Its been a while...

I haven't posted here in a while. I honestly blame this on two things. The first laziness. The second is because deep inside I constantly cannot take most blogs seriously. I constantly keep myself under the impression that many, twitter-esk, blogs are narcissistic ramblings which don't add up to any kind of useful information, except that ones favorite color is blue and he/she doesn't like cauliflower.

I think I have said this before but I will say it again I am going to try and make this linguistic vomit as un-twitter-esk (how about that hyphenage) as possible.

Since cars are my obsession, (step one: you have to admit you have a problem) I will begin my narcissistic ramblings with them.



To start this is my '98 acura integra.

Specs-

98 intregra ls
1.8 liter dohc (non vtec) engine
5 spd trans
94-97 bumper with wings west mugen replica rs lip
autozone plasitchrome sri
megan header
apexi ws2 exhaust
itr(integra type r) rear swaybar and custom reinforcement setup
custom stereo system with 1000 watt amp, 6x9 rear speakers, 6.5 front speakers, and non functioning kicker tweeters
b&m short shifer
energy suspension motor mount inserts (torque mounts)
energy suspension shifter bushings
prothane rear sway bar bushings


Review (which I will do for any car which I post as long as I have driven it)

The acura integra as a vehicle throughout all four of its incarnations is a very versatile, agile and semi practical auto. It has large amounts of room in both the hatch and 4-door models and driver and front passengers have ample room. Not as much can be said about the 3 doors rear seat as any persons over 6-ft tall will be both hitting their head on their knees and the rear glass. The seats fold down to allow movement from a dorm to home (or vise-versa) or from a box store to ones humble abode. I have fit an engine block, a power washer, lumber, a floor jack, an exhaust system, a carbon fiber hood, and numerous other bulky items into the cavernous trunk which the integra provides with rear seats down.

There are also numerous features which come with the integra. In its most basic form the rs, at least for the third generation (1994-2001) you get power windows, bucket seats,dual airbags, and power locks. Step up to the ls/gs and you get all of those things plus cruise control, abs, a sunroof and a slightly more stylish interiour (imo). In the gsr all of these features remain plus a shorter ratio transmission, as well as a 1.8 liter motor equipped with variable valve timing allowing it to redline at 8,300 rpms. Finally there is the immortal itr, integra type r, this is basically an integra rs painted one of three exclusive colors (nighthawk black pearl, championship white, or phoenix yellow), equipped with thicker swaybars and other chassis stiffening bars, a close ratio transmission with a limited slip differential (lsd) and a 2oobhp 9000 rpm redlining 1.8 liter engine.

It is also a fast and agile car even in its base forms. I have driven an integra ls, an intgra gsr, and an rsx base and all of them were peppy, taut, and entertaining. Any matched with a five speed gearbox is sure to put a smile on your face as they all characteristically demand strong gas input between shifts, as is hondas way. I have driven too fast around too sharp of corners and the car, along with blind luck has kept me out of the hospital/morgue.

There are some minor complaints about my integra in particular. The first is that the engine is fun but it is very tightly fitted into the bay and thus service is sometimes challenging. Also instead of spewing fluids the car likes to seep them to mess with me. For instance after 150,000 miles my clutch pedal suddenly got very very soft and gear changes became difficult. I found that my clutch master cylinder had leaked all of its fluid. I also have a suspicion that my oil pan is spraying oil on my crank pulley causing my car to announce every start up in a loud squealing fashion. Finally the energy suspension motor mount inserts I put in have caused the car to vibrate quite a lot more than it used to. I think that the increase in overall grip, resulting from less engine wrap, is worth it but I now hear rattling from numerous places in the car.

Overall I would say if you want an entertaining, semi practical, car with plenty of aftermarket support look at an integra and see if you like it.

On a side note I have spent the last two years studying hondas and this car in particular so there will be many shameless honda plugs throughout this blog.

I will leave you with this totally irrelevant quote from Simon and Garfunkel. "All eyes ingest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."