What do you get when you mix equal parts hardcore JDM automotive enthusiast and nerdy computer IT geek? An Acura RSX Type-S that’s as sharp as a razor, as fast as a cheetah and as rare as bipartisanship in congress! What started out as a U.S.-spec RSX has gradually acquired a catalog’s worth of JDM goodies since it was purchased new back in late summer of 2004. Eric Lam is a finicky guy who only wanted the best for his personal decompression chamber, and if that meant paying a premium for the best parts his money could buy, then so be it.
Eric began by enlisting the help of his friend, Dat Dam, who runs the jokingly titled Double D Garage in his backyard. Dat’s knowledge was instrumental in the selection of appropriate parts and the installation of the pieces. They started with the naturally aspirated K20A engine and added Toda Racing Stage 2 camshafts and valvesprings, header and full exhaust system. A better-flowing TSX intake manifold was acquired, polished and matched with an ARC airbox using a custom-made intake pipe. Hondata’s K-Pro ECU handles the programming duties, along with a Hybrid Racing fuel rail for increased flow. They beefed up the clutch with an Exedy Stage 1 organic disc and lightened flywheel package, and while they were in there, took a moment to install a JDM Integra Type-R transmission. This fine box comes with a limited-slip differential, a 4.7:1 final drive ring gear and shorter fourth, fifth and sixth gears. “The LSD is absolutely critical in making a front-wheel-drive car perform,” Eric says.
Eric didn’t build this car to sit around and look pretty, he actually beats on it at the track, and because of that, an ARC radiator and Samco hoses were added to aid in better cooling. He’s also got Innovative’s billet aluminum “street” engine mount kit, a JDM Integra Type-R valve cover, custom burned Titanium dress-up bolts, a Braille Racing aluminum battery mount kit with a Braille carbon-fiber light weight battery. On top of it all is a Cusco front titanium strut tower brace, which Eric says is “very rare and discontinued.”
For suspension goodies, he’s acquired set of A’PEXi N1 Type V coilovers. “These are the original A’PEXi coilovers, which were only available in the JDM market,” Eric says. “These aren’t the Megan/BC look-alikes.” A Toda front anti-rollbar was paired with a Cusco rear while inside a JDM Integra Type-R B-pillar floor bar, Cusco B-pillar side bars and J’s Racing C-pillar and trunk brace bars add additional rigidity to the shell. An Autopower 4-point rollbar was selected due to its SCCA approval (JDM rollbars typically aren’t legal) and was stripped and refinished, replacing the black paint with an eminently more attractive glossy-black powdercoat. Eric has also paid attention to the details like making sure his Takata harnesses are wrapped correctly on the harness bar, per SCCA rules.
Another rare item found inside the cockpit is the OMP dry-carbon-fiber steering wheel. Lightweight and ultra-rare, it’s held in place by a Works Bell quick-release mechanism and hub. Defi oil pressure and water and oil temperature gauges help reassure Eric that his engine is performing within specifications while he’s out on track. However, this RSX also doubles as a commuter vehicle, and because of that, Eric’s got a Pioneer Nav/DVD head unit and Pioneer Premier front and rear speakers installed to ensure he’s entertained during his off-track days.