Acura · 1994–2001 (Type R: 1997–98, 2000–01) · track setup

Integra Type R / GS-R DC2

The DC2 Integra Type R is often called the best-handling front-drive car ever made: an 8,400 rpm hand-finished engine, a helical limited-slip diff, double-wishbone suspension and a stiffened, lightened shell. The GS-R shares the chassis with less power, smaller brakes and an open diff. Both are now old and valuable, so condition, rust and hidden crash damage matter as much as setup.
Engine
1.8 L DOHC VTEC four (B18), 5-speed manual; Type R adds a helical limited-slip differential and hand-finished internals
Power
195 hp at 8,000 rpm (Type R) / 170 hp at 7,600 rpm (GS-R)
Weight
≈2,640 lb (Type R) / ≈2,670–2,710 lb (GS-R coupe)
Layout
Front-engine
Drive
FWD
Performance planner ↓

These are starting points gathered from the sources listed at the bottom, not a guarantee. Cars, tires and parts vary: have a reputable alignment shop set your car, check factory specs for road use, and change one thing at a time.

01On track

Strengths
  • +Double-wishbone suspension front and rear, sharing setup knowledge with the EG/EK Civic
  • +Type R: helical LSD, stiffened chassis and an engine that pulls to 8,400 rpm
  • +Light and agile, easy on tires and brakes
  • +Huge parts and setup knowledge base
Watch out for
  • −Narrow factory 195/55R15 tires
  • −GS-R has an open differential and smaller front brakes
  • −Rust, theft history and crash repairs on many cars
  • −Values make crash damage on track expensive

02Alignment

Where to start the alignment.

Alignment · starting points
VIEWED FROM BEHIND · CAMBER EXAGGERATED ×3-2.8°FRONT L-2.8°FRONT R—REAR L—REAR R
FrontRear
CamberMore than -2.75° on slicksTune for balance
ToeSlight toe-outMore toe-out if it understeers

Speed Academy says slicks usually want more camber and spring rate, and uses rear toe-out and rear camber to free the rear. Target 160–200°F tire temperatures, inner third slightly hotter.

Sources [6]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Hoosier Track Attack Pro
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    Factory 195/55R15 on 15x6; 205/50R15 on 15x7 is a common upgrade (Track Attack Pro 205/50R15 suits 5.5"–7.5" rims)

    Hagerty notes the original Bridgestone RE010 is no longer made. Wider fitments depend on offset and fender work.

    Sources [1,4,9,10,11]
  • R-compound / slick
    • Hoosier TrackAttack Race R8 (replaces the R7)
    15" sizes; check the Hoosier catalogue
    Sources [12]
Brake pads

Type R and GS-R front pads differ. The Type R front (282 mm rotor) takes Hawk's HB143G shape, listed in DTC-60 race compound for the 1997–2001 Type R (shared with the NSX); Hawk's HB245G Integra pad excludes both GS-R and Type R. Confirm fitment by trim.

Brake fluid

Motul RBF 600 (312°C dry) or RBF 660 (328°C dry), or equivalent high-boiling DOT 4.

Acura lists 11.1-inch front rotors on the Type R versus 10.3-inch on the GS-R, with solid rear discs on both. [1,2,13,14,15]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • Oil consumption

    Hagerty and Parkers both say hard-revved B18 engines use oil, and that cars run low are the ones that fail. Check the dipstick before every session, watch for blue smoke, and ask how often the previous owner topped up. [4,5]

  • Gearbox synchros and clutch

    Parkers names worn 2nd and 3rd gear synchros as the gearbox weak spot: a crunch on quick shifts means a rebuild. Clutches and flywheels also suffer from hard launches. Test quick 2–3 shifts on a warm car. [5]

  • Rust, chassis fatigue and crash damage

    Parkers calls rust the biggest DC2 problem (rear arches, inner sills, boot floor) and warns tracked cars can show cracking near suspension pick-up points. Hagerty adds that DC2s were heavily stolen, so check VIN labels on panels and look for repaired crash damage. [4,5]

  • Timing belt, water pump and bushings

    Hagerty's owners recommend timing belt and water pump together at 90,000-mile intervals and replacing worn bushings to restore the handling feel. [4]

