I'd say sacrificing a clean LS in the name of restoring a GSR and Type R closer to factory condition is a worthy cause. It will be a honorable death for the LS lol.
Hondas from this era are notorious for clear coat failure. Perhaps those fenders were peeling and flaking badly enough to where the previous owner wanted it fixed. Seems to be well taken care of
@@nemesisazn The same could be said for pretty much all Japanese car manufacturers. Look at Nissan especially. I love my 1994 300zx. After working on the newer Nissans, I realize that many of them likely are just coasting on their previous reputation instead of keeping the same standards. As usual, it is probably all about the money.
@@nemesisazn lately I have been seeing a lot of General Motors vehicles broken down. 1 newer 2018 + Trax, and an Encore. I also saw a 2018 ish Malibu on the side of the road with the hood up. With all I have heard of the 2.4 engines failing, and the 3.6 timing issues, GM has got to be one of the worst. I never see a broken down Toyota or Honda unless its 15-20 years old.
The easiest thing to do would be swap the engine and trans from the rotting GSR to the LS but I can see the main draw back from that is not having a numbers matching car
for real. kinda upsets me to see nice rust free cars cut up to temporarily fix a ruster. we call it cancer for a reason. once it starts it goes everywhere
A GS-R being numbers matching car is not as critical as having a numbers matching Type-R but on the Type-R if you change any parts on it it becomes a no numbers matching car so either way its devalued once you change parts on it the GS-R is not as rare so its not as crucial
Something to consider about the paint. Honda's around 2000 - 2006 loved to peel the clear coat fairly quickly when sat out side over the years...Could have been just a simple re-spray due to that issue. I know I've done that to mine.
I've noticed over the years that silver has been a real pain to keep together. All the manufacturers had issues with the formulation for silver paint for a very long time.
Or it could have been a direct front-end collision that crumbled both of the fenders and broke the radiator. This is just speculation though and i think clear coat wear and peeling is more likely.
Hadn't thought of that, but could be. Lord knows my 01 Accord's got clear coat mange going on, mostly on the driver's door. Gonna have to paint that door soon as I get all the mechanical issues finished up.
Totally understandable, Eric. I definitely wouldn’t GS-R-swap the LS. A true DC2 will always be more coveted than a DC4, even if it has GS-R bits. Besides, even though you’ll be disassembling a clean LS, it’s not like the car is being put completely to death. It will live on in other ways, just in two other Integras.
Like the ending. I remember (probably back in ‘96) taking in my 5 speed 1992 Legend LS for service and they gave me an Integra LS automatic as a loaner. The automatic does not so justice to the 1.8L engine. With the auto, Integras are not very interesting.
Hi ETCG1 and followers I have a 2001 Acura Integra LS 5 speed manual with only 84k original miles. I am the only owner. The car is in great shape. I do have some mods but I still have the original parts. I loved these cars. I hate to see you chop up your new LS but as you said it is hard to find some parts so I understand. Looking forward to seeing more of the restoration on both the Type R and GSR.
Eric, if I new you were looking for a silver Acura Integra untouched, about 8 months ago there were a silver 2000 Integra at my junkyard completely untouched, body panels were completely straight, interior was spotless, was not a single rip on the interior leather.
Where we live, a rust free straight body is massive. A good call on getting it shipped. Rarely does picking it up and driving it back yourself work out cheaper, and that's from personal experience. Put all the stuff from the other cars that you are going to replace on it, and you'll probably be able to sell it and recoup some of your cost.
Not bothersome at all. It’s a fact that the cleanest mid 90’s hondas around today are automatic. Just like you said who wants to modify and automatic? Anyway i like the idea. It’s understandable and NO do Not swap the GSR into the LS. That would just make it a GSR replica not a restoration. The GSR will have a greater value later on. You have clean quarters on the LS so you can repair the quarter panels on the GSR. Im honestly really excited about this decision. Love the content Eric keep it going!
Erik, you broke my heart. The first new car I ever bought was a 1995 Acura Integra LS, I wanted the LS because it did not have a wing on the back. I moved overseas (Norway) and sold it over there to a guy near the arctic circle. The car is only driven in the summer. if I could find one in the condition of the one you have there, I would pull a Peter Brady and treat her like a Queen. You have saddened me Erik.
For me you allow me to look at things in a different way. Until now I would have had a difficult time to do what you are going to do. But now I can see why.
Sounds like your plan is solid. You acquired an unmolested vehicle which can turn two other vehicles into valuable cars for you. Nothing to apologize about. Smart move. Looking forward to the journey.
I found a red 1994 gsr about three years ago with 195,000 miles on it, the owner bought it new and had all the maintenance and any repair work papers still. He sold it to me for $1000. I was able to drive it home the day I bought it. It does need some TLC like the brake hoses at the calipers and a radiator hose. It has NO aftermarket parts on.
I think this is brilliant idea. The parts for these cars are extremely hard to find. I know because I have a 2000 GSR that I am building and I can’t find any exterior parts that are in mint condition.
Breaks my heart. I’ve had my 2000 Acura Integra LS for 21 years and have put my heart and soul into her when everyone tells me to get rid of her. She’s never failed me. I have “molested” her as you say because it’s hard to find parts but I’ve gone too far to give up on her. Almost everything has been changed once or twice and I’m about to get her painted in a week or so. She’s silver as well. I have the LS because I got her when I was 18 and even though I knew how to drive a stick I didn’t want to deal with it as my everyday driver. If there’s any parts you don’t need from your girl I’m willing to buy or trade. I have some body parts that aren’t in great condition but they are original. Just throwing it out there. Damn you lucked out on how immaculate your LS is.
