Hi all,
I wanted to share the story of finding my 1993 Integra LS after having to part ways with it due to a breakup in 2013. I bought this car in 2004 as my very first car at the age of 18. I didn’t even have a license at the time and had a friend drive her back.
From 2004 - 2008, I bought a Harbor Freight welder and made my own turbo kit. It had the ugliest welds and boost leaks all across but eventually I made around 240whp. It was fun but with a 200k motor, it was tired. After dealing with a second motor that was built incorrectly, I decided to focus on my RSX Type S. The Integra was pulled apart in hopes of doing an engine tuck and cleaning things up in 2009.
In 2013, I lived with my longtime girlfriend but things didn’t work out. I moved into an apartment and she eventually sold the house.
Fast forward to 2024, I decided to go through some old videos and keepsake items and came across the title to my Integra. I went to work looking up the VIN and seeing that no records have been changed since and with the Integra missing a motor and title, it couldn’t have gone too far.
Watching too many detective shows, I decided to search Google Maps satellite view of my old house and saw what I would think is my Integra in the neighbors backyard! The houses actually backed up to a bunch of small warehouses so after knocking on the door and not getting an answer, I drove around back.
There she was! Detorrating but still recognizable! After $500 and a UHaul rental, she was on her way back to me!
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As you can see, there isn’t much left of her! No engine/trans, no passenger fender, bumper, lights and the interior was pretty gutted from my street racing days.
Finally getting her back to my house and parked inside after 12 years outside I believe!
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Got some fair condition JDM one-piece headlights then drove down to Austin (3 hours away) for a bumper and fenders.
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Realizing it would be extremely expensive for me to piece everything one by one… I set out to find the right donor car.
I found a 1992 that had some nasty quarter panel damage, a crushed front end and a motor that the owner couldn’t get running.
I probably paid a bit more than I should for it but it’s the price of passion and making sure I don’t cut up a decent car.
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First stop on the donor Integra was checking for fuel and spark. Initially saw the fuel pump wasn’t getting power and it was probably the easiest fix out of everything. The prior owner put the new fuel pump relay and smashed the terminals.
Next, I heard the pump running but still no fuel. I hate dropping the fuel tank but nothing is worse than a fuel tank job on a MR2 so 20 minutes later, the tank was dropped. The pump seemed fine so perhaps he had a pinched line somehow. After a while, I realized the guy put a 92-95 civic fuel pump assembly in there which didn’t pick up any fuel at all. Ugh. I tried grabbing the old fuel pump from my original car and welp… The absolute worst smell ever. That old fuel smell lingered in my garage for two weeks.
I ended up ordering a new assembly and Walbro 255 while I was at it. Why not? Notice the assembly on the right, he even attempted to bend it to the right direction.
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After getting fuel, it was onwards to Ignition. Another disaster- the prior owner threw new distributors in hopes to get her running. Sadly he used some ebay specials. This time I had my original distributor that sat in the trunk and bam! Got spark but only for a few cranks. I pulled the valve cover and sadly, he also timed it incorrectly. Great.
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