  • Do not slam it

    Like the EG/EK Civic, the DC2's double-wishbone geometry suffers if lowered more than a couple of inches: roll centres drop and bump steer increases. [6]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Inspect for rust, crash repair and chassis cracksOld, valuable, often tracked shells.
    • Timing belt, water pump, fluids and bushingsDocumented maintenance is the difference between a good and a bad DC2.
    • Track pads and high-boiling fluidEspecially on the smaller GS-R brakes.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Tires and alignment

    • 15x7 wheels with a 200TW tireThe stock 195 tire is the main grip limit.
    • Adjustable front upper arms and rear camber armsNeeded to reach about -2.75° front.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Suspension

    • Coilovers at a modest dropKeep within a couple of inches of stock height.
    • Rear bar or rear toe-outTunes out understeer on this chassis.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Drivetrain last

    • LSD for the GS-RThe Type R has one from the factory; the GS-R does not.

06Performance planner

What each upgrade is worth on this car.

Pick upgrades and see the estimated lap-time change on a reference circuit, how much margin your brakes and engine have late in a session, and which changes buy durability rather than speed.

Performance planner · Integra Type R / GS-R DC2Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:52.29stock 1:52.29−0.0%

Reference circuit (fictional, 3.5 km). Late lap includes brake fade and heat derating once the system runs out of margin.

T1T2T3T4T5T6T7T8SPEED · your plan vs stock · top 115 mph
Brake fade marginFades
Engine heat marginHolds
Oil starvation riskLow
Tire life (relative)100%
Sensitivity · each upgrade alone vs stock (late lap)
  • R-compound tires−5.47%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−2.85%load ↑
  • Track alignment−0.91%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.77%
  • Splitter + wing−0.71%
  • Street/track pads−0.70%durability ↑
  • Race pads−0.70%durability ↑
  • High-temp fluid−0.70%durability ↑
  • Brake cooling ducts−0.70%durability ↑
  • Big brake kit−0.68%durability ↑
  • Limited-slip differential−0.47%load ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.25%
  • Oil cooler + radiator±0durability ↑
  • Oil system (baffles / accumulator)±0
  • Intake, exhaust, tune±0load ↑
This car’s roadmap below starts with: Inspect for rust, crash repair and chassis cracks · Timing belt, water pump, fluids and bushings · Track pads and high-boiling fluid · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of Integra Type R / GS-R DC2 (2,640 lb, 195 hp) on a fictional circuit, with generic effects for each upgrade category. Good for comparing options on the same car, not for predicting your lap time. Real results depend on the driver, the exact parts, the track and the conditions.

Free printable setup sheet →

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-18. Summaries are TRACK’s own wording; follow the links for the original detail. Product and brand names belong to their owners.

  1. [1]2001 Acura Integra Type R SpecificationsAcura (acuranews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  2. [2]2001 Acura Integra SpecificationsAcura (acuranews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]1997 Acura Integra Type R IntroductionHonda (hondanews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]Your handy 1997–2001 (DC2) Acura Integra Type R buyer's guideHagerty · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]Honda Integra Type R (1997-2001) review and buying guideParkers · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]Track Alignment Specs: EG/EK Honda Civic & DC2 IntegraSpeed Academy · accessed 2026-10
  7. [7]PCI Front Upper Spherical Control Arms – 92-95 Civic / 94-01 IntegraHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  8. [8]Megan Racing Type II Rear Upper Camber Kit – 1994-2001 Acura IntegraSpringRates (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  9. [9]Track Attack ProHoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  10. [10]ADVAN A052Yokohama Tire · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]Hoosier Track Attack Pro 205/50R15 specificationsTireSize.com · accessed 2026-10
  12. [12]Circuit Racing tires (TrackAttack Race A8 / R8, replacing A7 / R7)Hoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  13. [13]Hawk HB143G.680 Racing Pad, DTC-60 compound (fitment list)OG Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  14. [14]Hawk HB245G.631 Racing Pad, DTC-60 compound (fitment list)OG Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  15. [15]Motul RBF 600 / 660 Racing DOT 4 Brake FluidHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
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