* Valentine's day sale was a hit

* RaceFF Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/62kc3W7zKbgLhYXchjfd6A?si=9d43bb37f0124d68

* Many price updates online: Weapon R, Thermal R&D, Functionwerk, Spoon, PRL

* Stoptech closed!

* CRX work at the home garage. My car: S300 wiring, learning a lot. Nearly complete! The other Hf, finding it to be a fun side project.

* Paint cost: perspectives. professional work. experience. end quality. Paying for service not a product. DIY, be prepared to DIYA (DIY, again)

Shop Heeltoe for all kinda great parts and accessories! Http://www.heeltoeauto.com Coupon code "HTInyourcorner" saves you money! Grab Heeltoe MERCH! https://www.heeltoeauto.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=all&search_str=heeltoe+hat

Think about it. This car is based on a Civic platform. The sports version of a Civic platform is really an Integra. The Civic Type-R is the racing version of a Civic, but from a baseline platform; a Civic that is designed as a sportier car is an Integra.

Okay there's a lot of hate over the new "RSX." It's really been tough to swallow for some of us Honda fans, those who remember the Integra and the RSX for what they were. Sporting three-door hatchbacks with exciting powertrains, attractive silhouettes, the dream and hope of a Type R version. These cars were icons for Acura/ Honda.

And you are just using the name to try to sell a car. This new version of Integra that came out... at least it's some form of an actual Integra, based on a Civic with a little plus features. Even if we try to forgive there is no extra performance, no extra cache to come with the Integra name. Just different styling and more luxury features.

But this? The RSX here is nothing like the old RSX. Maybe in some skewed alternative way of thinking, the old RSX represented an entry-level performance car. The specs are there on this new EV: Dual motor all-wheel drive, double wish suspension... but this couldn't be further from what an RSX actually was.

Acura, these names mean something to your enthusiast base. It felt like you were flexing the name when you came out with the Integra, but now you're straight up exploiting the name RSX!

Not a cool move. This car is something new. Something totally new. Name it something new!

Heeltoe attended Hondafest NW in 2025, and hit the show with a mic and a camera to interview some folks on fun Honda-related topics!

Here's what we asked these gripping questions:

• Do you have a project at home? On jackstands?
• How many cars have you owned and what is your favorite?
• Can you leave a car stock?
• Is boost better, or NA best?
• What's the best Honda OEM color?
• Type R or Type S?
• What Honda or Acura would you bring back?
• When did Honda's Golden Era end?

AND MORE!

Check out some comments...seems like a couple of people disagree! But who is right? I get to the bottom of it in this Podcast.

A bigger exhaust CAN flow more air than a smaller one. But how much your engine CAN flow is a different amount of air. The goal of the exhaust is to flow the air the engine is capable of processing in the most efficient way it can. After tuning, improving airflow on the inlet, raising boost, and other upgrades the need for a larger exhaust is clear. The engine can support more airflow, so the exhaust needs to support it as well.

But there needs to be a realistic view of what the engine is capable of doing before the size of the exhaust can really be determined. The point is, the exhaust size is a tunable factor just like spring rates, the ride height and the damper firmness. More isn't always better!

If you buy quality parts, though, you'll find that reliable warranty coverage does exist in the performance aftermarket parts industry. That doesn't mean warranty claims are a complete lock. If you are going to claim a parts warranty, be prepared to give up some information. Sometimes a lot of information, to help validate the issue.

This podcast is about being patient through the process of engaging with manufacturers for warranty support and what to expect. Expect to be annoyed, but have faith and stick with it. The better brands always make good by supporting their products.

A customer selecting a car on the Heeltoe platform is also choosing an engine. This gives us the power to serve the customer-specific car and engine parts that match their build and reduces the need to do funky filtering to get to the part they need, even if they have an engine swap.

Something only Heeltoe does, because we are in the business of making your shopping experience as specialized and personal as your car is to you.

Well, that's false. Not only do these parts not cause a higher fuel demand, in any situation the computer mostly sorts out how much fuel goes into the engine. Adding bigger injectors can confuse the computer's function and mostly you'll be running worse.

Guess what; everyone is wrong. Brake rotors don't warp. It's impractical to think that they do, especially in normal every day driving situations. Extremely rare outliers aside, the brake rotor warping myth is sold as the everyday occurrence that happens to people all the time.

No, I am sorry, it's false. Listen to the podcast to hear the explanation of why rotor warping is a myth, and how to resolve shaking during braking.

Yeah, not that often. But, on occasion for sure.

What does Heeltoe do in these situations? We file a claim and give the customer some advice about finding the item. That's really about it. There is really not much else we can really do, but we are here to support you the best we can!

A true homegrown brand, Fastline has always been great at filling little niche holes in the niche market of Honda-Acura enthusiast parts. We're not afraid of low volumes but the parts with the Fastline brand have to serve a performance purpose.

We're looking to really expand the Fastline market presence over time. 2024 will hold a big future for FLP!

We open the episode with a bit of an update on Aiello and his future car direction.

EO Number = Executive Order Number

What do they mean to you and your car's airflow devices? Impacting the emissions of the car will impact the legal use of that part on the road. So depending on where you are, what kind of car you have, and what part you have means understanding what these EO numbers mean a little better.

Everyone wants to know but FEW realistically can answer this question. I answer this question by first asking a few questions of the customer, which is the only real right way to get a good product recommendation.

