The Evolution of GSRstilez's Integra GS-R

G35stilez

Ari Gold
Hi everyone,

I had a bit of extra time on the computer today to go through some pics. I figured I'd post up a complete evolution of my 1996 Acura Integra GS-R.


I bought my GS-R back in March of '02 from an Insurance Salesman. The car was bone stock except for some faded tint. The car was oxidized and dull, but mechanically perfect. He saved every single maintenace record down to the oil changes. I was very confident and happy with the purchase. Here is a stock photo.

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I wanted to mod quick because there was soo much to do with the car. First thing I researched were rims and lights. I picked up some Motegi MR-7 rims in Gunmetal wrapped with Toyo FZ-4 Z-Rated tires. These rims were the first of their kind (color-wise). I was the ONLY one in the area with them and they were one of the only gunmetal rims available at the time. I complimented them with clear corners and a front plate delete.

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Next was to get a bit more serious. I picked up a set of H&R Race Springs and Progress Camber Kit to lower and stiffen it up. I also purchased a black Grillcraft grille, tinted the corners (35%), windows (20%), and windshield (35%).

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I got tired off rolling on such heavy rims that were slowing me down. I looked for something lighter and decided on the Rota Subzero's in gunmetallic. They were almost 10lbs lighter on each corner and very strong. Along with this, I bought real blacked out corners and blacked out my headlights.

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My gf Liz :)


I began to notice that the lack of care of the paintjob from the previous owner was not doing well. Some spots were getting very thing (clearcoat almost gone) and the color was not completely uniform. I saved up all summer to get the job done and purchased various parts.

I decided to go with the Wings West Racing Series 2 Body Kit and Black Widow Series 1 Spoiler. I also had all of my emblems, rear lock, antenna, front plate holes, and "INTEGRA" engravings on the bumpers shaved. The car was repainted "Cinnabar Red" (PPG Paint), which was slightly lighter than Milano. At the time I had all my dings and such repaired as well.

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In the body shop

I was extremely pleased with the agressive, yet subtle look of my car

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Then I decided to get a little showy. I was tired of my rims and really wanted a polished lip. Searching around, I found a deal on Exel Rims from www.wheelmax.com . I rode on stock for a month and sold my Rota's for the Exel's. The Exel's really complemented the look of the car even more.

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For the winter, I wasn't going to risk my kit. I took of the entire kit and went back to my old original bumpers, skirts, rims, and deleted the spoiler. Oh yeah, painted the stock GSR wheels flat black.

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Along rolled summer and I contemplated the idea of painting my rims to match the rest of my car. After my girlfriend re-assuring me, I sent em over to my body shop and had them painted Cinnabar Red. I was exstatic at the look of them. I left the spoiler off for a little to see how I liked it and put some smoked tails on (courtesy of DVPTeg26)

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Then the unexpected happened. Coming home from a car show, I hit a road mill (2-3 inch cut in the pavement) and bent all 4 rims, broke the drivers side and center axles. I sent the rims out to get fixed and had the car repaired. I had to roll on stock for a little bit but didn't mind it too much.

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Over the few years I've had it, I have also done a bunch of engine mods including:

-AEM Short Ram Intake
-MSD Wires
-Type One Racing 4-2-1 Header
-Carsound Cat
-Spoon N1 Exhaust
-Exedy Organic Racing Clutch
-8.5lb Flywheel
-F+R Upper Strut Bars, Rear Lower Tie Bar
-Fluidyne Radiator
-Engine Grounding Kit

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Now at the end of the season this year I wanted a couple more subtle mods. I had the front bumper repainted because I scuffed it up from riding on stock rims. It also got hit while getting repaired. While being painted, I had the license plate hardware deleted and moved my plate to mount on the front radiator support. I painted my calipers silver to match the lip of the rims and polished all of my lighting. The side mirrors were also re-sprayed.


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Thanks for reading, enjoy, and post all of your comments :)
 
Great writeup Sean. Your car is probably the best looking Integra I've seen. Not ricey, but a very sporty, keep it real style. Nice.

What really complements the looks of the car is just how clean it is. No Emblems, mouldings, no nothing.

I like the way it looks now the best by far. You have one really nice car.

Don't mind me asking, but how much would it cost to outfit myself with a Teg with all the stuff you have on it now? I'm curious since I'll be looking to buy a car pretty soon, and an Integra is on my list.

Awesome photos! :bigups
 
Thanks for sharing the deal with us. I've been broke, but I'll soon do some modding to mine and this is a great way to look and appreciate one's own work and creativity. Looks Awesome!
 
Thanks everyone :)

Porkanbeans: I really appreciate it :D. I'd say I've put over $7000 into her, but then again 3 sets of rims are added in there. The main things you see are rims/tires (about $1400), full repaint and body kit ($1700), suspension mods ($1000), and lighting (about $150). Hope this helps.
 
Wow. I thought it'd take a lot more than that to mod it up to the bitchin' status yours is at. An Integra really seems to be a reasonable car to play around with without having to worry about reliability and such.

Thanks for sharing that info :).
 
Sean , I know I won't be the last to tell you this but that's a really nice Teg you got there:shift :bigups, good work and thanks for sharing

Just curious, what car would you get next ?
 
GSRstilez said:
Thanks everyone :)

The main things you see are rims/tires (about $1400), full repaint and body kit ($1700), suspension mods ($1000), and lighting (about $150). Hope this helps.

GSR,
Where in the heck did you get a paint job that looks that nice for $1700?!?! I checked the local shop around here that does some excellent work with top notch (so I have been told) Sikkens paint. Low estimate for my 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T was $3500-4000 :eek . He estimated it would most likely be around $6k. This is with taking all of the panels off to wrap the paint around the edges, etc. If I cuold get my car done like your for $1700, I would do it in a heartbeat!!
 
Porkanbeans: Not to mention reliable :)

The Chee: I was thinking of a new Acura TL or Infiniti FX35, but that's more than a year away.

rockford: The kit was $550 and the paint was around $1100 (includes shaving, dent removal, and a full 3-stage paint job). He also wetsanded, compounded, and buffed the whole vehicle after doing and warranty's all of his work. I am very close with my body guy and he does all of the vehicles in my family. I have brought him soo much business that I lost track. If you are serious about getting a repaint and you can make it to NY, it will be worthwhile. PM me if you'd like more info :)


Thanks for all the compliments everyone :)
 
Sean, that was a STEAL on the body work, Man!

What all did you do to the lights when you polished them? I need to do some work to MY lights. Did the polishing clear them up? U know how Teg lights can yellow from UV...

I'm not all that sure about the red wheels.....but everything else looks AWESOME, Man! That paint is SICK!

I know you'll keep up the good work.
 
that was a steal on the bodywork and looking good as always, i love the red wheels to, it makes your car so original and shows a tastefull personality :bigups
 
Silver97Bull: Cinnabar is only a TOUCH lighter than Milano :)

CRock77: I have a write up over at TI how to do it (plastic refinishing). Thanks :)

scottlee and zesty: Thank you :)
 
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