New Member Intro: dude-bro

GENERAL General G2/G2IC Discussion
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Hi Everyone,

My name is Matt and I’m a longtime Integra enthusiast. In fact I’m a fan of most cars and trucks. As I get older, I find myself more interested in the preservation of old cars rather than the acquisition of new ones. I guess we have that in common :slight_smile:

Born in 1973, I spent the first 40 years of my life in San Diego, CA. as an avid surfer, skater, and car nut - Auto shop was my favorite subject in high school (MT. Carmel for you fellow San Diegans).

During the late 80’s and early 90’s, I was totally involved in the underground street racing scene and loved how many different cars were at the secret racing spots. By the mid 90’s when the Hondas took over and the races weren’t so secret anymore, I began to lose interest. A few friends have stayed in the import tuner scene and have gone on to make careers out of it. Not me, I work in the construction industry.

Import cars are a way of life on the West Coast and I’ve had many: countless Datsun Z cars, old school Toyota Vans, multiple Toyota pickups (huge fan), one very special 3G Accord that I drove to 500,000 miles.

At the dude-bro residence, we currently own a Toyota Tundra, Sienna, Highlander 4wd, NA Miata, and…

The '93 DA (LS auto).

This car was ordered new by my grandmother (Gma) for her 70th birthday in Oct of '92. I was 19 years old and living with her at the time while attending college.

I remember trying to convince her to get the 5spd to no avail. I seem to have suffered twice now from that decision.

Because Gma was retired, the car had a very sheltered existence. Always garaged, never commuted, and because of her OCD, the car has been religiously maintained. This car is truly in tip-top shape for a higher mileage specimen.

Gma decided that she was done driving at 90 years old and gave the car to me in appreciation for all of the care I’d given it over the years.

Four years ago I moved to Michigan and brought the DA with me. Since then I’ve driven it only 5k miles and have been wondering what to do with it. I drive the car about once every two weeks along with Mrs. dude-bro in her Miata. We usually go the the state or local parks nearby. The car definitely gets noticed out here, but not necessarily for the right reasons. People out here really frown upon Asian cars; especially ones with California plates.

So, I joined the forum to help me decide which direction to take with the car.

My DA can’t even outrun my minivan, but I love it anyway. I wish these cars could still compete with todays cars regarding performance and safety.

Here are some recent exterior pics:


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Looks like a beauty! More pics please!

Personally, I’d try to keep it as stock as possible and focus on preserving it. Cars in original condition are very hard to find and beginning to go up in value. A low mileage 90-91 GS (not as desirable) recently sold for $7k on BringaTrailer.com. So, if it were my car I’d keep it very stock except for some simple bolt ons (but save the original parts). I’d lower it a little, put on some sway bars and then get some period correct wheels. Oh, and one piece headlights of course :slight_smile: Maybe a period correct Mugen steering wheel and that’s about where I’d stop. Although, I’d definitely consider converting to a manual trans. That’s about the only permanent mod I could justify on something so minty.

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Again, I have to say that DA is a gem! I love it.

I also feel for you regarding the judgemental looks, I’m about 30 minutes north of Atlanta and it’s heavy with the Jeep’s, soccer moms with Family Utility Vehicles, and vets with obnoxiously large trucks, but I also get a lot of thumbs up and compliments, however I’m just attached to my DA too much either way!

I’m also with Colin regarding light/reversable modifications.

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Yah I’d sure like to find some GSR blades or fat fives. As much as I would love to lower it, I’m not sure thats a good idea. This is Detroit, the roads here are rough to say the least.

Sucks how I didn’t get serious about this car while I still lived in SD. there are virtually no parts out here in the state of hate. No offense to anyone from MI.

I don’t mind the auto trans so much, it’s just that these tranny’s suck and this one slips AND binds. I want to look into internal upgrades or maybe at least a performance torque converter.

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Matt, have you tried doing a transmission flush yourself? I’ve done it a few times and it definitely helped the life of the transmission, until it finally gave out around 270mi.

If you want to mod, mod away. I would suggest to keep all stock parts (wrapped and stored carefully) because they are very hard to find. I’ve found myself going to junk yards now and just picking up random things while I can still find them.

To me, there’s just something special about older cars without all the computer junk that “helps” you drive. One feels more connected. I know I definitely feel more connected with my wife’s manual DA, when compared to my automatic DA, but I still know how to drive the auto to make it do what I want, and that connection is still there. That’s not even talking to the strong sentimental value these Integras have to me.

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I totally agree with your stance on modern appliances rrrrr cars. Our newest is a 2002 on purpose. Thats the last year Toyotas had an actual cable that runs the throttle. And OBD II gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

The trans has had about a dozen services in its life, always using Honda atf. It acts up primarily when the outside temp is below 50. Usually the TC will not go into lockup, and it needlessly downshifts into second under specific conditions. It’s temperamental, yet still fully functional. I wonder if it’s like the newer Civic trans where you have to crack the case open to get to the filter.

I don’t think it’s worth it to heavily mod this car. Maybe some nicer rims and a suspension refresh. Resale value is paramount.

Unfortunately, there are no junkyards with asian cars around me. This place is pretty hostile towards the import scene and the only socially acceptable foreign cars here come from Europe. Man I sound like a hater lol.

All those years of hoarding parts are behind me for now. At least with this car.

No worries guys, I enjoy the car and things will happen soon enough. When it’s time to sell, the car will be in it’s current form. until then…

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Understanding more about your situation and mentality towards this car… then I’d say you’ve got a good plan. Focus on keeping the paint and interior in tip-top condition. Maybe do a real good detail in and out, including shampooing the seats and carpet, definitely a clay bar and wax, maybe even a mild buff or paint correction. Then just keep it indoors and you’re good to go.

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Yah, time to research the best methods of paint correction. the car is still shiny, but could use a clay scrubbing.