Power Pages: Integra GSR

I know, I know, another Integra! Well, I hate to say this guys, but the B series motor could go down in import history as one of the most-tweaked engines, so this is the main reason we see so many Hondas in Power Pages. Don't forget about the fact that aftermarket companies heavily support the B-series market.

The Engine
In stock trim, the B18C1 comes with 170 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque, but this is mere pocket change compared to what the engine is capable of producing. Everybody knows how hard it is to get your hands on one of these considering it is the more favored engine in the B-series lineup. The second half of this Power Page session will have components that cater to all dohc B-series engines, which should make all Honda VTEC owners happy.

Performance Components
Aiding in the intake department is Comptech's new airbox that can run as both a ram air unit and a standard short intake system. The short system is constructed of aluminum, while the air filter is a foam element. If the Icebox is added to the mix then a set of new brackets is also incorporated to enclose the filter and turn it in to a ram air type of unit. One of the big reasons for this move was to quiet the intake's resonate noise when the vehicle jumps into VTEC.

The Skunk2 exhaust system is a high quality piece. The welds show that it's built not only to perform well, but also to look good. The stainless unit comes in pre-polished stainless-steel and all gaskets are steel, ensuring a quality seal. In street trim, the exhaust system features a baffle insert held in with a 10mm nut and bolt. It is recommended that the system be run without the baffle when racing.

The DC Sports tri-Y header system has always been a heavy hitter in Power Pages. Once again we decided to utilize the unit to see if we could make any top end horsepower. Our unit is a stainless steel one-piece model designed to bolt right up to the factory cat.

Dyno Testing
Before we performed the baseline run we decided to do a quick oil and filter change along with a new set of plugs. Baseline testing checked in at 148.1 ponies and 115 lb-ft of torque. Considering the amount of miles built up on the vehicle, this was a very good figure.

When we first began on the air filter we decided to really put it to the test by running the unit in both short stack and Icebox configurations to see the power difference. Since Dynamic Autosports uses a very large fan, we decided to do the test in a real-world environment with the hood closed. This would really put the Icebox option to the test. In short stack trim the filter produced 1.9 hp over peak, with most of the power produced in the 5000 to 6000 rpm range. Next up was the Icebox, and installing it was very easy since in came as a two-piece unit. The closed filter box generated a peak of 5.9 hp in the top end and was able to address the high rpm range as soon as VTEC kicked in.

The Skunk2 exhaust produced the most power out of the three. Since we don't have plans to race the Integra with the baffle installed, we decided to make a pass for kicks. The system with the baffle made an additional one horse, but without the baffle the GSR put down 8.7 hp in the peak. Torque was also brought up to 123.7 lb-ft.

The DC Sports header was an easy install for easy power. The header produced plenty of top end power from 6500 rpm up to redline. Where the engine would normally start to fall off at the top the header was able to sustain a level of two horses above the previous run before falling off.

Conclusion
With the first stage complete, we are moving into an arsenal of new components never tested in Power Pages. A set of new Skunk2 Stage 3 cams and sprockets will be put to the test, as well as a SFC fuel computer. The first test of the original Skunk2 cams it was on a Civic Si equipped with a B16 engine. We now move on to a bigger displacement, so until next month happy tuning!