Feature: DA9 Looking Fresh! On A Budget

The automotive world is full of budget builds. One glance at the Internet forums and you'll find people painting their carpets with rattle paint, rolling hardware store interior grade wall colors over body panels, purchasing electric superchargers from eBay, fabricating rear wings and scoops out of cereal boxes, mufflers out of tin cans, and a dropped suspension from OEM springs and a rusty hacksaw.

There is a right way and a wrong way to keep a budget tight. We let Toby Kevoian and his built Acura Integra show us how to turn $2500 into an Open Clutch cover feature in a matter of months. The first matter of business is to find the car.

“I’ve always wanted a DA9 (90-93 Integra),” says Toby. “I love the body—they have such a unique line to them, and I think they just look pissed off when you do them right!”

Toby was in the market for a clean DA in Chi Town, when he got a lead of an original Arizona car that was just three hours away. He grabbed a friend and headed out. “It had crappy shaved door moldings and rust—it was not an Arizona car,” says Toby. “Oh well, three hours for a solid running Integra for $900 was not bad.”

Keeping in tune with his budget, even the drive home with his new DA was a trial of penny pinching. “I remember when we were coming back, Ben (a friend) was driving the Teg, and I was driving my truck,” explains Toby. “Ben didn’t have change and I didn’t either, so he rode my truck's bumper anytime there was an iPass, so we'd get through without paying.”

You might be wondering why such a tight budget? Toby has a good job as a full time automotive technician at Lexus. What's the hold up? Well, this is not his only project he has in the works.

“I have a K Swapped Del Sol and a Honda Ridgeline for my daily grind,” explains Toby. “I really have the car as a side project for when the Del is at a standstill in productivity” And he also “just loves DA’s”... (and “Boobies”, if you take a moment to read down the decal set on the rear of his car).

The Integra is really just a nice brag piece to show off what can be done with minimal funds and maximum creativity. Over this past year, Toby's Del Sol project has been resting on its keister, so he's had a lot of time to play with the DA.

“The car is basically stock,” says Toby, referring to the fact that he hasn't focused much on the LS powerplant as of yet, other than a Bolt Boys kit dispersed randomly throughout the engine bay. The current stance of the DA rests about four to five inches lower than stock, which was accomplished via a set of D2 Racing 32-way adjustable coilovers and a stock camber kit.

Toby also rolled and stretched the fenders to tuck a set of black, +12 offset, 15” x 8” Diamond Racing Steelies into the wheel wells. The taillights are GSR, hood is carbon, bumper corners are amber, headlights are H4H HID’s (thanks to PasswordJDM), front lip is eBay, housing is a legit one-piece JDM, and the Khaki (tan) paint job is 100 percent Wal*Mart certified.

Before shooting the DA with a couple of rattle cans, Toby cleaned up the rust and shaved doors the best he could, but he's still not completely happy with it. To finish the exterior, he added a bike rack and an assortment of decals. Toby's most prized possession on the car is currently his Diamond White (Cadillac White) Nardi steering wheel and NR-G quick release, which was painted by a buddy of his.

“It turned out amazing—I had to get it off him when he finished it,” laughs Toby. “Totally gorgeous—thanks Seth!”

Overall, the car is fairly clean, although Toby would like to add a few more touches, including an LS-Vtec, painted bay, wire tuck, and two replacement side moldings to undo the shaved doors. “It’s a total budget build for now, but down the road, who knows what will be in store,” says Toby auspiciously.

“My main focus for the year is to get the Del Sol back on its feet,” says Toby. “I’ve considered selling the DA a few times, because it’s a big distraction—but I can't part with it—it’s one of my dream cars.”

Toby would like to extend his gratitude to: “My amazing girlfriend Gina—some of my best buddies Dustin (OldMan), Benny T., Aaron H., Mikey A., Paul P., Anthony H., Tim S. at Hybrid Racing... and (my) Haters.”

“Thanks again, Open Clutch, for the feature,” says Toby, as he revs up his DA. “If you get a chance, check out our forum at IndyRPM.com!” And with a smooth purr, he then scooted out of sight. Happy budget hunting to all, and to all an inexpensive night!