The 2023 Acura Integra features the same exact engine you will find under the hood of a contemporary Honda Civic Si, a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque from 1,800-5,000 rpm. Here it has an Acura badge on top of the valve cover instead of a Honda one.
With premium fuel and a 6-speed manual transmission as in our tester it’s rated at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. The engine features an upgraded turbocharger bolted to an aluminum head featuring an integraded 4-2 exhaust manifold. The engine features Honda’s well known VTEC variable timing, direct fuel injection and a base compression ratio of 10.3:1.
The aluminum engine block and structure as well as its internal rotating components are significantly upgraded for more strength, rigidity and reduction of noise, vibration and harshness over the previous generations.
Following the airflow, the intake charge starts at the front of the engine compartment at a snorkel which leads into a compact size air-filter box. From there it travels across the engine bay into the turbocharger clearly seen at the front of the engine.
From there it travels down below to an air-to-air intercooler mounted below the bumper. After cooling the intake charge comes back up to a throttle body and composite plastic intake manifold at the top rear of the engine.
With 17.8 psi of maximum boost the air is mixed in the combustion chambers with fuel via direct-injection. Most of the fuel system is hidden underneath the valve cover but the four spark plug coil packs are clearly seen and accessible at the top of the engine.
Exhaust exits at the turbocharger and is managed by an electronically controlled wastegate before exiting directly into the catalyst.
Doing your own maintenance as with most Honda/Acura vehicles is very much straight forward. Windshield washer fluid is at the passenger side fender well. The oil filler cap is found at the top passenger side of the engine and the oil level dipstick just ahead of it notable with the bright orange handle.
The white plastic coolant reservoir is found but not so clearly marked at the front passenger side of the engine compartment. Checking the brake fluid is done at the driver side firewall at the reservoir clearly seen and accessible. To the right of it is the 12-volt battery.
The main fuse panel is found at the driver side fender well just ahead of the battery, and to the side of it is the main engine ECU. Changing the air-filter is easily done at the front of the driver side engine bay by simply removing a few clips – no tools required.
