Differences Between 96 Spec and 98 Spec Integra Type R


rvm

admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Messages
10,695
Car(s)
EK9/Civic
1. ITR 96 spec has cast iron 4-2-1 header.
2. ITR 96 spec has a S80 w/LSD + 4JHD gearbox (4jhd = 4.40 final drive)
3. ITR 98 spec has steel 4-1 header usually with the header cover painted in black.
4. ITR 98 Spec has a carbon fiber spark plug cover.
5. ITR 98 Spec has intake ports cleaned up by machine rather than by hand (96 Spec).
6. ITR 98 Spec has a S80 w/LSD + NE3 gearbox (NE3 = 4.78 final drive)
7. ITR 98 Spec has the ek9 civic type r camshafts.
8. ITR 98 spec has a 5x114.3 bolt pattern.
9. ITR 96 Spec has a 4x114 bolt pattern.
10. ITR 98 Spec has HID lights.
11. ITR 96 spec Integra has 262mm front and 242mm rear.
12. ITR 98 spec Integra has 282mm front and 262mm rear.


Feel free to post some info so I can add it.
 
Last edited:
7. ITR 98 Spec has the ek9 civic type r camshafts.

Not necessarily true...some of them have a PCT intake cam. Most I've seen stripped apart haven't. More so i've seen them in the odd 99 or 2000!
 
Nice spec! But is there not alot of lightening done on the 98 spec and more ridgidity! And is there not some difference in the suspension?
 
the exhaust cam in the dc2 rx are meant to be more aggressive than the ek9 exhaust cam
 
Brakes -

96 spec Integra has 262mm front and 242mm rear.
98 spec Integra has 282mm front and 262mm rear.

Correct?
 
I've got the VTEC sports mag japan.

Theres a section which seems to list the differences between 96psec and 98. Problem is I can't read it. Theres a total of 14 things listed.

Apparently besides the 96spec and 98spec theres also such thing as a 00spec. It shows a Yellow ITR which might have been a special edition But I dont know of the changes again..
 
both sway bars on the 98spec are 1mm larger respectively.

the spring rate has been stiffened by 0.1kg/mm as well. (some also speculate they are 1coil shorter due to the larger 16in wheels fitted - but I have yet to confirm)

the rear upper camber arm is tubular design which Spoon president recommends for 96spec owners too to help make the rear end more stable.
 
Also, the Rear calipers (96 spec) are identical to Civic Rear Calipers (242mm disc size) Im 99% sure
 
Nice spec! But is there not alot of lightening done on the 98 spec?

Nope, the '98 spec is heavier than the '96 by between 20-40kg if memory serves me rightly, and the Rx spec is slightly heavier again still
 
7. ITR 98 Spec has the ek9 civic type r camshafts.

Not necessarily true...some of them have a PCT intake cam. Most I've seen stripped apart haven't. More so i've seen them in the odd 99 or 2000!

You are correct, The 00-01 ITR's have the same as CTR. All others have the camshaft mentioned above...
Good way to remember this is by noticing when Honda made the swicth from OBD2A(PCT camshaft) to OBD2B(CTR camshaft) on ITR models.
None the less, awesome info. and seems to be on point!
 
You are correct, The 00-01 ITR's have the same as CTR. All others have the camshaft mentioned above...
Good way to remember this is by noticing when Honda made the swicth from OBD2A(PCT camshaft) to OBD2B(CTR camshaft) on ITR models.
None the less, awesome info. and seems to be on point!

I didn't undertand the OBD2A to OBD2B thingie, can you explain me :) ?
 
The ITR's from 96 - 99 use OBD2A Wire harnesses/ ECU.
The ITR's from 00 - 01 use OBD2B Wire harnesses/ ECU.

OBD2A ITR's use PTC Intake camshaft...
OBD2B ITR's use CTR Intake camshaft...


:secret:
Comprende?
 
The ITR's from 96 - 99 use OBD2A Wire harnesses/ ECU.
The ITR's from 00 - 01 use OBD2B Wire harnesses/ ECU.

OBD2A ITR's use PTC Intake camshaft...
OBD2B ITR's use CTR Intake camshaft...


:secret:
Comprende?

Are you sure?

All the JDM Integra Type Rs came with a OBD2A ecu, you can search in ebay for a apexi power fc and in the description of the item you'll find this:

NEW APEXi POWER FC + COMMANDER for Honda DC2 Integra type R B18C Engine 1995 SEP - 2001 JUN
 
Last edited:
i too thought that jdm ITR's were all OBD2a...

my understanding was this:

USDM
A02 - 1997 = OBD2a
A03 - 1998 = OBD2a
A04 - 2000-2001 with immobilizer = OBD2b

JDM
000 - unknown year = OBD2a
003 - 1996-1997 = OBD2a
013 - 1998-1999 = OBD2a
023 - 2000-2001 = OBD2a

EDM
G01 - 97-99 = OBD2a

UKDM
n03 - unknown year = OBD2a
967 - 1997 = OBD2a
J91 - unknown year = possibly OBD2?
 
Last edited:
Type R Legend DVD
98 Spec JDM V's 96 Spec JDM

I have listed the differences between the 96-98 Spec JDM ITR's below, as taken from BMI's Type R Legends DVD. As you can see it is quite long so you may not want to read it all. Please bare in mind that this is Japanese translated into American, I have changed some of the more obvious facts into UK English and that it is BMI information not mine, so if you don't agree with the facts complain to them....

This list does not include all the Track Battles and extras on the ITR that are on the DVD so I recommend a purchase!!!

