Confirming the idea that the entire world is against car tuners, the Acura Integra Type-R is one of the hardest cars to maintain ownership of. Type R's have some of the highest theft rates, proportionately. Owners are rightfully very fearful of leaving their babies in movie theater lots, shopping malls or darkened streets. If you own a Type-R, it might get stolen right out of your driveway. This endangered species has to be protected at all costs. So if your buddy ever rolls up and says he's the proud new owner of a 2000 Integra Type-R #1258, shoot that thief dead. And quickly too.
After purchasing this Integra from a friend a couple of years ago and purchasing a full metal JDM front-end conversion, Mike Thomas got infected by the JDM bug. A member of NorCal's own Team Hokori, Thomas strived to take at least one trophy for every event he entered. The weapon of choice: JDM.
At the heart of the product is a turbocharger kit from the Japanese tuner, Top Fuel. The mad scientists at Top Fuel were responsible for creating--among other things--a midengine RWD turbocharged del Sol, so they know a thing or two million about tuning Hondas. Utilizing a T28 turbo, and a Top Fuel exhaust manifold and Power NEO, Thomas also hooked up his car with a Blitz intercooler, wastegate and blow-off valve. Controlled by a Blitz Spec S boost controller and a Hondata 200B fuel management system, boost exits through an Invidia cat-back exhaust system.
Like a two-faced monster, dressing up the engine is both decorative and functionally necessary. You're not sure if the add-ons are worth the money, but you've gotta have them anyway. Thomas' engine makes use of a Mugen oil filler cap, J's Racing engine damper, and Spoon Sports reservoir covers and grounding system. Cooling is equally beefed up with a Blitz high-pressure radiator cap, Spoon Sports thermostat, radiator hoses and radiator support brackets.
A Type-R motor and a turbocharger on top of that? How much power you may ask? Try about 260 hp to the wheels at a mild 6 pounds of boost. Burning through a Toda Racing clutch and flywheel, the power rips through the pavement on 18-inch Advan RG rims wrapped in Bridgestone rubber. Dropped using TEIN Type-HA coil-overs, the DC2 crisscrosses itself for strength using a Mugen front tower bar, Cusco lower bar and front and rear sway bars, and a carbon-fiber C-pillar bar. When he feels like pulling out fillings, Thomas puts the hammer down with JDM Spoon Sports four-piston calipers fed by Project u lines that clamp down on Brembo slotted and drilled rotors.
If you ever catch this Type-R at a show, cruise around to the back and check out the carbon-fiber enclosure swallowing three 12-inch Alpine subwoofers. Cool looking indeed, but even more impressive when you realize it's not easy to make carbon fiber into any shape you want without a vacuum system or a mold. Feeding those hungry back massagers is an Alpine 1500-watt amplifier, Rockford Fosgate capacitors and two Optima Yellow-top batteries--one as a backup. Accompanying the bass is a set of Alpine speakers fed by an Alpine 400-watt four-channel amp. Tunes come courtesy of an Alpine CVA-1003 LCD head unit and an Alpine 5205 in-dash DVD player with 12-disc changer.
With no area left untouched, Thomas continued the JDM madness inside the cockpit as well. A Japanese Integra Type-R was murdered and mercifully donated its steering wheel, carbon-fiber window switches, shifter boot and interior. On top on this a Mugen gauge cluster, racing pedals, and a neat little Spoon Sports shift knob were added. Fat American behinds find they have little space to spare in the Recaro racing seats, or within the Takata four-point racing harnesses. The only U.S. add-on is a set of Auto Meter carbon-fiber air/fuel, water temperature, boost, EGT and oil pressure gauges.
It all started with a JDM front-end body conversion, and that's where this piece ends too. With the much cleaner JDM headlights and front end fitted to the car, Thomas added a C-West N1 front bumper. The side skirts are from Option Aztec and the rear bumper is a molded C-West rear. As he planned an assault prior to Hot Import Nights circa 2003, Thomas found the stock yellow to be quite dull. Since Acura had held out on the best once again, Thomas decided to use the bright yellow from the Japanese-market NSX. This Type-R is so JDM that even the paint is from Japan. Detailing the body is a VIS carbon-fiber hood and a set of Spoon Sports mirrors. The cherry on top is, of course, the JDM Top Fuel decals adorning the bodywork.
Attending just about every import event he can find on the West Coast, Mike Thomas and his Integra Type-R have claimed Best Acura at Nisei Week, Best JDM at the Formula D Infineon Raceway round, and Hottest Acura at Hot Import Daze San Mateo, among other events. The awards are stacked, and there are more to come. So, in keeping with the theme here, there's only one way to go out: JDM. Fast is Top's specialty; only with power can we strive for the ultimate victory!