ST (Street) and GT (Track) - The Universal Car!

[phoenixZ33]

In my never ending quest to have the perfect car that can be driven to work, autocrossed and taken on the track, I stumbled upon this car by accident. I've been longing for a 97 or 98 Championship White Integra Type R since, well, 1997, and the time was right so I jumped on this one with really no evil intentions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typer8.jpg

The car sat in the Autotrader since August for an insane amount of money, with the note that the owner is leaving the country and needs to sell ASAP. I found it in April after several price reductions, called the owner and gave a lowball offer. A week later she called back, said the actual owner lived in Europe and had to get rid of the car (like three months ago), so my offer was accepted.

I've been looking forever for the ideal car that is fun to drive on the street, fun on the track, fun for autocross and very competitive in the latter two categories. I thought the S2000 would be the car.. but it wasn't. It wasn't fast enough for NASA TTC and any power upgrades would be half the price of the car itself. It wasn't practical for the street either. I picked up the R and haven't looked back. The car is a 1998 model year with 96K miles and a stack of service receipts tall enough to make even the oldest Fiat owner jealous. Every oil change, every tire change, tire rotations, windshields.. ten years of religious documentation. The car had normal wear for being ten years old, but overall is in pretty damn good shape.

I swore I'd never take the Type R on the track.. that was until the Science of Speed S2000 blew up 10 minutes before the UMS Time Attack on May 24th, so the Championship White Integra R had to go to battle. With no prep, no practice laps and 195/15 Dunlop street tires, I took the R out on course and ran a 1:14.7 on the first lap, breaking the NASA TTE track record by a second.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typer3.jpg

Gears started turning.. "1:14 huh? Maybe this thing could be competitive in NASA TT..." And it was *awesome* on track.. excellent brakes, stiff chassis, great feedback, very neutral handling.. the car is probably the best handling OEM car I've ever driven. Actually, without a doubt it's the best car. The Type R fits perfectly into NASA TTE. It has already beat the FIR Main track record, with the PIR record of 1:14.0 soon to come. I can run Hoosiers in TTE, so I don't see that time being much of a problem.

Next up for my strict "ideal car" screening process is checking how the car fares at a Solo event. According to many, the Integra Type R is *the car* to have for D Stock Solo. Given I spent two years in an uncompetitive B Stock 350Z and a year in an uncompetitive 240SX in Street Mod, I couldn't resist trying out the Type R.

First order of business: Find out who is running what class, find the biggest class, talk tons of shit to get everyone riled up on the Solo forum. I quickly found the jackpot: The Street Tire 2 category made up of similar prep cars, all running on street tires. I figured if I couldn't beat all these chumps, it was never meant to be.

http://www.azsolo.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7323

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typersolo.jpg

The first Solo event for the Type R was the "Mirrorkhana" special event in early May. This event was different in that there were two identical courses side by side, drivers line up, launch drag race style, then cars take off and whoever crosses the line first, wins. No timers, no PAX factors.. there are handicaps based on the class of the vehicle.

Results were scored in a bracket style format, like a sports tournament, using double eliminations. I lost in the first round to a guy in a Lotus Elise.. from there I drove as if I had something to lose, and beat five guys in a row (some of which were in the trash talking thread on the forum) to end up inthe finals against the same Lotus.. and lost again. Either way, it was a good showing for the first time out and gave me some good ammo for the smack talk threads.

http://www.azsolo.com/Final_Brackets.xls

The first event of the summer series was last Sunday at FIR. All the buildup on the forum came down to this event. The ST2 category had all the major players from the forum shit talk thread, most of which were running in the same group at the same time. Of the 12 drivers in ST2, I took an easy win with a 925 PAX, blowing away all the shit talkers from the forum. And on top of that, the Type R was so awesome around the course, Solo was fun again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typer2-1.jpg

Having passed all the tests, it's time to list out the mods. I broke it up into two categories - "ST", which is my street trim/Solo car setup, and "GT" which is my track/Time Trial setup. Both are similar, but I'll talk about each setup separately in this thread.