Eric in the aircraft world we call taking parts from one aircraft to another is called cannibalizing. We always seemed to have one or two aircraft we used for parts. It had to be done no parts no fly. Thanks for sharing and stay safe and well Artie 🇺🇸👍
Same story in the auto restoration industry. Even 30 years ago. Now even more so. Years ago a neighbor of mine sacrificed a Cord Beverly to save a Roadster 812. Sacrifices always have to be made.
Totally agree with this, I have a 98 Prelude Type SH and everytime a Prelude shows up to the yard, I just part hoarding what I need and leaving what other people might need for their car, granted the prelude isn't as high demand as an integra but smart move! I would have done the same to an SH.
It's great that you're restoring the other two Integras than switching out the engine with a k swap and transmission like everyone else does. That silver color is in great shape.
been trying to find a clean Integra for myself and I laughed when you mentioned all of them being molested because I cant find one that doesn't have some form or rice or lack of maintenance and general upkeep. I hope I can find a similar clean example soon thanks for the Integra content.
I noticed right away that the front of the hood doesn't close completely to the bumper. As a retired auto body guy, i look at panel gaps first. Like you said, carfax is not a good gauge of past damage. I've been saying that for years. When i look at a used car, i take a quiet friend, a flashlight and a tape measure. I do X measurements on as many planes as possible. I also avoid modded cars like the plague. Boys with toys may not rack up the miles, but those miles are extremely harsh. I like the ways you revealed all the good and bad.
It makes total sense what you're doing, and I agree with it. After you're done I'd put the LS back together - as complete as you can get it, anyway - and sell it for a good price to someone who needs their first project car. The more Hondas and Acuras from that era we can keep on the road, the better. (Even if they're slightly gungy automatic Integra LSs with bright red air filters.)
@@ETCG1 Just put the old rusty GS-R rears on...unless they just turn to dust when you take them off. Rust repair isn't *too* difficult if someone has the time. Though, I guess you'd have to find a particularly determined young person for all that. 😆
Thanks for posting. Sold a 2000 LS Integra 10 years ago Thought I could get KBB ($5500) price on private sale my mechanic at that time laughed. Selling that Acura was a pia. Gave a young 20year old a good deal on his 1sr car. 2000 Ingegea LS engine seemed weak. May have had some bad mechanic work done by previous owner. I'm trying to stay dirty Eric. I guess when I reached 48 years old getting in an out of Sports car became more of a challenge. Drive safe in the Natty!
A local search,. 150 miles away, for a 2000 LS, found one for $5,500 FIRM. 139 K, clean carfax, Very good condition. Recent tune up. oil change , water pump & timing belts etc. Auto trans, body- rims all look great, Orig interior.
Initially, I was like "Awwee maaan! this could've been a good first car for someone, an auto Integra LS 😩" but as someone who's also restoring a 1999 EM1 Civic Si, I would probably have done the same with an auto EX coupe or something similar 😅
I would totally use that to save the other two Integras as well! Once that LS integra gets the beat up panels back on it you should consider doing a k series engine swap to it.
Hey I purchased a decently running B5 Audi just to strip it down for parts. I mainly got it for the seats! So I get it... You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Nobody like to trash a perfectly good car to make another one better but we all do it!
Doing the same thing to my 96 civic right now, it has been such a good car though i felt it deserved a good restoration back to the way it came from the factory, I've been slowly but surely finding the best condition parts that i could find off of other civics of the same generation at the junkyard and I'm about 99% there as far as completing the restoration, the only things i have left to do is find good condition lower window trim pieces for all the windows, reseal the driver side headlight and find a good condition rear seat bottom, other than that for a now 25 year old car she runs perfect, other than little things like needing to swap out a rear main seal and a new ac compressor
Good idea Eric. I did something similar myself a few years ago when locally there were a fair few knocking about in scrapyards(JDM 1.6/1.8's and the occasional R) and for very little money. The JDM non R's seem to have been better rust protected so I got both doors, hatch, bonnet(hood 😁), wings, front and rear, interior trim and a host of other bits and bobs. I even got three rear spoilers, two for free. It's already worked out after my hatch got damaged.
You are living the dream!!! A friends boss has a mint 2001 sedan looks like it just came out the dealer bad motor but won't sell it sentimental value 😭
Wow, dude. I can't believe you paid so much for a LS. The Integras of this vintage are getting more expensive by the year, but I would've expected 5k max. When I bought my 1999 GSR about 6 years ago, I got it for $4000. That's with a salvaged title because of a front end collision. However, they had the paperwork showing that it was done at a well-known shop with a good reputation. You couldn't even tell it was in a collision. In my part of Southern California it was so hard to even find a GSR in the 1998-2001 range that I decided to settle for this one. You pay a pretty large Honda-tax from the sellers in my area...everyone thinks their car is better than KBB value, even when their car is a junker.
Good move, I can't see anyone mourning the loss of an LS to save a GS-R! Don't be stingy on the updates though, I want to see these restorations through ETCG1! PS - I agree 100% on that era of Honda factory head units, like everything else about that era of Honda's, it has that "just right" feel to it.
I 100% support what you are doing. You can even put the imperfect but functional parts back on the parts car & use the car as a winter beater. As far as swapping the gsr parts into clean body, that sounds good, but not sure about the legality of it since you are a public channel. Might be better to restore the gsr however so the body VIN matches the engine and tranny so when old Eric is retired he can get a good return on investment for this future classic
I cannibalized a derby-bashed Crown Victoria last year for parts for Arcee; totally get it, Eric. Do what you must to see Blackbeard and the GSR fully restored; I for one look forward to seeing what comes from this effort! :)
No reason to be sorry. This seems like a very wise decision. Sacrificing a plain vanilla model to save two much better models is always a win. For the wallet and the world. I have sent many 4 door vintage cars to car heaven to save better models. Its the way we maintain the GOOD cars. Congrats on your restorations.
