1 bucket seats were installed with Takata harnesses on top of Mugen brackets and Type-R seat sliders. For back passengers, a Type-R rear seat found a new home. Walker now takes control of the RSX with an ARC titanium shift knob, Mugen pedals, and a Mugen steering wheel. Live Wire Audio of Houston was sourced to fill the Acura with an Alpine MP3/CD headunit, Boston Acoustic Pro Series component speakers, a custom subwoofer enclosure and a pair of JL Audio amplifiers. Even the little details matter to a JDM freak like Walker. A JDM Type-R center console was installed along with JDM stainless steel doorsills, Mugen pedals and even a JDM Type-R coin holder. The next mod planned is to change every coin that touches his hand into the appropriate yen coin.

Having followed the JDM Honda craze for years, Jesse Walker knows exactly what he wants and how to build it. With thoughts of the old Integra Type-R still in his mind, he built himself a version of the new Type-R, the one that never came to the U.S. Having won thirteen first place trophies in 2003, we can say he's done a good job.