Chillin at the DEZOD Time Attack with Paul Bloomberg.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typerdezod2.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

The first setup for my car is my ST, or street trim setup, which will be used for daily commuting, radio listening, fuel economy getting and Solo winning. The Solo rulebook allows the following mods for the D Stock class:

-Wheels with the same diameter/width as stock, offset within 1/4"
-Any R Compound tire
-Any Cat-back exhaust
-Any shock
-Replacement air filter

Of course, none of this shit is installed, but considering some of the ridiculous buildups I've done in the past (see the BMW thread), acquiring the parts to make a top D Stock car seemed easy.. and took about 12 minutes. I'll go down the list in order and show you how I "tackled" each mod.

Two days after buying the car, I bought a set of Koni Yellow shocks and installed them. I don't have any pics, but it's not that interesting..

May 26th - 1/2 Price at the Chandler Pick and Pull! AKA, perfect time to find the ideal Type R wheel for D Stock.

Apparently the stock Type R wheels, despite weighing like 9lbs each, are too heavy for the hardcore Solo experts. After doing some research (or emailing Brian Peters), the Mazda Millena 15x6 wheel is the one of choice for the car and class. I searched around online a bit and found a dozen or so of them at the Pick and Pull... and let me tell you what a madhouse this place is on 1/2 off day!

Aside from waiting in line for 20 hours, people were high fiving me for picking up some "hot chrome wheels", and the place was otherwise a complete fucking mess. I have never seen so many people buy so much useless old junk from a parts yard.

Don't mind the dirty wheels and the balloon tires. I found a few sets of the Millenia wheels, but most were dented and had bad curb rash. Using my calibrated arm, I weighed the chrome *perfect condition* wheels (in the pic) vs. the standard non-chrome wheels and I couldn't feel the difference... so bling chrome autocross wheels it is.

They ain't pretty and I don't expect any advantage if there's a real weight difference, but I needed a second set of wheels, and these were $7 each since it was 1/2 off day. score...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typermillenia.jpg

Paul Bloomberg has been unemployed for about the last five years, so he stopped by the junkyard and met me, carrying a pretty good set of 225 autocross Hoosiers. Two of them are really good, the other two are pretty worn out. Either way, it's a start.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typerhoosier.jpg

I don't think there is much to be gained from an exhaust, so I was picky in picking one out.. if I was to do one at all. I ran across this Fujistubo exhaust on a forum and it looked really nice. I'm trying to avoid the big tip look and the Fujitsubo was perfect.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/typerfuji.jpg

On the scales, the Type R was just under 2600lbs. That's a 1/2 tank, full interior with spare tire, stock wheels, stock exhaust, etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/scales3.jpg

Don't pay too much attention to the corner weights, the ground isn't even close to level.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/scales.jpg

So there you have it for the ST setup. Next up is the list of mods for NASA TT, aka, the "GT" setup. It's getting late so I'll post that info tomorrow.

[crzyjulius]

Very nice!! You never fail to out do yourself!

[kev]

So what's going on with the S2000? It sounds like it has no purpose in your garage, heh.

I think a DS ITR would be hellafun.

[phoenixZ33]

So what's going on with the S2000? It sounds like it has no purpose in your garage, heh.

I think a DS ITR would be hellafun.

I sold the S2000 already.. I'm hoping to make it down to Tucson next weekend to try out the Hoosiers for the first time. I need to order up some rear tires, but then I'll be ready to go.

[speedblind]

Funny you landed on a Type R. I have a friend that owned a Championship White Type R as his first "real" car and the one that got him into Autocross, track days, etc. He's since owned a 95 M3 and an FD RX-7, but he still talks about that car.

Good choice, and keep us posted on the build. Always fun to see what you do with the cars you buy.

[pill pusher]

Awesome write up Brady! Good luck to you. I'm sure you will break all those records easily. My name is first on the list to buy it from you when you are sick of it. I always wanted one too. That's the best color too.

[skilit]

Wow that's awesome, good read!

[kev]

I'm running out of internet today, please hurry up and post the GT specs.

[phoenixZ33]

I'm running out of internet today, please hurry up and post the GT specs.

you are gonna have to wait!

[kev]

bummer

[J0oftheworld]

I used to smoke some guy on a 270 loop on-ramp evAry morning on my way to class! ITR > C5 vette, he'd try his balls off too.. :D

[phoenixZ33]

bummer

not to worry, i never disappoint! just waiting in a few parts that should arrive tonight. i want to have full pics

[pickinicholas]

Nice find! Hope it doesn't get stolen...

