This is no hodgepodge combination of parts, far from it.
Walk by this Acura Integra in a parking lot and, from 10 feet away, it looks like any other DC2 coupe. Those not in the know would assume it’s Phoenix Yellow, but Euro car fans would ID the shade as Imola Yellow, the first hint at what lurks behind the front seats. The other hint that something’s up is the side intake scoops jutting out in front of the rear wheels. And, if you peak inside, a VW steering wheel and shift knob confirms your suspicions that something is up. This is no ordinary Integra.
According to car enthusiast, deadset legend, and Maryland resident Daniel Shimp, in a Facebook post going viral, posted earlier this week, Shimp dropped the details on a truly 1 of 1 build, a DC2 Acura Integra Coupe with a V6 VR6 engine from a Mark IV VW Golf mounted behind the rear seats.
Check out his post below.
I am a big fan of this build solely based on the fact that this is crossing the streams and challenging conventions. It’s an unwritten rule that, while Honda heads respect Euro builds, and vice-versa, the thought of combining the two in some unholy union isn’t even in the realm of possibility. You just don’t do it! Yet, here we are.
What you’d normally find under the hood of an Acura Integra would be a B-series putting out anywhere between 140-180 HP to the crank. If an Integra build is really wild, you’d see a K or J series swapped from a newer year Honda underneath. Under the hood of this Integra is a 15-gallon fuel cell, feeding the VW engine several feet away.
There are a handful of variations of the VR6 divided between 12V and 24 V configurations with displacements ranging from 2.8L to 3.2L in the hottest versions of the Golf. This 12V VR6 mounted midship puts out 172 HP and 173 lb-ft at the crank, more torque than even the hottest Integra Type R engine.
The level of fabrication to pull this off is truly impressive. Engine mounts, wiring harnesses, suspension, and shifting duties are all VW Golf hardware while things like a 5-lug swap, and cooling use parts from Honda.
The real piece de resistance is the second radiator set-up with functional side scoops.. According to his post,
“The scoops are functional and feed intake air on one side and cooling the secondary Civic radiator on the other. The car still uses the factory Integra front radiator as well with Mk4 automatic cooling fans on it.“
The hallmark of any build is the execution and, looking at these photos, it’s clear a lot of planning and massaging parts to fit, was done.
As of this writing, Shimp’s just fired up the VR6, the Integra running under its own power for the first time. So, videos of this creation on the streets should be forthcoming soon.
If you’d like to keep up with this epic build, Shimp’s Instagram is where you want to go.
