SpeedLounge

Words by Rich Lavigne Snaps by Son Mustafa

The Integra Type-R came onto the scene in 1996 in the DC2 platform and quickly made a splash. Honda took the already competition worthy Integra GSR and added increased chassis rigidity, a more powerful engine, better suspension and the all important LSD to make sure that all that power translated to forward motion. When Honda announced that they’d be ending the DC2 platform, much of the tuning scene was in an uproar. What would Honda replace their winning design with? The Honda army got its answer when Honda announced the DC5 Integra/RSX model. The car increased slightly in size, but this time it was designed from the beginning as a Type-R, sporting built-in chassis stiffness not just bolt on pieces. The engine was a departure from the classic b-series motor to the new K-series platform. The K motor had increased displacement and the new I-VTEC, which meant increased torque and horsepower throughout the entire rpm range. On all versions of the Type-R, whether it be the Civic, Integra or Accord, the classic color choice has always been white and that leads us to this months Featured Ride, Rudy Falcon’s White DC5.

The first thing that strikes you about this car is the radical, yet functional exterior styling. Most of the wild body kits you see out that aren’t functional but when you see anything with the Mugen logo on a Honda, you know it was designed to do one thing, and that is, flat out perform. Rudy’s DC5 features a Mugen front bumper, side skirts, wing, carbon fiber hood and ultra high end MF-10 wheels. The remaining exterior treatment is nothing but OEM Honda Type-R.

This DC5 isn’t just set up to look good sitting still, it has the goods to make sure it gets out of its own way. The engine has been reworked with a set IPS K2 cams and Skunk2 valves and retainers. The intake side of the motor features, 4 TWM individual throttle bodies that aid in throttle response and allow for optimum breathability. Once all that air gets into the motor and combustion takes place, exhaust gases are exhaled through a Buddy Club Race spec header. Current Mod List:

Engine Modifications:

∞ K20a2 Motor
∞ IPS K’2 cam’s
∞ TWM 52 mm ITB’s
∞ Skunk 2 retainers
∞ Skunk 2 valves
∞ Buddy club race header
∞ Custom 24k valve cover
∞ Innovative Motor Mounts 24k
∞ Custom 24k subframe

Fuel System:

∞ APS Extreme Performance Full Return

Exhaust:

∞ APS True Dual 2.5″ High Energy Sports

Engine Management:

∞ Hondata K-Pro

Brakes & Suspension:

∞ Tein S-Tech Springs
∞ Tokio D-specs Adjustable Shocks
∞ Hotchkis Adjustable Sway Bars
∞ APS Tough-Boy Strut Brace
∞ Brembo’s w/ Carbotech Bobcats Pads

Interior:

∞ Bride Low Max Gia’s seats
∞ Key’s Racing Starring wheel
∞ Mugen Steering Bose
∞ Mugen Shift Knob
∞ Mugen Pedals
∞ Mugen E-brake cover
∞ Mugen review mirror cover
∞ Mugen ECU Stand
∞ Takata Harnesses x2
∞ Full Black int conversion
∞ Type-r Carpet and Mats
∞ Type-r Door Panels
∞ Type-r Cluster
∞ Type-r Rear seats
∞ Type-r Center Console

Exterior:

∞ Mugen Front Bumper
∞ Mugen Carbon Fiber Hood
∞ Mugen Side Skirts
∞ Mugen Wing
∞ Mugen License Plate Cover
∞ Type-R Rear Lip
∞ Type-R Window Visors
∞ Type-R Side Markers
∞ Vision Mirrors

Wheels/Tires:

∞ 17×8 +55 Mugen MF10’s White
∞ 17×8 +45 Mugen MF10’s Bronze
∞ Project Mu Big brake kit w/ 13.5in Rotor

Transmission/Drivetrain:

∞ Exedy Stage 1 Clutch & Flywheel

All of this is good for 252 hp, up from the stock 200 hp that this K20A2 motor made when it rolled off the assembly line. The Type-R lineup always featured a red valve cover when you opened the hood, but that wasn’t baler enough for Rudy. He had a few of the under hood components coated in 24 carat gold for the extra bling factor when the hood dampers go up. It’s always nice when you see a guy that has a nice clean civic and you can say to him, “Nice car, I was thinking of selling my valve cover to get one”
Function Form coilovers set the ride height perfectly and Hotchkis sway bars keep the car level and tight when carving corners. To top it all off, Giant Project Mu brakes act like an on/off switch and haul the car down to sensible speeds with little effort.

Stuff yourself into the Bride driver seat and the first thing that you notice is that nothing is stock. The list of interior goodies reads like a Mugen catalog and what isn’t Mugen is Japanese OEM Honda from the Type-R. In the US, if you wanted a white RSX, you were forced to take the “titanium” interior option, which was actually more tan than anything else. I never quite understood this color scheme from Honda, as Tan and white is more suited to your grandma’s RL than it is your little sports car, and I guess Rudy didn’t understand it either, as he took on the arduous task of swapping in a complete black interior set up.

Thanks:
I would like to thank Percilla and Airelle for always being by my side no matter what this car puts me throe. DPK for always taking it to the next level we have come a long way and I cant wait to see what’s to come. Preston from Function Forum, Linh from JER engine repair, Eugene from 8 ½ Garage, D-Rail from JHP, Inline 4, Matt at ICB Motorsprots, Tim from Innovative Mounts, Alex from sheepy built, People Choice and ATS garage for the inspiration. NWP4LIFE.COM