This Teenager's Acura Integra Build is Vital to the Future of Import Performance
Leveling up from janitor, to apprentice, to tearing down and building an era-specific DC-chassis Integra.
No K-series engine swap, no snarling turbo set up, and no dyno-humbling power numbers are wrung from this 1994 Acura Integra, yet it couldn't be anymore impactful. The discerning eye will pick up on the very intentional 1990s vibes that exude from this completely refreshed chassis, but this story is one that bucks a concerning trend for U.S. teens.
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While long-term enthusiasts cast digital blows back and forth about which brand is better, which cars are faster, and the almost unified hatred of electrification, teenagers don't seem all that interested in any of it. Fewer teens than ever attempt to get their license, and that means the future of the tuning community could see a significant dip in interest as a result. Fortunately, guys like Kyle Law, and his father William, are stepping up.
At 13 years old, Kyle's weekends didn't involve much more than marathon video game sessions. "My dad wanted to get me out of the house to learn about cars, so on Saturdays he would have me come to Car Code," Kyle says. Car Code is a three-part business based on an automotive mechanic branch, a complete auto body shop, and an auto spa, and William serves as its Operations Manager. He's also been heavily involved in the aftermarket industry for decades, including stints with Blitz NA, DC Sports, and Super Street's spin-off magazine Project Car.
William and Car Code took an old school approach to introducing Kyle to car mechanics and it didn't involve turning a single wrench at first. "I just ended up sweeping the floors and taking out the trash," Kyle says. "Until one day, an Integra came in and my uncle asked if I wanted to learn how to pull a motor." That ask resulted in a five-hour teaching session and Kyle's interest was immediately piqued, adding, "The motor was out and it was pretty fun. I guess I graduated from janitor to intern that day."
To keep the momentum going, the following weekend Kyle was volunteered to pull out another engine and this time that five-hour job turned into about three-and-a-half hours. Then another, which took just three-hours. Comfortable with his progression, the crew at Car Code tasked him with reinstalling an engine, then converting rear drums to discs, and eventually wiring work that Kyle's uncle and father walked him through. "After that, I was addicted and wanted to build something of my own."
The hours of hands-on experience and constant learning inevitably led to this 1994 Integra, found by Kyle's uncle, and purchased at just 14 years old. "My uncle told me I had to learn to drive stick first, so one day at the shop he taught me the basics and told me I couldn't leave until I could move his car and park it," he recalls. Another lesson learned in-house and applied to Kyle's future.
The Integra was left untouched while Kyle continued his internship and spent time scanning through old Super Street, Turbo, and Import Tuner magazines to establish his direction for the build. He adds, "I wanted to build a period correct Integra and I had goals to hopefully have it featured and to bring it to events like the Purist Winter Drive." Torn down to its bare metal, the chassis was delivered to Car Code's auto body division for a complete refresh that included spraying the car in PPG's White Diamond Pearl.
That high-quality body work did away with the factory side moldings and Kyle incorporated a JDM front end conversion with factory HID and managed to find a genuine Mugen Gen.1 rear wing. The '90s-era look continued with bronze Volk CE28, a wheel that made it to market just before the 1990s closed out and continues to be a fan favorite.
Almost a year away, the car returned to the shop completely revitalized and ready for assembly. "I'd amassed a lot of parts, and it was just in time for summer break," he says. "I basically lived at Car Code over the summer and sourced a freshly rebuilt GSR motor and LSD transmission from them, then started putting the car back together." Supremely confident with his engine installation skills, given his hands-on training, the B18C1 went in without issue.
Internally, Type R pistons and a shimmed ITR oil pump were used, with Supertech valve springs and retainers updating the factory valvetrain. Externally, a Blox intake manifold with Skunk2 throttle body is fed by an HKS filter attached to a very period-correct Top Fuel intake chamber. Also from that era is a DC Sports header that leads to an exhaust system also from Top Fuel.
Scoring JDM ITR front and rear seats isn't uncommon for an Integra build of this caliber, but getting his hands on a Mugen N1 wheel is an adult-sized flex for the young teen. Other Type R touches include a gauge cluster with custom kevlar bezel, arm rest delete, floor mats, and more, along with a complete audio system on board, just like the old days.
"Now that I'm done with the first phase of my project, I'm just going to enjoy the car for a bit, especially since I just got my license six months ago," Kyle says. "But the more I'm learning, like the fabrication and welding classes with Mario at TSR, the more I want to continue modifying the car with some custom fabricated components."
No, there's no K-series swap or hulking turbo on this Integra, at least, not yet, but give its young owner some more time and that's likely to change. He represents a teenage minority having worked his way up from janitorial duties to building his own retro-style Integra project, learning to drive a manual, and now inching toward custom fabrication work. If the import performance community is to continue in the long term, then guys like Kyle Law are an absolute necessity, and leaders like his father William and Car Code are crucial in offering direction. "I'm just happy he finds enjoyment in working on these cars," William tells us. "And I'm just so proud of what he's accomplished, especially at this age."
Photos by Marvin Recinos
1994 Acura Integra
Owner Kyle Law
Instagram @kylefreestyle, @carcode
Engine B18C1; Hasport engine mounts; Integra Type R pistons 11.2:1, oil pump (shimmed); AEM overdrive power steering pulley, in-tank fuel pump, filter; Supertech valve springs, retainers; modified Top Fuel intake, cat-back exhaust system, Power Neo; Blox intake manifold; Skunk2 74mm throttle body; HKS air filter; DC Sports header; Koyo radiator; EVS radiator cap; Mugen oil cap; Buddy Club race-spec condenser; Mega Life lithium battery
Drivetrain JDM-spec GS-R transmission, factory LSD; Integra Type R shift linkage, short shifter; Grip Force OE+ clutch, lightweight flywheel
Suspension Tein Flex Z coil overs, EDFC; Suspension Techniques sway bars; Skunk2 front/rear camber kit, lower controls arms; Energy Suspension master kit; carbon Kevlar rear tower bar
Braking 1991 NSX calipers; R1 Concepts NSX-spec rotors, ceramic pads; custom rear brackets for NSX rear calipers, ABS delete, stainless brake lines; 1998 Integra Type R brake booster
Wheels & Tires Volk Racing CE28N 16x7.5; Falken Azenis RT660 215/45
Exterior White Diamond Pearl by Car Code Auto Body; JDM Type R front end conversion w/OEM HID, front lip, 1998-spec mirrors, rear bumper, taillights; Mugen Gen.1 rear wing
Interior JDM Integra Type R gauge cluster w/custom Kevlar trim, Recaro front and rear seats, arm rest delete, road flare, floor mats; Mugen N1 Race steering wheel, sport pedals; Rapfix short hub; Works Bell quick release; Skunk2 shift knob; complete Clarion audio system
Thank You I'd like to thank Andy Yu (Car Code Automotive) for taking a chance and letting a kid intern at his shop and build my car. Sunny @ Car Code Auto Body for all the help. Brian from Mackin Industries, Nick @ Falken Tires, Hugh, Tony & Mike @ Evasive Motorsports, Chris @ KW Automotive, Brian from HASport, Paul @ R1 Concepts, Paul @ Tein USA, Mike Liao @ Racing Beat, Mike Kojima @ Moto IQ, Kevin @ Mega Life, Super Mario @ TSR Fabrication, Gary Castillo Design Craft, Daryl @ Turn 14 & Matthew Pasillas - thanks for supporting me, all my uncles @ Kyosho Racing, Sean Lee @ Purist Group, Wes Hamachi at American Honda, Thanks to my dad for teaching me things, hoarding a lot of parts and letting me pillage them.