ITRCA

OK, I've got some question that've been eating me up and I need them answered.

I'm looking at getting an integra type r in a few months but there are some things I want to clear up before I actually make the decision. I live in new zealand, so just bare that in mind if you want to quote any foreign shops or products that I can't get my hands on.

1) First and foremost, how important is the transmission and drive shaft (dynamic?) damper and why does the type R not have any? I've heard the car itself is a rough ride but maybe partially due to this reason. If so, how easy/expensive would it be to have some dampers installed?

2) 6 speed gearbox. I'm fixated with these. Either because I currently own a 5000 RPM at 90kmh 1.5L civic right now, which makes be fixated with being able to gain high speed with low revs, or I like the idea that I can travel at around 250kmh while running away from the police. Either way, I REALLY WANT ONE. I've also heard that 5th gear is kind of short on the type R and semi-long highway journeys can be a nightmare. Does anyone know which model the switch was made from 5 speed to 6? 99, 00, 01. There's a big difference in price and if it's too much, how much would I reasonably be looking to pay to get one installed on a 5 speeder?

3) Price. What price ranges (second hand of course), and I looking at? I can get a shady sort of view out of the local auto trader but it's nothing definitive.

4) Forced induction. Yay/nay? superchargers are great for these cars because it doesn't screw around with the precision-tuned intake manifold and exhaust system, plus it adds to the torq at lower revs which is exactly what the car needs. Also give me an idea about NOS. I'm fixated with the stuff but is it really worth it?

5) Controllers. I've heard about a Hondata controller that can let me modify vtec engage and rev limiter. Price? Worth it?

6) Lastly the sound insulation. These cars come with none. How easy would it be to have some fitted with relatively low added weight? A lot of people have commented it can be a noisy ride and this isn't just gonna be a weekend car, it'll be my daily plod-mobile too so a little noise insulation could go a long way. Easy to do?

Thanks, I think that's it. Any and all answers will let me sleep that little bit better at night.

While I could go through that post and answer your questions, I find it to be a waste of time.

From your post, it does not sound like the Integra Type-R is the car you think it is and does not seem to fit what you want at all. IMO get something that suits your needs better.

The car you're looking for is called an RSX. =P

The car you're looking for is called an RSX. =P

I second that. The R is not for you. Sorry buddy

No, you've got me all wrong. I love driving, especially hondas. And I'm not looking for a sunday-driving car with a 'little extra power'. I love what the type r is about and how it was engineered. I just have to be a little responsible before my brain runs away on me and consider what it'll be like commuting to work and to and from uni. First and foremost: the speed combined with fuel economy and reliability. Second (but in very close second), 'tollerable' commute driving.

The RSX Type-S has your name written all over it..................the last thing a type R is gonna do is pamper you

Yea, the big problem being acura is named 'honda' here in new zealand, and 'honda' doesn't manufacture 'RSX's' over here, let alone ship them in. At least I don't think so.

I probably would get one otherwise =P. Closest thing here is an integra SiR but that's nothing compared to the R (20 kw less, with NONE of the body/interior mods). Maybe more comfortable but no fun.

I (being a owner for 12 hours) have to fully agree with the others if you could get a rsx type s you would be very happy. I had a 00 si and I also
have a 03 si and after just 35 miles that I have driven on my R its all about one thing and one thing only performance. period. it almost seems
that the car has alot of miles on it and is abused in a sense. but as you said before there is little if any sound deadining in this car. I was gonna
ask everybody here if tranny noise and clucth engaugment was noticable
on there cars due to the lack of any sound deadining? anyway if you want
full out performance its the best honda can offer for the price. if you want
to go through all the work to put a sixth gear in it and sound deadining
the rsx,if available,would suit you nicely.

Don't buy an R if you have to sit back and weigh out the pro's and con's. Yes, the ride will be bumpy, and it's slightly louder than your average lincoln continental, but it's designed for racing. The sound deadening was taken out to reduce the weight of the car, not to annoy the consumer. Also, if honda thought it needed a 6th gear, it would have it. If you're more concerned about how it will affect your ride to and from work, it's not for you. If you're concerned about feeling 0 body roll on a 90 degree turn, or if the sound of 8500 rpm's is like music to your ears, get it.........