[Eunos]

So what's going on with the S2000?
Yeah, the s2k's been gone for awhile....thought you remembered why he sold that. ;)

Nice find! Hope it doesn't get stolen...
Not cool to post...

All that said, this is a great car that should be fast in both arenas, so long as Brady doesn't do some stupid mod and screw classing.

[phoenixZ33]

Nice find! Hope it doesn't get stolen...

getting stolen is easier than trying to sell it! but yeah, i've been waiting to put info up until I got my garage finished.. which doesn't make sense because i have been keeping the car in someone else's garage, but anyways.

[phoenixZ33]

so long as Brady doesn't do some stupid mod and screw classing.

don't worry, i think you'll find my multi-setup approach attractive, but not dangerous as to screw up my chances to have an equally competitive track and Solo car at the same time. i have it all planned out.. just waiting on a shipment today, which is *key*.

[Max Power]

Brady's title should be something of the effect that he is continually buying slower and slower cars as he progresses.

240 -> BMW -> S2k -> ITR

I suspect the next vehicle will be some sort of moped that he will dominate TTA in or something. Maybe use a Briggs and Stratton engine in a Fiat500? ;)

[phoenixZ33]

Brady's title should be something of the effect that he is continually buying slower and slower cars as he progresses.

240 -> BMW -> S2k -> ITR

I suspect the next vehicle will be some sort of moped that he will dominate TTA in or something. Maybe use a Briggs and Stratton engine in a Fiat500? ;)

i was thinking about getting an EVO next.. so your theory is correct!

i'm hoping the ITR will at least be as fast as the S2000 was.

[kev]

Still no garage door?

Nice burn on the evo there ;)

[phoenixZ33]

Still no garage door?

Nice burn on the evo there ;)

so the guy finished the carport, but he made it 7' wide, instead of the 8' i asked for. he had to come back and widen the opening before i could order the door. he finally made it down last saturday, so i went to Lowe's and ordered the door on Sunday. it's supposed to be installed by the 24th. ugh. either way, it'll be nice to have a garage finally

and that burn stays, until Alberto goes out in his EVO and beats my lap time in the Type R. ouch!

[Max Power]

Your shit talking holds no merit here because you could run a faster time in your 96k mile stock ITR on street tires than I could run in my Evo on Hoosiers. But in theory I should be faster. I'm an engineer... we use qualifiers like perfect sphere, in a vacuum or neglecting wind resistance/friction. I get to make the rules.

Plus the ladies love blue.

[91s13]

we are on our way to san diego to pick up the gt parts. Brady is takin lots of pics too.

[kev]

30 mins until the "tomorrow" is over. Brady is being a post tease.

I officially ran out of internet today :(

[phoenixZ33]

30 mins until the "tomorrow" is over. Brady is being a post tease.

I officially ran out of internet today :(

formatting pics right now.. hang in there buddy!

[pickinicholas]

Yeah, the s2k's been gone for awhile....thought you remembered why he sold that. ;)


Not cool to post...

All that said, this is a great car that should be fast in both arenas, so long as Brady doesn't do some stupid mod and screw classing.

I didn't mean to be dick... Type R's have a high theft rate (like you probably know)

[phoenixZ33]

Type R's have a high theft rate (like you probably know)

trust me, i know!

[phoenixZ33]

I'm about as tired as it can possibly get, so I'll try and make this somewhat interesting. As you know, a clean 98 Type R is pretty hard to come by these days, so I am trying my best - which for me is REALLY tough - to keep the modifications in check and keep it legal for DS, while at the same time, have a car that's fun to drive and competitive for NASA TT. Regardless of how awesome the car feels on track, it's still about five seconds slower than any of my friend's cars, so not modifying the car to catch up to everyone, is painful. That being said, I need to get a few critical parts to make the "GT" setup effective.

I found the parts I needed, but they were in San Diego. Given this weekend is Father's Day and next weekend has the autocross in Tucson, I didn't know when to go. Going to San Diego during the week is a real pain in the ass, but when you have someone like Jason Beatty around - a guy who can drive for 50-60 hours straight without sleep - the task becomes more realistic. I asked Jason if he was up for the trip, offering Denny's and bottomless Diet Cokes in return, and he enthusiastically said "there is nothing more I would rather do a on Wednesday night, than drive to San Diego and back, then go to work the next day." At 4:12pm on June 11th, 2008, we departed from Stanfield with San Diego only 327 miles away.

