darkspeeed
Member
- First Name
- Glenn
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2023
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 32
- Reaction score
- 40
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Car(s)
- 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec
- Thread starter
- #1
Welcome to my review and first impressions of tracking the 23 Integra A-Spec!
First, a little background: I've started my motorsports journey with AutoX and HPDE in 2019 and have participated in well over 20+ events to date. I am by no means an expert or a professional, however I believe I have enough seat time to confidently speak on the subject and I am happy to share my review with you all.
The vehicles I've tracked include:
2009 Civic Si (FA5)
2020 Civic Sport Hatchback (FK7)
2020 Civic Si (FC1)
2021 Civic Type R (FK8)
Current vehicle:
2023 Integra A-Spec (DE4)
Current setup as reviewed:
Engine: Stock L15CA
Transmission: Stock 6MT
Suspension: Eibach Pro-Kit springs / Stock Dampers (Adaptive)
Tires: Stock 235/40R18 Continental ProContact (All-Season)
Bolt-ons: K&N SRI
ECU/Tune: KTuner V1.2 - TSP STage 1 Tune
Track:
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Braselton, GA
Conditions:
Light Rain/Wet
Review:
My intent of this track day was to get acclimated with this car and really feel out the characteristics of this platform. My goal was not to set any personal best lap times, but rather understand the vehicle's behavior - that way I can determine what improvements would be most beneficial and effective. The car has been daily driven for approximately 20,000 miles and is still on the factory all-season tires (which I knew was going to be the biggest weak point in the configuration, second being the factory brake pads and fluid) however, I was curious to see how they performed anyways.
On top of running with well-worn all-season tires and factory brakes/fluid - it had been raining and the track was still pretty wet with the painted strips very slippery, so I had to proceed with much caution!
Despite the odds that were against the vehicle, I was still impressed by the overall performance. The engine felt plenty responsive, and there was enough power and torque that it did not feel like a chore to get out of corners or maintain pace (Like the Civics I'm used to, these are "momentum" cars, so keeping pace and staying flat is imperative) The transmission performed well, it was very easy to stay in the powerband and shifting was a breeze - especially the downshifts thanks to the auto rev match system much like my old FK8 Type R. Some drivers prefer the old heel-toe method; however I found no issues with the rev match system - in fact, I actually found it quite enjoyable to be honest!
Power did not feel like an issue on this vehicle, grip however was a whole different story....
Again, I was well aware that my tire and brake setup was not ideal for track use, and I DO NOT RECCOMEND running all-season tires and factory brake pads/fluid! I found that I spend most of my efforts fighting the car when it came to traction. The tires screamed for their lives at even the mildest corners on Road Atlanta. After only a few laps, I began to feel some serious brake fade, and I suspected that my fluid was probably cooked. The combo of weak tires/brakes (not to mention poor weather) forced me to lift quite a bit (against my instincts) and to brake very very early in an effort to keep the car on the track, and not into a wall.
Despite it all, the car was extremely fun to drive, and I feel like there is a ton of potential to extract from this platform. I am looking forward to seeing how this car performs in the future with some adjustments to its setup.
Recommended improvements:
Tires! Some proper 200TW Summer tires would seriously do this car some justice.
Brakes! Swapping to a better compound such as Hawk and higher temp Fluid such as Motul 600.
Future upgrades:
Clutch! Although I mentioned that the power was fine, I was on the Base calibration of the TSP Stage 1 Tune. There are 2 additional Maps that allow for more power to be utilized - so I feel like a clutch upgrade would do this car well as to make better use of the increased power and torque (staying within safe parameters of the factory internals of course) Combined with better tires, I feel like this car will perform significantly better and will prove to be a fun daily driver that can handle some light duty track days!
Here is a clip from one my sessions. Not my best lap by a long shot, but I learned a lot about the Integra's behavior and look forward to taking it back out there with some alterations and seeing what I can do with this platform in the future.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences as well
Enjoy, and be safe!
