Project Flashback: 1992 Integra built with Old-School Parts

In 1993, my buddies and I made one of our many trips to the Del Amo Mall in Torrance, CA. It was Summertime, so we didn't have jack to do but go play video games at Aladdin's Castle (name of the arcade in the mall, I swear). My buddy Ener would beat the snot out of us at Sega Virtua Racing. Fifteen years young, we were all big race fanatics, but out of our original six, none of us were old enough to drive--so we were either rocking a Diamondback or the latest Hawk Pro model. Due to the 90-degree sunny so-cal heat, we decided to get a ride. As we all piled out of the 89 Caravan that dropped us off, we saw three cars roll by, all with "big" 16-inch wheels, slammed stances, and polished mufflers. I never had noticed a lowered Honda until that day. We all collectively waited for them to park and go inside the mall. Pink Panther music blazing in my head, I tip-toed up to the trio of cars: 1991 Civic 4dr, 1991 Civic Si, and a 1992 Integra, aka DA (remember, this is 1993, so these cars were relatively new). The Civics both belonged to one of the first import-based car clubs in Southern California, "Devine Wind", as evidenced by the caps-lock Lucida-like decals on the side windows. Yeah, Divine Wind (if you don't know, you didn't grow up in So Cal, and let me be the first to issue an apology). While my buddies were checking out the Civics, my eyes, all four of `em, were tractor-beamed to the Integra. The first thing that I checked out were the wheels. They had six split spokes, complete with rivets and a nice polished lip. I stuck my head under the car to check out the polished exhaust. Sebring Tuning was indented in the muffler and etched on the 4-inch resonated tip--and my memory. That moment, I came to the realization that I had a chronic drooling problem as evidenced by the puddle under the DA's rear bumper. I also realized that I had to have a one.

So Did You Finally Get It?
Fast forward to 1995, and with the help of Mommy and Daddy, I bought the car that captivated the realistic hemisphere of my brain (the Frosted Mini-Wheat side that brought out the kid in me wanted an Acura NSX). It was a 1990 Integra 2-dr RS. It took me 6 months to save for my first mods: 15-inch take-offs from the 1994/1995 Integra GS-R and a fresh set of Intrax lowering springs. For $700 ($500 for the wheels/tires and $200 for the springs), the performance of the parts completely surpassed my expectations. The tires were Michelin XGT V4s (sized 195/55) and when coupled with the Intrax springs, tucked neatly under each fender giving my DA that infamous one-finger gap. I was stoked.

So Now What?
Oh how things have changed. It seems like kids today gun for the priciest parts possible, programmed to think that they really need them. Financial Aid checks help to float the cost of their $1500 coilovers that they don't know how to adjust, $2000 wheels and tires, and $700 exhaust systems. These products are purchased for street cars. I've driven a few cars equipped with the mods mentioned above--honestly, they aren't as fun as the cars built back in '94, especially when you consider the fact that you could have done a lot more to your car with the money spent on the aforementioned mods.

What happened to the days when a set of lowering springs and factory-fresh alloys fit the bill? They're gone. It seems that Madison Avenue has corrupted the minds of our automotive youth by promising Chanel 5 Grandeur. Criticism aside, I plan on trying to revive the styles, parts, and trends of the early nineties. Project Flashback will address modifications that were money back in 1994. No coilovers that we don't know how to adjust, no 19-inch made in China wheels, and no $650 Titanium Exhaust Systems that net 7 hp. The mods will be simple, affordable, and most importantly, they will contribute to better daily-driven street performance.

Just the other day, my buddies Mark and Eric were eating lunch while discussing how cars in the 90's were so out of control. Between bites of his Tuna Nicoise Melt, he stopped mid-chomp to reminisce on how dope PIAA 959's with the "Ion" lenses were. Remember PIAA 959's? Well, Project Flashback is gettin' a pair. I'm bringing them back. Sebring mufflers? I'm going to try. Work RS Beta SV's? You betcha. Our budget is $8000, which includes the cost of the car, so this buildup will not be unreasonable by any stretch of the imagination...

Gotcha!
After searching the Recycler Classifieds, I opted for what else? A 1992 Integra LS. It took me 2 weeks to find, and it was well worth the wait. It's a 1992 2-dr LS, fully loaded. This car is going to be daily driven, so it had to have A/C, power windows, and most importantly, power mirrors because I can't parallel park as well as Nads. The car only has 113,000 miles on the clock. The body and paint are in really good shape, especially when you consider the fact that the 92-93 Integras had poor quality paint because they were susceptible to the EPA's more stringent mandate for chemical composition. The interior is another story. The original owner that I bought the car from was an ER Nurse. It looks as if he had transported the bloodied and battered patients in this very car due to all the dark brown and reddish marks on the carpet. Or they could be dookie stains. I hope not. Anyhow, the Bissell steam cleaner at Home Depot probably won't be up to the task of saving it, so we've already busy sourcing a replacement.

Here are our plans:

Part 2: EBC Rotors + Pads + Techna-Fit Stainless Brake Lines
Part 3: KONI Yellow Shocks + Eibach Sportline Springs
The parts necessary for the stories below have yet to be chosen...
Part 4: Wheels and Tires
Part 5: Intake, Header, and Exhaust System
Part 6: Sport Seats, Short Shifter, and Steering Wheel
Part 7: Exterior mods and Lighting

Check back with SuperStreetOnline on the dates listed above for installation articles and performance appraisals on the products installed on our Project Flashback.