We just want to talk. Just kidding: We want to DRIVE it!

A Tribute to the 90’s Modified Import Car Scene

This is a real gem found on Bring-A-Trailer. Slathered in original, beautiful Milano Red, this 1992 Integra GS-R is such a well built tribute to the modified import car scene of the 90’s. There were certainly wilder, and more outrageous builds (huge wings & aftermarket fiberglass bumpers) in that era, but many other tuners from our time hit the streets with a well-balanced and clean ride like this one.

Both the Wings West Spoiler and one-piece JDM headlights were highly sought after parts in that day. They scream subtle smoothness, and complete the original aesthetic desired by our Honda forefathers in Japan. No doubt that the 92-93 Acura refresh is on full display here, with the wider, redesigned front bumper being a real visual bridge to the 94+ DC-Integra.

I personally have not seen this chassis with these specific 17″ SSR Type F wheels, but the larger size was common to fill the larger wheel-wells (especially vs the smaller EF-Civic of the same period). Stance and ride height are absolutely on-point, as OG Tokico Illumina’s “whites” and slip-on coilovers with adjustable perches handles the bumps and potholes. Remember? Years before “full coilovers” were affordable, tuners of the day had to mix and match different shocks/springs/coils to find the optimal setup. Rounding out the suspension are Energy Suspension bushings, and Suspension Technique sway bars—both from companies we repeatedly saw in full-page ads of Import Tuner.

Powered by the “Black Sheep” DOHC VTEC B17A

Not nearly as popular as the ubiquitous B16 or B18 (both VTEC and non-VTEC) variants, the B17A1 powering this generation Integra was known across the Honda-Acura world as the “blacksheep” DOHC VTEC engine. (Well, that’s what we called it on superhonda.com, g2ic.com and honda-tech.com)! It was produced in such low numbers—about 4,000 in existence, “hand assembled” in Japan—that as decades passed, the smaller B16 and more mass produced B18 versions became the must-have (and easier-to-find) 4-cylinder DOHC VTEC versions.

In fact, the 1992-1992 Integra GS-R was one of the first in the USA to feature VTEC, as the 1.7 spun its little heart to an 8,000 rpm redline. (It was just a year earlier in 1991, that DOHC VTEC technology was introduced in the jaw-dropping supercar, the 1991 Acura NSX).

The builder of this red beauty reached down into their 90’s bag of tricks and is sporting a Drag Generation 2 turbo kit—definitely top sh*t back in the day. That uber-popular MSD ignition box is here as well, with Nology spark plug wires. To top it all off… this DOHC VTEC masterpiece is sporting an ultra rare must-have…. a real life, authentic Mugen valve cover! (These are now a tad bit expensive lol. Folks on the Facebook Mugen FS/WTB Group are seeing them go for $5000 to $10000!)

Simpler Times: A Simple Interior

No touchscreens, no cupholders! The original analog gauge cluster is flanked by 5 additional AutoMeter pieces. We spy boost, fuel and oil pressure cleverly and cleanly cut into the glovebox. That’s a classic two-tone Momo wheel of course, and comfy Integra leathers that aren’t cut up or beat to crap.

Actually, one piece of tech for these models, that was probably too future-forward. Those dang automatic seatbelts.

Classic, OG Details only Gen-X’ers Notice

We spotted several OG parts on this build. Did we miss any?

• Nakamichi speakers
• OBX dead pedal
• OEM car cover
• Original booklet plus service manual
• OEM leather seats

Salute to the seller for an awesome build, and the lucky buyer who we know is enjoying every bit of their childhood dream car!