1996 Integra GSR with 485WHP
Rawgie Tagle and a number of auto shops dumped a ton of parts into this '96 'Teggy including a JDM Type-R cylinder head, custom exhaust setup, Innovative Turbo Systems GT35R turbo, and much, much more.
Love at First Sight
This gorgeous '96 Integra GSR is the pride and joy of Orange County, California resident Rawgie Tagle. He first fell in love with the GSR due to its rarity and body styling. And in 2000, Tagle was finally able to pick one up. And seeing as it's his only car his 458 hp beast is also his daily driver reports Sami Sharaf of DSport Performance + Tech Magazine.
Photos: DSport
Not Enough Grunt
The GSR's original setup provided a mere 170 hp pumping out of a B18C1 engine. It did have VTEC and a five-speed manual transmission though. Still... that wasn't enough for Tagle, so he swapped in a JDM Integra Type-R powertrain boasting 200 hp. Even that wasn't enough. So Tagle ripped it out and decided to go with a turbo platform.
Photos: DSport
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Blocks, Bores, and Busted Knuckles
Benson’s Auto Machine in Santa Ana, California was the recipient of Tagle's GSR block in which the bottom end was fitted with a set of Step Deck Sleeves at an 81mm bore. This allowed for upgraded CP forged aluminum pistons and put the engine's compression ratio at 9.0:1. Additionally, the bottom end received Manley Performance connecting rods. Tagle swapped out the GSR's head for the JDM Type-R's along with keeping the intake manifold and throttle body from the Type-R engine. John Tran at Benson's was the hero who put it all together.
Photos: DSport
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Total Makeover: Integra Edition
Password-JDM supplied Tagle with a JDM Type-R brake conversion. Miguel Ortiz at M.O.B. Works Autobody and Paint slapped on a JDM Type-R hood, fenders, bumper, and radiator support. Ortiz also ditched Tagle's original GSR wing and shaved the side moldings, added on a '98 rear bumper, and threw in a set of HID headlamps. It was now ready for a fresh coat of Acura's Black Pearl.
Photos: DSport
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New Car, Who 'Dis?
Tagle also made the move to convert his wheels to a 5-lug setup. He went with 16-inch RegaMaster Evo wheels dressed in some Falken Azenis rubber. And since the wheels were already off, Tagle went ahead and swapped out the existing suspension for some JIC FLT-A2 coilovers, L-Con traction bars, Type-R sway bars, and some Spoon front and rear strut bars.
Photos: DSport
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Need a Boost?
Tagle got some help from the boys at Evolution Racewerks to put together a turbo setup while Full-Race Motorsports produced a custom equal-length exhaust manifold. An Innovative Turbo Systems GT35R turbo and an HKS GTII 60mm wastegate were chosen to compress and release air. And to keep things cool, Tagle went with a PWR Performance intercooler using Evolution Racewerks custom intercooler piping. An Evolution Racewerks downpipe and Thermal Research Development custom exhaust system finish out the expelled gasses operation.
Photos: DSport
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Grocery Getting with 458 hp
Church Automotive in Torrance, California helped to complete the build by tuning the setup via a modified ECU and a Hondata s200b engine management system. At the end of the day, Rawgie Tagle and his '96 'Teggy can push upwards of 20 psi of boost. The setup makes 485 wheel horsepower at 8200 RPM and 344 lb/ft of torque at 5300 RPM. That's one hell of a daily driver.
Photos: DSport
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