How to Modify the Acura Integra Type S: The Ultimate Guide

The 4th generation Acura Integra Type S is Acura’s return to form for a true enthusiast platform. Built on the same foundation as the Honda Civic Type R and powered by the turbocharged 2.0L K20C8 engine, this front-wheel-drive machine delivers 320 horsepower through a proper 6-speed manual transmission.

Between strong aftermarket support, proven Honda reliability, and a massive tuning community, the Type S is quickly becoming one of the most exciting modern platforms to modify.

So how do you build one of these the right way? Let’s get into it.

Getting Started: Ideal Order of Operations

A proper build always starts with maximizing the car’s strengths before chasing big power.

• Suspension upgrades - Improve handling, reduce wheel gap, and refine the already sharp chassis.
• Wheels and Tires - Critical for traction on a FWD car with decent power.
• Bolt-On Performance - Free up airflow and unlock more power from the K20C8.
• Tuning - Making the most of those bolt on upgrades.
• Brake upgrades - Often overlooked, but essential once you start pushing the car harder.
• Aesthetic upgrades - Dial in the look and truly make it your own.

The Best Suspension Upgrades For The Acura Integra Type S

The Type S already comes with adaptive dampers and a well-tuned chassis, but aftermarket suspension takes things even further.

Coilovers

For those looking to fully transform the handling characteristics:

• BC Racing BR Series - A popular entry-level option with full adjustability and solid performance.
• Fortune Auto 500 Series - A step up with better valving and customization for street and track use.
• ST XTA-Plus 3 Coilovers - Premium coilover setup with independent rebound and compression adjustment. Perfect for dual-purpose builds.

Lowering Springs

If you want to retain factory dampers while improving stance:

• Swift Spec-R Springs - Known in the Honda community for maintaining ride quality while lowering the center of gravity.

Sway Bars and Chassis Components

Dialing in front-wheel-drive balance is key:

• Whiteline Adjustable Rear Sway Bar - Helps reduce understeer and rotate the car better.
• Spoon Rigid Collars - A Honda favorite that tightens up subframe movement and improves steering feel.

What Wheels And Tires Fit The Acura Integra Type S?

The Type S runs a 5x120 bolt pattern, similar to the FL5 Type R, opening the door to a decent range of performance wheel options.

Recommended Wheel Sizing

• Diameter: 18” – 19”
• Width: 9.0” – 10.5”
• Offset: +38 – +50

Our recommended wheel fitment:

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5 +38

Recommended Tire Size

• Width: 255 – 275
• Aspect Ratio: 30 – 40

More tire is everything on a high-powered FWD car. Grip equals usable power.

Recommended Wheels

The Type S pairs best with aggressive, lightweight motorsport-inspired wheels.

• Rays Gram Lights 57CR - Classic 5-spoke design with strong motorsport heritage.
• Enkei RS05RR - Lightweight and aggressive multi-spoke design that fits the chassis perfectly.
• Apex VS-5RS - Fully forged monoblock wheel built for track use and giving the much needed brake clearance.

Recommended Tires

Putting power down efficiently is one of the biggest challenges with this platform.

• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S - The go-to for daily performance with excellent wet and dry grip.
• Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS - Extremely sticky tire for aggressive driving and track use.
• Falken Azenis RT615K+ - A popular budget-friendly track-focused option.

Bolt-On Performance For The Acura Integra Type S

The K20C8 responds extremely well to airflow upgrades and tuning, much like previous turbo Honda platforms.

Intake Systems

Upgrading the intake improves airflow, turbo sound, and throttle response:

• PRL Motorsports High Volume Intake - One of the most popular options in the community.
• aFe Takeda Momentum Intake - A sealed, OEM-style intake that keeps things clean while improving airflow and turbo response.
• Eventuri Carbon Intake - Premium option focused on performance and aesthetics.

Exhaust Systems

Freeing up exhaust flow adds power and gives the car a more aggressive tone:

• AWE Touring Exhaust - Refined sound with no drone.
• Remark Exhaust Systems - Louder and more aggressive option.
• HKS Legamax Exhaust – Classic JDM tone with quality construction.

Intercooler Upgrades

Heat soak is a real concern, especially with tuned cars:

• PRL Front Mount Intercooler - A go-to upgrade for consistent power.
• Mishimoto Intercooler - Strong cooling performance for street and track use.

Tuning

Tuning is where the Type S really wakes up.

• Hondata FlashPro - The most widely used tuning solution for modern Honda platforms.

With basic bolt-ons and a proper tune, many owners are seeing gains into the 350–380whp range.

Custom dyno tuning becomes essential once you start stacking mods or pushing beyond basic bolt-ons.

The Biggest Mistakes When Modifying the Acura Integra Type S

This platform is incredibly capable, but easy to get wrong if you rush things.

• First: ignoring traction limitations. Front-wheel-drive cars struggle to put power down. Tires and suspension matter more than chasing horsepower.
• Second: overheating and heat soak. Turbo Hondas generate heat quickly. Intercooling and proper cooling upgrades are key for consistency.
• Third: skipping supporting mods. Adding power without upgrading tires, brakes, and suspension leads to a worse driving experience.
• Finally: no clear build direction. Random mods lead to an unbalanced car. Decide if you want a daily, street car, or track weapon before you start.

Conclusion

The 4th gen Acura Integra Type S is one of the most exciting modern enthusiast platforms available today. With its combination of sharp handling, turbocharged power, and strong aftermarket support, it offers endless potential.

Whether you’re building a clean daily, a canyon carver, or a track-focused machine, the key is balance. Suspension, tires, cooling, and power should all work together.

Powered with this information you should have everything you need to get your Acura Integra Type S build off to a great start. Just make sure to mod your car with your friends at MartiniWorks.