'25 Integra ASpec CVT Build

[slowcountry]

Got these in today! Not quite sure when I'll be able to put them on yet

*I am not affiliated with PRL, but if you shop through my rewards link, I get points! This should gove a discount code: http://rwrd.io/h3azuhj?s

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[UWU-mancer]

Very dope build! Any plans to ever get it on a dyno?

my neighbor has a wrx gt with cvt and he’s been careful with the wtq increases. But man he’s making great power now!

 

[slowcountry]

I'm still trying to figure out the whole tuning game. It seems like there's a lot of back and forth for a custom e-tune so I'd rather just get it all done at once with a dyno tune? Not sure what to expect that to cost or if its available here.

Real curious what it'd pull on a dyno though!

 

[UWU-mancer]

I'm still trying to figure out the whole tuning game. It seems like there's a lot of back and forth for a custom e-tune so I'd rather just get it all done at once with a dyno tune? Not sure what to expect that to cost or if its available here.

Real curious what it'd pull on a dyno though!

If U ever pull that trigger plz share?

 

[slowcountry]

The car is now tuned! I had all of the mods on for about 2,000 miles before tuning at 6,150 miles. It was raining today so I don't have any real feedback on the tune yet - went with the Phearable 1.5R and KTuner V2. I was able to get a used tuner here on the forums. Will be having fun testing the tune out over the next few weeks.

Since last update I've also added dynamat to the spare wheel well which was a drastic difference to interior noise. I have a ton extra, so I may do the doors or underneath the trunk trim.

Next install (once it cools down here) are the PRL front calipers along with slotted/drilled front & rear rotors, pads, and SS brake lines. I went ahead and got an OBD2 tool for the rear rotors.

 

[vn37]

Nice! looking forward to hearing your tune experience. I plan to eventually do a base level tune. have u installed a cvt cooler? dont push that torque too high tho.. some lightweight rims would be a crazy next step

 

[slowcountry]

Yup I think the rims are the "final" mod along with better tires. Right now im looking at Rays MID R26 18x8.5 with either PS4S or DWS06+.

I'm trying to figure out how to get a dyno test around here. The CVT version of the tune does limit the torque (I think below 4500rpm?) compared to the MT tune... This is what Gemini says it should be at:

Today was a crummy day to compare before/after, but so far it all just seemed smoother.

 

[vn37]

I was under the impression the aftermarket bolt ons need to be accounted for in the tune (intake). did you jsut use the base map or get a custom

 

[slowcountry]

I was under the impression the aftermarket bolt ons need to be accounted for in the tune (intake). did you jsut use the base map or get a custom

Phearable has you list out your mods and air intake housing when you order - i believe they tweak the mod a bit based on the mods listed (they mentioned this on one of their blog posts). So you can get the Stage 1.5R, and it is somewhat customized to what you have bolted on. If you add mods afterwards you'd probably want to get a tune revision.

My ECU # only allowed 1 map, so I'm stuck with Map 3. That seems alright so far, and the comfort/normal/sport modes still give the same adjustments. Comfort mode is more livable now, but still very muted compared to Normal & Sport.

Side note: Phearable recommended factory spark plugs or NGK ILZKAR8H8S gapped at .026. I picked up the new ones today - they come pre-gapped at .032 so they have to be adjusted to .026. The throttle response seems much quicker and aggressive with these new spark plugs.

Also - the stock spark plugs were already heavily carbonated at 6k miles... most likely due to excess fuel / all of the mods prior to tune.

 

[vn37]

interesting, and the power difference you feel with the tune?? from what I'm reading it seems like its a barely noticeable difference.

 

[slowcountry]

Well, i had all of the mods on for a while prior to tune so its less of a drastic change for me compared to a stock car that just added a tune.

But the smoother power band is very noticeable - less lurchy or touchy when feathering the gas, and really opening it up brings back some torque steer as the front raises up. Accelerates my desire for stickier tires soon.

But so far I only have about 20 miles on the tune... I need to develop my opinion on it more.

 

[NickyV528]

Any concerns about the CVT having Issues with the additions? I am thinking about installing some PRL components to my Integra but am unsure how robust the CVT actually is.

I have had nothing but absolute ridiculous results! Many Integra owners may say don't bother, and they are kind of half right. I say that because I friggin wish I would of bought a manual. However, in my case I had zero intention of adding any Mods to my car, I mean I had zero mechanical experience but the Integra type R from 99-00 was my dream car. So out of nowhere I went full ADHD & I have a laundry list of mods on my, what was at some point a base model lol. Now I identity as an above Novice "car guy" at this point, so take what I say with a grain of salt and than do your own research. I used Gemini AI and forums and friends of mine with experience. The results have led to me definitely having the most powerful CVT in the state of NY

First things first, be patient and be smart about this, I cannot stress that enough. Our CVTs main concern should be adding too much torque. So I took one step at a time. I started with the PRL high volume (I bought the short ram first BIG MISTAKE FOR ME) I drove with it a bit and enjoyed the new sound, because that's all I really achieved. Than I went for the PRL titanium inlet pipe. This is where I started to notice quicker spool and a little more pull at a green light. I than upgraded my charge pipe from K&N, that was impulsive but a good move to help with the slightly more efficient cooling. Besides Torque we need to be very mindful of our heat soak. Primarily our transmission temps. This is really where things started to evolve. I than, after much debate between the few choices of cat back exhaust, I ended up going with the Thermal R&D. People with CVTs have mentioned not experiencing the beautiful gurggles and growls. My thinking is they did not tune the vehicle. That was my next step. TSP literally has a stage one and now stage one plus for the Ktuner specifically for both manual and CVT.
( They wouldnt make it, if it wasn't worth it). At this juncture of my journey my car was RIPPING. My mid range was insane and I started taking cars on my commutes pretty easily. I also started to notice I could NOT drive the car in D I had to bring that stick down to S and take on full control of the manual mode that doesn't change gears automatically unless you redline. This is where the car started to gurggle.