Yea, all of the above... I know it's not going to be a sunday driver, I just want to know if I can 'tolerate' it while driving... on sunday =].

Honestly after reading this whole post . . . .First you are calling an Integra Type-R and I think you may be speaking of thr US RSX-Type-S. We no longer have an integra here and have not since 2001.

That said in stock form the R is fairly tolerable but what we are telling you is the Type-R we drive was made the way it is for a purpose and if you can't handle it you have NO business modifying it to be softer when you coudl buy an SiR or whatever. If you can't handle the car don't ruin it for the next owner.

do they have the integra gsr down there? i think u should take a look at that. leather seats, moonroof, curise control, DOHC VTEC 170 hp 8000 rpm redline, and its very quiet. That will give u a nice ride, with luxious interior, at the same time power will be avaiable, and u can always modify it. there are lots of aftermarket support for the integra.

If you want an R, get it. Don't pay any attention to all of that "If it needed it Honda would have made it that way" stuff. Most of the guys here have modified their R's in some way.

Don't worry too much about the lack of soundproofing. It is only a 4 cyl engine, so it won't deafen you. In fact, after you have had it for a while you will probably want to install a more free-flowing exhaust which will be slightly louder.

Instead of swapping in an entire six speed transmission you can just put in a higher 5th gear. I think most guys who do this use the gear from the LS. I'm not too sure about this, but go search the "Type-R" forum at Honda-tech.com. I know that some guys on there have done it. That way you still get the benefit of the short gears down low, but you will have a higher 5th for highway cruising.

Since the R has such a high compression ratio you have to be careful with forced induction. You will need some sort of good fuel and timing managment system. Turbos will produce much higher peak HP. This is good for drag racing acceleration. The Jackson Racing supercharger will not prodce as much HP as a turbo, but it will give more low end torque. This is better for autocross or road racing where you are constantly turning and downshifting into lower RPMs. Some guys use a combination of Nitrous and supercharging. Right now there is no proven intercooler for the supercharger on the market, so the nitrous is used to cool the intake on the supercharger. So the nitrous actually gives a double benefit when used with a supercharger; it increases combustion AND cools the charge like an intercooler. Because of this a 25 shot of nitrous ran through a supercharger works like a 50 shot. Be VERY CAREFUL when running nitrous with a supercharger. Do a lot of research. Go to the "Forced Induction Import" forum at hostboard.com an the "Forced Induction" forum at honda-tech. There is a lot written there on this subject.

Hondata is a nice system, but it is too expensive unless you are going to HIGHLY modify your car. There are other engine management systems out there for a lot less. Lot's of guys use the Apexi VAFC. This will let you tune the fuel curve and vtec engagement point.

The Type-R was one of the best "bang for the buck" deals out there when Honda stopped making them in 2001. I put over 60,000 miles on a supercharged 98 as my daily driver. It was a little loud and bumpy, but every true sportscar is. It was not unbearable. In fact I loved it. Good luck

Wow, thanks. That was really helpful. I'll check out the 5th gear modification. So you supercharged the car yourself? Probably more trouble than it's worth unless I have some extra cash to burn. How was fuel economy after that? Did you ever get a true HP reading after that?

MPG only dropped from around 28 down to 25. The Jackson Racing supercharger has a bypass so that the car does not boost when you are at cruising speed. I never dynoed the car, but with my modified exhaust and 8 psi pulley I figure I was running about 220 to 225 HP at the wheels. (Stock wheel HP is about 160 to 165) I could have gotten a lot more out of it with larger injectors and some tuning.

I must agree with fredtoast, IMO sound proofing is for nerds and old women. I love to hear everything from gear noise, induction noise, exhaust note, and in my case the turbo spooling to peak boost - it's a big part of the experience of driving the type R - sensory perception.