Boosted to levels unheard of without the assistance of modern aftermarket technology, this Acura Integra LS has laid down 640hp and 490 lb-ft of torque, and has run a best time of 10.84-second at 138mph in the quarter mile. Impressive statistics indeed, but outrageously quick drag-racing Integra's don't just fall from the sky. The path to speed is often a multi-layered drama composed of equal parts determination, sweat, blood, time and money. Jason Park's story is no different.
As the owner and proprietor of Parks Racing Engines, Park had his fair share of velocity-addicted customers. One such patron was Robert Coronado, the proud owner of a 1997 Acura Integra LS, which had just dropped a valve in a swapped GS-R powerplant. Originally discussing the options for all-motor performance, Coronado and Park eventually changed the game plan to include the concept of boost. The Integra's stock LS motor was dragged out of a dark corner, slapped together with a B16A cylinder head, fitted with a Spark Racing turbo kit, and tuned by Bubba of Do It Dyno. The results were impressive for what was essentially a stock LS/VTEC engine-394hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. Coronado continued to abuse the LS on the dragstrip, but kept the Acura street-legal as well. Drive to the track, show the domestic boys how it's done and then hop back in and head home-it was all in a day's work.
As time wore on, Coronado looked forward to building a new project and Park stepped forward to give the LS a good home. With the competition in the NHRA Sport FWD class growing faster by the day, Park knew that he would need a few upgrades in order to keep up with the competition. Founding Ghostworks Racing in 2004, Park specified a full renovation for the Integra in order to demolish all challengers in the quarter
As an ASE certified technician and self-built fabricator, Park got down and dirty on the build, working on the car largely by himself. After pulling the LS/VTEC engine, Park dissembled the motor to its core components. The LS block was sent to Golden Eagle Manufacturing for machine work and the installation of iron ductile sleeves. Once returned, the original 1.8L displacement was bumped up to 2.1L using a Crower billet 92mm stroker crank, 84.5mm bore Arias gas ported pistons and Crower billet connecting rods
Up top, the B16A VTEC head was given a custom Ghostworks Racing competition head work job, which consists of a full port and polish job, modifications to the runner and valve guides and opening of the valve bowls. The camshafts are Ghostworks Racing custom grinds with "classified" profiles, but Park could divulge the fact that the head uses Supertech valves, JG Engine Dynamics valve springs and retainers, Golden Eagle cam sprockets and Ghostworks custom rockers.
With the LS/VTEC reassembled and ready for even higher levels of boost, Park set about tackling the task of creating a new turbocharger system. Based around a healthy T66 turbo, the exhaust side of the setup is fed by a Rev-Hard exhaust manifold, which plumbs into a Ghostworks Racing custom downpipe and four-inch exhaust setup. You may be thinking that the T66 is a huge snail for a stroked 1.8L engine, but top-end power is what counts for this drag machine. As we were lining up this photoshoot, Park was already in the process of trying to break the 800 wheel hp mark by procuring an even larger Garrett GT42R turbo and an uber-tough JG-Fab equal length top-mount stainless exhaust manifold.
From the turbocharger, compressed gasses are cooled by the Spearco intercooler and custom aluminum charge pipes, which are fitted with a Turbonetics Godzilla blow-off valve. The intake manifold is a Ghostworks Racing modified piece, and features a custom plate to allow the mating of a 90mm Accufab throttle body. Set to compress massive amounts of air, this drag racing Integra needs equally massive amounts of up rated fuel. Park set about upgrading his ride with a MagnaFuel ProStar EFI fuel pump, 1600 cc/min fuel injectors, custom Ghostworks Racing sump tank, and a MagnaFuel two port fuel pressure regulator. Utilizing a five bar MAP sensor and AEM UEGO air/fuel ratio meter, Park tuned his LS using a FAST standalone engine management system. Set to 25lbs of boost using a Turbonetics 60mm wastegate, the Integra cracked the 600 wheel hp mark with ease.