ROBLOX: Front-drive icon: Honda Integra Type R DC2

 Honda Integra Type R Drive Article: Front-Drive Icon

Celestar Islands - There are many categories of sports car that people all around the world will fight to settle which vehicle is best in that category. Ask the questions "What is the best rear drive car?" or "What is the best hot hatchback?" or "What is the most important car in the automobile industry?" and you're sure to have countless individuals fighting to settle the debate.

However, if you ask "What's the best Front drive car?" and many petrolheads will look at each other, nod and tell you that it is the Honda Integra Type R DC2. It probably doesn't need to be a group of Japanese-biased individuals to tell you that this generation of Integra Type R is one of the best in the Front Drive sports car category to ever grace the world.

Now, I'm sure that you've likely already seen those Best Motoring videos of Honda's and especially the DC2R trumping the competition such as the Italian Fiat Coupe 20V or keeping neck and neck with a Nissan Skyline GTR R32. In other words, for a front drive performance car, this isn't a slouch.

Now to set the context, I have been friends with the owner of this Integra for a while, ever since I joined the Inspiron Area Driver's Club and the local street racing scene. Back then, he was driving another Honda Integra Type R of this generation, with the difference being that his was a American market unit which was Left-Hand Drive and had the four circular headlights. When the Certificate Of Entitlement (COE) of that vehicle was fast approaching expiry, he sold it off and purchased this unit, a rare Milano Red unit, which was sitting on jack stands when purchased.

Mechanically, the car was not sound. Although being able to move on its own after a set of AZEV wheels, a lack of power, no exhaust and rock-solid suspension meant that much was required to get the car road worthy. However, as inspection requirements are extremely lenient, the car was able to be re-registered. 

Image of the car a week after it was registered.

The owner himself would say that the  frantically sourced parts weren't up to par with, really any standard at all. The suspension was dodgy, the exhaust both sounded awful and had a couple of leaks unbeknownst to him. 

It would take close to a year of restoration work for the Integra to be in its current state. Like me, the owner does not have extensive mechanical knowledge, so it was brought to a reputable workshop to undergo a partial restoration. 

Context aside, what is the car like to drive?

Unlike most front driven cars, the Integra is a force to be reckoned with on mountain roads. Its modest power output of a hair under 200 horsepower stock out of the box (Older model year ones are) will not keep up with modern Honda offerings especially the current-generation Civic Type R, but I do suspect that with a superb driver behind the wheel, its merciless grip on the road will keep up with such modern Type R's.

Steering is communicative and direct, and the short gear ratios will mean that you generally won't be down on power. However, if you want to drive fast, it means that you'd need to push the engine into its VTEC range. Anything less and you won't have sufficient power to keep with whatever car you're trying to chase. The owner believes that the car is making slightly over its original output but hasn't felt sufficient breakneck performance to feel any significant difference.

In terms of interior, it is no different than what's expected of a 1990's Japanese economy car of its generation. The only difference that you'd see is the plush Recaro SR3 bucket seats and red Honda emblem on the steering wheel which this unit unfortunately lacks. 

With the owner looking to import a Spoon tuned engine, I suspect that this will be the last time I can sample a internally stock DC2R. The Honda Integra Type R DC2 generation is a sports car with a well-earned reputation. With prices of these slowly climbing in value, it might be time to buy one before prices shoot through the roof, and frankly, these cars will be on my shortlist.

~Emira

Honda Integra Type R (DC2)

Engine: 1797cc Inline-4, B18C Engine code, Naturally Aspirated

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

Kerb weight: 1125 KG

Power: 197 HP @ 8000 RPM 

Torque: 133 lb.ft @ 7500 RPM

Fuel Consumption: Est. 7.8 L / 100 KM

0-100km/h: 6.2 s

Top Speed: Est 233 KM/H (180 KM/H Electronically limited)

ROBLOX: Subaru Impreza GC8 Type R

Subaru Impreza Type R GC8 Drive Article

Celestar Islands - So, on this feature, I feature my own car. Gratification, I know.

As the title suggests, this is a Subaru Impreza STi Type R, one of a handful still remaining in the country.

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Before the purchase of the Subaru, I was stuck pondering what to get as a backup while the Satria was stuck in the shops.

As a daily, a 4-door Impreza would likely have been better, or a Lancer with a more conventional 4-Cylinder would have been better in reliability, but the price on this was hard to resist. What was the catch? It was laid up as a shell.

A workable condition GC8F for an identical price that could net me a Swift Sport? Looking back, it was a rather foolish choice to buy a shell sight-unseen, but who wouldn't resist a rare body shape of an iconic Japanese car off the nineties?

The engine bay was painted black before my ownership. I suppose someone had plans for this car.

Wait, I hear you say. You said it was a shell, and you're already showing photos of a running car?

It is a discrepancy, I did not take any photos of its restoration before the "final" product as you see here.