I remember when carfax was just getting started and they had the "buy back guarantee". That's long gone. I have had two separate vehicles with "clean" car faxes that had both been damaged in fairly serious wrecks. There is a reason so many dealerships offer them now.
My carfax didn't mention the rusted out frame and bondo that it was filled in with. Even the GM place said it looked okay. Two weeks later, the frame cracked in half.
I had a black 95 GS-R and it was the first car I ever fell in love with. Sadly it was stolen and stripped of its engine just a few months after I got it (2002 maybe). I eventually got a purple 98 GS-R to replace the stolen black one, and got a lot of good years out of that. I learned a lot of the ins and outs of working on Hondas with that car (subsequently owned a green Element like yours, and now have an HR-V and a Fit). Looking at the paint at first, I couldn't believe a 21 year old car with 134k miles on it could possibly look that good, so the repainted front fenders made more sense. I also notice that the headlight lenses are really clear for a car that old. It makes me wonder if it was actually in a minor rear-end collision, which would explain the clean front. The red valve and air box covers are bizarre if this wasn't owned by someone who reads Import Tuner magazine. As far as I remember, the only difference between the GS-R and lower trims is the engine and gearbox, the spoiler, and the DOHC VTEC badge. Therefore it would seem a lot simpler to just swap the engine and spoiler/trunk over. Does anyone in the Honda world really care about "numbers matching?"
You may or may not ever see this comment but I'm going to write it anyway.. with this parts car once your finished you have many different options. Not only do people buy shells but they also make some crazy things out of them. I would love to see you Express what I personally call "Call From The Void". I'm nowhere near OCD but I like things a certain way so all my builds have been just that. My next build is actually going to be the complete opposite of what I'm comfortable with.. (again not OCD lol) my next build is going to be a rat rod build.. it goes against everything my guy tells me to do but theres where the "Call From The Void" comes in. What is your Void Call? I'd love to see you use this shell for that purpose once you've reached a point with it... Long Time fan Here... until next time brother.
I agree with the other comments that keeping the GSR shell and doing what you presented in the video is the best way to go since it truly would be an original GSR. I know it would be extra work, but I think it might also be worth the effort to put the old GSR stuff back onto the LS and then sell that for 3500 bux or so since the engine and everything actually works, it just isn't pretty. That would recoup the extra costs for the parts car and get a mechanically sound Integra back on the road. Even one is poor-ish condition is worth a good bit if it is working well mechanically. It is a Honda after all and would still have a clean carfax.
Here in "Straya" the poverty pack was badged GSI, and the faster Vtech version was badged VTI-R. Over here, the model number LS means a Chevrolet Aluminum V8 engine that Holden put in the locally produced Commodore. Same same, but different.
As an owner of a pretty much stock 2001 Integra LS owner, I understand why you're doing this but, it still hurts to see such a nice condition Integra getting parted out. I'm slowly repairing and restoring mine as well, the parts are definitely getting harder to find.
All these Integras Eric, you are really making miss my 92 LS 5-speed. I daily drove it for 11 years. It was 24 years old when it finally had a engine failure. It was rusted out, and overall beat down. I was kind of devistated when I started looking for another older manual transmission Honda. They pretty much went extinct. I couldn't even find a manual transmission car.
I recently drove my cousin’s husbands 99 EX civic, it was a pleasure to drive , garage kept for the last 4 years, just hit 150k and he scored it for 1200
FYI primewell tires are from Firestone they are the economy line of tires👍 good buy. I remember about 10 yrs ago integras in Cincinnati were a dime a dozen now you can’t hardly fine one at all
It's all good, but I do think it's funny how you introduced the car, then said that now you're going to kill it. It would kind of be like me buying a steer, and showing it off to family and friends, and then inviting them to the barbecue next week. 😁
Hay man, it's your $$$. Do what you want. And tanks for all the info on 01 to 05 Civics. I have plans to do the clutch on my 04 HX civic this fall. I'm gonna take it on myself tanks 2 U. Take care and we will stay dirty.......
I've been in the automotive repair industry for the past almost 19-20 years and I have never heard of, said, nor heard anyone else say or mention the phrase "Silver Bullet"
You have my permission. I took 3 busted up Integras and turned into 1 with a spare engine left over that I put into my 92 Civic. Swapped over the rear disc brakes as well. It was a lot of work but I have no ragrets, not one letter.
Boom! that red valve cover, came out of nowhere.. Had a silver 98 very similar but manual... Really liked that car! You need the code to work with that original radio
Good move. Even if you GSR that LS the VIN number is going to describe an LS. Is like if I swap an B16a2 into my Ej8 is going to still be a Ej8 not a EM1. 👍🏻
I was super mad the moment you mentioned its gonna be a parts car, but after hearing the reasons why and the fact that its a LS and automatic, it makes the drink a lot let sour. If its really that hard to find parts and plan on keeping both the GS-R and the Type-R forever, then sacrificing the LS is the way to go.
I have to live through you, Eric lol.You've owned, currently own or driven every car I've ever wanted to own or drive. I say do what you have to. The Integras I see near me are usually modded to hell and poorly at that (or at least not my liking). If you have to use another Integra to restore two others, that are your project cars, then I'm all for it.
I just bought a 97 Integra LS last month for $1400. It’s pretty clean, clear coat is a disaster and it’s sat for 2 years so it idles a little rough and I am finding all the bushings are trashed. It’s my project car and don’t need it as a daily driver so I hope to restore it and maybe do a GSR swap later.
