Keepers: Acura Integra Type-R

Hold on a second you V-8 guys and gals. This isn’t some stickered up import left over from the set of The Fast and The Furious. In fact, it’s not really stickered up at all, save for the blazing red Rs plastered on both rear quarter panels and the car's backside. These red emblems weren’t purchased at local parts stores, however. They were installed at the factory, along with a host of engine and suspension upgrades that turned the Integra into a true performance legend.

When the Type-R debuted in the U.S. market for 1997, its modified 1.8 liter, B18C four-cylinder engine made 197 naturally-aspirated horsepower—the highest output-per-liter of any engine sold in the States. Of course, it had to rev past 8000 rpm to get there, but that was part of the Type-R’s appeal. A close ratio five-speed manual was specifically developed to make the most of this lofty powerband, allowing the super ‘teg to sing soprano through all the gears without dropping out of the engine’s sweet spot. In capable hands, the Type-R could rip to 60 in less than seven seconds, and turn quarter-mile times of around 15 seconds flat. By the numbers, that’s quicker than the 1994-1996 Impala SS we covered in the last round of Keepers, and quick enough to equal or even humble the Mustang GT drivers of the day. It may have been a high-pitched, front-wheel drive, four-cylinder import, but even the hardcore V-8 guys must admit—it had plenty of bite to match the bark.

And that’s just the straight-line stuff. Drop the Type-R into a road course and its combination of aggressive suspension tuning, big brakes, limited-slip differential, and sticky Bridgestone summer rubber would positively dominate its contemporary front-wheel drive competition. Then to prove the point, the little racer would downshift, spin to 8400 rpm, and surprise a few rear-drivers as well. No, you’ll never elicit power-on oversteer from the Type-R, but its balance and grip are a match for many rear-drive performance platforms, and there aren’t many front-wheel drive contenders that can back up such a claim. Though the last Type-R came off the assembly line in 2001, it remains one of the best dedicated performance cars of the modern era.

You know the drill by now—a mini Integra Type-R shopping guide will grace the next Keepers segment.

See gallery.