As luck would be, the Subaru specialist that this car was brought to was at the time, parting out a wrecked Type-RA sedan. Heavy rear damage that intruded the rear pillar meant that unit was beyond saving.

Some negotiations, a lighter wallet and months on, the Impreza was back on its "feet" and is now a daily driver of mine. I had to sheepishly rent a Hyundai Avante during the span of the car in the shops though...

Past that, the Impreza has seen some changes since its release from the shops. A PanaKnights front bumper was installed, as did the set of 5zigen N1R Beckett's and a different wing. (Editor's note: Come to find out its a local brand EunoSports) I did forget to mention that the engine parted out wasn't particularly stock, so the total power output came to around 350 horsepower with items like an ECU, exhaust and upsized turbo.

In its very current state, its extremely unfinished, having the yellow wrap removed to maintain the Blue Steel Mica paint, a different set of wheels and a shoddy attempt at an interior restoration.

I suppose past that, that the Impreza will someday see an improved future that isn't an unfortunate exterior and interior look, but its hopeful thinking.

That will be it for the time being. I'll drop another update when I finally get around to finishing it in the state I want it to be. Ciao!

Specs:

Engine

Demeso ECU R1+

STE T15x Turbo

Custom exhaust

Interior

Mazda RX7 floor mats (Sorry, could not source the appropriate mats)

Junkyard steering wheel

Exterior

EunoSports GC8 Spoiler

PanaKnights GC8 Front Bumper

Dena U4 Foglights

~Emiri

ROBLOX: Uncommon Rumble: Subaru Tommykaira M20b Impreza Blobeye

 Subaru Impreza Tommykaira M20b Drive Article: 

Uncommon Rumble

Celestar Islands - Think to yourself when was the last time you heard of the Tommykaira company. The company has barely surfaced in Celestar Islands, let alone anywhere else but Japan, where even in their home market are they uncommon.

Subaru Impreza's are plenty popular in Celestar. They're cheap speed, and have a dedicated following by a huge mass of enthusiasts who run and maintain them for the driving feel and on-road capabilities especially in the winding roads.

Here, we managed to secure a review of one of two known units still roaming the islands, with the second almost being part of the article but left prematurely.

Before the driving, the question may be raised: What is Tommykaira? What is the M20b?

Simply put, Tommykaira is a tuning and manufacturing company. They tune a whole range of cars, from Daihatsu's to Mercedes'. The M20b is the company's take on the Subaru Impreza, whose touch has been laid on many generations of the Impreza.

In the case of the Blobeye M20b, it is less of a makeover compared to the other brand's offerings. Some other models are more heavily modified externally compared to this, which includes side decals, a front bumper... and badges, nothing more.

The interior is also not touched as well.

The M20b comes with Tommykaira's 18 inch alloys and brakes, however the brakes were replaced early in its life here.

 

Something to note is that Tommykaira did not just do cosmetic changes, but tuning improvements to prove its credentials. The 2.2 badge signifies the 2.2 litres from an EJ20.

Despite the limited information on the M20b, colors available when new is most likely the same as the standard Impreza, no new fancy colors from Tommykaira.

Photo credit: http://s22b.ru/subaru-impreza-tommy-kaira-m20b-2003-gd/

Moving away from trivia, the driving experience would be as expected from a Subaru. 

The Tommykaira exhaust provides a fruiter sound over the standard item, and the claimed 350 Horsepower can definitely be felt with the built motor. 

A Mitsubishi FTO and Nissan Skyline GTR in stock form that was part of the shoot struggled to keep with the M20b both in acceleration and cornering.

The Tommykaira M20b is not a racecar, but it excels as a road car. Although the springs added by the company aids in road grip, it is less forgiving on bumpy and uneven surfaces, which may dampen expectations as a family car.

Frankly, in my own opinion, its a official unofficial take by a reputable tuning company on a small tune-up that most owners like to do, if it isn't pushing power into the six-hundred range or beyond.

It retains the everyday usability of the Impreza and adds on extra flair, power and enjoyment for those who seek it.

Nowadays, hardly anything churns out of Tommykaira that is well-known enough for people to get their hands on and enjoy. It is unfortunate to see such tuning companies go, but at least we'll still be able to enjoy their past offerings...

~Emiri

Tommykaira M20b

Engine: 2146cc Boxer-4, EJ207, Turbo

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Kerb weight: 1440 KG

Power: 350 HP @ 6400 RPM (Claimed)

Torque: 324 lb.ft / 440 Nm @ 4200 RPM

Fuel Consumption: Est. 7.8 L / 100 KM

0-100km/h: 4.7 s

Top Speed: Est 260 KM/H (Unconfirmed)

Modifications

2.2L EJ207

6 Pot brake kit (Non-Original; Not Tommykaira)

Tommykaira sports exhaust

Tommykaira springs

Additional Photos