I took a break to do my body work and asthetics and to also monitor closely my temps and my knock and overall performance of the vehicle. Thats a lot of mods for the CVT. I did have some high trans temps when I would drive spirited or not, so it was time to focus on cooling. I bought me some mishimoto coolant tubes. This replaces our rubber crap with quality silicone to absorb more heat as coolant flows through. At the same time I got me a universal oil cooler. I messed up this install royally and cut my AC Low line by accident. Dumb ass rookie move. Holy crap what a mess right as summer hit so I ditched it. The stage one plus from TSP dropped at this time but suggested an intercooler upgrade. So I did! I got the PRL intercooler and the stage one plus tune. My car was moving well at this point and it helped with trans temps, (the tune more than the intercooler.)

I wanted MORE! so I grabbed me the 27WON down and front pipe...HOLY SHIT! Is all I can say. My CVT integra that some may crap on because it's not manual, Smoked a manual aspec with some mods so, suck it ! This thing is LOUD. Manual mode is the most fun experience in the world and a necessity. If you drop to just the S and don't touch the paddles that's still acceptable to ust cruise with your added power. Talk about gurggles and growls!!! I'm pretty sure my neighbors hate me, so Im super nice to help counter it lol.

So I know this a straight Novel but my experience should be really helpful. This is where I'm at currently and my trans temps are getting high again, but only when I drive like Mario Andreti. So I'm literally as we speak looking into what oil cooler to buy. I won't mess it up this time lol that's why I'm even seeing your post, but it's gonna be a great addition and hands down most necessary thing. We need inline thermostats also. Especially if you live where winter hits cold. Too much cold is just as bad as too much heat. This goes for both manual and CVT or a basic Automatic.

So after writing and essay but only because I really want to help you kill it and also let you know, you can really unleash some unreal power in your CVT. The beamers and STIs in my area accepted as part of the pack. So

1 do one mod at a time
2 only good quality parts
3 pay close attention to your ride. Turn the music off and listen to her. She will let you know if she is ready for more.
4 TUNE! TUNE! TUNE!
5 TUNE! TUNE! TUNE!
6 monitor with your choice of tuner device.
7 Cool that baby down! Power is fun but cooling will add power and keep your tranny healthy. *Change tranny oil every 10k*
8 ake her look as fast as she is.
9 HAVE A GOD DAMN HELL OF A TIME.

Than buy a manual next time

PS I also have a PRL strut bar

 

[SeanIsElsewhere]

Loving the build so far! Especially the upper and lower custom mesh grills; they look sick! Do you have a write-up for parts and how you went about it? I’ve been wanting to do this with mine for years

 

[NickyV528]

Bro thank you so much

So this is where I get alot of applause for. Everything you see is DIY. Some done with my bare hands . It took me alot of time. Like neglecting my family kind of time Thank God my wife likes seeing me enjoy something. & My daughter is a teenager who participated a little.

The widebody took a serious amount of patience, failure, and learning. I bolted on universal fenders than followed with a ton of Bondo to blend into the body. I had to educate on sanding technique and become an artist with it, if I wanted it seamless that was the hardest part. The matte blue is actually Rust-Oleum custom lacquer and not a wrap that I did by hand with a million cans the front lip in this pic I got from TSP they have made for Integra front lip ,side skirt and rear diffuser. I got the front lip than hit a stupid parking lot concrete thing. And fixed it by fabricating the center piece. Than I hit a poor skunk or something at night and it broke again. That thing just never worked out the way I wanted so I ripped the whole thing off and just ordered a new one today that I will carbon fiber wrap. My grill will make you laugh. It's a metal mesh sheet I bought in the roofing section of Home Depot
I did not want to change the grill, I had damage to the OEM in December last year. But happy accident, because I love it especially displaying the intercooler and I'll style my oil cooler too. I got some blue lights in there

-So check out TSP for some lower body parts for a sick sporty look

If you want to go DIY
Ebay it up for fenders and get crazy with it. If you don't care about the seem and noticable universal fit than leave it as is

If I can do it over I would 1000% buy a whole paint kit with a beautiful color of choice, spray gun and all. There are a lot of different companies. You'll get it done in no time and have minimal imperfections if you follow instructions.

If you got the funds for it go professional, it may be the way to go. But the feeling I get when people like yourself compliment it and turning my neck every time I park is very satisfying.

Alot of patience and creativity is a must. There are sooo little parts made for our Integras. TSP is really the best and only one. There are some sellers on eBay but hard to come by. GL and feel free to throw a question on this post. If I could help in anyway I will.

 

[slowcountry]

Did you ever get that universal fluid cooler on for the transmission? A lot of CVT folks are looking for some examples of it.

Love the wide body look, the only kit I've seen approach that is the Aero wide body type s kit for the de4. Pretty pricey, (especially with body shop install) but would open the doors to wider wheels.

Was it originally liquid carbon silver?

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