As is often the case, two are better than one. Consider -the following: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the Internet and cable modems, steak and potatoes, macaroni and cheese, strawberries and Whipped cream. The list could go on forever. This is no different. What's better than one really sweet Integra? If you said, "two of them," we're on the same page. That said, we are proud to introduce you to a winning combination in Team Ground Assault.
When Frankie Johnson and Manny Agosto met four years ago there was conflict immediately and their relationship got off on the wrong foot. In fact, the two couldn't stand being in the same room because they shared the same goal of having the sweetest Integra anywhere. As time passed however, they became the best of friends and started working on their cars together.
Before long, it was time to give themselves and their cars an identity. Hence, Team Ground Assault was born. Johnson would be responsible for all public relations and design work, while Agosto would be responsible for all mechanical duties. Throughout the winter of 1997 the two extremists assembled a plan to impact the import show scene in a major way. And that they did! Over the next three competition seasons, Team Ground Assault literally drove over the competition winning over 60 awards (58 of those 'Top 3' or better, including several 'Best Of...'awards).
Since March '97, Johnson and Agosto have put their hearts and souls into their rides. It wasn't easy, and it definitely didn't happen overnight, but Team Ground Assault saw positive results the moment they arrived at their first show. The mods list for both of these Integra's reads like the SEMA show exhibitor directory. Mechanically they are almost identical, however, you will notice some obvious differences under the hood, in the audio system and on the bodies. Johnson's ride primarily features polished parts and a black colour scheme while Agosto's boasts anodized parts and a red colour scheme.
In the spring of 1998, the two opened NewAgain Auto in Silver Spring, MD. Working over 80 hours per week they found it difficult to find time to work on their cars. Nobody but Team Ground Assault is ever permitted to touch the cars (a rule that is strictly enforced).
Both GS-Rs were built in seven stages: suspension, wheels and tires, body kit and rear wing, engine cosmetics, interior upgrades, performance upgrades and graphics. They are at home on the show floor but Johnson's ride is beefed up for the drag strip with upgraded internals.
At Autothority Inc. in Fairfax, VA, Agosto set up both cars to have the same suspension configuration. Both were fitted with B&G adjustable coilover suspensions complete with Prothane bushing kits. For a superb feel of the road, Tenzo-R R-Type front and rear upper strut bars, as well as lower arm bars were added. Suspension Techniques sway bars (26mm front/ 20mm, rear) give both cars added lateral control. At the track, Johnson uses 1,000-pound rear drag springs by Ground Control and Tokico five-point externally adjustable gas shocks to lay down a fast run.
After the suspension was addressed, Team Ground Assault moved on to the wheels and tires. Agosto performed the mounting and balancing and both cars sport identical white Axis S7 18 X 7.5 wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes FZ4 215/35ZR18 rubber. However, Johnson uses 15-inch Lenso VPD wheels with Toyo tires and 15-inch Konig Burners on Mickey Thompson drag slicks while racing.
After the wheels and tires, the body and chassis were next on the list. Inside their shop, the cars were painted their respective base colour (jet black for Johnson, and frost white for Agosto) after everything was shaved off. The cars were fitted with a Wings West Racing Series body kit featuring a vented front air dam stuffed with a Wings West mesh grill. A Commando wing with clear LED sits atop the rear hatch of Johnson's Integra while Agosto's sports a touring style wing, also from Wings West. Not yet satisfied, Team Ground Assault added chrome plated dust shields, Zender mini racing antennas, and Modem Image Graphics designed by Johnson herself. PIAA halogens accomplish lighting for both rides and the all-red taillights were taken from '98 Integra's, with clear lenses on all eight comers.
With the exterior of both Integra's looking great, they proceeded to dress up the engines. The plan was to utilize all chrome, polished and anodized components for that extra special show look. Both Johnson and Agosto use STR Dynasty and Whittier Series dress-up kits, OEM valve covers and Weapon-R battery covers.
