The Legend That Started It All

Let’s cut straight to it: if you’ve never experienced a DC2 Integra Type R at full throttle approaching its 8,400 RPM redline, you haven’t truly lived. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a fact acknowledged by virtually everyone who’s had the privilege of driving what many consider to be the best-handling front-wheel-drive car ever created.

The Heart of the Beast

What makes the DC2 Type R so special? It starts with its beating heart: the B18C5 engine (or B18C in Japanese/Euro spec). This isn’t just any VTEC engine; it’s a masterpiece of naturally-aspirated engineering:

• Power output: 195hp at 8,000 RPM (US spec) from just 1.8 liters
• Redline: An ear-tingling 8,400 RPM
• Hand-ported intake ports: Each ITR engine was assembled by specialized Honda technicians
• 12.2:1 compression ratio: Higher than most production cars of its era
• Titanium connecting rods: Because lightweight reciprocating mass = REVS

What makes this even more impressive is that Honda achieved this in 1997, without direct injection, variable cam phasing, or any forced induction. This was pure, naturally aspirated perfection.

The Chassis: A Masterclass in Balance

The Type R wasn’t just about its screaming engine. Honda shaved weight wherever possible:

• Thinner windshield glass
• Removed sound deadening material
• No cruise control or ABS on many models
• Special lightweight wheels

All this resulted in a car that weighed around 2,600 lbs, with perfect balance and communicative handling. The car featured:

• Shorter gear ratios than standard Integras
• Helical limited-slip differential
• Strengthened chassis with additional spot welds
• Track-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and dampers

The Rare Breeds: Colors and Special Editions

In North America, the ITR was exceptionally rare, with only about 3,800 units sold over three model years:

• 1997-1998: Championship White only
• 1999: Championship White, Black, and Flamenco Black Pearl
• 2000-2001: Phoenix Yellow, Black, and Flamenco Black Pearl

Japan got even more special editions, including the legendary ‘98 Spec R with its even more track-focused setup.

The Legacy Lives On

Today, finding a clean, unmodified DC2 Type R is like hunting unicorns. Prices have skyrocketed, with pristine examples fetching $60,000+ at auction. But those who know, know: this isn’t just 90s nostalgia or collector hype. The DC2 Type R represents something we may never see again—a pure driver’s car built with genuine racing DNA, where the connection between driver and machine was prioritized above all else.

No electronic nannies. No turbos. No drive modes. Just you, three pedals, a perfect shifter, and an engine that begs to be revved to the stratosphere.

Whether you’re looking to buy one or just appreciate automotive history, the DC2 Type R stands as Honda’s front-wheel drive masterpiece—the standard by which all sporty FWD cars are measured to this day.