While the second and third generation Integras and the current Integra replacement, the RSX, have a nicely designed suspension that can be easily modified and tuned for track racing, the same can't be said for this version-but Ernie wants to change the minds of those who think this way. "Most people who use the front torsion bar for the front suspension don't understand it," he explains.
"Understanding how it works is the key to getting the car to ride this good as low as it is. Most people just turn the torsion nut and lower the front end, wondering why it rides like ass. Well, once the torsion bar is turned and the front end is dropped, the amount of travel for the front shocks disappears, so you're basically riding on bump stops. You kill a smooth and comfortable ride." To remedy this problem, Ernie had True Choice custom make a set of Koni shocks, which were shortened three inches on the body and shaft, then re-valved for higher spring rates. Now the DA3 has enough shock travel to ride smoothly while slammed. A 24mm Lightspeed torsion bar and Trust strut bar are used to tighten up the front end while a Cusco strut bar and Jackson Racing sway bar take care of the back.
A look inside the Integra reveals little more than what the factory decided the Integra should come with. Remember that when this car was in its prime, there were no fancy Bride seats or 43-point roll cages-this made Ernie's job extra easy. So a Mugen SW-36 steering wheel with an optional horn pad and Feel's Honda TwinCam shift knob play their parts well. And rather than building a multimedia outlet, complete with DVD players and woofers big enough to fill a spare wheel well, he kept it way old school by having Traffic Jamz install parts that were the top of the line from back in the day, with an Alpine 7909 head unit, four vintage Soundstream D-200 amps, a pair of Nakamichi highs, Rockford Fosgate mids and Soundstream SS10R subs. His reasoning for the outdated gear: "It's what I always wanted when I was growing up," he says. "I couldn't afford it then, but I can now."
But the best part about Ernie's Integra-which he'll have no problem rapping about for days-is the wheels. Forget everything you've seen on Honda-Tech, Ernie embodies the true definition of a wheel whore, especially when you're talking old school SSRs. By far, this is a true collection of our culture's history: EX-C Fins, EX-C Mesh, MKIIIs, SP2R and an immaculate set of chrome-dipped EX-C Neos that he bought new in '92.
"SSRs defined the look of the early Honda scene," says Ernie. "Having any on a Honda, especially Fins or Mesh, was the bomb setup. It's so era-specific-the years from '88 to '94-before the really big wheels started coming out." He recalls that Mugen wheels "weren't that popular" but to this day, he's managed to slide in a set of CF48s with the aero disk covers and MR-5s. Over the years, Ernie has amassed a collection of SSRs that are simply unobtainable today in such great condition. Lucky bastard.