Next it was on to the interiors. Both cars feature MOMO T-frame racing seats with four-point harness. MOMO also has its name on the Tornado steering wheel (mounted on an aluminum racing hub) and a set of tuning pedals. B&M aluminum three-height adjustable shift knobs and Tenzo-R polished emergency brake levers were also added. Beneath the Pilot Motorsports aluminum gauge panel insert sits instrumentation by Cyberdyne (UltraGage) and custom made silver and black gauges. An illuminated Ignited push button starter, Designer Mat custom floor mats and 14-piece Daytona flex metal dash kits round out the interiors of both cars. The rear seats were lost and a custom-built floor took its place. This freed up some room for the RPM Motorsports bolt-in roll cages.
Agosto's engine retains its stock B18-C block and head, whereas Johnson's engine assembly was built by Agosto and machined by Benson's Automotive Machine in Santa Ana, Calif. Johnson's B18-C block was re-sleeved with Ductile iron sleeves and copper O-rings, and the crankshaft is micro-polished and balanced. Race Engineering Inc. provided a set of JE pistons and Crower billet connecting rods. A B&M engine oil cooler, modified oil pump and Moroso drag oil pan ensure the engine is properly lubricated under even the most extreme conditions. To squeeze out even more horsepower, an AEM cold air intake system, AEM Tru Power pulley set and HyperTech power tuner module were added.
The B18-C valvetrain is a DOHC belt-driven model, with four valves per cylinder working in conjunction with stock camshafts and polished STR cam gears. Johnson's cylinder head features a five-angle valve job, stainless steel valves, 14,000 RPM valve springs, titanium retainers, ARP head studs and bolts, port matched Supercharger plenum and a nifty port and polish job. Both Integra's feature a Jackson Racing Supercharger complete with pulley upgrades, liquid intercooling system and a Top Gun direct port NOS system and purge kit.
Fuel is delivered via a Jackson Racing high flow fuel pump pushed along an STR fast flow fuel rail equipped with RC Engineering 310cc injectors (not found in Agosto's ride) and a Jackson Racing boost sensitive FPR.
Spent gases are expelled through a Kamikaze four-into-one ceramic header before passing the custom catalytic converter (Agosto uses a Focuz high flow catalytic converter instead) and Borla 2.5-inch stainless steel catback exhaust system.
Both Integra's utilize a B&M short shifter with Prothane shifter stabilizer I "I bushing kit, ClutchMasters Stage 4 four-puck clutch, lightened flywheel and a Quaife LSD.
The ignition systems are the same and are managed by Crane HI-6DSR ignition systems featuring a PS-92 external race coil, 11mm, Reactive Core Firewires and Zex Hyperformance spark plugs.
To make sure it was possible to stop within a reasonable distance, Team Ground Assault needed to upgrade their braking systems. This was done by adding PowerSlot Platinum Series rotors on the front and rear with ABC Green Stuff Kevlar pads up front and Axxis Metalmaster pads for the rear (front and rear on Agosto's GS-R)
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What would a serious show car be without a sound system? Probably not one that wins awards by the trunk-load!
Inside Johnson's ride is an Alpine 7941 source unit hooked up to a pair of Memphis amps (16-ST3004 Studio and 16-ST500D mono-block). The signals are then routed and fed into a single Memphis 15-HP104D 10-inch sub and two 15-MB6 6.5-inch midbass woofers via a three-way crossover. Up front, sounds are governed by MB Quart threeway competition crossovers and delivered by a set of QM 100 four-inch competition drivers, two QM 160 6.5-inch competition woofers and a pair of QM 19.02 NX one-inch tweets. The result is a system with very sweet frequency response and superb channel separation, and thus, a glorious listening experience.
Agosto's system utilizes the factory source running all the same Memphis gear. Instead of MB Quarts up front, he has a set of Memphis 15-PR92S two-way 6x9s and Memphis AR-MS6.1 6.5-inch multi-sync speakers with removable one inch tweets.
What else can be said of Team Ground Assault? Not much really. Actions speak louder than words and these rides have certainly seen a lot of action!
