[dustinb]

First off, thanks to everyone on here for helping me figure out the models / trim of Integra's. Between looking at cars in Victoria, and scouting Vancouver, and my wife changing her mind from wanting automatic to being ok with standard, I was able to buy a car this morning.

Details:
1996 Acura Integra SE 4 Door
Burgundy exterior
Leather interior
5 speed, fully loaded.
Mileage: 246,000kms (head resurfaced & valves replaced etc).

I haven't done much to it since this morning. I gave it a quick wash down yesterday to find any imperfections with it. There are lots of little dents so I'll be hitting up dentex. Speaking of which, I won't be insuring this car until the PT Cruiser sells, so that will give me time to work on it. Here are the plans at the moment:

- Remove seats & steam vac the interior.
- Remove mud flaps and wheel fenders and clean out any crud
- Change oil
- Clean engine bay
- Install new stereo, speakers & sub.
- Replace noisy/half working power antenna

A few parts I'm hoping to put in it pretty soon:

Injen Air Intake
OBX Header
Apex World Sport Exhaust
Apexi Neo
Chrome valve cover

Work that needs to be done:
- Valve adjustment
- Alignment
- Motorvac

So on to the pics! Just this evening I quickly cleaned the interior (vacuum and garbage removal), so that's not reflected in the images:

http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1480.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1482.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1483.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1485.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1487.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_1490.jpg

[Gigarange]

congrats on the new car.

even though mine was the second Gen, it has a lot similair to this one.
Great cars overall, the motors will go on forever if they are maintained properly. Hell I didn't look after mine the greatest, beat the crap out of it and it went over 300,000 kms on it's first motor.

The valve adjustment is a piece of cake, some feeler gauges and a couple of wrenches and you'll have no problem. Do it at the same time you do the valve cover ;)
The Cam seal at the front cam on the passenger side is also notorious for going bad, which you have to take off the valve cover to fix, try to get I think it's the '96 GSR cam plug from the dealer, it's metal and is MUCH better then the stock one, and it fits fine.

[TouringTeg]

nice buy! I'll keep an eye out for it

[Striker RS]

right on, great find........and I really like that color for some reason.

Looks like the power antenna problem WASN'T resolved for the 3rd gens either. Look forward to seeing it progress.

PS - let me know how much dentex was (ball park) to have the dents taken care of, theres a few on the truck I wanna take care of before I line x the box.

[dustinb]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty excited about the car. I really like the color too, you really don't see very many of them in burgundy. If dentex turns out well, then I'll also be taking the miata in. I'll let you know the price once I get it done.

[dustinb]

Let the mods begin! I installed a new head unit in the car today. I went quite high end and picked up a Blaupunkt MP74. This is basically their audiophile line, and I'm really impressed with it so far.
http://www.blaupunkt.com/au/images_produkt/7644815310_15988.JPG

I also removed the center console and noticed what could be causing my ebrake not to work on one side:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/ebrake.jpg

Could someone tell me how to adjust this?

[stevo911_]

mine does that, afaik you cant do anything about it except tighten up that nut to the right of the askew bracket, once its tight enough it'll clamp down the brakes on both sides

[metal]

How much is dentex charging for removal of some small, maybe toonie diameter very slight door dents?

[Vette Dood]

Originally posted by metal
How much is dentex charging for removal of some small, maybe toonie diameter very slight door dents?

I had them pop out 2 dents on the same door for $125. They charge that per dent, but if you have 2 close they will knock em both out for the same price.

My door looks flawless, can't even tell there was anything wrong.

[danny_d19]

Here's a motivational pic ;)


www.jackstandricer.com/pics/mrjdm/mrjdm1.jpg

[Gen4TurboCiv2]

This car is pretty rad actually. Luxury isn't a bad thing. Again dude, nice car!

[NashMan]

you better ajust that right or you will snap a cable soon



Originally posted by dustinb
Let the mods begin! I installed a new head unit in the car today. I went quite high end and picked up a Blaupunkt MP74. This is basically their audiophile line, and I'm really impressed with it so far.
http://www.blaupunkt.com/au/images_produkt/7644815310_15988.JPG

I also removed the center console and noticed what could be causing my ebrake not to work on one side:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/ebrake.jpg

Could someone tell me how to adjust this?

[dustinb]

Originally posted by Gen4TurboCiv2
This car is pretty rad actually. Luxury isn't a bad thing. Again dude, nice car!

Thanks Chris. I'm actually really surprised with how nice the car drives. I'm really going to enjoy it.

Now for all you Acura knowledge monkey's out there, I need some help with a part I just found on the car. I pulled the front seats tonight to get ready for a good steam vacuum, and then I noticed a little box underneath the drivers seat:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/alarm.jpg

It says Security Control Main Unit on it, but there are no wires running to it at all. Presently, there is a viper or a half breed viper alarm installed in the car. I only have one FOB so I was thinking of either ordering another FOB or doing a different alarm. Any idea what would be involved in getting this factory alarm hooked up? Or for that matter, what it is doing under my seat?

[Gigarange]

it's exactly that, a part of the factory alarm, which was unhoooked by the sounds of it to hook up an aftermarket alarm.

