Feature: Raising DA Standard - Juiceboxforyou

This DA6 needs no introduction. I’m sure most people throughout the Irish car scene know this car. When Darren was building this car he aimed beyond the standard many people set for themselves here in Ireland, there was no limits or false ceiling.

Don’t get me wrong, we have some great cars in this country, but quite a few of the country’s population are quite reserved when it comes to a build. Most usually settle for a clean looking “tidy” example or something very safe rarely venturing outside the box.

When Darren was building this Integra he looked towards the land of opportunity aka the United States. A country whereby chasing the Japanese vision they essentially created their style…

Both Paddy McGrath and I made it a double date to get this car the recognition it deserved.  This car pushed the bar for Irish Hondas and not with speed or handling but personality. It just goes to show what can be done once someone has the creative mindset and dedication.

When this car hit Speedhunters I knew it would be a big deal even for people outside of Ireland, people praised the car for its looks and personality which is pretty much oozing out of every corner, Darren got huge attention from the US.

The exterior parts very carefully knowing that a DA Integra looks it best with subtle extras and not much more. This car was pretty much built with the sun in mind. A rare sight but that didn’t stop him. The car takes huge inspiration from the west coast Honda scene of Los Angeles.

Root bear brown covers this Honda’s body followed by a few touches of carbon. The front end has been treated to a Seibon carbon hood accompanied by a JDP carbon lip. Darren added a rare OEM JDM bumper pole, a much sought after in the US scene.

The car has its fare share of OEM clean desirable parts too. The rear end has been treated to a very subtle M3 lip spoiler and the original holes were flushed. The Aerial holes were also deleted giving the rear a much simpler look.

An array of new and rare OEM parts such as OEM power folding Mirrors, brand new OEM headlamps, mud flaps and wind deflectors, the list goes on.

This is the first full wire tuck I had ever seen in person. Everything has been shaved from the bay even the brake lines have been tucked which are now running through the inside of the car.

To get the engine bay looking this aesthetically pleasing the Air conditioning and power steering had to be removed as well as the battery, pretty much everything else was either relocated or removed.

Darren used White heat wrap to covers the RSR exhaust manifold, which leads to a de-cat pipe mated to a Tanabe Cat back system. The cars cream and brown personality flow throughout the engine bay adding additional character.

The DA is subtle but there is still quite a lot to take in. For example the custom spark plug cover with the touch of graffiti, even the rocker cover has been personalized.

This engine bay is a work of art but it’s not shy of a few performance parts. Under that cream rocker cover, a set of Civic Type R cams and fuel injectors and an EK9 N1 crank pulley in addition to some NGK leads.

The use of cream is very evident throughout. The door cards, the armrest and centre console, all have been re-trimmed in cream accompanied by a matching cage and custom artwork.

Inside a list of rare OEM parts such a centre armrest, a rare OEM gathers speakers system, a super awesome rare double din Gathers head unit feat. Equaliser/CD player, a rare personal box, and an OEM map light were all sourced and fitted.

The clock surround was wrapped in carbon fiber and little touched like tagging the dash surround really add originality. A black Apexi RSM sits behind the Genuine Mugen wheel and horn button.

A set of Mugen pedals replace the original and a Mugen shift knob sits over the red and black stitch gear gaiter and handbrake gaiter.

A Takata Harness is the perfect match for a Bride Low max Carbon back seat. The back of the DA6 has been stripped out and freshened up with a coat of root beer brown paint.

Darren went against the grain and chooses a set of 15×8 BBS RMs both front and back. The baskets were repainted in cream and fitted to the polished lips with a set of Gold plated BBS studs. These wheels really set the car off as the cream contrasts nicely against root bear brown.

D2 coilovers helped this Integra get low. Skunk 2 pro series chrome Lower Control Arms and a pro series front and rear camber kit aid the handling. The addition of a Password JDM C-pillar bar and upper and lower strut bars both look aesthetically pleasing against the half cage.

This car is a big deal for Ireland in a creative show sense. It really goes to show how far the standard can be pushed in this country when the mindset is there.

Darren has put together one of the nicest most original Honda’s in the country without a doubt probably one of the most memorable DA6’s in the world. From the choice of rare parts to the colour combinations and bold wheel choice accompanied by personal finishes it’s such a great example of a personal unique build.