SP Rides: Getting it Done
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Garrett Cera
Age: 36
Occupation: Mechanic
Hobbies: Cars and spending time with family
Year/Make/Model: 1997 Acura Integra
Color: Custom Black/Blue Pearl
ENGINE: B18C5, Skunk 2 70mm intake manifold, Skunk2 70mm throttle body, PLM bisimoto rep header, Skunk2 cam gears, 3 inch short ram intake, Hasport billet motor mounts, Password JDM hardware, brake line tuck, fuel tuck, shaved bay, Rywire wire engine tuck harness, 2 ½ exhaust piping to a Apexi WS2 exhaust.
EXTERIOR: All metal type r front with HID headlights, custom bumper covers made by Jeff Pascual, PCI sideskirts, JDM rear valences, JDM visors, 2000 taillights, shaved side moldings, antenna, trunk badge and lock.
INTERIOR: ITR Steering wheel, ITR faux carbon interior parts, custom suede door cards headliner, and rear speaker deck, UKDM ITR floor mats.
ICE: Custom subfloor built by Creative Enclosure Designs (Retto Aguilar), Alpine IVE W530 double din, Alpine type s separates front, Alpine 6×9 coaxial rears. 1 mono amp block, 2 Skar IX 8s, Skar RP 800.1
SUSPENSION: Apexi N1 full adjustable suspension, PCI front spherical upper control arms, rear PCI spherical trailing arm bushings, rear camber kit, ASR subframe brace, ASR 23mm sway bar, front carbon strut tower bar and rear strut tower bar, JDM ITR bans. Hardrace front lower control arm bushings, Lower tiebar.
WHEELS & TIRES: Speed Star Racing Professor SP1, 16×8 in front and 16 x 9 in the rear, 195/45/16 tires.
SHOUTOUTS: My wife, Gary Miyasato for tuning the car, Isaac Pedro for buffing the car, Lanchones Garage for the body work and paint, and Team GSD for all the help.
Like many enthusiasts, Garrett Cera, is a fan of more than just one make and model. Introduced to cars at the age of five by his father who had a passion for American muscle. After following his dad’s footsteps for a time, he began to branch out into imports, lowriding, and then specifically into Hondas.
At 36 years of age, this 1997 Acura Integra is his 44th ride. Let’s just say he gets around. “I build them, I get bored, I sell them. Or things come up, like my son being born, and the car is a fast return,” said Cera.
The build of this black/blue beauty is a bit amusing. Cera has always wanted a Honda with the venerable B18C5 motor aka the Type R. He actually purchased the Type R front end before he had even found the proper donor car. With parts already filling his garage, he was able to acquire a family-friendly, 4-door Integra that was perfect for the job.
The B18C5 was pulled from a friend’s previous project and installed into a custom blue with flake bay. It has a super-secret laundry list of internal mods to wring out additional power but also has tons of visible goodies. Skunk2 products such as the intake, manifold, and throttle body are a feature, with Hasport motor mounts to hold it in place. The RV Wire engine harness has been tucked, and the car exits with a 2-½ pipe to an APEXi WS2 exhaust.
The body has been lathered in a custom black/blue pearl. If features the Type R front end with HID headlights, custom bumper covers by Jeff Pascual, all metal PCI sideskirts and 2000 model tail lights. The side moldings, antenna, trunk badge, and lock have all been shaved for that smooth look.
The interior has been upgraded with an ITR gauge cluster and steering wheel. Faux carbon inserts add a touch of race as well as custom suede door cars and headliner. Fairly expensive UKDM ITR floor mats are also included.
When it comes to suspension, what you don’t see sometimes makes the biggest impact and this ride has plenty of candy. APEXi N1 fully adjustable suspension is hidden beneath the bodywork along with PCI upper control arms and bushings as well as a rear camber kit. An ASR subframe brace keeps it together along with an ASR sway bar, and front and rear strut tower bars. There’s even more in the list. All of this meets the road thanks to gorgeous Speed Star Racing Professor SP1s set at 16×8 in the front and 16×9 in the rear with Linglong tires all around.
Of special note is the custom audio system in the rear trunk. The entire setup was created by Retto Aguilar of Custom Enclosure Designs and includes two Skar IX 8s in a very simple but elegant custom enclosure.
Cera’s motto is emblazoned on his window sticker, “Get **** Done.” That’s how he lives life and he’s definitely done the same with this gorgeous ride.
