Noob GSR Identification Question

Chainsaw

New Member
Hello!

New guy here, looking to buy my first Integra. Specifically I'm looking at '98 - '01 GSRs. This will be my daily driver so I want to buy a clean, stock or very lightly modified and well cared for (not beat on) car. There seem to be a fair number of them for sale around here.

My one big question is: How do I know I'm looking at a GSR and not another model that someone's trying to pawn off as a GSR? I know the GSR got the VTEC motor but is it possible to swap a VTEC valvecover onto a non-VTEC motor, or how do I know they didn't just swap the whole engine? Is there something in the VIN number that positively identifies the different models, or some other information built into the car like the VIN (a body tag somewhere or something) that would be extremely difficult to change or modify?

Anyway, just looking for info on how to make sure I'm not getting scammed. Thanks for any help!
 

JDMStealth

New Member
Title & vin on the car will say DC2, instead of DC4 and if you open up the driver door there will be a sticker on the frame of the car there it will say GS-R also gsr dont come with a 3rd brake light inside the car, also if your looking at 98-01 if there stock they will have gsr blades and GS-R came only in black leather & Tan. But the most part is the VIN number, and no its not possible to switch non-vtec valve cover for a vtec one. Also make sure to match the VIN number from the title to the transmission & block also the dashboard and the firewall and fenders,doors,hatch etc...
 
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dc2GS-R

Super Moderator
Just look at the block right by the tranny. The engine code is stamped on the block. The GSR will be a b18c1

An LS engine will say b18b1
 

JDMStealth

New Member
dc2GS-R said:
Just look at the block right by the tranny. The engin code is stamped on the block. The GSR will be a b18c1

An LS engine will say b18b1
Click to expand...
Yes that also, if the car is a GS-R the stamp on the block with say B18C1 thats usdm.

B18B1 LS
B16A2 USDM
B16B CTR
B18C JDM ITR or JDM GSR (Depends whats the code on block)
B18C5 USDM ITR
B16A JDM
B20Z USDM
B20B JDM
B18C6 EURO
And so & so on...
 


Chainsaw

New Member
JDMStealth said:
Title & vin on the car will say DC2, instead of DC4 and if you open up the driver door there will be a sticker on the frame of the car there it will say GS-R also gsr dont come with a 3rd brake light inside the car, also if your looking at 98-01 if there stock they will have gsr blades and GS-R came only in black leather & Tan. But the most part is the VIN number, and no its not possible to switch non-vtec valve cover for a vtec one. Also make sure to match the VIN number from the title to the transmission & block also the dashboard and the firewall and fenders,doors,hatch etc...
Click to expand...
Thank you JDMStealth, that's pretty much what I was looking for.

Can you point me to a link or any info on where the VIN numbers would be located on the firewall, fenders, doors, etc?

I would assume that if the car has been repaired in the past that some of these numbers wouldn't match. That really wouldn't be an issue for me though. Fender benders happen and if the repairs are of good quality you'll never know it in day-to-day driving, but it does give you a negotiating point and something to think about when assessing any particular car.

Most of the GSRs I've seen for sale recently don't have the stock wheels on them any more, but that's not really an issue either. I just want one that's clean, looks good, runs good, and has been well cared for. Oh, and isn't slammed to the ground and rides like a skateboard or has an obnoxiously loud exhaust on it. :lol:

I kinda like this one though it might be a little too low and I think they're asking too much for it. I'm also leery of the way the hood matches up to the bumper cover:
http://tinyurl.com/5rwobq
I like this one too and the price is more in line, especially considering the low miles. Just need to add a rear spoiler:
http://tinyurl.com/6b9neu

dc2GS-R said:
Just look at the block right by the tranny. The engine code is stamped on the block. The GSR will be a b18c1

An LS engine will say b18b1
Click to expand...
Cool, thanks! I guess since you can't swap valvecovers then my main concern would be someone swapping a GSR engine into a non-GSR car.
 

JDMStealth

New Member
Chainsaw said:
Thank you JDMStealth, that's pretty much what I was looking for.

Can you point me to a link or any info on where the VIN numbers would be located on the firewall, fenders, doors, etc?

I would assume that if the car has been repaired in the past that some of these numbers wouldn't match. That really wouldn't be an issue for me though. Fender benders happen and if the repairs are of good quality you'll never know it in day-to-day driving, but it does give you a negotiating point and something to think about when assessing any particular car.

Most of the GSRs I've seen for sale recently don't have the stock wheels on them any more, but that's not really an issue either. I just want one that's clean, looks good, runs good, and has been well cared for. Oh, and isn't slammed to the ground and rides like a skateboard or has an obnoxiously loud exhaust on it. :lol:

I kinda like this one though it might be a little too low and I think they're asking too much for it. I'm also leery of the way the hood matches up to the bumper cover:
http://tinyurl.com/5rwobq
I like this one too and the price is more in line, especially considering the low miles. Just need to add a rear spoiler:
http://tinyurl.com/6b9neu

Cool, thanks! I guess since you can't swap valvecovers then my main concern would be someone swapping a GSR engine into a non-GSR car.
Click to expand...
I like the second better it doesn't even need a wing I like em wingless check mine out...

http://www.clubintegra.com/board/showthread.php?t=25528
 

Chainsaw

New Member
Sweet car, man!

The only thing it's missing is a rear spoiler... :stick: :mrgreen:

I know I'm probably in the minority on that, I just have a thing for the factory spoilers on these cars.

Here's another I found not too far from me. Looks good but terrible pictures. And those aren't factory wheels, are they?

http://tinyurl.com/593evv
 


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JDMStealth

New Member
I cant seem to find any pic to show you on the vin numbers, but just check the door make sure its not scratched off or the hatch and dashboard & motor and transmission
 

JDMStealth

New Member
Chainsaw said:
Sweet car, man!

The only thing it's missing is a rear spoiler... :stick: :mrgreen:

I know I'm probably in the minority on that, I just have a thing for the factory spoilers on these cars.

Here's another I found not too far from me. Looks good but terrible pictures. And those aren't factory wheels, are they?

http://tinyurl.com/593evv
Click to expand...
Thats a LS thats why it has those wheels, see click on the link and go to where the vin number is you see its says in the vin dc4 thats means its a LS
 

Chainsaw

New Member
Okay, thanks a lot, I really appreciate the help! I read your first post backwards and thought the GSR would have DC4 in the VIN.

DC2 = GSR, DC2 = GSR, DC2 = GSR..... Yeah, got it now!
 
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