Alignment, Brakes And Tires - Track Prep And Test

The ROVAL configuration that I would be running consists of the infield track of California Speedway, which is the slow portion and the high-speed section is along the bank where the car is at full throttle for what seems like an eternity (roughly 30 seconds)-it's a horsepower track, no doubt. After getting comfortable with the high speed and finding my line, I put in two days of hard lapping and am happy to report that the Integra performed exceptionally well with such little suspension setup. I played with the KW V3 coilovers to stiffen the rear up and get the car to rotate a bit more, but otherwise the alignment setup and Nitto NT01 tires were exceptional. It's staggering how much difference the right set of pads and tires make not only in lap times but also confidence. There wasn't a moment where I was worried about coming to a stop or blowing a corner despite some very late trail braking techniques that almost got the car completely sideways.

I did, however, realize a few shortcomings-the most obvious one being how badly I need a proper differential. With the open diff, massive amounts of time were lost in the corners because I couldn't put down any power. An order has already been placed for a 1.5-way LSD. The other shortcoming came to me when I was turning on the bank at 105 mph. My first thought was, If I blow a tire or something bad potentially happens, I'm going to hit the wall and be a dead man. Racing on the track is incredibly fun and exhilarating, but I don't want to subject myself to unnecessary risk, so I've decided that a half rollcage and proper bucket seat with a harness are a must if I want to run high-speed tracks like the ROVAL.

The stage is set for the next round of mods. A half cage, a bucket seat and an LSD with perhaps a shorter final drive are all in the works. I also want to shed some more weight from the car, so expect to see some carbon parts find their way onto the Integra.

Watch Project DC2 in action on the ROVAL on Modified's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/modifiedmagazine

It's a known fact that K-series oil pans have poor baffling capabilities and can starve the engine of oil in high-speed, high-g corners. To combat that, a baffled oil pan from Toda Racing or Mugen can be purchased. If you're broke, a cheap yet effective solution is to overfill the engine with about 1 quart of oil. However, check the oil level frequently because these engines can and will use up oil quickly. Top it up often and you'll be fine.