Installation
The street scene in Japan is a little different than here in the states. Forget big bass systems, and seven hundred pounds of audio gear; or even a slightly more than modest aftermarket stereo setup. It's not what we saw depicted in a certain movie that came out recently (the title has become a tired phrase and anyway you all know what we're talking about) which featured fast racing machines with audio systems as expensive as some vehicles. In Japan it's about extreme stripping down to keep up with the racing on the Shutoko (metropolitan) highway or the mountain roads of Touge. Either you pack every inch of your car with all the luxuries you can think of, including of course a top of the line A/V install to show off to your friends, or you jam it with massive performance punch. But speed and sound quality? You don't see that combo too often. This Honda DC-5, known in the States as the Integra Type-R, has them both. It's a unique combination. This is a car for chasing around GT-Rs while turning up the bass loud enough to cancel out any tire squealing; or for that matter, your buddy screaming in the passenger's seat.
The seed of the idea was planted when owner, Akio Suzuki, was just 18 years old. He went out with a couple friends to Daikoku Futo, a pier in Yokohama where all the stereo nuts and dancing queens gathered on weekends. Akio was amazed with the performances of the loud speakers and woofers inside all the modified vans and wagons. That was something he never forgot. Sixteen years later, now a Sound System Engineer for Alpine Electronics, his thoughts turned back to the fun he had as a youth; thus he decided to create something special for his car. But he wasn't about to simply stuff in amps and speakers. He would indulge in his passion in a more stylish way.
His goal was to achieve a fusion of three aspects related to the pleasure of owning a first rate ride, driving enjoyment, sound and visuals. He wanted a sport compact fully loaded with a media entertainment system that would excite a crowd at any event. Thus, he chose an Integra Type-R (big brother to the Acura RSX Type-S), which has a reputation for being finely tuned; so any additional modifications had to be made with careful planning. Not too much was done to this Type-R in terms of performance parts. It received headers and exhausts from HKS. To add sharpness and style to the already better than average (to say the least) handling, a suspension system from Style King was used in conjunction with Yokohama DNA GP 225/35 19-inch tires wrapped on silver Work Esperio Design 2 wheels. To stop these wheels, Project Mu brake pads were employed. On the exterior, the car has a full body kit from C-West, including front spoiler, side steps, mudguards and a GT-Wing. Then the car was entirely painted with three coats of original Alpine Blue at Shiroi Auto Fukushima. As for the interior mod in terms of performance, Recaro seats and MOMO steering were added along with an impressive looking HKS Direct Brite Meters.