Relax. The Integra has a built engine under the hood which is capable of putting out 1,100 ponies

The Mustang has been the pride of America since it was launched in 1964, and since then, it has been the go-to muscle car not only in America but across the world. Its “long hood, short deck” proportions essentially created the classification “pony car.” Having an Integra as a contender against a Mustang, especially a classic Mustang, is somewhat awkward because of how different they are. Thanks to aftermarket tuning and engine swaps, you can make any car go beyond its limits, and the Integra here is no different.

The Acura Integra has a rich and profound history and is still an excellent car for beginners who want the sports car feel but wouldn’t risk their lives and money for bigger, more powerful cars. Today's drag race includes a 1995 Integra that is heavily customized. Usually, an Integra would pack a smaller 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-pot with a mere 140 horsepower. Instead, it has Honda’s B-Series engine, a high-performance, and high-revving powertrain, with VTEC. In addition, it has a B16 cylinder head and a massive 72 mm turbocharger. The owner stated that this modded engine can create a colossal 1,100 horsepower, which is enormous and utterly ridiculous for an Integra. In addition, the engine is mated to a four-speed manual gearbox that sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

Related: 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec: Pretty Good But Not Great

The other car which will compete with the Integra is a 1985 Fox Body Mustang. It is the third generation Mustang built between 1979 and 1993 and is based on a bigger Fox platform, hence the name. Unlike today’s Mustang, which comes with two engine options, the earlier mid-range Mustangs packed a V-6 engine. The top-spec Mustang from 1985 came equipped with a 4.9-liter Windsor V-8. But this vintage Mustang is not bone stock. Instead, it has a bored-out V-8 which now displaces 7.0-liters, which is more than two times the displacement of the Integra’s engine. But that said, this engine has no forced induction, so no crazy horsepower figures, but it puts out 700 unadulterated horsepower.

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With the help of the 72 mm turbocharger, the Integra's built B-Series engine produces 400 ponies more than the Mustang. Plus, it weighs about 2,600 pounds, which makes it 1,050 pounds lighter than its competitor. The 7.0-liter Windsor has a lot of torque, but it drives the rear wheels so the Mustang will struggle with traction. By now, you can guess who’s the winner, but I will leave you a blooper: the Mustang wins!

After working predominantly as a freelancer at CarHP/CarIndigo, Amreetam joined the TopSpeed team as a journalist in September 2021. In a world where SUVs are booming, he favors sedans and adores BMWs and Mercedes, with a special spot for Lexus and Genesis. He is currently pursuing Master of Arts in History and is 23 years old.