I like your plan with the LS to help purify the Gs-r and type-R! You kept saying it looks like they did a good job on the front fenders and I would of agreed with you a year ago when I was just a honda tech for 6.5 years but I am now the auto tech at a very reputable body shop and if they would of done a good job they would of took the wheel liners out so there wouldn't of been a paint line or ANY over spray what so ever! I also noticed when looking at the window run channel on the type R there seams to be some orange peel on the mirror molding (triangle part that attaches to the door) which indicates to me it has been painted before . The run channel is a second indicator that the molding was painted, You may be able to remedy it by pulling the mirror off and pulling the run channel up or down so it is seating properly but depending on how long ago it was done it may just be stuck like that.. But worth a try in my opinion. Love the Integra content and looking forward to the future videos on restoring the old gems!
Eric, a quick way to know if the panels have been replaced or painted or repaired, is to look for the VIN stickers. There will be stickers on all of the OEM panels.
Car looks good! I didn't see anything that looked like it had been in an accident, hard to say for sure from a video though. If the paint job turns out to be done well it is a win. It is in much better condition then a factory paint job would be at it's age and a paint job isn't cheap.
For the lifecycle of machines, as they get older, in order for others to live, some have to die. Honestly I thought you were LS swapping it and was like "Oh, this might be interesting" as the only reason people would be mad is "another LS swap" content. Totally get what your doing though. I'm upgrading a super clean base model 1997 F350 to the high end spec trim over the next year or three. It has it's advantages, in Michigan your vehicle plate cost is based on the original selling price, so I get cheaper plates but still have the niceness. Always wanted one and I'm NEVER selling it so it doesn't matter.
As soon as you showed how clean it was I knew it had been painted or some body work done to it because there's no way a 21 year old car can have no dings or scratches if it was a daily driver but the car looks great!
Right? I have my ‘01 silver Integra LS and it’s at ~97k miles. Others have scratched my car from just parking in parking lots; there’s a bit of light scratching on my rear bumper from tapping cement parking rod blockers; and I sadly have a large dent over my front right wheel (doesn’t affect the hood though). It’s only cosmetic though and I can’t afford to fix it. However, other than the dent and the bottom of a side view mirror that has paint flaked off for some reason, the rest of the paint has stayed in pristine shiny condition. I never wax it or anything, but most of it’s life it has been kept parked under a parking structure so the sun doesn’t beat down on it. I will say though that my car did suffer a front end collision and had to have body work done up there when before it was 2 years old, so it needed new paint then. I don’t know if they only painted the front end with the body parts they replaced, or if they painted the entire car. Perhaps they did paint the entire car, so that is why I have the bit of paint chipping from the bottom of one of my side view mirrors?
Eric, glad you're going to restore the GSR and R. Can't wait to see them get the love the deserve with restoration. Serious inquiry, if you want to sell those LS wheels let me know! I don't even need the center caps ;)
If the drive train on the donor car is good, I would just put the ugly parts back in and sell it for as much as you can and then recoup some of the money you spent on it. I am sure someone can use it as basic transportation.
Whaaaaaaat. Personally, I'd 1000% rather have a car with an original rust free body. Especially being from the Midwest, you learn to appreciate that fact on a whole nother level. That GSR is never going to be as solid as that LS. Not to mention the amount of time and work it's going to take to get the GSR restored versus just swapping the GSR drivetrain into the LS. Eric please hear me out on this!!! Lol
I met a guy once at a track day who had a really clean Integra. He said he only buys automatic cars and does a manual conversion/swaps to them because basically that's how you find the cleanest body at this point. The automatic cars were largely "saved" from the typical teenager most Honda's and Acura's of this era have suffered at the hands of.
I'd say sacrificing a clean LS in the name of restoring a GSR and Type R closer to factory condition is a worthy cause. It will be a honorable death for the LS lol.
nope its sacrilege-
@@bikeman1x11 Don't worry, we're still gonna put an LS7 in it and take it to scrabber after she gets stripped.
:(
Sounds like a win win to me.
Pleasantly surprised to see you here sir. Love your channel
Great find for a parts car and awesome that you can help restore 2 classic Acuras with this. Smart move IMO
Hondas from this era are notorious for clear coat failure. Perhaps those fenders were peeling and flaking badly enough to where the previous owner wanted it fixed. Seems to be well taken care of
Usually starts on the roof though. Honda clear coat from this decade was just terrible.
They still are. Look at the 2010s and up. Honda is getting very unreliable and craftsmanship is going down. But it’s just one guys opinion.
@@nemesisazn The same could be said for pretty much all Japanese car manufacturers. Look at Nissan especially. I love my 1994 300zx. After working on the newer Nissans, I realize that many of them likely are just coasting on their previous reputation instead of keeping the same standards. As usual, it is probably all about the money.
@@nemesisazn lately I have been seeing a lot of General Motors vehicles broken down. 1 newer 2018 + Trax, and an Encore. I also saw a 2018 ish Malibu on the side of the road with the hood up. With all I have heard of the 2.4 engines failing, and the 3.6 timing issues, GM has got to be one of the worst. I never see a broken down Toyota or Honda unless its 15-20 years old.
98 preludes with that issue on the foof eucalyptus green
The easiest thing to do would be swap the engine and trans from the rotting GSR to the LS but I can see the main draw back from that is not having a numbers matching car
for real. kinda upsets me to see nice rust free cars cut up to temporarily fix a ruster. we call it cancer for a reason. once it starts it goes everywhere
Add the badge and you’re done
Also, the GSR has sentimental value to him...
A GS-R being numbers matching car is not as critical as having a numbers matching Type-R but on the Type-R if you change any parts on it it becomes a no numbers matching car so either way its devalued once you change parts on it the GS-R is not as rare so its not as crucial
he wont either taking parts from one and will be destroying an ls in good shape
Goes to show you how programed we are these days.. I read that title and the first thing I thought is you were gonna LS swap it.
😆 Well some swapping will be going on either way.
I guessed he was gonna part it out, probably to make up some deficiencies in his Type R. :D
Hahaha!!! Same here!!
