Even swap experts will agree that first-generation DX B16A swaps are no picnic. Despite Steve's master technician status the swap still took a good 12 after-hours days and weekends. To be fair though, there's a lot involved. An '88 Integra engine harness paired with two '87 CRX Si body harnesses were used to create an injection-friendly loom. High-pressure fuel injection lines were routed throughout the chassis and a pickup was installed in the gas tank. Keep in mind, all this did was convert the car to EFI status-the engine swap had yet to begin. As the savvy might expect, Hasport engine mounts and axles were used but, prior to that first-generation Integra hubs were bolted up. The Integra hubs feature provisions for larger axles and also accommodate the EG rotors and calipers and AEM pads later installed. Speaking of stopping, Steve decided to forego the more common rear-disc swap and instead fit the HF's lighter aluminum drums in place. The engine went in as expected and a super-rare set of TEIN Super Street Medieval Pro dampers, scored from www.heeltoeauto.com, was bolted all around for an arguably well-rounded swap. Shortly after, the ECU and distributor were upgraded to OBD-I status for a soon to be reliable ride. The ol' rex fired up and all was good...for a while anyway.
If you're tired of dumping Benjamins into your Honda then stop going to Honda meets. This is, after all, where the seeds of envy develop. Such was the case for Steve. It was at a local CRX meet where he laid eyes on another first-generation, also with a B16A swap, only turbocharged. John Wilson, friend and owner of LHT Performance, was called upon to help deal with Steve's forced-induction frustrations. Under the auspices of John, a Garrett GT2871R was mated to a custom LHT exhaust manifold and complemented with an LHT intercooler and GReddy Type RS blow-off valve. Blow-ups have been avoided with the addition of a Walbro fuel pump and Precision 550cc fuel injectors bossed around by a Hondata S100. All of this is good for 265 whp mind you.
Steve doesn't drag race the 'vert and he doesn't track it. No, it's simply too precious for that. A dust collector it is not though. Steve tells us that he does fire the CRX up just about every sunny day, which in his part of Florida, is more often than not. Could one possibly expect less from a guy who's waited 18 years to own something only 309 others have? We think not.