Engine swaps aren’t anything new, but this one really gave us pause. There are so many different worlds colliding inside this 1999 Acura Integra that it’s tough to know where we should begin. But, we’ll begin with the main point: the car’s original four-cylinder engine is no longer.
Instead, a 500 cubic inch twin-turbo Cadillac V8 engine is present. Obviously, such a massive engine would never stuff under the Acura Integra’s smaller hood, so it sits where the back seat. As one does. The Acura Integra is for sale on Classiccars.com currently, which provides a little insight into the build.
At first glance, especially at the front, the Integra appears like any other late 1990s sport compact model, though we must say it’s in pristine condition. Bless warm temperatures in down south, where this Integra calls home. We digress.
Looking at the rear, it becomes clear quickly this is not an average Integra. The car sports revised body work with vents flanking the taillights in an effort to cool the massive V8 engine stuffed in the rear of the coupe. The rear fenders have also been widened and dual exhaust runs in the middle of the Integra, unlike the stock single exhaust.
A three-speed Eldorado automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels and the hood now houses a 17-gallon fuel cell and V1000 pump and two intercoolers for the turbos.
Inside, aside from the lack of rear seats and a massive engine, things are mostly stock. A B&M shifter sits between the driver and passenger and auxillary gauges are present to keep an eye on the engine’s vitals. Otherwise, the stock gauges, steering wheel and seats all come from the Honda factory. There’s also no radio, but it’s quite obvious why; the soundtrack sits in rear.
It’s going to take a special buyer to bring home this Japanese-American mashup, but we can’t imagine how quick the car is. And that’s surely a lot of fun for $27,995.
Comments
Wrong engine choice. It’s going to be way too @$$ heavy and handle like crap. Should of used an LS based SBC. For $28K you can buy a nice C6 that will eat this POS for breakfast and get better gas mileage while doing so.
Putting an LS engine in it would be the wrong choice, let alone a Cadillac engine. this car will never sell and it will handle like s*** because it was a front wheel drive car it isn’t made to be rear wheel drive and it looks stupid. plenty of stuff they could do with a 4-cylinder to make this thing just as fast.
I agree as I would not do an engine swap in this particular car to mid/rear engine. But if I were, it would be an aluminum block LS4 FWD from a PPV Impala. Suspensions can be adjusted to make it feasible but to what end? This thing is just an abomination and not even a feasible drag only car as it’s not set up for it even when using a heavy chain driven TH425. Waste of a lot of $$ and time, IMHO, to what real world end???? It’s a freak, pure and simple with absolutely no value to the JDM market or any style of american racing or street cred.
It only weights 125 lbs more than a SBC and less than that with aluminum heads. 10 years ago this was an awesome engine combo that could make over 700hp N/A. Idk the power potential with forced induction, but the high nickel Cad block was known to be able to handle tons of power. I do agree the LS would be an easier/cheaper and probably better choice for anything over 650hp.
Let’s forget about v8 junk… for 27000 you could have a 9 or 10 sec turbo sleeved b18c1 or a k20a2 . Or even an all motor k20/k24 running a low 11’s quarter mile.. but since every thing for y’all revolves around v8 keep it like that and feel all the heat from that junk v8 into the driver and passenger seats.
Forget about LS power when it’s in EVERYTHING JDM from 240sx’s, 350/370Z’s, RX7’s, Miata’s, Supra’s,BRZ’s/86’s, etc….? Let’s not forget all the Porsche, BMW swaps as well. For $28K you can have an AWESOME LS swapped JDM for a LOT less $$ than ANYTHING else, period. LS’s are in everything from Ford and Mopar as well. No heat from a turbo’d 2JZ?? BS……Go back to Japan and live your fast and furious dream. Here in the USA, V8’s rule especially normally aspirated.
Lol. Honda’s wasn’t meant for drag racing. They was meant for road courses and good handling. And no not the ones that were sold in America. I’m talking about the true JDM Honda’s and Acuras. The editor obviously wanted to spark up some Honda hate in the comments. I’m a true car fanatic, I love all all makes and models of cars import or domestic. Yes V-8’s dominate the drag class in America….woopty Doo! if you only limit yourself to one kind of racing then that’s kind of weak in my opinion. It’s like only fishing for one kind of fish when there’s all kinds of species in the sport.?
Absolutely! And that is why a C7 Grand Sport spanks all N/A JDM $ for $ and if you want to step up to boosted form from the factory, the C7 ZR1 does it also if not the C7 Z06 at a lower price point. Not just talking a drag race my friend, road course too including the ‘Ring. Let’s not forget the Camaro SS 1LE & ZL1 1LE as well, $ for $. All V8’s, lol…
If that’s what your in to then great!
Exactly, to each his own. Peace out. 😉
Should’ve just K-Swapped it like the rest of us do. Now you’ve gotta worry about the fan/misc hitting you while driving or slinging a rod through the seat. But a k20a2 or k20z3 even k24a2 bottom end 300hp N/A. Would’ve been more effective than that. Ppl dont understand that power you can make on a 4cylinder look up James Kempf to get an idea. The wow factor makes me think wth was this guy smoking in the thought of making this pile of shit. Ruining a DC chassis but oh well I’ll take an Eg K swapped with 6 speed over that pile of shit.
“Should’ve just K-Swapped it like the rest of us do.”
And risk being unoriginal like everyone else with a K20 swap. At least he put in the engineering effort.
dumbass comment LOL
Oh, come on, why so many haters. It’s a beautiful car! Maybe not the best in power but at least it looks good. HAHA