I suppose this is a good start as any for a constant progression thread of my Integra which serves me to point out what this will be and what it will NOT be. What this is: several things really, garage kept but she’s always dirty, Daily Driver, Grocery getter, occasional HPDE (been a couple years) and Guinea pig because I’m a total DIYer/tinkerer.

What this is NOT: a show, wire tuck, engine bay shave, time attack, hard-parker, washed often thread.

‘97 ABP Integra that I’ve dubbed, “DB7Teen”, as to why I’ll get to it in a bit.

She stared life as an automatic but as of several yrs. ago is manual with a B20/“R”LSD GSR trans. She’s kinda rough but we’re working on that little by little. I’ll let the pics do the talking and Oh I’ll be tossing some TIG welding stuff here and there as well.





This has taken soo much of my time. I cleaned out all of the heater/AC boxes and replaced all the foam inside and out. Evap core and all A/C related parts are new minus the bay hardlines. I’ll post pics and part numbers of the foam so y’all know what to get, if your interested.

LSD and Coffee are a great mix!




Redoing my gauges with all new materials.

Foam on the vent doors

And how ‘bout some Mayhem?!

And Track Life too!!


And since progress takes time this here thread will be as such... taking time, taking yours and I’ll be taking mine.

 

Gauges gauge gauges! After removing/installing the dash I noticed how bad my wiring was and I needed to address that. I don’t know if I want to post a before pic because it was ugly but here’s what I’m working on.
Prosport for oil and water temp, and Autometer for Oil psi, and Boost.
All new wire/wire harness/pins/connectors (some are used) and will be connected as OEM looking as possible.

 

Took a break from wiring and decided to tackle these bad boys!

After many hours spent aligning and realigning I finally got them right. I’ll have have pics of that later.

For now just this.

I used Eastwood 2K aerosol for primer and paint which is hot rod black, I also painted the little mounting bolts too. No sense in having shiny bolts when nothing else on it really shines! Lol

Just waiting for them to dry so I can install them.

 

Here they are installed. had to snap a pic after washing her after months of washing negligence.
Since everyone likes wet and soapy pics, enjoy!

I was supposed to install my fender liners but I ran outta steam, AZ is miserably hot even in the shade.







Gauge wiring.
I decided to put the connectors onto the fuse panel since there is a clip/provision for extra connectors. It’s OEM looking and cleans up the install.
Top connector: Signal and ground
bottom connector: Switched +12v and illumination.

I ran out heat shrink for the sleeve but it’s on its way!



This was a before pic 🤮

 

Onto the next things on the list... A/C
A must in AZ
Since I replaced the entire under dash components and foam seals, it's time to move onto the exterior lines/hoses-A/C compressor
In an effort to gain some room for a 2.5" down pipe for the Greddy 18g I'm working with, I'm replacing some A/C Legos with others that fit better for my setup.
*CRV/D16 Denso compressor (New)
*OEM O-rings (all)
*2000 CRV discharge hose
*EG/EK Civic suction hose, these will allow me to run a CRV/D16 compressor with a CRV bracket of course.
I cleaned all the lines with brake cleaner, then ran H2o through them, then hit 'em with compressed air.











And this other thing too.
Its my first time messing around with this cope business, the first couple of pics are how I started.
4 point trunk bar which may or may not turn into a tower bar as well, material is cheap enough... dunno

I regret hitting the sides of the mounting tube with a flap disc, I was supposed to just clean it up with a red scotch brite pad, but I do have more material If i decide to replace it.

This is what I'm working on.

 

Snapped some pics while ordering pizza.

 

A/C reinstalled and waiting to get recharged, so why not fiddle with turbo stuff while I’m at it.

Simple bracket out of flat aluminum just to see how it’ll sit.








I think I might make a bottom bracket as well, although the top brackets should support it just fine... dunno.

 

I dont feel like statistic anymore... I finally have working A/C again.
I don't know how many 90'era Honda's have working A/C here in AZ but I know its not many.

However, I have to find a solution about the intercooler taking up all the front grill real estate, I think I have to make ducting from the intercooler to condenser/radiator, not very much air is making it to the other cooling devices.
Starting this week Ill also begin welding all my aluminum charge pipes and finally decide on a BOV.

