Sporky SideGrades Texas FL5 Type R

[NeRO_CTR]

Austin doesn't even like the new Austin ... I was there for an Adobe convention in 22' IIRC.

HAHAHA Don't blame me....Iron sharpens Iron, i guess.

Sponsored

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Toward the end of my wrap install, while the team was finishing up the car, I loaded up the OEM FL5 wheels and tires, in my handy dandy new Tyre Totes, into my Wrangler to take them home.

This set of wheels, with a bit of adjusting, actually fit into my 2 Door JK Wrangler, "Oscar the Hound". Just barely, but they fit.

Good thing I didn't need to get past 3rd gear in order to get home.
Who needs 5th, 6th, or Reverse, anyway?

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

The guys stayed late and finished my wrap around 8:30 p.m. on a Friday.
After we got the car outside, it was time for another SideGrade,
my new Acura DE5 Integra Type S OEM shift knob.

To me, this Type S shift knob, along with the FL5 Forged Shark Gray Metallic wheels on 275/35ZR19 tires... shoulda been OEM on FL5.

Another part filed into "OEM Shoulda".

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

This Acura DE5 Integra Type S shift knob is available at:

DC5RParts.com​

I wasn't able to source this shift knob from my local Acura dealer, so I found it here.
The part number, for anyone interested, is 54102-31M-A00ZC .

Got the "Save The Manuals" T-Shirt while I was on the site.

 

[Ph8ed4life]

To me, this Type S shift knob, along with the FL5 Forged Shark Gray Metallic wheels on 275/35ZR19 tires... shoulda been OEM on FL5.

Another part filed into "OEM Shoulda".

seeing your pics, I agree wholeheartedly. The way that stitching lines up with the boot, chef’s kiss and lights out!

To raise it a notch, I do like the matching ITS steering wheel and had thought about this combo in the R

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

seeing your pics, I agree wholeheartedly. The way that stitching lines up with the boot, chef’s kiss and lights out!

To raise it a notch, I do like the matching ITS steering wheel and had thought about this combo in the R

Hmm, now you got me wanting to check out that Type S steering wheel, just to have a look.

Got a Link for the Lazy?

 

[Ph8ed4life]

https://ebay.us/m/clpKjF

Here’s one currently listed up on the ‘bay, hopefully that link works.

Logic says the DE5 and FL5 wheels interchange, as the Alcantara wheel is the exact same part number for both.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

https://ebay.us/m/clpKjF

Here’s one currently listed up on the ‘bay, hopefully that link works.

Logic says the DE5 and FL5 wheels interchange, as the Alcantara wheel is the exact same part number for both.

Thanks.
As of right now, the link works.
Yeah, that textured leather on the wheel would complete the look with the DE5 shift knob.

OEM DE5 Type S steering wheel in the future?
Who knows?

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Finally, some photos of the finished wrap:

Clear PPF on top of the Black spoiler and Satin White covering the underside.

The idea for wrapping just the underside of the spoiler Satin White came from one one the team members at Platinum Auto Films.

I wanted a white roof (not Championship, sorry to disappoint) to help mitigate this Texas heat.

Might as well cap the mirrors with Satin White as well.

Sporky, front view.

Thanks to Marco, Jason, and the whole team at Platinum Auto Films for the great experience and awesome wrap!

 

[NeRO_CTR]

I must have skimmed over the satin white part. I thought that was the wraps protective layer LOL

 

[Ph8ed4life]

Looks fantastic, great choices!

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Catching up on the timeline...

Saturday, June 21, 2025.
I packed my bags to spend the week with my buddy Mike in Dallas.
But first, a stop in Fort Worth, for my first ever trip to Texas Motor Speedway!

The event: Drift N Drag After Dark .​

Yes, I printed out the info page, and ticket.
Things like APPs and RFIDs aren't my friends.

Off to Texas Motor Speedway!
I had no idea what was in store.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

If you know me, you know I'm slow, and sometimes late.
First time to Texas Motor Speedway? ... Late. Because of course I am.
The drive from San Antonio to Fort Worh took almost 6 hours.
In this case, I was running waaay late. Whoops!

Behind a long line of cars waiting to enter the Speedway, around 6:45 p.m.

The line is moving, and I got a few outside pics of the stadium.

Around 7:05 to 7:10 p.m. or so. Almost into the stadium.

Entering the stadium tunnel. Now this is cool.

Inside the tunnel. Woo Hoo!

Next, figure out where to go inside the infield of the Speedway.
Long story short, I went the wrong way. I went right past the Drag Race parking lot and all the way into the Car Show lot. I wasn't the only one either.
There was another full noob in a white Camaro following right behind me.
We both had to turn around and return to the Drag Race parking lot.
No photos of this due to me being the proverbial chicken who cut off his own head.

Sorry about that, white Camaro dude!

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Why am I taking a brand new, 4,000 mile, bone stock FL5 Type R to a drag race, where I will be greatly outclassed, multiple times over?
Because my homie invited me, and because YOLT, You Only Live Twice!
That's why.

Finally made it into the Drag Race lot.
At this point it's already after 7:30, and all the drag cars have been "teched".
The event staff put a hold on tech inspections for the time being, due to there being more than double the attendance for this event than there was at Drift N Drag in April. The staff had to redirect their efforts from tech inspections to just processing spectators' tickets to get everyone inside the Speedway.

If I had to guess, I would contribute the short staffed crew to two reasons:
1). Schooooool's Out For Summerrrrr! ...and
2). This Drift N Drag is After Dark, which means way less overhead sun, and after about 8:30 p.m., NO sun at all.
Therefore, double the attendance, which was awesome, but it left the event short staffed.

My car was at the front of the line to get tech inspected when the staff paused inspections. Therefore, mine was the first car to get stopped from joining the Drag Race. Because of course.
Never let Murphy's Law go to waste, ammiright?

Anyway, I may as well look around a bit and check out some cars.
I just happened to be parked near a really cool old school blue Camaro, amd the lighting was just right..

May as well get a shot of both cars near each other. Apologies for the crap framing. It was still bright out there and hard to see the tablet at 7:30 p.m.
Plus, I am a Boomer Noob.

A good picture of the caliber of drag car at the event.

Thanks, anonymous Blue Camaro!

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Being that I showed up to the event way late, along with being obviously waaay outclassed, I was just about reserved to leaving my Type R how it looked...
a pavement queen.

A pavement queen could do worse, you know.

Sponsored