One of the minor details that separates the 1990-93 American Acura Integra from the Japanese model is the headlights. In America they are a three piece unit consisting of fog lights, headlight, and corner turn signals. The Japanese models came with a single piece unit that was plastic instead of glass like the American models. And if you own 90-93 Acura Integra chances are you have been eager to ditch your headlight set up. Lucky for you this is an easy modification. Grab a socket wrench with 10 and 12mm sockets, an extension, and a Phillips head screw driver.
The most difficult part comes first; removing the front bumper. A great picture tutorial can be found at Team-Integra. Most people see the headlight bolts on top and think that is it. Not so fast – the headlights have a lower bracket that is bolted to the core support. There are ten bolts that need to be removed. Two are located on each side of the bumper where it meets the fender in the front lower portion of the wheel well. That is your first 4 bolts out of the way which means you are 40% percent complete. Just don’t lose them.
Next remove the front blinkers with a Phillips head screw driver. Behind each blinker you will find two more bolts connecting the bumper to the frame/core support. Remove those and place them off to the side. Now stick your head under the bumper and you will see two 10mm bolts. Once you remove those the front bumper is ready to come off and will still rest comfortably on its bracket. Standing in front of the car give a tug toward yourself and slightly upwards and the bumper will come right off. Now both the top and bottom brackets for the headlights will be easily accessible. Remove headlights and sell them on eBay.
Wiring use to be a problem with these headlights. Years ago it would require soldering. Now aftermarket manufacturers have created a jumper harness available for purchase online. This will plug into the American plug and then power the H4H bulbs for the new headlights. This will also ensure a solid connection and cuts your modification time down.
When installing the new headlights the bottom brackets are optional. I have done this modification on two of my Integras and they were never used on the reinstall. Also, by only securing them with the top brackets you can change the headlights in the future without having to take the bumper off ever again. In addition, changing the bulbs on these headlights is much easier to do with the headlight off. Without the bottom bracket you can easily change the bulb without having to struggle around in the tight area just behind the headlight. Simply remove the top bracket bolts, slide out, replace bulb. This will cut the time in half for replacing a blown headlight bulb.
Take the ten bolts that you hopefully put in a safe place and reinstall the bumper the same way it came off. Two bolts on the bottom of the bumper, two behind each blinker (4), and two in the wheel well just below the fender (4 total). Replace the blinkers with the Phillips head screwdriver and you are done. Congratulations, you just completed the most necessary modification for your Acura Integra. And every Integra enthusiast will notice it. Don’t be surprised if other owners flag you down to ask you about them or tell you how clean the car looks with those installed.