Project: Integra
Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 9:14
I've talked about this on the chat pretty much since I've been back, but now it's a real thing Story time!
Just picked up a 1992 Acura Integra RS. For those who might say, "why would you pick that car?" Easy, the '90-'93 Integra is much the same as the newer Integra that succeeded it, as well as Civics of that era, yet it's much cheaper. And it suits my goals well. It's lightweight, has decent torque for a 4-cylinder, and handles with the best of them. This will be a car mostly for open track days. The RS model is perfect for that, with manual windows and mirrors, no sunroof, no cruise control or ABS. The lightest Integra of them all. This was before Acura was really a luxury brand!
Anyone who's ever shopped for a project Honda will tell you it sucks. I drove four Integras before this: two that had obviously been modified and beat to hell, then returned to stock hapharzadly; one that had massive rust spots around the wheel wells and sunroof; one that felt quick, but needed a windshield, headlights, bumper, paint, etc. All priced over $2000.
Then I found this one.
The only major thing wrong with it is a huge dent in the back. The guy I bought it from told me a construction truck with no license plates on it backed into it. Hit and run. It looks like it could be pulled using a spot welder and slide hammer, and I like DIY, so I decided I can live with that.
The car has good paint, but it's not original. It's some Volvo color. Very similar to a factory Honda color, Horizon Gray Metallic. But I'm not a fan (and neither is my woman ) so I figure since I will have to repaint the dented area, I'm doing the whole car. It was originally black, so that's what I'm going with.
I am ordering suspension parts soon---coilovers, bushings, arms, camber kits, you name it---but first things first, I'm going to clean it! The backseats are destroyed and will be removed permanently. They aren't original (this car didn't have leather) and the belts don't work, anyway. The front seats are aftermarket, and it looks like the seat rails are too, so I want to inspect for safety. I'll remove both and give it a good shampooing and vacuuming.
Note the extra, empty bolt holes in the seat rail. Presumably these are factory, and the bolt that's holding the rail in place was added.
Just picked up a 1992 Acura Integra RS. For those who might say, "why would you pick that car?" Easy, the '90-'93 Integra is much the same as the newer Integra that succeeded it, as well as Civics of that era, yet it's much cheaper. And it suits my goals well. It's lightweight, has decent torque for a 4-cylinder, and handles with the best of them. This will be a car mostly for open track days. The RS model is perfect for that, with manual windows and mirrors, no sunroof, no cruise control or ABS. The lightest Integra of them all. This was before Acura was really a luxury brand!
Anyone who's ever shopped for a project Honda will tell you it sucks. I drove four Integras before this: two that had obviously been modified and beat to hell, then returned to stock hapharzadly; one that had massive rust spots around the wheel wells and sunroof; one that felt quick, but needed a windshield, headlights, bumper, paint, etc. All priced over $2000.
Then I found this one.
The only major thing wrong with it is a huge dent in the back. The guy I bought it from told me a construction truck with no license plates on it backed into it. Hit and run. It looks like it could be pulled using a spot welder and slide hammer, and I like DIY, so I decided I can live with that.
The car has good paint, but it's not original. It's some Volvo color. Very similar to a factory Honda color, Horizon Gray Metallic. But I'm not a fan (and neither is my woman ) so I figure since I will have to repaint the dented area, I'm doing the whole car. It was originally black, so that's what I'm going with.
I am ordering suspension parts soon---coilovers, bushings, arms, camber kits, you name it---but first things first, I'm going to clean it! The backseats are destroyed and will be removed permanently. They aren't original (this car didn't have leather) and the belts don't work, anyway. The front seats are aftermarket, and it looks like the seat rails are too, so I want to inspect for safety. I'll remove both and give it a good shampooing and vacuuming.
Note the extra, empty bolt holes in the seat rail. Presumably these are factory, and the bolt that's holding the rail in place was added.