We recently featured Eli Tacker’s current Gathers tribute EK hatch. And during that conversation, he causally mentioned that 15 years ago, he’d approached us about featuring his DA Integra. Embarrassingly (now)… we passed on it. Weirdly, so did Honda Tuning. And that was always one of my least favorite parts about being an editor. We had to pass on cool cars built/owned by really cool people. Some of the reasons made logical sense, and some didn’t honestly. But you gotta understand, in the print era, you only had a certain number of pages to work with. And magazines didn’t drop every day like a TikTok, or every week like a Youtube channel. You had to make sure different articles blended/flowed together as an entire issue. *ALL THESE PHOTOS ARE 15 YEARS OLD!
Photo: Chris Dornon
Looking at Eli’s DA Integra now in 2026…
I know what the 2011 version of me was probably thinking: “It’s just not wild enough.” In 2011, we were looking for edgy Hondas. More aggressive wheel fitment, more low, more turbo dumps through the hood. Race car liveries, shaved bays, wild colors, sticker-bombing, etc. Hell – Here’s a cover from 2011.
What surprises me (even today) about Eli’s DA Integra…
Is that Honda Tuning didn’t scoop it up, at least for a smaller grassroots feature. Eli had Chris Dornon shoot his Integra. Chris was/is an accomplished photographer who had ins with all the magazines. At the time, Honda Tuning was very into clean/tasteful builds like this. And I was into anything they weren’t lol. Admittedly, it was probably a little too personal. They were the big/cushy corporate mag from the West Coast, and we were the struggling/scrappy independent mag from the South. But I always thought Honda Tuning was TELLING people too much how they should build their Hondas. I felt that Hondas were fun lifestyle cars at affordable price points. And they shouldn’t put pedigrees on ‘em. And the struggle of being an independent magazine just made me dig in harder. Anyway – I say all that to try & make the broader point that…
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
Hondas weren’t classic yet…
Meaning, Golden-era Honda was not a term we used. They were still just Hondas. It’s really been the last 15 years that truly proved this era of Honda/Acura as “golden”. And it’s been in the last 15 years, where Hondas & Acuras like this have rounded the corner & become classic. So in that regard, Eli was ahead of his time – classic before classic.
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
It’s like Chris Nicholson from Lane Motor Museum recently told me…
This past weekend, we were gazing at cars of the golden era at Import Alliance, Chris said “The difference is, back then, carmakers were competing with IDEAS.” And it gave their brands authentic uniqueness. VTEC was an idea, rotary was an idea, AWD was an idea… and they set-out to prove these ideas!
Honda/Acura’s concept was high-revving, lightweight, simplicity. And Eli built his DA Integra to accentuate those core concepts – no gimmicks. He wanted to create something lean & agile. Something like you’d see in a Japanese Hyper Rev magazine, which was a huge source of inspiration for Eli.
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
The bulk of Eli’s DA Integra budget went in the engine…
Spending 7k on an NA B16 in 2011 was pretty out there… but that’s what Eli did. This DA Integra started life as a basic LS, but Eli found a B16 block that came from an EG race car (slight endurance car) in Texas. It had oversized P73 (JDM ITR) pistons, and it was an awesome starting point.
From there, Eli called Steve at H Motors & purchased a stock B16 head. Eli got the head reworked with a 3-angle valve job, Supertech valve springs & retainers (stock sizing), and hot 276/272 cams. Everything was port-matched.
Photo: Shocker Joe
VTEC stats…
Eli’s DA Integra ran 425cc injectors, and was using just about all of them when it crossed-over to VTEC (90% duty cycle). The engine revved all the way to 9,300rpm. VTEC kicked-in at 6,800rpm. And when it hit, the car jumped 25hp. Tuned on Crome, Eli’s Integra put down 204hp & 119tq on 93 octane. But more important than numbers, it would literally make the tunnel lights flicker when it revved-out. THAT’s cinematic!
Photo: Chris Dornon
Other supporting engine mods include…
Hasport engine mounts for the B16. And a Walbro 255 fuel pump & Aeromotive red anodized fuel pressure regulator. Eli ran a HKS filter, attached to an EG6 SiR OEM intake elbow. The battery was relocated to the trunk in order to make way for that big ol’ filter. PLM made what was essentially a copy of a Toda header, but it was a quality piece that made good power. And the rest of the Integra’s exhaust was a combination of DA & EG piping with a turndown tucked behind the rear bumper. Eli also ran a 5qt Moroso oil pan on the B16. Other essentials include NGK blue spark plug wires, a red ITR valve cover, and a Feels oil cap. The harness was done by Eli himself, before he ever created Runhard Industries. And all the seals & gaskets (on both the engine AND body) were new Red Label OEM Acura stuff.
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
Transmission…
Eli ran the YS1 cable transmission, with an Exedy 12lb flywheel & stage-2 clutch. It’s connected to the driver through a dual-bend GSR shifter with poly inserts, and a Mugen Formula shift knob.
Photo: Ando
Other interior accents…
Acura blue interior: kind of under-appreciated then, but nostalgic now. Eli made custom seat rails to lower his Bride Zeta driver’s seat closer to the floor. The interior sported a Mugen Racing series-2 steering wheel paired with a Momo hub. Tunes came through an Eclipse headhunt. And rear trunk/chassis bracing came from TN-local Rook Industries. Man I miss that brand!
Photo: Chris Dornon
Suspension, wheels, brakes, & more bracing…
Lowered but not slammered – this DA Integra sits on Function & Form type-2 coilovers. The wheels are light/lean Kosei K1s in 15×7 +38 with Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport tires. Eli ran grabby Hawk pads with braided lines. And he also ran one of the FullRace traction bar setups when they first came out.
Photo: Johnny Kommavongsa
The moral of this DA Integra…
This car & its 15-year story is a reminder to me… that the present is constantly reshaping your lens on the past. And likewise – our nostalgia for the past is constantly shaping how we perceive the present. It’s all relative, and uniquely different for everybody based on our experiences & perspectives. Perspective is a huge influence & motivator in car culture. That’s why it’s so critical to actually BE in the culture, and not just voyeur it from a screen.
