Acura · 2002–2006 · track setup

RSX Type-S DC5

The RSX Type-S is the US version of the DC5 Integra: a high-revving K20 with a six-speed and 11.8-inch front brakes, on the same strut-front platform as the EP3 Civic Si. The 2005–06 cars gained power, 17-inch wheels and shorter gearing. US cars have no limited-slip diff, and the steering geometry needs correcting if you lower it, but it is a durable and well-supported track car.
Engine
2.0 L DOHC i-VTEC four (K20A2 2002–04 / K20Z1 2005–06), close-ratio 6-speed manual, open differential
Power
200 hp at 7,400 rpm (2002–04) / 210 hp at 7,800 rpm (2005–06; later re-rated 201 hp under revised SAE rules)
Weight
≈2,778 lb (2003) / ≈2,840 lb (2005)
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
  • +Rev-happy K20 with a close-ratio six-speed
  • +Bigger 11.8-inch (300 mm) front brakes than the EP3 Si
  • +Large aftermarket shared with the EP3 and K-swap world
  • +2005–06 cars add power and shorter final drive
Watch out for
  • −No factory limited-slip differential in the US
  • −Bump steer and low roll centre when lowered (shared with the EP3)
  • −Limited front camber on the stock strut
  • −Nose-heavy (63/37)

02Alignment

Where to start the alignment.

Alignment · starting points
VIEWED FROM BEHIND · CAMBER EXAGGERATED ×3-3.0°FRONT L-3.0°FRONT R-1.7°REAR L-1.7°REAR R
FrontRear
Camber≈-3.0°≈-1.7°
Toe≈1/8" out0

Borrowed from MotoIQ's alignment on the sister EP3 platform after bump-steer and roll-centre fixes; the author recommends zero toe instead for a street car. One rear adjustment changes both camber and toe on this platform.

Sources [6,9]

03Tires & brakes

Tires and brakes

  • 200TW endurance
    • Hoosier Track Attack Pro
    • Yokohama Advan A052
    Factory 205/55R16 on 16x6.5 (2002–04) or 215/45R17 on 17x7 (2005–06); track builds commonly go wider

    Both are 200-treadwear track-oriented tires; check wheel clearance for your offset.

    Sources [1,2,12,13]
  • R-compound / slick
    • Hoosier TrackAttack Race R8 (replaces the R7)
    Check the Hoosier catalogue for 16"–17" sizes
    Sources [14]
Brake pads

A track compound in the Type-S fitment, for example Ferodo DS2500 as run on a documented customer car. Change front and rear together.

Brake fluid

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

Sources [10,15]

04Known issues on track

Fix these before they find you.

  • Do not over-lower it

    MotoIQ explains that the EP3/DC5 platform has a high-mounted steering rack and long tie rods, so it bump-steers and the roll centre drops when lowered. A Hybrid Racing customer RSX spun after dropping a wheel off track because the over-lowered car had no suspension travel left; it was raised to a working height afterwards. [6,10]

  • Open differential

    Hybrid Racing lists both the 2002–04 and 2005–06 Type-S gearboxes without an LSD. Expect inside-wheel spin out of slow corners; an aftermarket LSD (the documented customer car runs a Wavetrac) is the usual fix. [5,10]

  • Oil level

    Some owners report early K20A2 cars using oil (one owner reports a quart every 1,500–1,800 miles since new). Check the dipstick before each session and keep it topped up. (Owner report.) [11]

  • Brakes need track pads

    Acura lists 11.8-inch ventilated fronts and 10.2-inch solid rears on the Type-S. One well-documented customer car runs Ferodo DS2500 pads and ATE Super Blue fluid with a big brake kit; on a stock car, start with a track pad and high-boiling fluid. [1,10]

05Modification roadmap

In the order that pays off.

  1. 0
    Safety & reliability first

    Safety and reliability first

    • Track pads and high-boiling fluidThe first limit on a stock car.
    • Check oil level every sessionSome early K20A2 engines use oil.
    • Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protectionNever fit harnesses without a roll bar or cage.
  2. 1
    Tires & alignment

    Tires and alignment

    • 200TW tiresThe factory all-season tire is not a track tire.
    • Front camber bolts and a rear camber kitGets the car to -1.5° to -2.0° front.
  3. 2
    Suspension & brakes

    Geometry and suspension

    • Bump-steer tie rod ends and roll-centre ball jointsFixes the platform's wander once lowered.
    • Coilovers at a functional heightKeep suspension travel; do not slam it.
  4. 3
    Power & aero

    Drivetrain and power last

    • Aftermarket LSD, then engine workTraction out of slow corners first.

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 · RSX Type-S DC5Model estimate
Tires
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Brake cooling
Brakes
Alignment
Suspension
Differential
Weight
Power
Cooling
Oil system
Aero
1:52.43stock 1:52.43−0.0%

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 114 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−5.46%load ↑
  • 200TW endurance tires−2.82%load ↑
  • Track alignment−0.90%
  • Coilovers + sway bars−0.76%
  • 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 ↑
  • Splitter + wing−0.67%
  • Limited-slip differential−0.43%load ↑
  • Lighter wheels + seat−0.24%
  • Oil cooler + radiator±0durability ↑
  • Oil system (baffles / accumulator)±0
  • Intake, exhaust, tune±0load ↑
This car’s roadmap below starts with: Track pads and high-boiling fluid · Check oil level every session · Seats and harnesses only with proper roll protection · 200TW tires

Estimates from a simplified point-mass lap simulation of RSX Type-S DC5 (2,779 lb, 200 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]2003 Acura RSX SpecificationsAcura (acuranews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  2. [2]2005 Acura RSX SpecificationsAcura (acuranews.com) · accessed 2026-10
  3. [3]Honda Integra (fourth generation)Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10
  4. [4]Original RSX: Is the Integra by Another Name Still Collectible?Hagerty · accessed 2026-10
  5. [5]K-Series Transmission GuideHybrid Racing · accessed 2026-10
  6. [6]Project EP3 Civic Si: Fixing EP3 Bumpsteer with HardraceMotoIQ · accessed 2026-10
  7. [7]Eibach Camber Bolts for 02-04 RSX / 02-11 Civic Si / 09-13 FitHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  8. [8]Megan Racing Rear Camber Kit – 01-05 Civic / 02-05 Civic Si EP3 / 02-06 RSX DC5Prestige Autolab (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
  9. [9]Project EP3 Civic Si: Fixing EP3 Bumpsteer with Hardrace (page 6, alignment)MotoIQ · accessed 2026-10
  10. [10]Feature Car Friday Issue 5: Chris's Acura RSX Type SHybrid Racing · accessed 2026-10
  11. [11]Oil consumption question (RSX Type-S owner post)S2Ki forum (owner report) · accessed 2026-10
  12. [12]Track Attack ProHoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  13. [13]ADVAN A052Yokohama Tire · accessed 2026-10
  14. [14]Circuit Racing tires (TrackAttack Race A8 / R8, replacing A7 / R7)Hoosier Racing Tire · accessed 2026-10
  15. [15]Motul RBF 600 / 660 Racing DOT 4 Brake FluidHybrid Racing (vendor) · accessed 2026-10
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