'25 Integra ASpec CVT Build

[slowcountry]

Finally made it so i could park in the garage today... old house/steep driveway problems.

Platform gives 4.5in of height and is 76in wide x 130in long. Ramp portion is 76in wide by 60 inches long, ripped 2x4s corner to corner for the grade. Made 6 ramp spines inset 2.5in, 10.5in, and 28in from each side.

There was baaaarely a scrape with just the ramp & platform, but added those 2.5in humps I had previously bought and its perfect.

Besides being able to park in the garage, this should also let me add the spoon progressive springs (.8in drop). Can easily add more clearance if needed.

May add astro turf to the top or paint it to make it look nice Lol

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[slowcountry]

Update on trans cooler/trans temps:

So far the ETL trans cooler seems to keep trans temps 10-18 degrees cooler during casual driving, and 9-12 degrees cooler during spirited driving.

Interestingly, this also seems to have positively impacted the engine coolant temps. I'm guessing this is because the EC isn't absorbing as much heat from the trans fluid.

One specific spirited route I took before and after - trans temp peaked at 212 before, and 201 after. I think once I add the cooling plate I'll have "re-established homeostasis" between trans temp and ECT

 

[slowcountry]

CVT / Heat Soak update:

Went on our local/mini tail of the dragon (Little Italy route) this past weekend to let a friend test out the car and see what the trans temp & ECT temps are up to under real stress. The car was in Sport + S Drive with manual mode for this.

We really could only push the limits for short stretches - car was warmed up, and heat index was 103. After the first climb we had pushed trans temp to 212, but ECT was healthy at 195. The second climb (featuring 2 hairpin turns) pushed Trans Temp up to 232 and ECT up to 221...

That is admittedly... lame. From there we slowed down a bit to see how fast it cooled - ECT dropped back very quickly, but trans temp took about 10 mins or around 10 miles.

Takeaways - I need to get the Cooling Plate and better tires. I'm also considering ways that I could get better airflow to the transmission cooler. Simplest route might be adding venting to the wheel well liner, but more drastic could be to cut a window into the bumper for the cooler and add a grill for it.

Planning to add the cooling plate and then test again from there.

 

[UWU-mancer]

CVT / Heat Soak update:

Went on our local/mini tail of the dragon (Little Italy route) this past weekend to let a friend test out the car and see what the trans temp & ECT temps are up to under real stress. The car was in Sport + S Drive with manual mode for this.

We really could only push the limits for short stretches - car was warmed up, and heat index was 103. After the first climb we had pushed trans temp to 212, but ECT was healthy at 195. The second climb (featuring 2 hairpin turns) pushed Trans Temp up to 232 and ECT up to 221...

That is admittedly... lame. From there we slowed down a bit to see how fast it cooled - ECT dropped back very quickly, but trans temp took about 10 mins or around 10 miles.

Takeaways - I need to get the Cooling Plate and better tires. I'm also considering ways that I could get better airflow to the transmission cooler. Simplest route might be adding venting to the wheel well liner, but more drastic could be to cut a window into the bumper for the cooler and add a grill for it.

Planning to add the cooling plate and then test again from there.

Maybe 3d print a shroud to go behind the cooler add some pc fans? Something with high static pressure?

 

[slowcountry]

Maybe 3d print a shroud to go behind the cooler add some pc fans? Something with high static pressure?

Yep thinking the solution will be something like that. A friend (w/ a s2000 & '94 H22A1 prelude) suggested cheap dryer tubing to redirect air from behind the radiator and/or incorporating a shroud for the transmission cooler. I think wheel well liner venting makes sense, but then also thinking about ways to achieve that without just cutting a hatchet wound in them. The transmission cooler window/grill seems cool, but execution would probably be spotty Lol

Will at least try to come up with a repeatable solution to share... on the fence between the $350 cooling plate or testing custom airflow setups first.

 

[slowcountry]

Wotp x hpt cooling plate installed & some concept pics for trans cooler airflow.

 

[slowcountry]

After spending some time with it, the WOTP x HPT cooling plate keeps ECT about 9 degrees cooler on avg. Where 195 was the stable/avg ECT, it is now 186. But, I still have some heat issues in this crazy hot weather... mostly at sustained high freeway speeds & during spirited driving.