 

On my way to pick up dinner the other night my car suddenly died, I though it was out of fuel but after I pushed I t back home I checkEd for spark and no dice, so I brought out my hand dandy FSM and Multimeter and found the culprit to be the ignition coil... replaced it and she fired right up.

And here’s a pic of how to test your coil if anyone is wondering.




Also,
I’m going to trade my brother my 2.25” 5zigen Fireball muffler for his 3” Vibrant muffler.
I never wanted to part with the muffler but since I’m turbocharging my Integra it’s probably a good idea to have a better flowing 2.5” exhaust.
The plan is to have a 2.5” down pipe to muffler which would be 2.5-3” stainless steel exhaust.

 

Very satisfying seeing ABP DBs around ... Diggin’ that Mayhem core support crash bar too

 

Thx man!
I love them too, Ive been on the fence about a color change but I think I'm sticking with ABP when i finally do paint it.
As for the bar, Mayhem definitely has a great product going, I have to get the rear and finish my trunk brace to tie it all up.

 

First the coil then the battery.

Today I picked up a battery, an OEM Honda battery, a battery which is $74 cheaper than a VatoZone Duralast Gold and has a better warranty as well.
That is all.

 

In the 80's it'd be a Colombian package, but in 2020 its an AIM9 GT bumper vent!

Since the intercooler takes up all the front real estate, I thought it'd be a good idea to add a vent for more radiator/condenser air flow. I'm going to paint match it (Eastwood Rat rod black) to the fender cutouts.
Its supposed to be for an FRS/BRZ/GT-86, but the style and curvature seems like it'll flow with the Integra chassis rather well.

 

Tomorrow I will begin removing the tired Del Sol seats, I hate them now. I'll replace them with Integra seats once again. Stupid of me to sell my original seats... live and learn I guess.
I'll also cut the bumper to fit the vent on there. I'm also going to add two bolts to the vent to attach it on the bumper instead of just using double sided tape.
And
I'm hoping to have some actual TIG welding content as well. I gotta get back on that.

More pics manana.
,

 

Seats have been replaced but now it feels so odd to sit so high... damn it! I guess I cant have it both ways.

Before:


After:




This is how the vent sits... not so good.



And this is how I need it to sit.






A little bit of aluminum welding, Its been several months since Ive welded but it felt good to be back at it.
Although I still need more practice this was leaps and bounds better that previous attempts.

 

Just stopping by!

did you put sedan or coupe seats back in? i swapped out my seat rails from the sedan to coupe rails and it lowers the driving position a bit. not as much as a del sol but a little bit.

 

I used coupe seats. Huh, I had no idea coupe rails sat lower, I may have to make the switch.


Next on the list: Dropping the trans this weekend and replacing some noisy bearings (mainshaft bearings), and staying true to my DIY'ness I made this thrust tool.
A little mill here and there, and some drilling and tapping later netted me with this.

 

Yeah, i'm not sure how much lower it is, but its low enough that my knees dont contact the steering column anymore.

 

Sweet! I'll add that to the list!
Now do you know if that applies for 98-01 as well?

 

thats a good question, cant say with 100% certainty but i imagine it would.

 

Progress!!

I installed the Greddy manifold/turbo since I’m taking my trans apart to replace some bearings.
This should give me a good idea of where every thing needs to be routed.
Fabbing/tacking the down pipe should come this weekend since I’m working in spurts here and there.

 

Nice progress, subscribed

 

Well I removed the trans and I was not pleased with what I found. I was hoping it was just going to be a simple (ISB) Input Shaft Bearing but its not.
Somehow 4th gear collar gear got a bit too hot (never low on oil) and marred the main shaft. I'm sourcing some part locally and checking my math as many times as I need to so this doesn't happen again.

After that is taken care of then Ill shift my focus onto the turbo and welding/routing charge pipes/downpipe/oil lines and whatever else.

 

Taking a break from fixing the trans because I cant find a good 4th gear GSR set, and because Im waiting on a bearing and seals now...ughh.... also, If anyone has a good GSR 4th gear set please let me know

While I wait I decided to make more progress and Im almost ready to mold my DB7/DB8 mirror block off plates.
I just need a few layers of Partall paste, PVA, Filleting wax and I should be good to move onto the gelcoat.

 

I missed this earlier, that is ridiculous that the OEM would be that much cheaper. I'm definitely going to have to look into that next time.