1995 Acura Integra

Le is no stranger to high performance. His previous cars included a tricked out '91 Prelude and '95 GSR Integra. When the time came to make a decision on whether to go the route of turbo or all motor, Le made a conscious effort to represent the all motor camp. Enlisting the expertise of XS Engineering, located in Huntington Beach, Calif., a plan was devised to create and assemble an all motor setup that was worth its weight in gold. The blown 1.8 motor was scrapped in favor of a B20 bottom end from the Honda CRV. The block received a full massage and 84.5mm bore from Benson Machining of Costa Mesa, Calif. Strengthening the bottom end includes 12:1 Arias Piston and rings connected to a set of Crower rods. To reduce parasitic drag from oil pickup, the crank was knife edged and balanced. Providing sufficient oil to a Honda engine has always been an issue for high horsepower cars. Le was well aware of the problems and replaced the factory unit in favor of a Type-R oil pump.

We can assume Le means all business when we analyze the making of the head and aftermarket products that propel his car. A set of TWM individual throttle bodies encased in a custom intake manifold offers the quick throttle response you'd come to expect from a set of Mikuni carburetors but also portraying the reliability of a fuel-injected power plant. JG Engine Dynamics put a factory GSR head under the operating table to perform a JG Redline series makeover. Redline series heads come complete with stainless steel valves, race valve springs, retainers and of course, JG's infamous port work. Toda sprockets and spec C cams with a set of monster lifts of 12.5 degrees on intake/exhaust and 295 degree duration intake/exhaust brings the frankenstein motor to life. Running a radical cam often robs the motor of precious intake vacuum. In such cases, a surge tank for the brake booster is necessary to build sufficient vacuum pressure. XS Engineering fabricated a custom aluminum tank to cure all problems. Fuel delivery has been modified using a 255 lph Walboro pump and is regulated through an SX fuel filter. Spark and timing is fine tuned with the aid of an A'PEXi Power FC, ingeniously mounted on the passenger kick panel. Spent exhaust gases exit through an A'PEXi GT Spec header with a 2.5-in collector and finally out the rear via the A'PEXi GT Spec exhaust. Torque steer on an fwd car is a bitch. To cure the torque steer problems and efficiently transfer power a B16 transmission with factory LSD was installed along with a Toda flywheel mated to an ACT clutch.

Trailer queen? Not likely. The Integra is used as a daily driver commuting on the Orange County 57 freeway to and from work. Oh...did we forget to mention Le works in distributions at A'PEXi? To handle the commutes to his daily grind, A'PEXi WS Dampers and springs help stabilize the car on all four corners. Type-R calipers and rotors matched to A'PEXi SBR brake pads are on call whether it be daily driving or weekend auto crossing at the local tracks.

Although Le appreciates the JDM look, sporting a set of chrome rims just isn't his style. Keeping in check with the subtle look, Le opted to go with a set of bronze five-lug Work Emotion 17X7 CR wrapped in 205/40/17 Nitto Neo Gen radials.

Crack open the door and you're in for a surprise. With enough gauges to make a space shuttle envious, a plethora of A'PEXi peak hold meters replace the once-functional passenger airbag. A Spoon gauge cluster helps Le monitor the engine's vitals for his 9000+ rpm pulls. A pair of bright Red Japanese Recaro Type-R seats keeps Le's body securely nestled in while a Spoon steering provides a picturesque JDM feeling.

Two years and 15 grand later, it's safe to say the once "ugly ducking" of cars has seen a new light. Now sporting a new appeal and a set of extra large "bolt-ons" under the hood, Integra owners can drool at the newly found ideas for their own rides. Unfortunately for Le, his girlfriend had a complication and ruptured her bolt-ons following the photo shoot. Keep it clean! We're still talking about the car... sheesh! During the most recent Hyperfest event at California Speedway, the car suffered catastrophic engine failure. Not to be discouraged, Le has already started building a new motor promising it to be "buffer" than the previous.

"The car has been though hell and back and without the help of JMS, Phillip Trinh, Design Craft, A'PEXi, Mob Works, and all my friends, none of this would have been possible," stated Le. "All I can say is the car will be stronger than ever so stay tuned." 2NR looks forward to see what Le has planned under his girlfriend's hood in the future. The car, people! Man!

A'Pexi
(714) 685-5700
www.apexi-usa.com

TWM Induction
(805) 967-9478
www.twminduction.com

JG Engine Dynamics
(626) 281-5326
www.jgenginedynamics.com

Nitto Tires
(888) 511-6761
www.neogentire.com

MOB Works
(714) 633-9355
www.mobworks.com