I have been interested in a Type R for a long time but have not found the right one.

I just wanted your review of any noticeable driving differences between the 97 and the 98+ ITRs. I don't mean the exterior changes as I understand Honda made some changes there but rather the driving impression. I also understand that on paper one is better than the other but that is beside the point.

I also want to reiterate that there may be mechanical changes to the engine and performance of the vehicle but over all, are they 2 identical cars with one being just more refined? Or is one car rough around the edges but more of a race car than the other.Do the '97 and '98+ ITR drive the same? Does one handle better than the other? If so which one? And lastly why did you select your Type R?

Thanks!

 

I've owned a 97 and two 01's... they're effectively the same thing, IMO.

Yes, I know the later (00/01 IIRC) cars had a different cam, there is the OBD2a vs. OBD2b thing, standard rear wiper, standard AC, different front and rear bumper covers, different shift ****, different interior faux CF trim, etc but none of that really impacts how the car drives. Same springs/shocks/bars/brakes/diff/tranny/etc...

 

OP, where did you come up with this info at? I suggest you google or check some online resources as there are very few changes between the 97-01 model years.

 

assuming both are kept in good condition, they should drive the same

 

Thanks guys!

Are you confused with the second paragraph of the original post? I understand that there are differences between the JDM and USDM versions.

 

What? Where did you mention anything about "JDM" cars? What are you talking about, exactly? Perhaps you should re-read your original post.

 

Aren't then steering rack ratios different?

 

These are the specs for an 01. USDM market. Jdm is a whole different setup.

Engine Type

1.8-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC' in-line 4-cylinder

Horsepower, SAE Net

195 hp @ 8000 rpm

Torque, SAE Net

130 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm

Redline

8400 rpm

Fuel Cutoff

8500 rpm

VTEC Switchover

5700 rpm

Bore & Stroke

3.19 in x 3.43 in (81 mm x 87.2 mm)

Displacement

110 cu in (1797 cc)

Compression Ratio

10.6 : 1

Induction System

Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with single-port intake manifold

Valvetrain

Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) 4-valves-per-cylinder, belt-driven, dual overhead camshaft

Engine Block

Aluminum alloy with cast-in iron cylinder liners

Cylinder Head

Aluminum alloy

Emission Control

3-way catalytic converter / EACV

Ignition System

Electronic ignition with knock sensor

Alternator

85 amp max

Battery

12V, maintenance-free

Recommended Fuel

Premium Unleaded, 91 octane

Layout

Transverse-mounted, front engine, front-wheel-drive with equal-length drive shafts and limited slip differential

Transmission

5-speed manual

Ratios (:1)1st

3.230

2nd

2.105

3rd

1.458

4th

1.107

5th

0.848

Reverse

3.000

Final

4.400

CHASSIS

Body Type

All-steel unit body

Front Suspension

Independent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar

Rear Suspension

Independent double-wishbone with trailing link, coil springs and stabilizer bar

Shock Absorbers

Gas-pressurized with Acura Progressive Valve technology, front and rear

Stabilizer Bars
Front

0.94 in.
(24 mm) diameter, ball joint type

Rear

0.87 in.
(22 mm) diameter

Steering Type

Variable, power-assisted, rack-and-pinion with rotary-valve steering gear

Steering Ratio

15.7:1

Steering Wheel Turns (lock to lock)

2.85

Turning Circle (curb to curb)

34.8 ft (10.6 m)

Wheels

15 x 6.0 JJ cast-aluminum alloy

Tires

195/55R15 84V Bridgestone RE010

Braking System

Dual-diagonal, power-assisted, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS

Front Discs

Ventilated, 11.1 in (282 mm) diameter; 0.83 in (21 mm) rotor thickness

Rear Discs

Solid, 10.2 in (260 mm) diameter; 0.35 in (9 mm) rotor thickness

Total Swept Area

Front: 1478 cm2 Rear: 1095 cm2

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

3-channel system with 4 wheel speed sensors and electric/hydraulic control unit

 

Here is a 98 steering rack ratio is different.

Horsepower, SAE net

195 hp @ 8000 rpm

Torque, SAE net

130 lbs-ft @ 7500 rpm

Redline

8400 rpm

Fuel Cutoff

8500 rpm

VTEC Switchover

5700 rpm

Bore & Stroke

3.19 in x 3.43 in
(81 mm x 87.2 mm)

Displacement

110 cu in (1797 cc)

Compression Ratio

10.6:1

Induction System

Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with single-port intake manifold

Valvetrain

4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead camshafts driven by a single belt with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC)

Engine Block

Aluminum alloy with cast-in iron cylinder liners

Cylinder Head

Aluminum alloy

Emission Control

3-way catalytic converter / EACV

Ignition System

Electronic ignition with knock sensor

Alternator

85 amp. max.

Battery

12V, maintenance-free

Recommended Fuel

Premium unleaded, 91 octane

Body Type

All-steel unit body

Front Suspension

Independent double-wishbone with coil springs, stabilizer bar

Rear Suspension

Independent double-wishbone with trailing link, coil springs and stabilizer bar

Shock Absorbers

Gas-pressurized with Honda Progressive Valve, front and rear

Stabilizer Bars

.

Front

Ball joint type, 0.94 in (24 mm) diameter

Rear

0.87 in (22 mm) diameter

Steering Type

Variable power-assisted, rack-and-pinion with rotary-valve steering gear

Steering Ratio

16.1:1

Steering Wheel Turns, lock-to-lock

2.98

Turning Circle

34.8 ft
(10.6 m)

Wheels

6.0 JJ x 15 cast-aluminum alloy

Tires

Bridgestone RE010 195/55 R15 84V

Braking System

Dual diagonal, power-assisted,
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS

Front Discs

Ventilated, 11.1 in (282 mm) diameter,
0.83 in (21 mm) rotor thickness

Rear Discs

10.2 in (260 mm) diameter,
.35 in (9 mm) rotor thickness

Swept Area

Front: 1478 cm2
Rear: 1095 cm2

Parking Brake

Disc type, mechanically actuated on rear wheels

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

3-channel system with 4 wheel-speed sensors and electronic/hydraulic control unit

.

.

POWERTRAIN

.

Type

Transverse-mounted front engine/front-wheel drive with equal-length driveshafts

Transmissions

.

Ratios (:1)

1st

3.230

2nd

2.105

3rd

1.458

4th

1.107

5th

0.848

Reverse

3.000

Final Drive

4.400

CAPACITIES

 

I have owned and tracked two 98's, one 01', and now 97'. I never noticed a difference in the steering racks. The bigger difference is removing PS.

 

ive had a 97, 98, 00, 01 and my butt dyno tells me all were the same minus the 01 as it had the intake cam.

 

00-01 both had the same intake cam.