-Glenn Crane
Integra Track Day
First, a little background: I've started my motorsports journey with AutoX and HPDE in 2019 and have participated in well over 20+ events to date. I am by no means an expert or a professional, however I believe I have enough seat time to confidently speak on the subject and I am happy to share my review with you all.
The vehicles I've tracked include:
2009 Civic Si (FA5)
2020 Civic Sport Hatchback (FK7)
2020 Civic Si (FC1)
2021 Civic Type R (FK8)
Current vehicle:
2023 Integra A-Spec (DE4)
Current setup as reviewed:
Engine: Stock L15CA
Transmission: Stock 6MT
Suspension: Eibach Pro-Kit springs / Stock Dampers (Adaptive)
Tires: Stock 235/40R18 Continental ProContact (All-Season)
Bolt-ons: K&N SRI
ECU/Tune: KTuner V1.2 - TSP STage 1 Tune
Track:
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Braselton, GA
Conditions:
Light Rain/Wet
Review:
My intent of this track day was to get acclimated with this car and really feel out the characteristics of this platform. My goal was not to set any personal best lap times, but rather understand the vehicle's behavior - that way I can determine what improvements would be most beneficial and effective. The car has been daily driven for approximately 20,000 miles and is still on the factory all-season tires (which I knew was going to be the biggest weak point in the configuration, second being the factory brake pads and fluid) however, I was curious to see how they performed anyways.
On top of running with well-worn all-season tires and factory brakes/fluid - it had been raining and the track was still pretty wet with the painted strips very slippery, so I had to proceed with much caution!
Despite the odds that were against the vehicle, I was still impressed by the overall performance. The engine felt plenty responsive, and there was enough power and torque that it did not feel like a chore to get out of corners or maintain pace (Like the Civics I'm used to, these are "momentum" cars, so keeping pace and staying flat is imperative) The transmission performed well, it was very easy to stay in the powerband and shifting was a breeze - especially the downshifts thanks to the auto rev match system much like my old FK8 Type R. Some drivers prefer the old heel-toe method; however I found no issues with the rev match system - in fact, I actually found it quite enjoyable to be honest!
Power did not feel like an issue on this vehicle, grip however was a whole different story....
Again, I was well aware that my tire and brake setup was not ideal for track use, and I DO NOT RECCOMEND running all-season tires and factory brake pads/fluid! I found that I spend most of my efforts fighting the car when it came to traction. The tires screamed for their lives at even the mildest corners on Road Atlanta. After only a few laps, I began to feel some serious brake fade, and I suspected that my fluid was probably cooked. The combo of weak tires/brakes (not to mention poor weather) forced me to lift quite a bit (against my instincts) and to brake very very early in an effort to keep the car on the track, and not into a wall.
Despite it all, the car was extremely fun to drive, and I feel like there is a ton of potential to extract from this platform. I am looking forward to seeing how this car performs in the future with some adjustments to its setup.
Recommended improvements:
Tires! Some proper 200TW Summer tires would seriously do this car some justice.
Brakes! Swapping to a better compound such as Hawk and higher temp Fluid such as Motul 600.
Future upgrades:
Clutch! Although I mentioned that the power was fine, I was on the Base calibration of the TSP Stage 1 Tune. There are 2 additional Maps that allow for more power to be utilized - so I feel like a clutch upgrade would do this car well as to make better use of the increased power and torque (staying within safe parameters of the factory internals of course) Combined with better tires, I feel like this car will perform significantly better and will prove to be a fun daily driver that can handle some light duty track days!
Here is a clip from one my sessions. Not my best lap by a long shot, but I learned a lot about the Integra's behavior and look forward to taking it back out there with some alterations and seeing what I can do with this platform in the future.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences as well
Enjoy, and be safe!
-Glenn Crane
Integra Track Day
Sponsored
) but definitely not an experience I will ever forget!