Something to consider about the paint. Honda's around 2000 - 2006 loved to peel the clear coat fairly quickly when sat out side over the years...Could have been just a simple re-spray due to that issue. I know I've done that to mine.
I thought the exact same thing.
The dealer probably had it painted and it payed off.
I've noticed over the years that silver has been a real pain to keep together. All the manufacturers had issues with the formulation for silver paint for a very long time.
Or it could have been a direct front-end collision that crumbled both of the fenders and broke the radiator. This is just speculation though and i think clear coat wear and peeling is more likely.
Hadn't thought of that, but could be. Lord knows my 01 Accord's got clear coat mange going on, mostly on the driver's door. Gonna have to paint that door soon as I get all the mechanical issues finished up.
Totally understandable, Eric. I definitely wouldn’t GS-R-swap the LS. A true DC2 will always be more coveted than a DC4, even if it has GS-R bits. Besides, even though you’ll be disassembling a clean LS, it’s not like the car is being put completely to death. It will live on in other ways, just in two other Integras.
Like the ending. I remember (probably back in ‘96) taking in my 5 speed 1992 Legend LS for service and they gave me an Integra LS automatic as a loaner. The automatic does not so justice to the 1.8L engine. With the auto, Integras are not very interesting.
Congrats on your happy period mate! You sent me a personalised bday wish back in 2017 and it made my day. So glad your life is on the up!!!
Hi ETCG1 and followers I have a 2001 Acura Integra LS 5 speed manual with only 84k original miles. I am the only owner. The car is in great shape. I do have some mods but I still have the original parts. I loved these cars. I hate to see you chop up your new LS but as you said it is hard to find some parts so I understand. Looking forward to seeing more of the restoration on both the Type R and GSR.
Good tip about the refrigerator magnet
Eric, if I new you were looking for a silver Acura Integra untouched, about 8 months ago there were a silver 2000 Integra at my junkyard completely untouched, body panels were completely straight, interior was spotless, was not a single rip on the interior leather.
Where we live, a rust free straight body is massive. A good call on getting it shipped. Rarely does picking it up and driving it back yourself work out cheaper, and that's from personal experience. Put all the stuff from the other cars that you are going to replace on it, and you'll probably be able to sell it and recoup some of your cost.
Not bothersome at all. It’s a fact that the cleanest mid 90’s hondas around today are automatic. Just like you said who wants to modify and automatic? Anyway i like the idea. It’s understandable and NO do Not swap the GSR into the LS. That would just make it a GSR replica not a restoration. The GSR will have a greater value later on. You have clean quarters on the LS so you can repair the quarter panels on the GSR. Im honestly really excited about this decision. Love the content Eric keep it going!
Hey Eric, my brother did some time in prison and said they use your videos to teach the guys in there. Didn't know if you knew that or not.
Erik, you broke my heart. The first new car I ever bought was a 1995 Acura Integra LS, I wanted the LS because it did not have a wing on the back. I moved overseas (Norway) and sold it over there to a guy near the arctic circle. The car is only driven in the summer. if I could find one in the condition of the one you have there, I would pull a Peter Brady and treat her like a Queen. You have saddened me Erik.
For me you allow me to look at things in a different way. Until now I would have had a difficult time to do what you are going to do. But now I can see why.
Sounds like your plan is solid. You acquired an unmolested vehicle which can turn two other vehicles into valuable cars for you. Nothing to apologize about. Smart move. Looking forward to the journey.
I found a red 1994 gsr about three years ago with 195,000 miles on it, the owner bought it new and had all the maintenance and any repair work papers still. He sold it to me for $1000. I was able to drive it home the day I bought it. It does need some TLC like the brake hoses at the calipers and a radiator hose. It has NO aftermarket parts on.
I think this is brilliant idea. The parts for these cars are extremely hard to find. I know because I have a 2000 GSR that I am building and I can’t find any exterior parts that are in mint condition.
Congrats to your son! I miss having the summers off, winter break, spring break, no bills etc. Just being a teenagers overall
I'm glad you're bringing back both of those cars
Congratulations on your son graduating Eric @ETCG1
OMG, SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A PRO-TH-cam VIDEO. CONGRATS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD VIBRATIONS😀👍
Breaks my heart. I’ve had my 2000 Acura Integra LS for 21 years and have put my heart and soul into her when everyone tells me to get rid of her. She’s never failed me. I have “molested” her as you say because it’s hard to find parts but I’ve gone too far to give up on her. Almost everything has been changed once or twice and I’m about to get her painted in a week or so. She’s silver as well. I have the LS because I got her when I was 18 and even though I knew how to drive a stick I didn’t want to deal with it as my everyday driver. If there’s any parts you don’t need from your girl I’m willing to buy or trade. I have some body parts that aren’t in great condition but they are original. Just throwing it out there. Damn you lucked out on how immaculate your LS is.
My 1999 Acura CL 2.3L is just as clean. All stock. 144,400 orig. miles. Nice find!
Eric in the aircraft world we call taking parts from one aircraft to another is called cannibalizing. We always seemed to have one or two aircraft we used for parts. It had to be done no parts no fly. Thanks for sharing and stay safe and well Artie 🇺🇸👍
Same story in the auto restoration industry. Even 30 years ago. Now even more so. Years ago a neighbor of mine sacrificed a Cord Beverly to save a Roadster 812. Sacrifices always have to be made.
It’s my daughter’s birthday today so I’m gonna forward that cake to her. Thanks Eric.
Parts cars are a GREAT way to go! Harvesting parts to fix your other cars sounds like a fun thing to follow! I'm looking forward to it!
Totally agree with this, I have a 98 Prelude Type SH and everytime a Prelude shows up to the yard, I just part hoarding what I need and leaving what other people might need for their car, granted the prelude isn't as high demand as an integra but smart move! I would have done the same to an SH.
