THERE WAS A TIME WHEN A TURBO INTEGRA WAS THE EPITOME OF IMPORT PERFORMANCE.

A GS-R with a bolt-on DRAG kit would deliver about 300 horsepower to the wheels which was enough to smoke the tires at will. Sawing off Corvettes and 5.0s at a time when import performance wasn't taken seriously, had a special reward. Over the past 15 years, much has changed but there is still a group of hard-core Honda FWD enthusiasts that love the rush of boosted VTEC. Today these enthusiasts fall into two categories. One group is all about the most bang for the buck as they mix and match factory, used and eBay components in search of performance. The other group has a tougher task. Make your vehicle stand out from a crowd that's filled with exceptionally performing vehicles.

Metamorphosis

Jesus "Chuy" Navarro III's original intention was to build a show car with a few JDM goodies and a bolt-on turbo kit to give the 1994 Integra a little extra kick. Updates started with the exterior. Aesthetic changes like all-red taillights and a rear bumper from the 98-up Integra modernized this DC4. The next improvement came in the form of a JDM Integra Type-R front-end conversion. Fuzion Autobody sprayed a gold hue to the shell, Japan-spec bumper and fenders along with the addition of Type-R headlights to give the Integra distinction. But with the JDM ball rolling, Chuy reached a little deeper into his pockets for exclusivity. A Mugen steering wheel, Spoon Sports side mirrors and a rare Spoon Sports gauge cluster completed the JDM look of the Integra. Finally, a carbon-fiber hood and trunk lid replaced their metal counterparts as a finishing touch.

For more on this article, grab a copy of DSPORT Magazine on newsstands nationwide!