I'm gonna start this by saying I'm in way over my head. I purchased a 1998 Integra GSR with the hopes of getting into the car scene and learning more about working on cars. I was wondering about trustworthy brands or 3rd party vendors that could help with aftermarket parts? currently I'm working on replacing the cam plug and the head cover gasket, and I have found gaskets available for reasonable prices, but being new to things and knowing precious nothings about the reputation or quality of certain brands, I could use some help. Where do y'all shop from when ordering parts like this? Thank y'all so much!
Also if I have this in the wrong place on the forum please let me know. First post here.

 

Welcome! This is probably not the ideal place for that question but unfortunately it doesn't look like there's an Integra section here. For service parts like what you've mentioned, I've had good luck with RockAuto.

@justnspace can help with the other stuff.

 

RockAuto is usually a solid option. Ordered a lot from there for my 2G TL
https://www.oemacuraparts.com/ is another.

 

I went to the Honda dealership for my cam seal/vc gasket when I had my integra. It was relatively cheap.

 

it depends on how much you care and how much money you want to spend...

if you dont care about the car and just want to get it up and running, the rockauto stuff is fine!!
there are minute differences in the aftermarket seals and rubber parts...compared to OEM. so sometimes, rubber mounts will be larger. or hoses will be thicker. or mounting points dont line up.
with that being said; you can find OEM brands at rockauto, one just has to investigate what brand makes OEM stuff for honda...like for example, the DENSO brand makes a lot of stuff for a lot of OEMs. one just has to investigate who makes what.

if you really care about the car and want to maintain it's OEM charm, then by all means buy directly from Honda!

 

I loved my GSR. Christ, that was 21 years ago!

 

Man I miss my Integra as well. Hard to believe I also first got it 21 years ago! Jeez.

 

Would you say there are aftermarket manufacturers that are better than the OEM seals and gaskets? I've heard around that Acura/Honda skimped out on the quality of some of their gaskets, that being said, I know nothing, so what I could have heard could very well be utter bs lol.

 

It's been my dream car since I was old enough to start getting interested. Seeing them drive around town, and having seen my father drive a white '95 and speak of how much fun it was got me hooked. The GSR I bought was worth every cent. I love that car. so much fun

 

For Honda / Acura, I use OEM gaskets whenever possible, with Felpro as my 2nd choice.

For oil seals, mains, etc...OEM
For gaskets like TB, IM, etc...Felpro

 

again, it comes down to how much you care and how much money you want to spend...

if you want the car to retain it's OEM charm and have the cash; go through Honda.

if you dont care all that much about retaining OEM parts and just absolutely need to have the car running, the after market gasket and seals will do just fine...(I second the FELPRO brand)
it just comes down to you as a person on how much you care to retain OEM parts... by now, the car probably has lost all of it's OEM charm and probably is hanging on by a thread...so, it's up to you if you want to spend the coin to restore it to OEM glory.
if you, as a person, dont care about returning the car to OEM and just need it running, by all means go the aftermarket route.

 

I'd love to keep the OEM feel to it. Actually, the car is entirely stock except for suspension, wheels, and a chassis subframe brace bar. Original motor, trans, etc. whole reason I bought the car actually. I didn't want to buy a car that was tweaked and modded in a weird or sketch way, and the mods that it has done on it currently (mentioned above) I can undo with little consequence. I'd love to keep it looking as stock as possible, 'cause the stock body and sound is just too good. thank you for your help! Really appreciate it!

 

Just an aside, it may sound silly but try to keep your car garaged if possible.

I had an Integra many years ago as my first car and in California, too. I always felt like I had to look over my shoulder.

They're theft magnets. Had mine broken into and they even got into my trunk (which was also locked).

Still, it was a really fun car. Enjoy it!

 

Apparently, at least on the EK Civic side, pre-99 were extremely easy to steal. I assume the Integra was the same.
Worked with a guy that constantly reminded me that it was when, not if, it got stolen & how they'd do it.
But, mine was a bone stock EX coupe on steel wheels. At least it was a 5MT.

 

I have installed an aftermarket alarm system with the fun little blinking light, so there's at least that. For now it'll have to do until I can get a steering wheel lock. But if you remember, how did they break into them? was it something simple like smashing the window and using the unlock button, or using a wire to pull up the lock switch?

 

Breaking in I'm sure there were/are a myriad of ways. I'm sure a slim jim would pop the lock with relative ease.
Supposedly, it was as simple as popping out the ignition cylinder & the car could be started with a flat blade screwdriver.

 

put a fuel cutoff and ignition shutoff switch in different spots; it will certainly help prevent theft. If someone really wants it, they will use a tow truck/flatbed and take it away. Wire a shock sensor to the car also to help trigger the alarm.