I think your thought process is spot on 👊👊
Couldn’t you look for the VIN sticker on each front fender? Missing VIN sticker = replacement part.
It's great that you're restoring the other two Integras than switching out the engine with a k swap and transmission like everyone else does. That silver color is in great shape.
Primewell tires are from Firestone. They're pretty good economy tires. Usually 40,000 miles tires. Keep up the good work. Love the videos. 👍💪
been trying to find a clean Integra for myself and I laughed when you mentioned all of them being molested because I cant find one that doesn't have some form or rice or lack of maintenance and general upkeep. I hope I can find a similar clean example soon thanks for the Integra content.
I noticed right away that the front of the hood doesn't close completely to the bumper. As a retired auto body guy, i look at panel gaps first.
Like you said, carfax is not a good gauge of past damage. I've been saying that for years.
When i look at a used car, i take a quiet friend, a flashlight and a tape measure. I do X measurements on as many planes as possible. I also avoid modded cars like the plague. Boys with toys may not rack up the miles, but those miles are extremely harsh.
I like the ways you revealed all the good and bad.
It would be very interesting to watch this cannibal operation take shape. Looking forward to this series.
Same. Love stuff like that.
It makes total sense what you're doing, and I agree with it. After you're done I'd put the LS back together - as complete as you can get it, anyway - and sell it for a good price to someone who needs their first project car. The more Hondas and Acuras from that era we can keep on the road, the better. (Even if they're slightly gungy automatic Integra LSs with bright red air filters.)
There really won't be much to the car after I remove the rear quarters.
@@ETCG1 Just put the old rusty GS-R rears on...unless they just turn to dust when you take them off. Rust repair isn't *too* difficult if someone has the time. Though, I guess you'd have to find a particularly determined young person for all that. 😆
Your hands are tied, I see this as your best and smartest options. Hope we get lots of videos of the work.. take care
Sacrificing one car to restore 2 is a win win. I see it as an investment into the other 2 cars.
Thanks for posting. Sold a 2000 LS Integra 10 years ago
Thought I could get KBB ($5500) price on private sale my mechanic at that time laughed. Selling that Acura was a pia. Gave a young 20year old a good deal on his 1sr car. 2000 Ingegea LS engine seemed weak. May have had some bad mechanic work done by previous owner.
I'm trying to stay dirty Eric. I guess when I reached 48 years old getting in an out of Sports car became more of a challenge. Drive safe in the Natty!
A local search,. 150 miles away, for a 2000 LS, found one for $5,500 FIRM. 139 K, clean carfax, Very good condition.
Recent tune up. oil change , water pump & timing belts etc.
Auto trans, body- rims all look great, Orig interior.
Initially, I was like "Awwee maaan! this could've been a good first car for someone, an auto Integra LS 😩" but as someone who's also restoring a 1999 EM1 Civic Si, I would probably have done the same with an auto EX coupe or something similar 😅
Ebay, Eric! You'll be able to unload the remainder of the LS on there and recoup alot of the money you paid for the LS.
I would totally use that to save the other two Integras as well! Once that LS integra gets the beat up panels back on it you should consider doing a k series engine swap to it.
I'm in the mind set that: Stock is the new modified!
I have a silver 2000 LS as well! It has 62,000 miles and is modified but definitely a keeper
Hey I purchased a decently running B5 Audi just to strip it down for parts. I mainly got it for the seats! So I get it... You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Nobody like to trash a perfectly good car to make another one better but we all do it!
I say you should get started right away brother!
Doing the same thing to my 96 civic right now, it has been such a good car though i felt it deserved a good restoration back to the way it came from the factory, I've been slowly but surely finding the best condition parts that i could find off of other civics of the same generation at the junkyard and I'm about 99% there as far as completing the restoration, the only things i have left to do is find good condition lower window trim pieces for all the windows, reseal the driver side headlight and find a good condition rear seat bottom, other than that for a now 25 year old car she runs perfect, other than little things like needing to swap out a rear main seal and a new ac compressor
I had a 1990 Acura Integra. I miss being able to take corners like a crazy man.
You got a gem of a parts car for sure.very clean.wasnt expecting that outcome,but great idea.
Good idea Eric. I did something similar myself a few years ago when locally there were a fair few knocking about in scrapyards(JDM 1.6/1.8's and the occasional R) and for very little money. The JDM non R's seem to have been better rust protected so I got both doors, hatch, bonnet(hood 😁), wings, front and rear, interior trim and a host of other bits and bobs. I even got three rear spoilers, two for free. It's already worked out after my hatch got damaged.
You are living the dream!!! A friends boss has a mint 2001 sedan looks like it just came out the dealer bad motor but won't sell it sentimental value 😭
Wow, dude. I can't believe you paid so much for a LS. The Integras of this vintage are getting more expensive by the year, but I would've expected 5k max. When I bought my 1999 GSR about 6 years ago, I got it for $4000. That's with a salvaged title because of a front end collision. However, they had the paperwork showing that it was done at a well-known shop with a good reputation. You couldn't even tell it was in a collision. In my part of Southern California it was so hard to even find a GSR in the 1998-2001 range that I decided to settle for this one. You pay a pretty large Honda-tax from the sellers in my area...everyone thinks their car is better than KBB value, even when their car is a junker.
Good move, I can't see anyone mourning the loss of an LS to save a GS-R! Don't be stingy on the updates though, I want to see these restorations through ETCG1! PS - I agree 100% on that era of Honda factory head units, like everything else about that era of Honda's, it has that "just right" feel to it.
I 100% support what you are doing. You can even put the imperfect but functional parts back on the parts car & use the car as a winter beater.
As far as swapping the gsr parts into clean body, that sounds good, but not sure about the legality of it since you are a public channel. Might be better to restore the gsr however so the body VIN matches the engine and tranny so when old Eric is retired he can get a good return on investment for this future classic
Good luck with the restoration Eric.
