One Stanced and Cambered Acura Please
The Acura RSX is definitely one of the cars on my short list for fun to drive daily transportation. They’re lightweight, good handling, reliable, fuel efficient and the performance model (Type-S) has a 200hp high revving 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder using a 6 speed manual. I’ve only seen a few RSX’s that have really impressed me. Jose Guadalupe’s silver Base model (non-200hp) is one of those and it certainly caught my eye with its aggressive styling.
Photos are by FotoSet, djdorifto and Kami Speed. Click the images to see them Full Size.
That aggressive look is courtesy of STANCE. If you’re a hot rodder or custom nut, you already know what Stance is. The “tuner” cars of today are continuing the Stance trend set by low 50’s Custom’s, raked 60’s Muscle Cars or 80’s Lowriders by going with low ride height and aggressive camber and flush fitting wheels. Jose’s ride has -5.5 degrees of rear camber and -4.5 degrees in front. But why so much camber? First, it helps get those 9.5″ wide wheels to fit under fenders made for 7″ wide factory wheels. Second, negative camber just looks so cool. To me, big camber is a street car interpretation of a road race car suspension setup.
I asked Jose a few questions about his ride and how he got into cars.
Jose: “Well this is my first car. I watched a lot of those ricer movies, ha ha, like Fast and Furious, when I was in high school. So I dreamed that one day I would buy a car and modify it. I will never forget when I bought some 18 inch Konig rims and posted pictures on ClubRSX.com. I got pounded with negative comments on my car. So during the last couple years, I have saved my money, done my research and improved my car’s look with quality parts.”
Here is a list of what Jose has done to his car in the 3 years he’s owned it. He has definitely made his car “My Ride is Me”.
Mod List
Engine and Bay:
Type R Valve Cover
Type R Spark Plug Cover
JDM Dipstick
BeatRush Front Strut Bar
BeatRush Oil Cap
Buddy Club Race Header
Injen CAI (ClubRSX edition)
HKS Hi-Power Turbo Exhaust
Tein Hood Dampers
Interior:
JDM ITR DC5 Wheel
Complete ITR Center Console
JDM ITR Pedals with Dead plate
Integra Door Sill
FD2 Shift knob (rocking a 6 speed on a 5 Speed..lol)
Beatrush C Pillar Bar
Exterior:
Nextmod Mugen Rear Lip
Type R replica wing
Front and Rear Honda Badges Chrome
JDM Tail lights
JDM Window Visors
Fog lights with 3000k HID’s
Benen Tow Hook Front & Rear
Wheels and Suspension:
Buddy Club N+ Coilovers
Rota’s Grids 18×9.5 +20 offset all round
There are many ways to build or modify an Acura RSX (Honda Integra as they’re known in Japan).
I asked Jose why he went the route he did of extra wide wheels (18×9.5 inch +20 offset vs. 16×6.5 inch stock) with low offset, big negative camber and low ride height? The kids call it Hellaflush, Wrong Fitment or Aggressive Fitment.
Jose: The reason why I chose to build my car this way is that you hardly see an Acura RSX go aggressive. I have met two good friends Neel and Igor and they went all out. Igor has an RSX and he has been in the “fitment game” for a long time and Neel has an Accord. We have always talked about going as low and as wide as possible and how to get enough wheel clearance around the fenders and brakes.
Notice Jose’s concave faced wheels versus Igor’s deep dish style. It gives the car a different look. Jose’s car looks more motorsports, while Josh Obitsu has a VIP/Luxury look to it. Wheels are so important when styling your ride. Choose wisely!
Jose, any last words about your Ride?
Jose: I appreciated the help to get my car where it is today. I always have crazy ass ideas and my dad helped me figure out how to get them to work. Big Thanks to my best friends who helped me, Tony Tran, Neel Nana, Josh Lardie, Cathy V., Josh O., Adam Perez, Kevin H, Kami Speed, GBR Racing and Club RSX.
Leave a comment below and let us know what you think of cars like this Acura. Wanna see more? Or have you seen enough? We don’t know unless you tell us…
Hechtspeed
A pretty cool experiment. I just posted this story over on Stanceworks forum here http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2986, where the people over there dig this car.
I also posted it on VWVortex forums here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4696470
These 2 groups of people are polar opposites, but both passionate about the types and styles of cars they own, build, like.
The car community has so much variety! I Love It!
What do you guys think?
Man the article’s great Chris. Can wait to show to my friends and family. Great job man, I will keep you update man.
Great Personal Touch on this Article.
Jose’s passion and commitment really come through.
I also own a rsx Love the look ! what did u do to make the wheel fit? what spacer and wheel stud did u used ? tips please thanks!
V Lee, thanks for commenting. Jose’s ride has fender work (rolled and pulled?), coilovers to adjust ride height, the right offset wheels and tires that are more narrow than normal (stretched) so the wheels get max clearance.
Hey loving how the car is kit out.
Hey what make hood do you have on the silver Acura RSX?
Is it carbon but painted?
Very Cool – seen so many cars without right tires/stance. Nice cars could be better. Old, even a beater, changes appearance whith right footwear.
Question:
I have an 85 Corolla SR5 2dr reg trunk. Orig owner, So.West car – not a rust spot anywhere, body has 3 minor dents, paint looks great, int near perf. It has 165k miles. I am moving to N.C and didn’t want to ship. Trust me you could drive it anywhere. But I have discovered it is not worth any thing. So:
my dilemma – find a drifter who wants a perfect base to begin with and hope for better price – $5k.
or. modify. Most of these engines have 200k – …. thous of miles. I had the idea of swapping RSX components, some outside modes like yours but “quieter” so it still appears stock. It would be fun to see peoples exp when you launch… I would be doing my first project so I need a decent base and need to develop talent and friends.
What do you think?
Could you provide my email or put me in contact with Jose Guadalupe. I have been modifying Hondas for years. I recently started my latest project based on a platform of a 2002 Acura RSX that had the front clip replaced with a right-hand drive. Still a rough jewel in the making, but would like to get in touch with more people who specifically modify the Acura RSX model year 2002-2006.
The article that caught my attention was URL: http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/one-stanced-and-cambered-acura-please/
Thank you very much.
I was wondering what dash kit you used to install the Pioneer head unit? I have a generic one now that looks horrible and the trim piece leaves a gap. Yours has much cleaner lines and looks more professional. I was wondering what aftermarket brand it is or where its available. Thanks,
hey just lettin you know that this car has inspuration to what mine will look like once im done, good job man, keep it up!
lol – oh man! you got GREG on here now??? Mustangs are for tall, skniny nerds with long hair – you know, the ones who wear blue sunglassess all day long.
Love the car man! I just got my type s! I don’t want tires to skinny or too big or A soft side wall. Urs look great! What r Ur tire Specs please!?