by smiersma on Jan. 28, 2010 - 9:54 a.m.
  • PFR
    This is a front wheel drive import tuner. One of many that go fast. Drive one in rain, up a hill, out of a steep driveway, in front of a fast moving truck. You'll wish you had a real car.
  • Seyth Miersma
    Strange analysis, PFR.
  • Sam
    Clearly a comment from someone who has never driven one of these amazing cars. This integra can oversteer in the wet, and has the precision to flog a heavy American muscle car around a tight track. Since the weight is on the driving wheels, traction is better off the line, than front engine, rear wheel drives. PFR this is'nt a car for someone who needs to compensate by getting a big V8. Honda's engineering is second to none with low capacity, naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engines. Take one for a drive and you will see what the fuss is about.
  • joe vtec
    The DC2 ITR was one of the best drivers' cars ever made and more than capable of embarrassing much more expensive cars on a cross country dash.
  • Ron
    The ITR is a legend. Clearly PFR has not been blessed enough to get behind the wheel. Believe me when I say, this vehicle has changed the opinions of numerous domestic/V8/rw drive fans whom I know. I do not own one, however a very good friend does & lucky for me he does not mind swapping cars for the weekend!
  • itr luvit
    I bought an unmolested one last month. You won't care about low-end torque when you experiences the levels of giddiness a Type R offers. EVO magazine (UK) has been raving about this car for a few years now-- making #22 in the top 100 driver's cars of all-time and, in their opinion, the best front-drive car ever. Uncanny similarities to the E30 M3 in many respects...would love to see a comparison test.
  • RD
    Nice car. I had an older first gen SE and really enjoyed it. But how does this generation Type R compare to the RXS Type S? Those offer similar specs and should be available in greater numbers. Plus I honestly find the RSX styling more attractive.
  • PFR is just a hater..let him be. I've driven my ITR uphill in heavy rain at Watkins Glen with no troubles at all. Kept up with and passed several RWD Eurocars and Vettes. These cars can oversteer quite easily. The stiff rear suspension allows the rear-end to step out with simply throttle control. I also DD the car during the summer months and find it perfect for reliability, gas mileage and roominess. I've even taken it off-road onto our hunting land and it never disappoints. The RSX is a compromise between all out performance and luxury/creature comforts. It's a great car but not a pure-bred track ready car from the factory. It's heavy and many argue the suspension was a step backwards from the Integra line and certainly the ITR. Luxury options like a moonroof, cruise control, and sound deadening were removed for the ITR for weight savings. A/C was optional in the first 2 years. I'm not saying the ITR is the best car ever made. It's just a great piece of automotive engineering by an automaker that refused to compromise and put 100% effort into it's high performance development. It is an absolute blast to drive!
  • Houman Lashkari
    it is a limited edition car with i belive 200 only in 97 and more in 98 model year (white only) then the next ones came out only yellow or black and i've had a few (i a used car dealer) and love them all it's a all around great package with the ability to get 24 mpg at 75 on the highway and the rsx's is quicker in line but i belive not around a track the r's handle wonderfully. but be carefull i had teenagers follow me around to find where i parked to steal the damn thing everywhere i drove so it was a pain in the ass as ever teen what's to see if his civic with a coffee can for a muffler wants to race you.
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  • carlover
    i'm not saying hondas are bad, by any stretch, but fwd is only good for low torque, low horsepower economy driven cars. add any signifigant power to the platform and you get major torque steer and wheelspin. you can throw in an lsd, and electronic traction, but the problems still exist. good car for around town or a cruise, just not a true sports car. sorry. and i'm not a 4cyl. basher, i drive a four cyl., AWD, turbo car. four cylinder cars can make big power, it should not be fwd though.
  • Mark
    Where can i find the keeprs segment, to read the Integra buying guide? -a mini Integra Type-R shopping guide will grace the next Keepers segment.-
  • undergrounddesign.gr
    This car is a weapon. It's a unique car in it's category. You sould not compare it to everything else , but doing this means that it's better than it's class.
  • Scott Tarman
    I own a 2001 Type R and you're usually right that torque steer is an issue with front wheel drive cars, but cars more specifically that are turbocharged or supercharged... where the boost develops abundantly in the high end or the low end. The great thing about the type R is the Vtec which possesses no torque steer and puts the power smoothly to the pavement. I've had Porsche 911's, Mustangs (GT & SVO), a Z-28, and this car is the best handling car I've ever owned. Seriously, you've got to drive one and it will change your mind!
  • Mike
    Actually you are wrong about the traction off the line vs a RWD, front engine car. Basic physics. Weight transfers to the rear of the car on hard acceleration. This is why RWD has an advantage over FWD and even AWD in the most extreme cases for drag racing. As somebody who has raced FWD cars for the past 15 years, I can say without a doubt that the ITR is seriously the second most over-rated performance car of all time, nudged out of the top spot only by it's big brother, the NSX. Here is where you say "Yeah but Honda's HP per liter blah blah blah blah." And you'd be right. They have achieved amazing hp per liter numbers. Unfortunately, they never seem to bring enough of those liters to the table. They either need to start building larger engines that still make these impressive HP/liter numbers, or they need to learn to turbocharge some besides SUV's and PWC's.
  • 2Fast2R3al
    PFR why don't you leave the opinions to us *the honda owners or the ones that just had a drive in one of them?* I own a CTR and im mad over ITR's too!!! Haters keep your thaughts to yourselfs :P
  • I had one of the first batch of 1997 ITRs that came to Canada, and days after delivery semi-stripped the car and began running it in Solo 1. After a liitle suspension work to dial out the understeer, it was quite neutral and a real joy to flog on a tight track. Contrary to one poster's view that they aren't good in the rain, I found the ITR to be in its element on a rain-soaked track. The LSD aided in getting the power down coming out of a corner, and even through standing water you could keep your foot in it as the power transferred from side to side with near-telepathic steering feedback unmatched by any RWD car. I sold it to a racing buddy after owning/tracking it for three years; shortly thereafter it was stolen and stripped of all the Mugen parts I'd put on it. Along with my AP1 S2000, the ITR was one of the most enjoyable (and reliable) low-cost cars I've ever owned.
  • Had a '98, but had problems with ergos. Combination of seat, angle to go pedal & lack of cruise control limited seat time to about 1 1/2 hours at a stretch--and I've always been in great shape. Lots of fun if keep expectations in line. Did header & exhaust, intake with throttle body, chip, cam gear/retard, smaller pulleys--virtually everything that could be done without taking motor apart. Had it dynoed, and dyno shop said it was the strongest normally aspirated ITR ever tested in his shop. It put down 140hp at the wheels and 135 fl/lbs. Impressive in a 2500 lb. car, but mostly above the VTEC cut in. If ergos had been better, would still have the little beast. Put TEIN coil overs on it, and with super light Rays wheels, it cornered like proverbial Jack The Bear.
  • Haha legend my ass .. legend is its big brother the NSX don't confuse them now. The type R obiously is the best in class jdm has to offer but left stock its still a piece of shit. Now once modded with the NON ricers it's a nice car that you can be like wow pretty nice. Though i give thumbs up for the engineers, disregarding people's opinions.
  • ITR-616
    morrobayboy: 140hp/135tq? You either mistyped that or you dont have an R.
  • NORCAL2JZ
    oh im sorry wtf is your definition of a real car you fucking moron..... lemme guess a low revving only goes fast in a straight line heavy ass gass consuming ass american car huh??? dont hate cuz the japanese know how tyo do it better than piece of shit american cars...... FORD= DRIVER RETURNS ON FOOT.
  • He said to the Wheels!... he did not mistype it because they are around there.. You jdms overate this car ..