I brought my Redneck Navigation system with so we wouldn't get lost along the way.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd1.jpg

Now, here I was, trying to make the best of a real shitty situation.. driving all day, driving all night.. only the thought of this turning into a real adventure kept me going through the night. Somehow I failed to realize just how boring the drive to San Diego down I-8 really is.

Yup
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd3.jpg

Gila Bend City Hall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd2.jpg

Yup
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd4.jpg

Consult the Redneck Navigation - yup, still on course.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd5.jpg

FINALLY, some kind of excitement - Yuma, AZ. Home of the largest military proving grounds in the USA, a whole shitload of people with missing teeth, 1/2 off senior lunch specials and the Denny's at Exit 2. Don't mind the car trailer.. we're picking up *a lot* of parts. :P
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd6.jpg

Sitting in Denny's with Jason, the thought definitely stirred in the back of my mind.. "will he? will he not? do you think?" As I ordered my chicken fried steak and eggs, I anxiously awaited Jason's order. I can see Erin and Alberto laughing hysterically at their computers right now. If you've been on any racing trip with The Crew, whether it's to Arroyo Seco, GT Live in Utah or whatever, you know the history behind Jason's infamous dinner choices.

And here it is ladies and gentlemen, the International Symbol of Freedom: The Bacon Cheeseburger
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/061108_18591.jpg

If you happen to read this as the last post, please don't reply till I'm finished.. I want all the replies to line up together. thanks

[phoenixZ33]

Yuma is "The Thing" of Arroyo Seco trips - it's the halfway point between Phoenix and San Diego.. roughly. After watching Jason devour his bacon cheeseburger, we ordered celebratory (not sure what we're celebrating.. perhaps the fact that we made it out of Yuma without being asked to Squeal Like a Pig!) chocolate milkshakes and started driving.

Still, nothing to report.. like, deadness for another two hours. To sum up the remaining 150 miles, this is what I saw:

A house burning down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd8.jpg

and an F18 doing touch and go
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd9.jpg

We got to the border patrol station and I practiced my Canadian accent...

Border Patrol: Are you a US Citizen?
Me: Excuse me eh, what exactly is this all abooot?
Border Patrol: Just checking your vehicle
Me: Don't mind Jason hunched over in the back seat with a Sombrero, that's totally normal
Border Patrol: Have a nice day sir.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd10.jpg

-5137 Illegal Immigrant arrests
-13 DUI arrests
-6092lbs of pot confiscated (probably smoked in that house that was on fire)

Fun game for two people while driving: 1. Find a Spanish radio station. 2. Turn it up as loud as possible. First person to change the station, loses.

Jason and I are so tolerant of just about anything, the radio station lost reception before a winner could be declared. To start the game again, I turned up a preaching by Joel Osteen, only for the reception to fade out again.

Obligatory pic of Joel Osteen
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/lilravere/prosperity_osteen.jpg

Other fun driving games:

-Name that Symphony Orchestra on 97.7FM
-How many times can you say "Fucking RB" without laughing
-Pick a number between 1 and 30. Then count the number of consecutive Spanish radio stations in a row. Whoever had the closest number, wins.

I forgot why we were going to San Diego.

[phoenixZ33]

Time for lunch, I'll be right back to finish up this story.

In the meantime, here's a pretty sunset picture for Erin and Alberto to share and cuddle with
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd7.jpg

[phoenixZ33]

So we arrived in San Diego after about 12 different border check stations. We pulled up to some shady dude's house in the ghetto and loaded up the goods into the truck and left. I had to use the bathroom *really* bad, so we found this Wal Mart in the middle of town.

Wal Mart in a shopping mall - that's how they do it in San Diego.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd13.jpg

After that it was a quick stop at AM/PM to fill up @ $4.65gallon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd12.jpg

Wait.. wtf is THAT? Since you asked, it's a 2000 Integra Type R! I can't tell you what the serial number is because the console was stolen, along with the engine/transmission/seats/wing and about 90 other parts, but it's "all" there otherwise. Fresh off the auto auction lot in Tijuana, I found this theft recovery online a week or two ago and decided that the only thing better than one Type R, is a pair of Type Rs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd11.jpg

Now, you didn't think I was gonna take that pristine '98 Type R and modify it beyond recognition, did you? No way.. I'm too dumb for that, it's much easier just to buy another Type R and build that up into a track car... aka, the GT car. And that is how I'm gonna have a Type R for the track, and another for autocross. It'll probably take 12 years to finish the GT car, but years I have.. another mint white '98 Type R I don't!