[m1ataman]

Looks nice Dustin. Good luck selling the Cruiser. Those stock rims even look pretty good.

[dustinb]

I pulled the seats out last night and then rented a Clean Dr vacuum today. Here are the before and after shots:

http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior1.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior2.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior3.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior4.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior5.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/interior6.jpg

I'm really happy with how well it cleaned up. I also gave the PT Cruiser a quick once over.

[NashMan]

the only thgin i hate abotu shampooing a car is the smell afterwords

[ForFoxSake!]

congrats man, that's a very classy-looking car :)

[Aaron_37]

Dustin, where do you rent those? And for how much?

[dustinb]

Originally posted by Aaron_37
Dustin, where do you rent those? And for how much?

Save On Foods rent them. It cost me $68 for one day and that included a jug of cleaner. I then got a $10 deposit back, so really it was $58. Totally worth it.

[dustinb]

A few more photo updates. I completely waxed the car today, and it turned out quite well. I clayed the hood and the roof, but then the bar dropped on the ground so it got thrown in the garbage. The interior is also fully reassembled and I've hooked up the amp in the trunk which will run my dual voice coil bazooka tube which is on order. I picked up a MonsterBass 400 cable to run from the headunit to the amp. Should be good times. I also cut out a new wood trunk liner since the old one was broken and moldy. I mounted the amp so it hangs inside the spare tire. The bazooka tube will also be going in front of the spare tire, so none of the stuff in the trunk will be visible.
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax1.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax2.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax3.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax4.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax5.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax6.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax7.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk1.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk2.jpg

[Darb 2k]

Looking good dude!

[dustinb]

Originally posted by Darb 2k
Looking good dude!

Thanks man. I'm already having quite a bit of fun with it. I'll be happy once I can insure it :)

A question to you Integra/Honda folks. I notice on this car that the clutch pedal is actually quite difficult to push down. Is there any adjustment I can do to make it a tad easier?

[Aaron_37]

In my Summit, the clutch is cable, so it can easily be adjusted. If you show up tonight, I'll show you.

[dustinb]

The UPS lady dropped off some goodies today:

1. Injen intake
2. OBX header
3. Chrome valve cover

I was able to get the intake and header installed, but ran out of time for the valve cover. The install went quite well, except getting a good seal between the engine and the header was a real pain in the ars. And it appears I broke the o2 sensor somehow. Anyways, onto the pics!
Before removal:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header1.jpg
The pieces laid out:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header2.jpg
Intake, heat shield, and fan removed:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header3.jpg
Intake installed:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header4.jpg
Mmmmm, shiny.
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header5.jpg
Voila!
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/header6.jpg

[hud 91gt]

Looks good, but just a question why did you buy another intake when you already had one? Funky yellow colour?

[Aaron_37]

Dustin, what's happening with that old intake? If it's workable, I'll take it off your hands for a small pile.

[dustinb]

Originally posted by hud 91gt
Looks good, but just a question why did you buy another intake when you already had one? Funky yellow colour?

Pretty much. I also don't know the origin of it, so I really just wanted a history free modification.

Originally posted by Aaron_37
Dustin, what's happening with that old intake? If it's workable, I'll take it off your hands for a small pile.

Sure. I was going to list it in the buy/sell section for $20, so if you want it just pm me. The intake looks to be close to brand new.

[PhEnX]

Dude buy the seized GSR motor in the buysell and swap the head on....

[dustinb]

My Bazooka dual coil 8ohm 6.5" tube arrived yesterday, and I proceeded as quickly as possible to get it installed. Here is a picture of the sub all installed:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk3.jpg

I'm actually very proud of this install. I used the highest end monster cables I could get, plus I got equipment that matched up really well. It's also installed so I lose virtually no trunk space, plus I keep my spare tire and jack bits etc. From an earlier post, I showed how I mounted the amp on the underside of the trunk board. This is where the subwoofer went:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk4.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk5.jpg

There was just enough room for the 6.5" tube to fit, but it was a little high so I had to cut out a section so the board could fit around it. It worked perfectly as the 4 speaker terminals are still hidden / protected, and the carpet barely shows the bump.

I also received these today:
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk6.jpg
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk7.jpg

They're JBL Pro speakers, and the midbass are made of two woven glass fiber layers with an epoxy-coated Nomex honeycomb core. They look really weird, but they sound great! Extremely clear and precise sound.

A few weird things that I noticed in taking the old speakers out was that the midbass speakers and cross overs were Boston Rally's, but the original oem tweeters were still installed. Sort of strange. Also, my driver side door is missing the plastic weather shield. How mission critical is it for that plastic to be there?
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/trunk8.jpg

[Demosthenes X]

I cut mine out when I did my power locks, a year ago, and haven't missed them. Sub set-up looks great - how does it sound?

[dustinb]

Originally posted by Demosthenes X
I cut mine out when I did my power locks, a year ago, and haven't missed them. Sub set-up looks great - how does it sound?

