The DC2 Integra will always be one of my favorite cars. Although the platform shares the same chassis with the Honda Civic, it always felt, looked and drove like a completely different vehicle. So when the eventual demise of the DC2 came about and the new DC5 RSX was released, I was rather bummed. Gone was the double wishbone suspension, gone was the high flying B18 motor and gone were the round headlights I somehow grew to love. I never really took too well to the RSX. Something was missing. Something just didn't feel right. The K20 motor was a pain in the butt to work on.

So when I ran into Darron Shubin , the owner of the RSX before you, I didn't really give his RSX much thought. Oh, great I said. Another RSX. But after some prodding by Darron, I decided to give his RSX a second look and I am glad I did. It definitely left my mouth wide open with its combination of solid products and construction.

The powerplant upgrades start with an AEM Cold Air Intake and a MagnaFlow stainless steel exhaust system. Although the factory airbox does a pretty good job of getting air into motor, its restrictive design leaves much to be desired. The exhaust lends a deep exhaust note without the annoying kazoo sound you hear from cheaper alternatives. For more power making duties, a Nitrous Works custom direct port nitrous system was plumbed in. Although nitrous had a bad rep a few years ago, the technology has been refined to a point where a simple wet system is dependable and safe. And it gets the “best power bang for the buck” you can find. Fuel needs are fortified with an AEM fuel rail and a Hondata ECU upgrade. Ignition timing is adjusted with a set of AEM adjustable pulleys while cooling effects are handled by a PWR Performance upgraded radiator. Finally, a Hose Techniques white silicone hose kit and an Ichibahn engine dress up kit were used to add some pizzazz to the engine bay.

Energy Suspension polyurethane and Vogtland sport springs start off the stiff stuff that keeps the car upright. Progress Technology's rear lower strut and lower sway bar keeps the rear end in line and from becoming skittish during hard cornering maneuvers. APR's front strut tower brace accomplishes the same task for the front end, lending more structural stiffness. The rolling stock consists of RO_JA Formula 7 forged wheels and Dunlop rubber. Rounding things out on the suspension end of things is a camber & alignment correction kit from SPC. If you spend hundreds of dollars to lower your car, do yourself a favor by picking up this kit. The additional negative camber created by dropping your car – factory tolerances are usually -0.5 to -1 degree of camber – will wear out the inside of your tires faster than you can say, “I need new tires?”.

Climb inside and you are treated to a pair of Cobra racing seats, while the rear seats are covered in the same matching fabric. Bonus show points for this one. A Monkey Bars 6 point roll cage adds more show points and safety bonuses to boot, while a Benevento carbon fiber dash kit spruces up a rather mundane dash surface. An assortment of Ichibahn goodies, including the shift knob, e-brake handle and door sills, adorn the interior, while Vitek diamond plate floormats add an industrial edge.

On the road entertainment needs are met by a slew of Kenwood products. A DVD touch screen TV and DVD receiver act as the source unit, while a 5.1 digital surround sound processor tailors audio signals for a truly theatre-like experience. A pair of 2-channel amps and a single 4-channel amp powers the entire assembly, while output is sourced through Kenwood Excelon component sets and subs. Finally, Scosche lent a hand with sound dampening materials and wiring pieces.

On the outside, a Wings West body kit was used to distinguish Darron's ride from other RSXs on the road. In the rear, a Wings West Type S spoiler was added to mimic the look of the DC5 Type R. Modern Image Signworks performed their “usual” magic with tri-color candy star graphics. A CATZ Zeta lighting system, with a pairing of XLS fog lamps, make visibility easier at night, while an Ichibahn under-chassis neon kit create visual cues in the dark for the world to see.

Darron's RSX isn't complicated. It's not crazy. It's certainly not over the top. But by combining quality products with quality craftsmanship, he's created a vehicle for everyone to jock and drool over. Follow the same formula and your vehicle will drop their jaws wide open as well.