I can’t wait to see the restauration process
I cannibalized a derby-bashed Crown Victoria last year for parts for Arcee; totally get it, Eric. Do what you must to see Blackbeard and the GSR fully restored; I for one look forward to seeing what comes from this effort! :)
Sell the donor shell when you are done. Someone will want it. It's in such good shape.
No reason to be sorry. This seems like a very wise decision. Sacrificing a plain vanilla model to save two much better models is always a win. For the wallet and the world. I have sent many 4 door vintage cars to car heaven to save better models. Its the way we maintain the GOOD cars. Congrats on your restorations.
I had a 99 Monte Carlo and had an extremely hard time finding parts, I did the same thing. No worries.
I remember when carfax was just getting started and they had the "buy back guarantee". That's long gone. I have had two separate vehicles with "clean" car faxes that had both been damaged in fairly serious wrecks. There is a reason so many dealerships offer them now.
And KBB is owned by the nations largest used car corporation. Trust in rust.
@@beepeefromabove1592 I didn't know that.
My carfax didn't mention the rusted out frame and bondo that it was filled in with. Even the GM place said it looked okay. Two weeks later, the frame cracked in half.
Yes no outfit has a monopoly on facts and truth. Some outlets work pretty hard to keep it all on the DL.
Looks like a great parts car for 2 other vehicles to be honest you do what you gotta do restoring 2 other vehicles is a win win Eric @ETCG1
I had a black 95 GS-R and it was the first car I ever fell in love with. Sadly it was stolen and stripped of its engine just a few months after I got it (2002 maybe). I eventually got a purple 98 GS-R to replace the stolen black one, and got a lot of good years out of that. I learned a lot of the ins and outs of working on Hondas with that car (subsequently owned a green Element like yours, and now have an HR-V and a Fit).
Looking at the paint at first, I couldn't believe a 21 year old car with 134k miles on it could possibly look that good, so the repainted front fenders made more sense. I also notice that the headlight lenses are really clear for a car that old. It makes me wonder if it was actually in a minor rear-end collision, which would explain the clean front. The red valve and air box covers are bizarre if this wasn't owned by someone who reads Import Tuner magazine.
As far as I remember, the only difference between the GS-R and lower trims is the engine and gearbox, the spoiler, and the DOHC VTEC badge. Therefore it would seem a lot simpler to just swap the engine and spoiler/trunk over. Does anyone in the Honda world really care about "numbers matching?"
What your doing makes sense to me. I should have done the same with my AE86 but instead I've spent twice as much buying individual parts
You may or may not ever see this comment but I'm going to write it anyway.. with this parts car once your finished you have many different options. Not only do people buy shells but they also make some crazy things out of them. I would love to see you Express what I personally call "Call From The Void". I'm nowhere near OCD but I like things a certain way so all my builds have been just that. My next build is actually going to be the complete opposite of what I'm comfortable with.. (again not OCD lol) my next build is going to be a rat rod build.. it goes against everything my guy tells me to do but theres where the "Call From The Void" comes in. What is your Void Call? I'd love to see you use this shell for that purpose once you've reached a point with it... Long Time fan Here... until next time brother.
I agree with the other comments that keeping the GSR shell and doing what you presented in the video is the best way to go since it truly would be an original GSR. I know it would be extra work, but I think it might also be worth the effort to put the old GSR stuff back onto the LS and then sell that for 3500 bux or so since the engine and everything actually works, it just isn't pretty. That would recoup the extra costs for the parts car and get a mechanically sound Integra back on the road. Even one is poor-ish condition is worth a good bit if it is working well mechanically. It is a Honda after all and would still have a clean carfax.
Glad you found what you needed! Cheers!
Eric is starting an era of imports that we look at like we do with classic muscle cars.. at least that’s how I see it.
This has been happening even before Eric's videos came along. Only now is it becoming the popular thing to do.
Sounds like a wise choice to me.If you're happy I'm happy.
Here in "Straya" the poverty pack was badged GSI, and the faster Vtech version was badged VTI-R.
Over here, the model number LS means a Chevrolet Aluminum V8 engine that Holden put in the locally produced Commodore.
Same same, but different.
As an owner of a pretty much stock 2001 Integra LS owner, I understand why you're doing this but, it still hurts to see such a nice condition Integra getting parted out. I'm slowly repairing and restoring mine as well, the parts are definitely getting harder to find.
All these Integras Eric, you are really making miss my 92 LS 5-speed. I daily drove it for 11 years. It was 24 years old when it finally had a engine failure. It was rusted out, and overall beat down. I was kind of devistated when I started looking for another older manual transmission Honda. They pretty much went extinct. I couldn't even find a manual transmission car.
I recently drove my cousin’s husbands 99 EX civic, it was a pleasure to drive , garage kept for the last 4 years, just hit 150k and he scored it for 1200
FYI primewell tires are from Firestone they are the economy line of tires👍 good buy. I remember about 10 yrs ago integras in Cincinnati were a dime a dozen now you can’t hardly fine one at all
It's all good, but I do think it's funny how you introduced the car, then said that now you're going to kill it. It would kind of be like me buying a steer, and showing it off to family and friends, and then inviting them to the barbecue next week. 😁
Hay man, it's your $$$. Do what you want. And tanks for all the info on 01 to 05 Civics. I have plans to do the clutch on my 04 HX civic this fall. I'm gonna take it on myself tanks 2 U. Take care and we will stay dirty.......
I've been in the automotive repair industry for the past almost 19-20 years and I have never heard of, said, nor heard anyone else say or mention the phrase "Silver Bullet"
You have my permission. I took 3 busted up Integras and turned into 1 with a spare engine left over that I put into my 92 Civic. Swapped over the rear disc brakes as well. It was a lot of work but I have no ragrets, not one letter.