1. HID lights on 98 Spec (added weight, but improved night visibility)

2. The most siginficant change are the wheels

96 Spec 195/55/15 4 stud

98 Spec 215/45/16 5 stud (rare tyres....)

3. Brake Discs enlarged

96 spec Front 14" Rear 13"

98 spec Front 15" Rear 14" (I don't know if this is correct as I thought these were mean't to be the same as the UK spec fronts, but the UK spec wheels are only 15")

4. Front Suspension - Modified to increase cornering speeds after extensive testing on the circuit.

96 Spec

Spring rate (KGf/MM) 4.4
Damper (KGf) (Full) 245
(short) 161
Anti Roll Bar (inches) 0.94

98 Spec

Spring rate (KGf/MM) 4.5
Damper (KGf) (Full) 231
(short) 142
Anti Roll Bar (inches) 0.98

5. Rear Suspension

96 Spec

Spring rate (KGf/MM) 4.4
Damper (KGf) (Full) 118
(short) 70
Anti Roll Bar (inches) 0.87

98 Spec

Spring rate (KGf/MM) 4.5
Damper (KGf) (Full) 100
(short) 59
Anti Roll Bar (inches) 0.91

This seems to indicate that Honda decided to increase the stiffnes of the spring slightly but decrease the dampening of the shocks. Also the anti roll bars were thickened. Perhaps someone who knows more about this can explain.....

6. The 98 spec engine was equiped with an all stainless steel manifold giving the engine more torque at lower revs.

96 Spec - 200 ps @ 8000 rpm
18.5kgm @ 7200 rpm

98 Spec - 200 ps @ 8000 rpm
19kgm @ 6200 rpm

7. Other Specs

96 Spec
Height (inches) 52
Rear Track (inches) 57.9
Weight 1060kgs
ABS Option
Airbag Option

98 Spec
Height (inches) 52.4
Rear Track (inches) 58.5
Weight 1100kgs
ABS Standard
Airbag Standard

8. Engine Internals (Enlargement of the thrust bearings, Ports, and Valve Seals) were machined by hand until late 96 spec engines. When it came to improving this process further it took to long by hand, so the engineers were replaced by machines.......

Late 96 spec and 98 spec engine internals were machined by specialist machines that produced work that was so good it was impossible to match by hand.....

9. Quarter mile race between the two models with gearbox ratios as described above....

Gear Ratios

96 Spec

1st - 3.230
2nd - 2.105
3rd - 1.458
4th - 1.107
5th - 0.848

Final 4.4


98 spec

1st - 3.230
2nd - 2.105
3rd - 1.458
4th - 1.034
5th - 0.787

Final 4.785

This all means that 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear are shorter in the 98 Spec (due to the closer ration of the Final drive), but 4th and 5th are wider for top speed...... (i.e. 4th and 5th in the 96 Spec are closer for acceleration, which is why the 96 Spec pull the 98 Spec back in 4th gear in the 1/4 mile)

10. Braking test from about 95 mph

96 Spec (non ABS) - 269.7 ft

98 Spec (ABS and larger discs) - 230.3 ft


11. Circuit Battle (in postion order with lap times)

1. 98 Spec Integra - 1.09.16
2. MR2 G liimted (200ps non turbo) - 1.09.57
3. Celica (T-Sport?) - 1.09.65
4. FTO (Version R?) - 1.10.14
5. Miata - 1.13.45
6. BMW Z3 - 1.13.94

Driver comments - It a stable ride.... There is only a slight improvement in quickness, but the brakes and tires really contribute to the stable lap times.....Its a driver friendly car.... I guess the gear ration has some demerits at top acceleration.... but the 1st 2nd and 3rd gears match the circuit. (1st 2nd and 3rd are shorter on the 98 spec, but 4th and 5th are wider for top speed....) The new ITR (98 spec) is a fine car.....

The ITR is great for low and mid speed courses.... older ITR's had problems with the 1st and 2nd hairpins you couldn't rev the engine enogh for those corners.... but now the second gear is a perfect match


12 Endurance race

The 96 Spec ITR is raced (earlier on) in the Endurance race and it wins on lap consistancy.

The 98 spec ITR is raced in the endurance race (not sure who won this one), the oil temp goes through the roof.... cut to Spoon who say when their cars are on track they use Stock Honda Logo oil filters which fit but are smaller and prevent oil pressure fluctuation (preventing warping of the oil filter case). They also put baffles in the sump and heat tape between the exhaust manifold and the sump to further prevent the oil pressure fluctuating. They also use steel gaskets and steel banding around their oil filters on their racing cars....

Spoon then go on to suggest that if youre driving a 96 Spec ITR with over 60,000 miles (on track I presume) when rebuilding the engine also change the raer suspension arm to a 98 spec (or 2000 spec) version for a milder ride and easier handling. All bushes are compatible between 96 spec, 98 spec and 2000 spec so go for the latest you can get.... before making major mods Spoon recomend changing these small parts to enjoy the circuit more first....

13. 2000 spec ITR differences (I don't think there is a 2000 spec ITR as such but its just that Honda was alway making fine adjustments upto the end of the production run.... similar to say the S2000 production run....)

The drive shafts, hubs and bearing have all been syncronised (machined!?!) for better movement, which is the kind of precision work Honda have been doing for the past year or so...

:p
 
i too thought that jdm ITR's were all OBD2a...

my understanding was this:

USDM
A02 - 1997 = OBD2a
A03 - 1998 = OBD2a
A04 - 2000-2001 with immobilizer = OBD2b

JDM
000 - unknown year = OBD2a
003 - 1996-1997 = OBD2a
013 - 1998-1999 = OBD2a
023 - 2000-2001 = OBD2a

EDM
G01 - 97-99 = OBD2a

UKDM
n03 - unknown year = OBD2a
967 - 1997 = OBD2a
J91 - unknown year = possibly OBD2?

now i'm doubting myself....:p
 
Back
Top