This Period-Correct Acura Integra GS-R Is Timeless and More
It goes without saying: less can sometimes be more. In the case of Todd Grant’s conservative-looking 2000 Acura Integra GS-R, more of the right OEM parts speak volumes, and the result is a JDM enthusiast’s dream build. But this project started with a different chassis altogether, one that eventually became totaled in an accident on icy roads; no better excuse to place this sedan on the path for a full makeover.
The first change was a genuine JDM Honda Integra Type R front-end conversion, which replaced the US circular headlights with one-piece headlights, hood, fenders and bumper to give it the correct Japanese look. But after giving it some thought, Todd realized sinking more money into a less than ideal chassis wasn’t the best play and purchased the GS-R you see here.
Todd went to town, tearing down the chassis with the desire to rebuild properly. “I swapped the ITR core support onto the new GS-R shell and painted the engine bay,” he said. “Then I deep-cleaned the interior sheet metal, deleted various OEM lines and organized/routed an OBD-1 harness, cleaning every visible connector along the way while maintaining original placement of all brackets, clips and harnesses.”
Not much needed to be done to freshen the remainder of the Integra’s exterior, but whatever work was required Todd did largely on his own. This included shaving the door moldings and spraying the body in a rented paint booth. When reassembling the interior, he deep-cleaned the carpet, bolted a pristine dashboard in place, then added a JDM DC2 steering wheel, ITR switch panel trim and Recaro seats from an Evo 8.
All worn suspension bushings were replaced before installing the Ground Control coilovers/Tokico shocks combo, ITR top mounts and front/rear sway bars. The brakes have been fitted with Legend dual-piston front calipers/Prelude 11.1” rotors and rear calipers from a DC5R Integra with 10.3” Accord rotors. The GS-R sits perfect on top of its 16×8” GAB Sports wheels.
As for power enhancements, you won’t find much for a near-stock B18C1 but it was mildly enhanced with ARP head studs, a CT Engineering air filter, Mishimoto radiator and ’98-spec ITR header mated to a custom test pipe with ITR exhaust piping. Simple, yet effective.
Although it may not be obvious, many hours went into the restoration of this Integra. We can all appreciate his level of obsession and the respect the project was shown in order for Todd to execute it successfully.
Words: Jonathan Wong
Photos: Super Street
For the complete story, visit: http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/oem-2000-acura-integra-gs-r-sedan
