Merlin's DC2
Merl's J Swapped DC2 Integra Type-R
As a UKDM Integra, my car started life with the ‘rest of world’ front end, but I could never quite bring myself to preferring it to the JDM front end. While the original one certainly looked unique and is a beautiful own right, it’s a polarising design and it didn’t have the look I wanted. I’d always wanted the JDM DC2 look so I needed to make it happen however I also didn’t want to sell my car… so the JDM conversion was completed. It’s a simple enough job, the most tricky part is trying to find someone willing to slice the slam panel off of their JDM front end, as you need the radiator support to weld on to the UK car. Once you’ve cut yours out and welded the new one in, it’s a matter of wiring up the headlights and bolting together and away you go!
In terms of looks, pretty much everything has been touched on the outside. The car has been slapped with decals, from Kanzen Works to other tuning brands- all being ones with parts installed on the car. In place of the stock Type-R spoiler, sits a ‘Mugen’ Gen 1 style spoiler, and while it differs slightly from the genuine one it also saves a few thousand pounds! The front end has been fitted with a carbon fibre bonnet, which I have been told is an original Gen 1 Spoon bonnet, and the headlights have been wrapped in a golden/yellow film, a signature look of the Kanzen Works DC2. The car is sitting on 16x7 Rota Grids, closer to the JDM 98 spec Integra and 1 inch larger than the stock UK 15 inch wheels.
Looking at engine modifications it’s fairly stock besides the exhaust side which has been modified all the way through. The exhaust manifold which is a restriction on the UK spec cars has been replaced with a Tegiwa 4-2-1 Toda rep, through to a Mugen Twinloop exhaust. It has a baffled sump to help with oil starvation through corners, has been partially polybushed to stiffen the ride while maintaining drivability, and has braided brake lines to help with pedal response.
It’s a work in progress and I have many plans for the car in the future, once my wallet catches up. Find me on Instagram @merlintegra_ to get the latest!
—Merl,
Kanzen Works Co-Founder