My Honda Accord Type R
Discussion
Had mine almost a year now.
Sometimes, while 'making progress', I begin to think that Honda could have plonked any old engine into this chassis, and still ended up with an unparalleled car. Then you let it into VTEC, and you don't really have time to do any such thinking.
You do wish it revved a bit higher, but timing the shift right, just catching the redline, and dropping straight back into VTEC is probably the most satisfying feeling you'll get in any car.
The only downside, for me at least, is that lack of a folding rear bench. Interesting to hear that the DC2 has one....
Sometimes, while 'making progress', I begin to think that Honda could have plonked any old engine into this chassis, and still ended up with an unparalleled car. Then you let it into VTEC, and you don't really have time to do any such thinking.
You do wish it revved a bit higher, but timing the shift right, just catching the redline, and dropping straight back into VTEC is probably the most satisfying feeling you'll get in any car.
The only downside, for me at least, is that lack of a folding rear bench. Interesting to hear that the DC2 has one....
Turns out even a 60k mile 2 owner car that was garaged from new and was otherwise immaculate has the dreaded bulkhead rot. Could see it coming through behind the pedals and behind the subframe underneath.
Gutted as was willing to buy the car otherwise
Think I should forget the ATR idea!
Gutted as was willing to buy the car otherwise
Think I should forget the ATR idea!
Ok, yeah those subframe mounts can get scary. I've seen pictures of just holes around the bolt. Mine seemed ok but when I took a spanner to it the metal seemed to twist as the bolt loosened.
If it's just surface though, I'd be tempted to knock a chunk off and get it to a body shop . It might not be as bad as you think . It's not my money though . Perhaps three as a cheeky offer, very rare to see such a low mileage and good history.
If it's just surface though, I'd be tempted to knock a chunk off and get it to a body shop . It might not be as bad as you think . It's not my money though . Perhaps three as a cheeky offer, very rare to see such a low mileage and good history.
Edited by Stoatman on Saturday 4th April 10:52
When I took mine to VTEC Direct, they recommended sanding/treating near the subframe mount as some surface rust was starting to peek through. Still need to get it done 
. They also took the arch liners off and inspected - all clear for now.
It really is a shame - the rot is getting more common and is relegating cars to the scrap heap. Cars without these issues are getting few and far between.
. They also took the arch liners off and inspected - all clear for now.It really is a shame - the rot is getting more common and is relegating cars to the scrap heap. Cars without these issues are getting few and far between.
For me, my first ATR after a tweaked UKDM dc2 Integra was a disappointment.
The killer was the kerbweight added to the stunted gearing on 17" wheels. Yes it might have had more torque but the ITR never ever felt 'flat' off VTEC the way the ATR does. Some of this can also be attributed to the stock mapping which only gives VTEC @ 5800 til 7900 limiter...
In the ITR it was 5900 til 8400 limiter. Those extra 500rpms make a real difference to keeping the car in VTEC without needing to rev to the limiter in each gear.
This ATR is a better example- but I still believe they need some essential fettles to really make the most of them. A K&N typhoon, decat & 2.5" exhaust really help free them up. Add a decent remap (Hondata for example) & you get substantial gains across the board- especially with the mid range torque. A slightly stretched limiter & lower VTEC engagement make it far more linear & progressive...
A 4.64fd brings the gearing back to ITR levels which still equates to a ~140mph top speed on the (standard) limiter in 5th & more accessible performance lower down. How they should have been from the factory...
I've never ever understood those that say type-R's are too busy on the motorway etc. Sure they cruise pulling more rpm's than most- but then they Rev further than most & are so smooth they are not intrusive in the slightest...I never ever got out of the Integra or the Accords feeling fragged.
The killer was the kerbweight added to the stunted gearing on 17" wheels. Yes it might have had more torque but the ITR never ever felt 'flat' off VTEC the way the ATR does. Some of this can also be attributed to the stock mapping which only gives VTEC @ 5800 til 7900 limiter...
In the ITR it was 5900 til 8400 limiter. Those extra 500rpms make a real difference to keeping the car in VTEC without needing to rev to the limiter in each gear.
This ATR is a better example- but I still believe they need some essential fettles to really make the most of them. A K&N typhoon, decat & 2.5" exhaust really help free them up. Add a decent remap (Hondata for example) & you get substantial gains across the board- especially with the mid range torque. A slightly stretched limiter & lower VTEC engagement make it far more linear & progressive...
A 4.64fd brings the gearing back to ITR levels which still equates to a ~140mph top speed on the (standard) limiter in 5th & more accessible performance lower down. How they should have been from the factory...
I've never ever understood those that say type-R's are too busy on the motorway etc. Sure they cruise pulling more rpm's than most- but then they Rev further than most & are so smooth they are not intrusive in the slightest...I never ever got out of the Integra or the Accords feeling fragged.
chrismc1977 said:
I still believe they need some essential fettles to really make the most of them. A K&N typhoon, decat & 2.5" exhaust really help free them up. Add a decent remap (Hondata for example) & you get substantial gains across the board- especially with the mid range torque. A slightly stretched limiter & lower VTEC engagement make it far more linear & progressive...
A 4.64fd brings the gearing back to ITR levels which still equates to a ~140mph top speed on the (standard) limiter in 5th & more accessible performance lower down. How they should have been from the factory...
Agreed^^^ A 4.64fd brings the gearing back to ITR levels which still equates to a ~140mph top speed on the (standard) limiter in 5th & more accessible performance lower down. How they should have been from the factory...
I've never driven a factory standard ATR (or a stock ITR for that matter) so I can only compare what I consider to be a very well sorted ATR to what was an exceptionally well sorted JDM DC2. And they are incredibly close.
chrismc1977 said:
I've never ever understood those that say type-R's are too busy on the motorway etc. Sure they cruise pulling more rpm's than most- but then they Rev further than most & are so smooth they are not intrusive in the slightest...I never ever got out of the Integra or the Accords feeling fragged.
The only time I've felt the noise start to get to me was actually on the journey home from buying the car- 4.5 hours on the motorway from Sunderland back down to Oxford... 
And one thing both the ATR & the ITR do have going for them in this regard is the supremely comfortable Recaro seats which make any long journey a heck of a lot more tolerable than other cars I've driven/passengered in!Hoping to get a new B-pipe in the next couple of months then my resonated decat can be fabbed and fitted along with Remus back boxes. Having driven an example with a decat they make a very noticeable difference in how the car picks up lower down
Have had a minor drama with a 'properly' seized NSF caliper this month. Pads/discs to follow
Have had a minor drama with a 'properly' seized NSF caliper this month. Pads/discs to follow
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