Simply Clean
Choosing the perfect platform to modify is always a tough choice, especially with the barrage of already highly tuned sport compacts hitting the market these days. Trying to stand out from the masses while modifying a Honda (Acura) platform poses an entirely different set of obstacles. With wild trends like intentionally rusted body panels and mismatched flashy color schemes that seem to be driving the scene right now, sometimes the key to standing out is simplicity.
Sky's the Limit
Enter Jay. With his 2003 Acura RSX Type-S, 25 year old Jay Speed of Rochester, New York has found the perfect balance between mild and wild, subtly enhancing the already attractive lines of the Acura by treating the body to an assortment of authentic Japanese Honda Integra Type-R options. Adding the A-Spec lip package and DC5-R wing, headlamps, and badging, Jay has given the RSX a very clean, yet aggressive profile, all while keeping the quality that only OEM parts can provide. In addition to the JDM add-ons, Jay has had the fenders massaged, rolling and pulling them so that the aggressive rollers fit nicely inside the arches, but more on those in just a second.
Sitting nice and low on a set of Buddy Club N+ coilovers, and with the help of some negative camber and a little stretch, Jay has dialed in his stance so that the fat-lipped 18×9.5 +25 Rota P45R2′s wrapped in 215/40 Falken rubber fit perfectly. Now, we know what you might be saying, wait, Rota? Yes, Rota, and to us they look damn good, so deal with it. Rounding out the suspension, Jay added a Mugen front sway bar to help keep things from getting too out of shape in the twisties.
Wide Angle
As with any platform, when building a well rounded vehicle, the key to success is to focus your attention to all aspects of the vehicle, not just one specific area. Jay has accomplished this by not only enhancing the exterior of the Acura but also moving inside the cockpit and upgrading some of the comforts offered by the manufacturer. Ditching the factory leathers for a set of Bride Low Max reclining seats, Jay stays firmly planted behind the wheel, while still giving him valuable access to the rear passenger compartment, so that he may take his daughter along for the ride in her Recaro child seat. Keeping with the JDM influence of the exterior of the vehicle, an Integra Type-R gauge cluster has been added to keep an eye on the important bits under the bonnet, as well as Spoon Sports carpeting throughout to give the interior a more comfortable look and feel overall.
Team SUN*WORKS Reppin'!
A well rounded build wouldn’t be complete without some go-fast bits, so Jay opted to add an AEM V2 short ram intake, along with a DC Sports stainless header and a GReddy EVO2 exhaust system to get the cool air in and the nasties out more efficiently. Getting the additional power to the ground, a set of Innovative solid motor mounts, an Exedy stage 2 clutch and 7lb flywheel are employed, also freeing up some rotational mass to let the K20 rev freely.
So you see, it’s not always about the shock and awe effect, sometimes all you need to do is to be noticed in this scene is to create a clean, simple and aesthetically pleasing vehicle, with modifications that compliment each other and have been well thought out and executed. We have to hand it to Jay, he has done exactly this, and with his plans for a new set Work VS-XX wheels, more low and much more in the near future, it’s only going to get better. In the words of another famous New Yorker; “It was all a dream!”
It was all a dream!
Jay wishes to give thanks to his mom and dad, fiancé Jennifer and daughter Hailey for their continued love and support throughout the entire process of this build and for not letting him give up on his dream. His friend and teammate Jake Reining at SUN*WORKS, for always being there and helping him to become New York chapter team leader. His friend and photographer Mike Petrino for these amazing photographs, and to anyone else along the way who has inspired him to reach his goals with the car.
Photos By: Michael Petrino exclusively for StanceEast.com
