165,000 miles. Rep parts. Oversized alloys. Knackered Recaros. Tired bodywork. In need of some engine tlc. On paper this DC2 Integra sounds like a cautionary tale. What it actually turned out to be was one of the most rewarding builds we have taken on at Torque GT, and a perfect demonstration of what this car is really capable of when it is properly looked after and properly modified.
The Car, the Owners and the Brief
Dan is no stranger to us. He bought his GVB Subaru STI Spec C through Torque GT back in 2021 and his garage since then has grown to include an R32 GT-R running north of 600bhp with a sequential gearbox, an S15 Spec R and a Toyota Crown Athlete among others. So when he brought us his fiancee Anna's DC2 and asked us to give it a proper freshen up, we knew it was a go big or go home build.
The Integra is a European-spec DC2 and despite the mileage the fundamentals were in reasonable shape, a genuine testament to Honda engineering given the B18C had no major mechanical work before arriving with us. That said, time had not been kind cosmetically. Tired bodywork, rust spots on the inner arches and chassis, perished rubbers and a peeling wrap on the bonnet were not doing this DC2 any favours. The brief was clear: give this Integra a new lease of life.
Stripping It Back - Chassis Work and Bodywork
We had the engine and gearbox out early. This was partly necessary for the engine work that followed but it also gave us the access we needed to address the chassis properly. Front and rear bumpers came off, arch liners were removed and from there the car went through a full ice blast across the entire underside including the subframe, suspension components and engine bay. It is one of the most effective ways to strip a chassis back without the risk of damage that comes with other methods, and the results speak for themselves.
Rust spots were treated before undersealing the car for maximum long-term protection. The entire process was documented with photographs at every stage so there is a full record confirming the underseal is not hiding anything. It is creating a barrier over a clean and treated surface, which is exactly how it should be done.
With the chassis sorted, attention moved to the exterior. All panels were stripped, primed and resprayed, giving the DC2 a full exterior refresh. Glass came out during this process so that any imperfections hiding behind the panels could be addressed before the colour went back on. Window surrounds received fresh black paint.
Not on the original to-do list, but we thought it was necessary. The rocker cover was refinished in Spoon Sports yellow, replacing the original red that had started to lift and peel. A small detail that makes a significant visual statement when you open the bonnet and a little surprise for Dan and Anna.
The Recaro SR3 seats were sent out for a full retrim including bolster restoration, and came back looking exactly as they should. Supportive, immaculate and ready for another high mileage chapter.
Engine, Drivetrain and the B18C Brought Back to Life
With the chassis addressed the focus shifted to the powertrain. The B18C started from a solid base so the objective was not a rebuild in the traditional sense but a comprehensive refresh combined with targeted performance upgrades that suit the character of the car. Honda OEM service items covered the timing belt kit, thermostat, water pump, seals and a full fluid change using Honda fluids throughout. This is the unglamorous work that makes the difference between a DC2 that drives well for another 20,000 miles and one that drives well for the next 100,000.
On the performance side, Skunk2 drop-in camshafts replace the originals, delivering a more aggressive cam profile that sharpens throttle response and raises the ceiling of what the engine can do in the upper rev range. Skunk2 valvesprings and retainers support the new cams properly. A Koyorad aluminium radiator replaced the original unit to ensure consistent cooling, paired with Spoon Sports radiator hoses. A Spoon Sports air filter and Spoon Sports oil filter round out the engine bay changes, keeping things clean and purposeful under the lid.
To handle the additional demands being placed on the drivetrain, an Exedy Stage 1 clutch and a Competition Clutch lightweight flywheel were fitted, tightening up the drivetrain feel and freeing up a little more of what the engine is producing.
Suspension and Chassis Upgrades
The DC2's four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension is the reason this car has remained a benchmark for handling feel for over 30 years. It minimises body roll, keeps tyre contact consistent through corners and delivers a level of communication from the road that most modern performance cars have moved away from entirely.
The car arrived fitted with KW coilovers. To this we added Spoon Sports rigid collars, which are crush washers that eliminate the tolerances between the subframe and chassis mounting points. The result is a measurable reduction in flex and play through the structure of the car, translating directly into sharper turn-in and more precise response.
Brakes - The Most Significant Single Upgrade
The Spoon Sports twin block calipers are a genuine step change in braking performance, completely modernising what the DC2 is capable of under hard braking while adding serious visual impact at the corners. Dixcel SD slotted discs and Dixcel Z-type pads complete the package, a combination that gives progressive confidence-inspiring feel for spirited road use and more than enough performance for track work should Anna ever decide to take the Teg to the Nurburgring.
No Spoon inspired car is complete without SW388 alloys and this one is no exception. Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5s, the combination maximises the capability of the limited-slip differential and works in harmony with everything the suspension and chassis work has done underneath.
Finishing Touches
The original steering wheel was replaced with a Spoon Sports 340mm unit. This one carries a little extra significance. We brought it to Japfest and had it signed by Takuya Kai, President of Spoon Sports Japan, in person. It is a detail that means something to anyone who understands what Spoon represents in Honda culture. A Spoon Sports five-speed aluminium shift knob was added alongside it, replacing the worn stock item and rounding off the interior with the same attention to detail applied everywhere else on this build.
How Does a 165,000-Mile Integra Drive After a Build Like This?
Out on its test drive this DC2 drives like it has done a quarter of its actual mileage. The engine response is sharp and immediate, VTEC crossover is strong and characterful, the steering is direct and loaded with information and the handling around bends is genuinely confidence-inspiring in a way that reminds you exactly why people have been obsessing over this car for three decades. The brakes transform the stopping experience. The whole car feels tight, alive and eager to go fast.
You do not need to be a Honda devotee to recognise how good a properly sorted DC2 is. It is just a brilliant driving machine, and it has been a privilege to be the team that got to give this one its second chapter.
To Dan and Anna, we hope you enjoy this DC2 for many miles more!
Modification Breakdown
Every part used in this build is available to order through Torque GT. Whether you are planning a full project or picking up individual upgrades, get in touch and we will sort it.
| Part | Brand | Category |
|---|---|---|
| SW388 Alloy Wheels | Spoon Sports | Wheels |
| Pilot Sport 5 Tyres | Michelin | Tyres |
| Drop-In Camshafts | Skunk2 | Engine |
| Valvesprings and Retainers | Skunk2 | Engine |
| Air Filter | Spoon Sports | Engine |
| Oil Filter | Spoon Sports | Engine |
| Aluminium Radiator | Koyorad | Cooling |
| Reinforced Radiator Hoses | Spoon Sports | Cooling |
| Stage 1 Clutch Kit | Exedy | Drivetrain |
| Lightweight Flywheel | Competition Clutch | Drivetrain |
| Rigid Collars | Spoon Sports | Chassis |
| Twin Block Calipers | Spoon Sports | Brakes |
| SD Slotted Discs | Dixcel | Brakes |
| Z-Type Brake Pads | Dixcel | Brakes |
| 340mm Steering Wheel | Spoon Sports | Interior |
| Five-Speed Aluminium Shift Knob | Spoon Sports | Interior |
Got a car of your own that needs some attention? Whether it is a full build like this or a specific upgrade, get in touch and we will put together a package for you.
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