So there you have it, all two of you that were waiting, finally have an answer. I'm too tired to be excited about it right now.. I need to get home, take it off the trailer and see how much of a mess I'm in for.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd14.jpg


And the rest of the drive back sucked.. we got back around 4:30am.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/sd15.jpg

[kev]

lol, that is a lot of parts

[pickinicholas]

Nice, sounds like a fun trip!

[RufusAZ]

Does it still have the aluminum suspension bits special to the R?

[Max Power]

You sure it's a type-r? Looks like a shell with 4 lug hubs up front to me! :)

How's the spec-v coming?

Bacon cheeseburger!

HUH?!!

[wgnths]

bacon cheeseburger!!!!!


two type r's....

[J0oftheworld]

Looks like it doesn't have an engine in it.. and ya, 4lug!?

[pill pusher]

That is going to be an awesome combo. Almost like the Sturla's garage LOL! Can't wait to see Brady kick ass in those cars. Hope you get that GT car done soon. maybe I should get a white left had drive Evo to add to my collection just to be like Brady!

[Max Power]

If you're looking to build an Evo, there's a guy selling a damaged one with a clean title locally. If I had a little more loot to throw around I'd probably build that so I could keep my pretty car on the street.

[kev]

If you're looking to build an Evo, there's a guy selling a damaged one with a clean title locally. If I had a little more loot to throw around I'd probably build that so I could keep my pretty car off the street.

Fixed that for you ;)

[Max Power]

Fixed that for you ;)

I cannot refute your claim :)

[kev]

Brady,

What's the plan for this car? Stock ITR powertrain? I'm guessing ksport coilovers. Big ebay rear wing...

[phoenixZ33]

Does it still have the aluminum suspension bits special to the R?
the only thing Type R specific that's missing from the suspension (aside from the hubs/brakes) are the rear lower control arms, and i have a spare set of those.

[phoenixZ33]

Looks like it doesn't have an engine in it.. and ya, 4lug!?

shit, i didn't notice that.. i better call the guy up and ask for my money back!

it was stolen.. everything is fucking missing. some jackass probably put it up on stands, then swapped everything over from his Civic, then pushed the Type R out into the street. it has Civic hubs, brakes and control arms, so that's my guess.

[phoenixZ33]

How's the spec-v coming?



it's almost done actually.. some dude at my work has a shop in ghetto phoenix and it's over at his place. it has a full interior, normal suspension, wheels/tires and all the body work. the engine runs on 2 cylinders, so he's deciding what to do next.

[RufusAZ]

the only thing Type R specific that's missing from the suspension (aside from the hubs/brakes) are the rear lower control arms, and i have a spare set of those.

Nice. I remember when I had my slow ass Integra LS i wanted R control arms bad... and you have a spare set lying around. crazy.

Can't wait to hear about the powerplant.

[phoenixZ33]

Can't wait to hear about the powerplant.

it won't be exciting! i am probably just going to buy a Type R front clip and swap everything over.

[J0oftheworld]

RHD JDM Clip fo sho!!

[phoenixZ33]

RHD JDM Clip fo sho!!

maybe if i'm lucky, i'll find some old chopsticks under the carpet! super JDM! my friend got an S13 clip and he found some japanese dude's wallet in the glovebox... it even had like 500yen in the change pocket.

[phoenixZ33]

Here's a pic from the autocross in Tucson yesterday. I ran race tires on the ITR for the first time. I will upload all my pics and give details later tonight/tomorrow, since I'm sure everyone is dying to know.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/Integra/DSC_26052.jpg

[pill pusher]

Yahoooo!!! Look at that three wheelin!!! You probably won with your a/c running.LOL

[Cobalt_Supercharged]

That is a nice pic.

[kev]

Autocross is for sissies!

[kev]

I was just kidding.

<--- eagerly waiting for updates (still running out of interweb)

[Kidloco51]

Glad to see your not molesting the 98.