Someone famous once said, "In youth we learn, in age we understand." This statement is true in so many ways, and I'm sure most everyone remembers what it's like to be 18 and think you've got it all figured out. The world is in your hands, school's out for summer and maybe you've even got a car you want to play around with. Tai Ha remembers this feeling, and like many JDM enthusiasts, he started his automotive life on a bit of a rocky path. But after a few years, a few bad decisions on parts and after meeting the right people, his DC5 has come full circle and the results speak for themselves.
After buying the car in 2002 as a junior in high school, Tai had big plans in mind right away. He got to work with the list of first-timer parts-replicas across the board. Thankfully, soon after discovering the difference in fitment, look and overall quality of replica parts versus the real deal, Tai rethought his approach and started the rebuild. It's tough for anyone to pay their way through school and build a nice car simultaneously, so progress was slow at first. But as we know, good things come to those who wait, and the way Tai's DC5 sits right now is proof of that.
On the outside, Honda's unmistakable Championship White paint gives the car a noticeable difference in appearance from a typical USDM DC5. Combined with a VIS carbon-fiber hatch and an Airwalker Japan hood, front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper, Tai turns heads with his slick DC5 wherever he goes.
To complete the JDM exterior theme, Integra Type-R black housing headlights, JDM amber side markers as well as JDM Honda Integra badges were thrown into the mix.
Inside the cockpit, we're greeted by a plethora of JDM visual treats. A pair of bright-red Bride Brix 2 seats keeps Tai and his passenger up front snug and comfortable, and the rear seat with custom Bride fabric is ready just in case the ride calls for more than two bodies. Defi gauges ensure that Tai always knows what's going on under the hood, and a stylish Momo 350mm steering wheel and custom blue-lit gauge cluster add a bit of extra aesthetic flare. Red carpet and floormats, plus a full black interior panel swap complete with an Interga Type-R emergency brake console, door panels, pedals and a road flare finish off the interiors JDM-inspired look.
All this is great so far, but what really completes this DC5 is the beast that lies in wait under the hood. Knowing that simple bolt-ons wouldn't satisfy his need for speed, Tai began researching forced induction, but as with anything car related, it's never quite as easy as it seems. After installing a custom turbo kit, he ran his car for a short while before the motor blew and it was time for a heart transplant. Equipped with a fresh motor, Tai also added a NX dry kit for that little extra punch. To keep the engine revving happily and putting as much power to the wheels as possible, an Exedy clutch and flywheel were added, as well as a JDM Interga Type-R LSD. All said and done, Tai's DC5 puts down an easy 300 whp at 8 psi, enough to have a lot of fun but also keep the motor safe and running strong.
Everyone knows that going fast is fun, but when the time comes to stop and turn, Tai is happy he paid attention to those aspects of the car. Buddy Club N+ coilovers were chosen for their adjustability and race-ready performance, and Progress front and rear 22mm sway bars aid in keeping the car centered and balanced through the twisties. Beautiful 18x8-inch high polished Advan RS wheels wrapped in Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tires perfectly showcase the Rotora four-piston big brake kit up front, a setup that allows the powerful DC5 to stop nearly on a dime.