Photos by Vlad Shurigin (Zuumy)
Steven Crespo first caught sight of the Acura RSX while playing Need for Speed Underground 2, one of the tuner world’s most infl uential video games, but it wasn’t until he purchased his own RSX that he really fell in love with the platform. “I first started with a basic automatic RSX, and after just a few years I upgraded to a Type S model,” he writes, remembering the switch that started his modification journey.
Like many enthusiasts, what starts out as a plan for simple build quickly becomes something bigger after enough time. “Like many car enthusiasts, my intentions were simply to lower the car on D2 suspension with some nice affordable wheels. One thing led to another and I eventually found myself building a full-blown show car.” This is a sentiment we see time and time again.
Unfortunately for Crespo, the first motor he had was blown up under boost, so he faced some budgetary setbacks when he needed to build a new motor capable of handling power. “After blowing my stock motor I decided I wanted to build a motor reliable enough to withstand the abuse of a turbo, so buying a stock motor and installing it in the car wasn’t an option,” he explains. “Although building a fully built motor was necessary, it was a major setback because it wasn’t in the budget. I was lucky that at the time I had a good job, and with little time I was able to gather the money to continue the process of my build.”
In completing the build, Crespo went with a variety of well-known and reputable brands to compliment his RSX. Spoon Sports, Backyard Special and ChargeSpeed are among some of the main points of interest on the car, but Crespo says that Anointed Aero – the company that designs the limited wide body fl ares on his car – is the one that stands out the most. Whatever aspect of this build you focus on, quality was the name of the game, and we respect a job well done. #pasmag
ESSENTIALS
Vehicle: 2003 Acura RSX
Owner: Steven Crespo
Location: Bronx, New York, USA
Engine: Honda K20A2 2.0L I4
Horsepower: 500 whp
Torque: 395 lb-ft
SOCIAL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveross.crespo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fr3shkidst3v3
ENGINE
- Full-Race (turbo kit, vertical flow intercooler)
- Tial (wastegate, BOV)
- Skunk2 Pro Series 70mm throttle body
- Honda RBC intake manifold
- Hybrid Racing fuel rail
- Ktuned fuel pressure regulator
- Walbro 255 fuel pump
- Injector Dynamics 1000cc injectors
- NGK spark plugs
- Wisico (9.8 compression pistons, piston rings)
- DownStar hardware
EXHAUST
- Skunk2 Mega Power RR exhaust
- Full-Race (Sidewinder header, down-pipe)
- Skunk2 exhaust tip
- Hasport mounts
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS
- Hondata Kpro ECU
- AIM air-fuel and pressure gauges
DRIVETRAIN
- Competition Clutch (stage 4 clutch, flywheel)
- Syncrotech Carbon Syncros
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES
- Work Emotion XD9 wheels – 17x9.5 +15 (f), 17x9.5 +15 (r)
- Toyo Extenza tires – 195/65R15 (f), 195/65R15 (r)
- Brembo brake calipers
- Stainless steel braided lines
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
- Progress Suspension
EXTERIOR
- Anointed Aero V1 wide body flares
- Backyard Special front bumper
- Aspec rear lip
- ChargeSpeed winglets
- Seibon Carbon trunk
- Mugen hood
- Aztec Green Pearl paint
LIGHTING
- Infinity M45 projector retrofit headlights
- DC5 Type R taillights
INTERIOR
- RHD DC5 Type R dash
- Spoon Sports steering wheel
- DC5 red Recaro seats
- Takata Drift 3 harness
- Type R floor mats
- Autopower roll bar
AUDIO/MULTIMEDIA
- Pioneer head unit
Related Articles
PAS365 Editorial Desk - Episode 5: The Big 2025 Announcement
Throwback: 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2010
PAS365 Podcast: SEMA 2024 Live - Part 2
Throwback: 5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009
Throwback: 5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2009
VIDEO: PAS365 Rally 2024 - Vegas to Salt Lake
