Pop quiz! How many Integras have you seen in the pages of Super Street? Ten? Fifteen? Every issue since the beginning? Probably. Ok, definitely. But what do you expect when you see one pull out of just about every McDonalds drive-thru you pass? Whether it's in the showroom or in your neighbor's driveway, the Integra is one of the hottest Japanese-made cars you'll ever have the chance to own on U.S. soil. Granted it’s not a Lancer Evo VI, but it's affordable and parts can be had from just about anywhere. Anyone can build a fast, nice Integra. But being like "anyone" and "everyone" sucks. This is where Steve Nakamura comes in.
Here's a guy who shares a common interest with you-a love of cars. When he bought his '93 Integra RS back in '95, he intended to keep the car stock. But that didn't last too long, especially when he got his hands on JG 1001 cams and an adjustable exhaust-cam gear. He added 'em on to the original B18A1 non-VTEC engine, turbocharged it with a DRAG kit, and had it kickin' with 13 psi of boost. Dynamic Autosports tuned the engine, and Steve took off to the track, where it ran 13.3 seconds. Most people would see that as good enough. In Steve's eyes, that couldn't match satisfaction, so he tried something else.
A B16A (from a Japan-only '92 Integra XSi) took the place of the B18A1, thanks to Gary Kubo of Kubo Racing, (if only Jonny had friends like that) who helped install it. Although this engine has considerably less torque than the B18A1, Steve says it has much more of a high-revving potential (VTEC is a definite plus). Gary rebuilt the engine, using Crower connecting rods and JE pistons. The cylinder head was next in line, with the ports Extrude Honed, upgraded valve springs, and titanium valve retainers. With the stock cams and cam gears, and not a drop of tuning, Steve took it to the track, and this time it ran 13.2. Not too bad, but still plenty of room for improvement. The next thing on his list? Taking the original manual turbo-boost controller out, and adding an electric boost controller from Blitz, along with a custom intercooler from DRAG to cool down the intake charge.
All this extra work kept Steve from hitting the track, but that wasn't a problem, since he was adding more power to his car. Perhaps the most impressive feature of his car is the Top Fuel-tuned F-Con V fuel-injection (a piggyback off the stock ECU) system installed. With the F-Con, the car performs as if it was already turbocharged. Fuel and timing are controlled, and it comes with its own map sensors, which contain four different fuel and ignition maps. It was fine-tuned by Dynamic Autosports with two HKS GCC's (fuel and ignition).
The Integra ran its best time with the stock LS transmission, but Steve had Elton Lo at Raceline Development replace it with an Integra XSi tranny for better acceleration. The only problem that he had with the drivetrain was in the clutch. It blew, so he quickly replaced it with one from ACT and added a lightened flywheel, allowing the engine to rev up even quicker.
A Mugen body kit (compliments of Herman at DRAG) was bolted on and painted to match the OE Honda White color. Steve changed out the old stock hood and front bumper for a carbon fiber hood and a new front bumper cover, both from Sunny Styling. Making a clean and bold statement are the one-piece JDM headlights and amber turn signals. There's another thing that's pretty extraordinary about this Integra. Take a good look. No need to rub your eyes-those are 16x7 Mugen M7s. Yes, you read right-sixteen-inch Mugen M7s, let alone M7s in general. Pretty damn cool for some guy who didn't want to buy wheels for the car in the first place. Steve's good friend, Will from Kyosho Racing, got a hold of the wheels, which are no longer in production.
Sometimes when Steve goes out to cruise, his friends have to fight over who gets to have the luxury of sitting on the JDM rear seats, complete with headrests (something you won't see on U.S. versions). Most of the interior remains stock with the exception of the Blitz boost gauge, EGT, and a tachometer from Autometer. The steering wheel comes from Momo, accompanied by a Sunny Styling gauge pad made to fit onto the steering column. Since the buildup, Steve hasn't gotten a chance to take the born-again Integra to the track. Could it be that he's in the works of adding something else? He says he now wants to upgrade the factory sound system, add a new suspension, possibly even a Recaro seat or two. It could also be the fact that his daily toy is an AE86 Corolla GTS. That's another car to contend with. Try. Just try to catch up with him, if you dare!