No ragrets! 🤣
Boom! that red valve cover, came out of nowhere.. Had a silver 98 very similar but manual... Really liked that car! You need the code to work with that original radio
Good move.
Even if you GSR that LS the VIN number is going to describe an LS.
Is like if I swap an B16a2 into my Ej8 is going to still be a Ej8 not a EM1.
👍🏻
Our 97 Civic EX had a changer, and you can get a cable to replace the changer with an aux cable. Still got to keep my factory look!
I was super mad the moment you mentioned its gonna be a parts car, but after hearing the reasons why and the fact that its a LS and automatic, it makes the drink a lot let sour.
If its really that hard to find parts and plan on keeping both the GS-R and the Type-R forever, then sacrificing the LS is the way to go.
I have to live through you, Eric lol.You've owned, currently own or driven every car I've ever wanted to own or drive. I say do what you have to. The Integras I see near me are usually modded to hell and poorly at that (or at least not my liking). If you have to use another Integra to restore two others, that are your project cars, then I'm all for it.
I just bought a 97 Integra LS last month for $1400. It’s pretty clean, clear coat is a disaster and it’s sat for 2 years so it idles a little rough and I am finding all the bushings are trashed. It’s my project car and don’t need it as a daily driver so I hope to restore it and maybe do a GSR swap later.
I like your plan with the LS to help purify the Gs-r and type-R! You kept saying it looks like they did a good job on the front fenders and I would of agreed with you a year ago when I was just a honda tech for 6.5 years but I am now the auto tech at a very reputable body shop and if they would of done a good job they would of took the wheel liners out so there wouldn't of been a paint line or ANY over spray what so ever! I also noticed when looking at the window run channel on the type R there seams to be some orange peel on the mirror molding (triangle part that attaches to the door) which indicates to me it has been painted before . The run channel is a second indicator that the molding was painted, You may be able to remedy it by pulling the mirror off and pulling the run channel up or down so it is seating properly but depending on how long ago it was done it may just be stuck like that.. But worth a try in my opinion. Love the Integra content and looking forward to the future videos on restoring the old gems!
I love the idea, I have a 1995 F-150 I'm thinking about doing the same thing to the whole frame on my truck is shot lol.
Eric, a quick way to know if the panels have been replaced or painted or repaired, is to look for the VIN stickers. There will be stickers on all of the OEM panels.
Car looks good! I didn't see anything that looked like it had been in an accident, hard to say for sure from a video though. If the paint job turns out to be done well it is a win. It is in much better condition then a factory paint job would be at it's age and a paint job isn't cheap.
For the lifecycle of machines, as they get older, in order for others to live, some have to die. Honestly I thought you were LS swapping it and was like "Oh, this might be interesting" as the only reason people would be mad is "another LS swap" content. Totally get what your doing though. I'm upgrading a super clean base model 1997 F350 to the high end spec trim over the next year or three. It has it's advantages, in Michigan your vehicle plate cost is based on the original selling price, so I get cheaper plates but still have the niceness. Always wanted one and I'm NEVER selling it so it doesn't matter.
I was nervous something bad was happening with the integras. Sigh of relief! Clean parts cars are the best.
As soon as you showed how clean it was I knew it had been painted or some body work done to it because there's no way a 21 year old car can have no dings or scratches if it was a daily driver but the car looks great!
Right? I have my ‘01 silver Integra LS and it’s at ~97k miles. Others have scratched my car from just parking in parking lots; there’s a bit of light scratching on my rear bumper from tapping cement parking rod blockers; and I sadly have a large dent over my front right wheel (doesn’t affect the hood though). It’s only cosmetic though and I can’t afford to fix it.
However, other than the dent and the bottom of a side view mirror that has paint flaked off for some reason, the rest of the paint has stayed in pristine shiny condition. I never wax it or anything, but most of it’s life it has been kept parked under a parking structure so the sun doesn’t beat down on it.
I will say though that my car did suffer a front end collision and had to have body work done up there when before it was 2 years old, so it needed new paint then. I don’t know if they only painted the front end with the body parts they replaced, or if they painted the entire car. Perhaps they did paint the entire car, so that is why I have the bit of paint chipping from the bottom of one of my side view mirrors?
Eric, glad you're going to restore the GSR and R. Can't wait to see them get the love the deserve with restoration.
Serious inquiry, if you want to sell those LS wheels let me know! I don't even need the center caps ;)
Can't hate you for buying a nice Integra to use as a parts car. I'd have done the same thing. Can't wait for those videos.
If the drive train on the donor car is good, I would just put the ugly parts back in and sell it for as much as you can and then recoup some of the money you spent on it. I am sure someone can use it as basic transportation.
Given that I'll be removing the rear quarter panels it won't be a viable vehicle when I'm done with it.
@@ETCG1 Hey that car will be worth something for someone less fortunate. As long as it runs, it's not dead.
@@pedrofernandez8729 he’s cutting out structural pieces of the car it’s not going to be anyone’s transportation
Whaaaaaaat. Personally, I'd 1000% rather have a car with an original rust free body. Especially being from the Midwest, you learn to appreciate that fact on a whole nother level. That GSR is never going to be as solid as that LS. Not to mention the amount of time and work it's going to take to get the GSR restored versus just swapping the GSR drivetrain into the LS. Eric please hear me out on this!!! Lol
Eric, you’re an adult, you can do whatever you want. Anyone who complains about this can punch sand
I met a guy once at a track day who had a really clean Integra. He said he only buys automatic cars and does a manual conversion/swaps to them because basically that's how you find the cleanest body at this point. The automatic cars were largely "saved" from the typical teenager most Honda's and Acura's of this era have suffered at the hands of.