Hybrid body mods have been popping up like mad. So mad, in fact, that each and every single headlight/taillight combination has been installed on almost all the existing Honda models on the market. So, is this trend still in full effect? Shoebetcha, and the originality keeps getting better and better. For Martin Cabaero's '95 Acura Integra, originality has been relentlessly pursued with only one thing in mind: perfection.
We first took notice of this Integra at the first Import Showoff EXC car show held back in January of 1998. At the time, the changes made to the body were its extreme 4-inch fender flares that the car still sports today. With a body coated with silver hues, slight performance additions, and a race-ready interior, the car established a name for itself within the import scene as a radically modified show-winner. Throughout the year, the car continuously popped up at numerous import events held throughout California, taking home awards as if Martin were destined to receive them. And then nothing. The Integra disappeared from the show scene.
When it reappeared months later, the car was unlike anything that had ever been seen before. The already eye-catching body had not only been resprayed with a Minden Blue Pearl paint scheme (from P.J. Bonifacio's Frame and Body), but also had the factory headlights ditched in favor of a set from a Mitsubishi Eclipse custom-modified onto the car's Wings West R.S. Series front bumper. Complementing the trick front end is a custom carbon kevlar hood with yellow stitch patterns. To finish off the body mods, Martin added the Wings West R.S. Series side skirts and rear bumper, Wings West GTR-style wing, shaved moldings, emblems, and keyholes. Cookie Graphics was called upon to lay down the vinyl roll call of Martin's ever-growing sponsor list.
The 1.8L DOHC VTEC engine, which only sported the basic add-ons before, was also upgraded to turbo status thanks to AXZ Tuning of Lynbrook, New York. The AXZ crew custom-fabricated a few goodies to go along with their turbo system like AXZ's own valve springs, titanium retainers, and a ported-and-polished cylinder head. Exhaust remnants are expelled through a custom AXZ exhaust manifold and out with an Ultraflow muffler. Engine spark was beefed up with cream-of-the-crop components like an HKS Twin Power ignition box, NGK spark plugs, and Nology HotWires. Improving fuel delivery is a competition fuel rail from STR. An 80-shot direct-port nitrous kit from NOS feeds the extra ponies needed to hurl the Integra faster than a Randy Johnson fastball.
For a unique show look, a Weapon*R carbon fiber valve cover was added to match the carbon kevlar hood. An AXZ racing clutch aids in transferring the power to the ground via a GS-R tranny. At this time, Martin's best e.t. is a 12.46 at 113-mph with a dyno-tested horsepower rating of 294 horses at 7,800 rpm.
The car can ride at a safe 1-inch drop, for the streets, to a fender-filling 3 1/2-inch drop for the car shows with the help of Intrax's ARS coilovers. Antisway bars from Suspension Techniques were used to stiffen up the lower suspension components, and a Tenzo R front strut brace keeps the shock towers tight. A set of polyurethane bushings from Energy Suspension replaces the stock rubber. A set of 18x8 (front) and 18x9 (rear) Konig Villains with 225/40ZR18 Nitto NT-555 tires were used to fill in a flared fender area that typical Honda wheels wouldn't be able to accomplish.
The interior remains virtually the same with two racing bucket seats from V-Racing, Jolt Pro five-point racing harness, Autopower rollbar, MOMO Competition V steering wheel, MOMO Shadow shift knob matched to a Tenzo R short shifter, and a set of racing pedals from Sparco. The single-most-noticeable change is the removal of the rear seats and spare tire compartment, which were replaced with custom aluminum floor panels that house the nitrous bottle.