Also, we discuss the merits of a 1g NSX as a road trip vehicle. It's a high-performance car but surprisingly good for 24 hours of driving. A few little modern conveniences aside, it's a great road warrior.

The road trip in question was to Monterey for car week, where Marcus and Aiello attended the ZDX Type-S reveal. This all-new, all-electric SUV from Acura is a fresh design and offers the promise of fantastic performance and luxury with the Type-S moniker boldly in place. Marcus provides thoughts on the vehicle and the reveal event.

The clutch industry has done nobody any favors, either, as each of them has their own secret sauce when it comes to specs, performance, drivability, and naming convention.

This episode of Heeltoe's Corner Club is all about bringing some perspective to that clutch purchase!

Faced with a Hot Rodded 1987 Civic Si, Marcus is working out the logic in buying yet another car. Fearful of the consequence of swelling the HT Garage and the inevitable spousal backlash, he's just a little gun-shy.

But let's face it, this car is going to get bought by someone who doesn't need it. Might as well be Heeltoe!

On a deeper level, though, what is compelling this conversation? Why do we love cars like this and what is collectible? Honestly, why are we so in love with culty cars?

And when we find one we love, how do we justify it? Marcus can find just as much reason, or more, than anyone. But still, unless some kind of museum is in the works, why does 10th car really make sense?

It's complicated, we guess.

*PS Marcus says, sorry for my extra loud audio on this, we are getting our microphone chops sorted out. By ep 12 we should be in better shape!

What the heck is going on?

It could be many things. If you have bought from a reputable seller, like Heeltoe, you will get your kit. But it could take some time!

Then our chat sort of segued to other general car build chatter and touched on some various car build philosophies like...battle cars?

The 2022 Civic Si is released! Graham and Marcus chat a little about this car and what impact modern Hondas are having on the public.

Lastly, a discussion on choosing suspension. Not going to the track? Need something that rides well? How much lowering are you looking for? These are just some tips we have on picking out a suspension that will make you happy!

I've tried to answer Graham's question directly but there are some tricky things behind how BOVs work in conjunction with the rest of the fuel injection system. Especially with Mass Air Flow applications, venting intake air to the atmosphere after it has been metered confuses the hell out of the computer, and this can have a really ugly effect on the ECU's fueling strategy.

And on a turbo car--which if you have a BOV you definitely have a turbo--that's just super bad.

In case you are feeling critical, realize that I am not a technician. I'm not an engineer, or a tuner, or a real expert on this subject matter. But it does become my job to guide people into buying decisions, and I hope this information helps shed some light on how you should be thinking when buying parts.

Cool cars are cool, just make sure you aren't doing uncool things to look cool. It doesn't work.

But here it is, some chats about what makes up Cyber Turkey Days at Heeltoe. Some insights and peeves about Black Friday. Some of what goes into our strategies and what we have learned about these promotions over the years. And I discussed what I "planned" to do for Black Friday 2021.

And then we got into a chat about Hardrace and how it is certainly a *good* brand and they have *great* coverage. But also people have them up on this pedestal of perceived quality and performance that really isn't warranted.

Acura is pretty proud of it, and honestly, they should be. They are making a more stylish version of a Civic Si, right down to the manual trans and turbocharged engine. This chassis promises to build on what makes the Civic so epic. As a suped-up Civic, the Integra is the same basic thing it always has been.

But so many can't see past the 15-year hiatus and realize that the time for the DC2/DC5 body is just passed. Acura isn't really trying to make a lifestyle model here. This one is about selling cars. The Acura sold 83,000 Integras in 1990. The in 2000, Acura sold barely 26,000.

In 2020, Honda sold 260,000 Civics. Acura would love to have big numbers for the Integra, and going more mainstream is clearly the direction to that broader audience in the 2020s.

Plus, there are all of 28 car models available with a manual transmission. Acura is adding one to the list with the Integra.

Like it or not, this Integra will likely be a real success.

Who buys them? Why? Who should buy them?

There is clearly a market for replica or cheaper production parts. But there is also a proper place for them. Maybe best to call them "practice parts."

Listen as Graham and I discuss the ups, downs, lefts, and rights of cheaper parts and hoping you gain some perspective from it!

But the big news here is the NEW Integra from Acura!

There is soooo much buzz about this car; wild predictions, hopes and dreams...

Sadly many of you will be disappointed, but then later you will be totally stoked on this car once it sinks in. Here are our predictions for the Integra using all the inside information we can muster.

Anyhow, Graham had posed a question about getting some paintwork done on his Evo X, and wanted some advice.

Now I can't claim to be any kind of expert on this topic. I'm really just like you and he is in the enthusiast space. I don't have a go-to guy for many things like this. But my experiences have led me to get complete-paint done on a couple of cars and those experiences have led me to having some advice in the back pocket. Here we are giving a good chat around the topic.

The conversation opens with a little chatter about online car communities, a topic just about any enthusiast can relate to!

Indeed, a viral video we posted on YouTube is what kicks off this podcast adventure! Marcus was at the private reveal of the NSX Type-S at Monterey Car Week August of 2021, and captured a clip of the covers coming off the latest supercar from Acura. That video racked up over 2.2M views, and scores of comments and likes as well.

Comments comments comments....well there were just too many to answer so we are using this first episode of the Heeltoe Corner Club podcast to bring you on board with our thinking. That the superficial view of new cars being "the same as" or "copies" of other cars.

Huh. The internet.

Anyway, this is training day for us, but we hope you'll give us some feedback to help us improve!