Our most astute readers might notice something just a little bit different about this month's 2NR cover. Of course, there's the beautiful girl-unless you happen to be reading a book fronted with one of our new "PG-rated" covers-so there's nothing new there. The car, however, may be a little more sedate than many are used to. There are no wild wings, no Lamborghini doors, no 19-inch wheels, no billboard graphics, no crazed mural schemes or color shifting three-stage paint jobs. In fact, this month's cover subject is probably one of the cleanest, most understated cars we've ever photographed for this publication-and frankly, we rather like the contrast.
Before you write it off as a mostly stock Integra, take a closer look. For all intents and purposes, this domestic Integra has been fully transformed into a four-door JDM ITR, a car that by all accounts has no business driving around on American pavement-but here it is nonetheless. Owned by Reggie Loterina, president and CEO of Island Motorsports in Buena Park, Calif., the '98 Integra began the most recent phase of its life on a used car lot as a theft recovery. In this particular case, law enforcement was unable to recover the car before it was completely stripped of its vitals. At the time he bought it and towed it to his shop, Loterina said, there wasn't much to it-not much of an interior, no motor and no transmission.
"On its arrival [at the shop], everyone stared in disbelief as it rolled off the flatbed truck with its exhaust dragging on the ground and the rear bumper hanging on with only a couple of screws," Loterina recalled with satisfaction. Despite its deplorable state, the car was perfect for what he had in mind, which was building a convincing JDM sled out of a left-hand drive domestic Integra.
Before really digging in and getting his hands dirty, Loterina purchased a second car from another friend, Willy Law. This one was a salvaged right-hand drive Integra Type R, the real deal and a rare four door model, which was shipped overseas to serve as a parts donor for the USDM shell. On its arrival, virtually the entire interior was subsequently transferred into the American car, including the door panels, suede Recaro ITR seats, and black JDM carpeting. Various other JDM bits and pieces include the ITR steering wheel, the climate control cluster, center console, shift boot and floormats.
While the interior was being put together, Loterina's friend Law was again busy tracking down another very important component for the project buildup-a motor. Eventually he found a complete GS-R powerplant and Integra LS transmission, which Loterina and his Island Motorsports shop crew immediately set about tearing down and apart.
Currently, Loterina's engine bay setup is comprised of the built GS-R block and a competition-machined B16 head. The cylinder bores were opened up to 84.5mm and now effect a displacement of an even 2.0 liters (roughly). Ductile iron sleeves were added to the bores for increased strength. A knife-edged crank from an Integra LS was dropped inside and linked to oversized Arias pistons using forged Eagle connecting rods and ARP studs. A baffled Mugen oil pan was bolted underneath and a Pro Drive oil pump gear added for improved lubrication supply and flow. While block assembly was carried out at Island Motorsports, aside from the machine work which was performed by RS Machine in Torrance, Calif. Loterina shipped the cylinder head to Alaniz Technologies in Gardena for a full competition machine job, as well as new, 1-mm oversized stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, and beefier valve springs.
While the engine was being assembled, the rolling chassis was trucked to the body shop, Southern Auto Body in Costa Mesa, where any necessary repairs were made, the round headlamps were ditched and the front end was converted to JDM specifications. It was here that the coats of Championship White paint were laid.