There is a disturbing trend in the American import show scene, and its name is tastelessness. Indiscriminate owners attach horribly conceived body kits, poorly molded conversion pieces from other cars, contrasting color choices, and overdone accents to any car. More is not always better, but some people don't seem to realize that fact. Alexis Aguila has embraced the principle that a uniform and defined vision of what you want is important when turning a car into a dream. Her turbocharged 1995 Integra GS-R would not be out of place on either side of the pacific; once again proving why JDM Honda-philes will be forever angry at Honda of Japan for holding on to the best. This Acura has the parts, the speed and the vision, but most importantly, it makes all of that work together.
One peek under the hood and you will behold an intense labor of love. It's obvious where the most attention was paid on this car. The centerpiece of the show is still the DOHC VTEC B18C1 motor, but now hung with a Rev Hard turbocharger kit. Based around the popular T3/T4 turbocharger, the kit also uses a Turbonetics wastegate, Rev Hard exhaust manifold, Spearco intercooler with chromed piping and a GReddy Type-S blow-off valve. Controlled by a Field SFC-VTEC controller, extra power is picked up with an AEM power steering pulley and a custom three-inch exhaust system using a three-inch Blitz muffler and three-inch Catco high-flow catalytic converter. With larger air amounts being boosted into the motor, fuel delivery had to be likewise upgraded. Starting from a Walbro 255lph fuel pump, fuel amounts are controlled with an AEM adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a boost dependent fuel pressure regulator, sent into an AEM fuel rail, finally being sprayed from a set of RC Engineering 310cc fuel injectors.
To ensure complete burn, additional spark is provided with an MSD sport compact ignition system, MSD distributor cap and an MSD Blaster 2 coil system. To make sure the high-output engine always receives a proper oiling, a Moroso five-quart oil pan was installed with a Moroso oil pickup, and a Spoon Sports oil fill cap for good measure. Coolant temperatures were next held in check with a Fluidyne aluminum radiator and FAL radiator fan. Finally with every power and reliability modification in place, an ACT extreme pressure plate and an ACT six-puck clutch were installed to keep the horses from escaping the grasp of the tires. Next up came cleaning and dress-up of the engine bay. A complete STR Performance dress-up kit was installed which includes a fuse box cover, battery tie down, brake reservoir cover, clutch reservoir cover, gas cap cover, VTEC solenoid cover, radiator cap cover and camshaft seal. Aguila then proceeded to polish or chrome everything that could come off into her hands, which included catch cans, power steering reservoir, valve cover, intake manifold, engine mounts, battery tray, and almost every removable bracket under the hood. Yes, it really is shiny, and yes, that is an Autometer monster tachometer in the driver's side corner by the firewall.