So, I'm thinking I'll put it to bed with:

CSF Radiator
Retain ETL sandwich plate
Upgrade trans cooler to Derale 16 row stacked plate cooler (fit in the same location)

Then, I need to get oil temp & oil pressure gauges for @justa335i's gauge cluster. I haven't been monitoring oil temps yet... but from there will monitor see if oil cooling is needed. If needed, I'd get a longer/narrow oil cooler like the mishimoto stacked plate cooler or similar from derale to front-mount in front of the radiator. Would have to get a thermostatic oil filter sandwich plate then as well.

And once this is done... I dream of lightweight wheels and sticky tires.

Inspiration here: https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/diy-ultimate-cvt-cooler-with-pics.67479/

 

[ZPutsDreamsOnDriveways]

Sick build! I might have to take some notes from you guys


Just picked up my 2026 Integra A-Spec CVT and already tossed in the PRL HV CAI. I’m starting with an RMM and debating which one to go with, so recommendations are definitely welcome.


After that, I’m thinking rear sway bar → turbo inlet → whatever else makes sense. What would you guys recommend next for improving performance, handling, and overall driving feel without going crazy?


Also, I’m upgrading the speakers in the non-ELS system and could use some confirmation on the fitment. I’m planning on using the Metra 72-7801 wiring harness with the Metra 82-7805 speaker brackets. Is that the correct combination for the 2026 Integra? Best Buy hasn’t been able to give me a straight answer.


I sell Acura as well, if that helps with the context.

 

[UWU-mancer]

Sick build! I might have to take some notes from you guys


Just picked up my 2026 Integra A-Spec CVT and already tossed in the PRL HV CAI. I’m starting with an RMM and debating which one to go with, so recommendations are definitely welcome.


After that, I’m thinking rear sway bar → turbo inlet → whatever else makes sense. What would you guys recommend next for improving performance, handling, and overall driving feel without going crazy?


Also, I’m upgrading the speakers in the non-ELS system and could use some confirmation on the fitment. I’m planning on using the Metra 72-7801 wiring harness with the Metra 82-7805 speaker brackets. Is that the correct combination for the 2026 Integra? Best Buy hasn’t been able to give me a straight answer.


I sell Acura as well, if that helps with the context.

Tires.
I’d do both the front and rear sway bar. The front is always ignored cuz the subframe needing to come down is a pain. But it’s worth it. Keep stock ride height, move to coilovers. But get ones that’ll let U keep stock ride height. Get to +8 caster. Shoot for -2 camber. Things will be UWU as fuck homie. UWU AS FUCK!

edit: exhaust

 

[ZPutsDreamsOnDriveways]

Tires.
I’d do both the front and rear sway bar. The front is always ignored cuz the subframe needing to come down is a pain. But it’s worth it. Keep stock ride height, move to coilovers. But get ones that’ll let U keep stock ride height. Get to +8 caster. Shoot for -2 camber. Things will be UWU as fuck homie. UWU AS FUCK!

edit: exhaust

Tires.
I’d do both the front and rear sway bar. The front is always ignored cuz the subframe needing to come down is a pain. But it’s worth it. Keep stock ride height, move to coilovers. But get ones that’ll let U keep stock ride height. Get to +8 caster. Shoot for -2 camber. Things will be UWU as fuck homie. UWU AS FUCK!

edit: exhaust

I’m probably going to get roasted for this, but as someone who prides himself in being called UNC I have to ask WTF does UWU mean

 

[ZPutsDreamsOnDriveways]

I’m probably going to get roasted for this, but as someone who prides himself in being called UNC I have to ask WTF does UWU mean

I ordered the PRL RMM that should be in early next week

 

[slowcountry]

Agree on tires - stock suspension is limited by the stock tires. Just hard to justify replacing them before the stock tires wear out.

Front and rear tower struts were one of my favorite mods for handling. The FSB is pretty thick stock, but it's heavy. I just went with the RSB so far. The turn in and cornering is extremely tight.

You'll have a full intake side upgrade with turbo inlet added.. next is exhaust line, intercooler/charge pipes, tuning, and heat management.

 

[UWU-mancer]

I’m probably going to get roasted for this, but as someone who prides himself in being called UNC I have to ask WTF does UWU mean

I’m honestly not 100% sure bro. Sorry.

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