Acura Integra 90 - 93

[kjenkins]

I am looking for a used 90-93 Acura Integra. This is based on my previous experience with an 89.

The car will be my transportation and I want to try autocross.

Based on the Honda engines the Integra has the best for building. How is the Integra for handling?

Are there any local Honda / Integra clubs ?

[C4Shane]

Not an expert on Integras - but there are a lot of them around and they seem to do pretty well in G-Stock class. With mods it would push you into one of the more aggressive classes. Come on out and have fun!

[ROADBOY]

I agree. The integra has a lot of potential but is a great car stock. I've had experience driving and tuning on a 90 Integra 4dr, yes a 4 dr. The car did very well.

As for specific clubs, I don't know of any but most autox drivers are pretty receptive. I myself drive a 94 civic.

[kjenkins]

From what I have read the AEM cold air intake is the best. Will I need the anti-suck water valve?

Which to do first?
Cold Air Intake
Cat-Back Exaust
Headers

Is it easier to do Headers and Cat-back together?

[AJordan]

kjenkins said:

From what I have read the AEM cold air intake is the best. Will I need the anti-suck water valve?

Which to do first?
Cold Air Intake
Cat-Back Exaust
Headers

Is it easier to do Headers and Cat-back together?

Worry about tires and suspension first.. finding good bolt-on mods for a honda motor isn't exactly rocket science... and I wouldn't reccomend doing anything until you've autocrossed a few times.

Stock classes are extremely popular.. there's no reason to mod in order to enjoy autocross, and an integra is a pretty good handler out of the box.

After you've poked around some of the modded cars to see which mods you like, you've selected a class to race in and read the rules for that class,.. only then should you start modding for the sake of autocross.

Come out to the event on the 12th and meet Walter Jones. He'll be racing his Integra gs in STS. He's got a number of nice bolt-on mods.

[ROADBOY]

I agree with AJordan. Have some fun with the car stock. Then as your experience grows, you can modify your car to grow with you.
I can help with that

[clint]

ajordan said:

Come out to the event on the 12th and meet Walter Jones. He'll be racing his Integra gs in STS. He's got a number of nice bolt-on mods.

I'll be in STS as well, and have a DC Integra as does Walt (his = '01, mine = '97) Underneath the looks, I think there are few differences from the DB ('90-'93) Integras you're considering.

Like the others are saying, don't be afraid to run stock. If you run as a novice your first season (I'm proud to say I did), it will help your indexed time. ;D I haven't driven a DB, but due to the similarities with it's successor, I'd say the handling is phenomenal. ;D

To be honest though, I think the ultimate FF (front drive) chassis is the EF Civic ('88-'91). They're light, prolly ~300 lbs. lighter than my DC2 (which helps -a lot-). They look low as a skateboard, even -stock-! An Si might be preferable, but if you know you're going to mod it into STS class anyway, I don't think a cheap CX would be bad, say, if you found one with lower miles, etc.

[kjenkins]

clint said:

To be honest though, I think the ultimate FF (front drive) chassis is the EF Civic ('88-'91). They're light, prolly ~300 lbs. lighter than my DC2 (which helps -a lot-). They look low as a skateboard, even -stock-! An Si might be preferable, but if you know you're going to mod it into STS class anyway, I don't think a cheap CX would be bad, say, if you found one with lower miles, etc.

I am starting out trying to be a Honda tuner and like the engine of the Integra. I would rather buy the Integra with one of the B18 engines rather than buy something else and try and do an engine swap.

Did the CX or the EF Civic have a DOHC?

[ROADBOY]

All civics up to 98 had SOHC. With the exeption of the Del Sol VTEC, which had a B16A2 DOHC.

[kjenkins]

Based on info from forums I want to stay with the Integra 90-93. This is because of my price range (whatever I can sell my 98 Chevy Astro for). I would love a VTEC but this car will be my only transportation. I want to get the most for my money and not look too bad.

My priorities are daily commute, manual trans, price, DOHC, Autocross.

I want a pretty engine with the easy bolt-on stuff. Then instead of running around getting tickets, I thought that autocross would be fun. Also I can't do too much tuning and blow an engine or kill the emissions tests.

My objective is to have a cool car and not look stupid since I am a 42 year-old fivehead and have fun participating in Autocross. (Fivehead is an oversized hairless forehead).

[grok]

Hmmmm KJenkins, 42, from North Carolina. You wouldn't happen to be Kenneth Jenkins, who I served with in the US Navy in 1985, Great Lakes, Memphis, and Orlando through 1986?

[volksman]

Try these sites for cars, in real order:

cars.com 50/50 dealers private sellers

autotrader.com mostly private except for the ads

iwanna.com Great classified paper

ebay.com Everybody knows it. Look before you buy!

There are many honda/acura clubs online, many with used car sections.Try yahoo clubs and forums. Also, any local auto auctions can be fun as well. There are two in my Area, upstate SC. whitey's and Spartanburg auto auction. Both dealer and private sales at these two. Good luck and come have some fun!

[kjenkins]

grok said:

Hmmmm KJenkins, 42, from North Carolina. You wouldn't happen to be Kenneth Jenkins, who I served with in the US Navy in 1985, Great Lakes, Memphis, and Orlando through 1986?

Sorry, wrong guy.

[clint]

kjenkins said:

I am starting out trying to be a Honda tuner and like the engine of the Integra. I would rather buy the Integra with one of the B18 engines rather than buy something else and try and do an engine swap.

Did the CX or the EF Civic have a DOHC?

No, none of the EF Civics have DOHC. I'm just saying it doesn't matter, when it comes to autocrossing anyway. Because of the recent website changes, you prolly can't, but I wish you could see some of the results from last year, or the year before. Especially the ones where Scott Sawyer and Scott Clontz of "Team Underdog" show up with their '91 Civic, with it's single cam, 200cc's less displacement, and ~30 less flywheel horsepower than my car, then proceed to kick my @$$, to the tune of 1.5 to 2 seconds!!!. But if you insist on focusing upon cams, that's up to you. ;D I realize that autocrossing isn't your only concern. I myself didn't buy my car with autocrossing originally in mind, and I must say I like it's newness compared to an EF Civic for a daily driver. (Yes, it's my only car.) But you are considering a car that may not be any newer (they overlap by two years, '90 & '91). Just some thoughts! To be honest, I don't know what a DB Integra weighs, it may be lighter than my car (I don't know what DC's weigh, either, but I'll find out...). But I seem to recall EFs weigh around 2200lbs....

[a]

90-93 integras are fun. I have a 91 myself and Im in STS. Best thing is to see what class you want to be in and build on that. If you want to check out a great site then go to www.G2IC.com. That is hands down the best integra site that I know of.