The sub sounds very good. I have a remote control for it so I can turn it off when I want, and it definitely fills in the bass that was missing before. It handles the really low stuff perfectly.

[dustinb]

Question: I notice when I'm driving the car that a lot of air comes through the vents, and it's usually quite hot. If I turn the heat up to maximum, it is hotter, but when turned to the cool section it's still very hot (much warmer then the miata). Any fixes for this?

[hud 91gt]

If you mean air comes through the vent when the blower is off, I suggest putting it on recirculate. My GF's 2nd gen did that aswell.

[drew v2]

cool project

[dustinb]

Originally posted by drew v2
cool project

Thanks. I don't get to drive the Integra that much, but I'm really enjoying it. Very nice cars.

[dustinb]

A few updates:

New rear JBL Pro speakers are now installed. The stereo sounds great!
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/jbl6x9.jpg

And here is my shiny engine
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/engine.jpg

[phatkix]

nice ride,

right in the heart of esq, westside!!!! lol

[dustinb]

Originally posted by TarnishedSoul
now do something about the rest of the exhaust ;)

http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/wax3.jpg
= bleh

haha, yah tell me about it. That has to be the ugliest exhaust tip on this planet. It looks like the muffler is completely stock, but someone welded that on there... *shudder*. However have no fear, this is in my future:
http://www.kurumamotoring.com/image/apexi/ws2a.jpg

However, I might have to hold off for a bit as I'm pretty sure the top of my radiator is leaking. Simoes couldn't find a leak with the radiator, but noticed the coolant was really weak. Anyways, I had them flush it out when I had the wheels aligned, and now coolant keeps showing up on the top of the cooling fan. So yah... aluminum rad here i come.

And yes, I'm in the city of Esquampton :)

[NashMan]

gte one hand made by me

[dustinb]

Originally posted by NashMan
gte one hand made by me

It has to be quiet :p

[ForFoxSake!]

wow dude...lovin' the progression of this thing :) did the header make much of a performance difference? the new header/valve cover/CAI combo looks mint...nice job on the sub install too ;)

[dustinb]

Originally posted by ForFoxSake!
wow dude...lovin' the progression of this thing :) did the header make much of a performance difference? the new header/valve cover/CAI combo looks mint...nice job on the sub install too ;)

Hey thanks man. I think the header gave it a little more go, but I can't really tell because I put all those parts in it before the car was insured :p

[TouringTeg]

btw did you get the Integra brochure?

[dustinb]

Originally posted by AME_VIP
btw did you get the Integra brochure?

Yes thanks a bunch Ian, that was awesome. It's a pretty nice brochure actually, I was quite surprised.

[TouringTeg]

No problem I'm glad I got the right address.

[dustinb]

Updates! Yesterday I had Tokico shocks and Tanabe Sustec lowering springs put in the car. It looks pretty sic and drives great. I'd highly suggest the Tanabe springs. They're not harsh at all.

I also have some new rims and tires coming, so I'll post pictures up once they're on the car.

[dustinb]

Wow I haven't updated this in ages. Here's a quick idea of what has happened to the car:

Tanabe springs removed (wife was very angry I lowered her car)
Installed:
DC Sports catback exhaust
Greddy Radiator Panel
Apexi S-AFC2
ASA 16" Rims
OE style front lip
JDM Carbon gauge cluster
Front and Rear lower Tanabe bars
http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_3598.jpg

http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_3600.jpg

http://www.dbmiata.com/integra/IMG_3601.jpg

[accord96]

wow, very nice

[pheonix165]

so...your allowed to do anything you want, except lower it?

[dustinb]

wow, very nice

Thanks, I like it :)

so...your allowed to do anything you want, except lower it?

Basically. You see I lowered my wife's last 2 cars, and she specifically told me that I can't lower this one. So I lowered it, and that didn't go over very well. But I'm not going too crazy on this one. I'm going to drop a B20 into it, because the rings are shot on this motor, and there might be a paint job in the future as well.

[Elevorett]

Hey Dustin, the car is looking great. I hope you accept C&C.

The car is overall in great shape. If I were to do anything i'd paint-match the front lip, lower it (I know you can't though) and swap those wheels. They just look too generic for me. But regardless, do what makes you happy!

[NashMan]

it needs some pink since it is the wiff's car



yae pink flames

[dustinb]

Hey Dustin, the car is looking great. I hope you accept C&C.

The car is overall in great shape. If I were to do anything i'd paint-match the front lip, lower it (I know you can't though) and swap those wheels. They just look too generic for me. But regardless, do what makes you happy!

It actually is in dire need of a paint job. The front end is pretty pot marked, my wife folded in the driver side fender (I have a spare I'll be putting in), and I was thinking while I have the fender out, I'd get the front lip, and the plastic sides color matched. As far as the wheels go, I'm happy with them. They're easy to clean, and since I'm the one cleaning the car, that means something :p

But yah, I appreciate C&C, so thanks :)

[Striker RS]

Car looks great, too bad it had to be raised back up, but you know what they say, happy wife happy life.

There may be an integra meet sometime in up coming spring/ early summer, would you be interested? Also mabey sign up at club-integra.net as well if interested.