All in the Family: Ferrari-Red 1998 Acura Integra GS-R Was Passed Down and Tuned Up

This DC2 came from an uncle and was transformed into a JDM-face-lifted, Mugen-equipped, turbocharged showpiece.

RodrezWriterFeb 16, 2024

Chances are, if you own a 1990s-era Honda like this '98 Acura Integra GS-R, it started its life with someone else, and probably served multiple owners, from commuters to enthusiasts and anyone in-between. And whether you found yours through an online ad or a used car dealership, you really have no specific idea how it was treated previously, beyond its outward appearance and the condition of those components you can inspect for yourself.

Well Documented

Boon Yang knew everything about this Integra before he took ownership in 2012, because he purchased the car from his uncle. “He told me he had the choice of owning an Integra or Accord coupe, thankfully he chose the Integra,” he says. “He owned the car since 2000 and would pick me and my older brother up to go cruising at night to look at cars on University, which, to us Minnesotans, was called Midway during that time.”

With a well-maintained first car with a clean history in hand, Boon took to making changes to personalize it, but admittedly they were mild due to his lack of funds at that time. “I’ve always tried to be simple with it, as my budget wasn’t the biggest in the early years,” he says. And like many first timers, mistakes were made but served as life lessons. He adds, “I repeated so many steps that I shouldn’t have, but it was a learning experience you could say. The saying ‘do it once, do it right’ was something I avoided so often and short cuts I took caused me to repeat some things.”

The Temporary Fix

By 2015, after struggling to paint match bumper lips properly and feeling like the car was due for a proper refresh, he had it sprayed in factory Milano Red but, again, his budget restraints didn't allow for a show quality finish. "It was not the best paint but it worked for me for the next few years," he notes.

Look at the build now, and any thoughts of a low budget build-up are but distant memories as the paint and body currently is top notch, the value of the hard to find aero pieces outweigh that of the car they're attached to, and the native B-series engine is far from stock.

Badass B-Series

An excellent engine for just about any type of build, be it naturally aspirated or boosted, the original B18C1 in Boon's Integra now hangs from Hasport engine mounts, its bottom end fortified with CP pistons and Manley rods. ARP Evo X head studs were used to cinch down the Supertech-equipped head that plays host to a Skunk2 intake manifold and throttle body, and GoAutoworks' top mount turbo manifold.

With its cold side finished in gold and hot side ceramic coated, a Precision 5858 turbocharger sits just behind the driver's side headlight and is the key component in Boon's 475-whp 1.8-liter engine. The turbo's high luster, which matches that of the valve cover and Mugen shock tower bar, is offset by a host of black components that help the gold pieces visually pop from the bright red engine bay.

Ferrari's Signature Touch

Seven years after taking ownership of the Integra and having applied multiple changes to it, some good, others forgettable, Boon decided it was time to give his GS-R the finish it deserved and with a whole new look. Stepping away from the factory color this time, he opted for Ferrari's Corsa Red and applied a JDM face lift in the process.

To complete the update, Boon had been storing quite a few Mugen pieces but refused to introduce them to the build until he found the missing piece. "I finally got my hands on a Mugen front bumper to change the car out entirely," he states. The color change included the door jams and engine bay, and covered that elusive front bumper, its matching side skirts, and the ends of the Gen. 2 rear wing. A vented FRP hood and Rando Sports rear bumper complete the revamp.

The Right Shoes For The Outfit

The GS-R's 4x100 lug pattern and brakes were replaced with a 5-lug Type R conversion and NSX calipers, StopTech rotors, and fresh lines from Chase Bays' brake line tuck kit. Given the high dollar Mugen aero treatment, it was only fitting that the brand's legendary bronze MF10s be added. The new look combined with the car's stellar paint work mark a significant leap forward for Boon's project but don't get too comfortable with it as he hinted that he's already working on a new phase with different aero.

If you're lucky enough to get a ride in his boosted DC2, you'll notice that it lacks the stripped-out cabin that most opt for these days. Instead, the complete interior is intact with comfortable Recaro SRD in place of the factory seats. You'll encounter more Mugen, too: the leather steering wheel, sport pedals, and Formula shift knob. A series of AEM gauges are mounted where the original radio once sat, but there is a complete audio system also on board as well, for true street car status. Additional details like the ITR faux carbon fiber HVAC vents and Chasing J's titanium steering wheel hardware and gauge bezel add a little, but not too much to the classic cabin.

Never Satisfied

There's quite a bit of nostalgia packed into this late '90s chassis for Boon, given the amount of time he spent as a youngster riding shotgun with his uncle before taking over and making the build his own. With 12 years of ownership and 24 years of involvement with the chassis, is he nearing the end of his journey with the car? "It's always a build in progress and I can never really say I'm finished with it as I'm always searching for the next change," he says. "But who knows, maybe it's toward the end, but what I have now is more than I could have ever imagined."

1998 Acura Integra GS-R

Owner Boon Yang

Instagram @diablos_integra

Engine B18C1; Hasport engine mounts; CP 10:1 pistons; Manley rods; ACL rod and thrust bearings; Evo X ARP head studs; Supertech dual valve springs; Precision 5858 T3 ball bearing turbo; TiAL 44mm wastegate, 50mm blow-off valve; GoAutoworks top mount turbo manifold, downpipe, radiator; custom 3-inch exhaust system; Mugen twin loop muffler; Skunk2 Pro Series intake manifold, 70mm throttle body; Walbro 450lph fuel pump; AEM fuel rail; Alpha Injection 1,300cc; Fuel Lab fuel pressure regulator; Turbo Guard; Chase Bays coolant overflow tank, power steering reservoir; ASP battery mount and catch can; Hondata S300 V3

Power 475hp/321tq

Drivetrain ACT Heavy Duty clutch, flywheel

Suspension Fortune Auto 500 coil overs; Hardrace bushings throughout, front/rear camber kits; MPC drop forks, rear lower control arms, rear brace; ASR rear sway bar; Mugen shock tower bar

Braking ITR 5-lug conversion; NSX calipers; StopTech rotors; Hawk Performance pads; Chase Bays brake line tuck kit

Wheels & Tires Mugen MF10 16x8+42; Toyo Proxes R888 225/45

Exterior Ferrari Corsa Red; Mugen front bumper, side skirts, Gen 2 wing; Rando Sports rear bumper; Carbon Hart Racing Mugen style FRP hood; shaved side moldings

Interior Recaro SR3 seats; Mugen leather steering wheel, sport pedals, Formula shift knob; AEM boost, oil pressure, air/fuel ratio gauges; turbo timer; Kicker sound system

Thank You I’d first like to give a huge shout out to my family and wife. Through the headache I’ve put them through, they still stuck through it all with me after so many years of craziness in this car. Another shout out to the friends and people who has helped me all along on this journey- detailing the car for car shows, helping me touch up any last-minute things, electrical wiring, photoshoots, paint, tuning, and pure motivation. I’ve met a lot of great people through this car both online and in person. Many of whom that I have never even met, but just some pure enthusiast that has been helpful to me on this ongoing journey. Last but not least, thank you to Jason @chuhunmedia for the wonderful photos. I appreciate you all!

Photos Courtesy of Jason Chhun, Chhun Media.