Unlimited Class
Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
7'16.062 Nurburgring Nordshleife Hotlap
Specs:
327 hp
1029 kg
3.151 pwr
Settings can be found here
Parts
"All Motor" NA Stage 3 Modification
All Power Modifications and Weight Reductions.
Full Custom Race Equipment On All Suspension and Drivetrain Parts.
Racing Hard (R2) Tires.
(Rigidity Increase was NOT used)
Initial Impressions:
Thanks to my previous review of the DC5 in the 280 class I was not expecting much from this car.
Consistant understeer, lacking power, exceptional grip on acceleration, stable braking, etc etc...
My previous review can be found
here
However, to my suprise the DC5 Integra felt like a winner. Not some over-powered, over-kill, easy target killer, but a real winner.
Instantly my opinion of the DC5 was changed and in that I've found a new favorite.
It seems my guess about the Integra from the 280 class was dead-on, this car is meant for bigger things than a 280 hp - S tire shootout.
So why the change of heart?
The Testing Begins and A Phoenix Rises...
Yes, yes, indeed the Integra amazed me- but why?
Well, first take the time to consider my previous opinion of the Integra (crashing and burning is a good way to describe that story).
However, relative to that, this car managed to rise above and beyond my expectations without even the slightest bit of effort.
Yes, that's right, the Integra lapped the Ring effortlessly. 👍
All of the handling, power delivery, and braking characteristics were changed (despite being on the same settings as the 280 class entry).
Power delivery was the first notice-able change.
The Integra, even on racing tires, managed to break traction consitantly at the throughout second gear (when using full throttle).
This new-found loss of traction contributed greatly to initial oversteer.
Turning throughout the mid-range of any gear was also positively changed by the new power of the Integra. Understeer during mid-range turning was reduced dramatically (although proper FF driving techniques must still be observed).
Braking was also changed in this new iteration of the Integra. Turn-in was actually border-line instable. :drools:
This is partly due to new tires and the fact that higher speeds create higher downforce.
However, that's just part of the deal.
With that in mind, the Integra was still stable but the actual turn-in began to take on the "snap" oversteer characteristic common in other highly tuned FF cars. This was a great "helping hand" when lapping the Ring.
The actual power delivery in the high end of the RPM range was also greatly changed.
Where it was once an under-whelming experience to run redline and shift, it was now obvious that 300 hp was being produced, especially in the high end. That same 300+ was also much more potent because of the new tires and suprisingly, the new confidence inspired by the overall change in the car's feel.
Even more suprising was the peak in power throughout the final 1000rpm of the rev range. Previously the engine sounded like a race car in this area but acted like a barely tuned street car... Suprisingly, the extra 40 horsepower made an incredible difference.
The amazing "race" sound of this car was no matched by steady pull that lasted well beyond the initial redline.
Plainly stated: This car was now ready to race and finally felt like it had the power to do so.
The Integra was definately reborn in my eyes.
Post Race Impressions:
This is where my thoughts are confused... Was I mistaken in my assessment?
Did the Integra prove itself to be such a powerful force on the track that I was turned to a "believer"?
Or was the pain of my previous experience still fresh enough that a slight change for the better felt like a world of difference?
Did I make a mountain out of a mole hill? (in a good way)
When I take the time to be calm and reasonable it is clear to me that the Integra is actually a great racer (even with the FF format holding it back).
The street car DC5 seems to have great potential and fufilling that potential is much easier than with the touring car DC5.
Handling was "dreamy" and problems from the 280 class iteration were close to non-existant.
Power was in great supply and even though the torque of the NA tune was present, the car never felt over powered (even in the low-end where torque can help or hurt the most).
Overall:
This was the Integra I hoped for when I bought the car new from the dealer.
Contradicting my opinions formed during the 280 class testing, this Integra was powerful, balanced, handled well, and most importantly- stradled the line between "behaved" and "wild."
My grade for the Integra DC5 in a fully modified NA tune using racing tires...
90-95% out of 100
What else can I say?
The Integra DC5 was awesome and only a great set of blurry photos could show just how great this new generation of a famous FF really is.
Btw, my next FF review will be on the '95 Civic EG SiR
(also, thanks scaff
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