Michael Austin's introduction to the car world started with The Fast and the Furious. He remembers waiting for the local theater at the age of 12 (or 13) to get the movie (a week late). "I sat in a mostly empty theater with a friend of mine," remembers Austin, "and the scene that sticks out the most is the 4-way race that featured Ja Rule and a car that won my heart - an Acura Integra." That was the only time Austin had seen a modified Integra, and it was at this moment he knew he would own a car like that one day.
When Austin was 18, he saved enough money for non VTEC, but manual transmission, 1998 Acura Integra RS. "My parents took me to get the car 4 hours away," mentions Austin, "and I drove it back and learned how to drive stick on the way home." Over the next year, he spent time on small modifications that changed the look of the car. "Carbon fiber (faux) mirrors, underglow LED, eBay lip kits," states Austin, "I guess you could say some "ricey" modifications but it was my car and I was happy."
With the Integra RS, he learned to change the oil and brakes and perform general maintenance. It didn't take long for Austin to wreck the car. "I had it a little over a year but little did I know my car journey was just starting. " Quickly after wrecking the car, he found a 2001 Acura Integra shell. "I didn't know much about cars or how to swap the engine, but I was a quick learner and bit the bullet." Now, this shell wasn't just any shell - it had a JDM front Integra! These were pretty scarce in his area and he was excited to be one of the few. " I got the shell home safe and sound."
Austin needed help with the engine swap and this is when he met, Steffen Webber. "This guy came over to my house, started working on the swap, stayed the night and finished it up," remembers Austin. Webber taught Austin a lot along the process. If anyone is to blame for his obsession with cars and the direction he has gone, it's Webber! Now with a running car, the 10-year transformation started.
"When I got this car running I told myself I was going to stick with it," mentions Autin. No matter how upset he got or how much motivation he lacked over time, Austin was going to stick with it. This was by far the best decision he ever made. During this process there have been many hands in pie, so to speak, each one teaching him things along the way or learning with him and lending a hand. "I am forever grateful to those who have helped," states Austin, "Luke Emmanuel, Steffen Webber, Elric Claudio (RIP), Jeff Trueblood, Tyler Blake, Daniel Pellham."
Over the years there have been 2 people that really stuck out when it came to inspiring Austin with his build. " Gerald, who owned the OG Rootbeer Integra, and Kevin Nguyen, who owns a yellow Integra. Both individuals paid so much attention to detail. When they did something to their car, they did it right."
Owner: Michael Austin
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Vehicle: 2001 Acura Integra GS
Horsepower: 230 whp (estimated)
Club: NvUS
SOCIAL
Facebook: /NvusMike
Instagram:
@rootbeerintegra
Photography by Hunters Eye Photography, Coquo Photography, Alec Proctor Photography, Chops Creative, Wonton Photography, @imakecarparts.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
- ITR head
- Skunk2 pro 2 cams
- Skunk2 valve springs
- Skunk2 retainers
- Skunk2 lost motion assembly
- Skunk2 adjustable cam gears
- Skunk2 intake manifold
- Skunk2 70mm throttle body
- AEM fuel rail
- RC 550cc injectors
- B18b block
- Golden Eagle LSVTEC kit
- Wiseco pistons
- Eagle H beam rods
- Hasport mounts
- PWJDM kevlar intake
- Skunk2 Alpha radiator
- Mishimoto coolant overflow can
- Moroso oil catch can
- Sickspeed 24k dress-up bolts
- Mugen reservoir socks
- Shaved and tucked
- S2000 CMC
- Stainless steel braided clutch line
- Initial tune with Skunk2 Pro1 cams and different pistons
EXHAUST
- RMF header
- Buddy Club exhaust system
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS
- Tuned on Crome
DRIVETRAIN
- MFactory LSD
- B16 transmission
WHEELS & TIRES
- Nitto Neo Gen tires - 205/40/17
- Work Meister wheels - 17x8 +32 (f), 17x8 +22 (r)
BRAKES
- Stainless steel braided lines
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
- Truhart AirMAXX suspension
- Vera Evo management
- BWR front camber kit
- BWR rear camber kit
- Block Lower control arms
- ASR subframe brace
- Beaks lower tie bar
- Buddy Club ball joints
EXTERIOR
- Custom Rootbeer paint
- Spoon Lip
- Spoon Mirrors
- Mugen wing
- Devsport front splitter
- Devsport side splitter
- imakecarparts rear diffuser
- Custom Kevlar window visors
- JDM front end
- K-Tuned hood quick release
LIGHTING
- LED headlights
- LED interior cabin lights
INTERIOR
- Recaro vintage brownseats
- Grip Royal woodgrain steering wheel
- NRG hub
- NRG quick release
- Woodgrain accents
- 9k shiftknob
- K-Tuned shifter
- Hardwood floor in trunk (air management setup)
AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA
- Pioneer double-din head-unit
FAVORITE MODIFICATION
"Recaro Seats - these seats came from a friend of mine who passed away. Elric Claudio (RIP, brother). These seats were originally his father's, and he kept them in great condition. From what I was told these seats were from a Porsche. They were sent back to Recaro and requested they be wrapped in brown fabric. What his father got back is what I have now. I have never seen this fabric anywhere else. They fit the car perfectly and I think of Elric every time I drive the car."
FUTURE MODIFICATIONS
- Install Spoon brakes
- Buddy Club exhaust
- Interior work
- Redo the trunk setup
SPONSORS
- Truhart
- Sickspeed
- Buddy Club
SHOPS & MECHANICS
- Ramey Racing
