Acura: 2005 Blaupunkt Acurabot

The Acurabot, the newest showcar in Blaupunkt’s sponsorship stable, was unveiled in its new form at this years CES in Las Vegas. This highly modified 1994 Acura Integra LS was completely rebuilt over a seven week period between November’s SEMA show and the January 7th start of CES.
Owner Tajai Das of Xclusive Concepts first bought the car in 1998 as a stock, non-Vtec, Integra LS. By 1999 he had begun to customize the car’s appearance, soon taking the Best Vinyl Graphics category at the 1999 Import Revolution show in his native Ontario. “That was it,” Das recalls. “From that moment, I was hooked.”
The Acurabot has since undergone three separate overhauls, each time raising the bar on performance, appearance, and sound. By 2003, Das had assembled what he considered his dream team for the third customization of the Acurabot, and the car took Best in Show awards across Canada, and took the Best Stereo Display at Hot Import Nights Chicago, edging out Blaupunkt’s acclaimed Evil-Z.
The car has always had a Transformers-inspired theme, a nod from Das to his childhood. “When I realized that great showcars had to have a theme, I knew mine was going to be based on Transformers,” says Das. “It unites my childhood toys with my obsession for cars, and I love when someone tells me that they the car brings them back to childhood memories.” In addition to the extensive transformers mural work, the centerpiece of the install features a motorized replica of Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the transformers franchise.
The most recent overhaul of the Acurabot took place in period between the 2004 SEMA show in November, and the 2005 CES: just seven weeks. “This rebuild is the hardest we’ve ever worked to get a car ready,” comments Das. “In order to get everything we wanted to do finished in time, I had to be creative getting these guys to work to their absolute limits. In the end, we were all absolutely exhausted, but I think we are all in agreement that this is the best work we’ve done yet. The car speaks for itself.”
For Audio reproduction, the Acurabot features four sets of Blaupunkt component speakers in the hood, doors, and trunk. Four 12-inch Blaupunkt Velocity subwoofers are mounted in a rear-seat enclosure, and a fifth is in a roof-mounted enclosure. The fullrange speakers and roof-mounted subwoofer are driven by five Velocity VA2100 amplifiers in the rear seat enclosure, and two VA2200 amplifiers are mounted in the motorized chest of Optimus Prime to drive the four rear-seat subwoofers.
The extensive interior fabrication and audio installation were performed by Phantom Car Audio of Mississauga, Ontario, owned by Dan Baird. The sound and video system was designed and installed by master fabricator/installer Cameron Gunn with Baird and Jeff Schwarz. Gunn’s design features a total of 28 video monitors, including the centerpiece Chicago in-dash fold out monitor/DVD player. Source components for the system also include three standalone Blaupunkt DVD players, an integrated TravelPilot navigation system, and America SIRIUS satellite radio receiver, an under-dash Sony Playstation 2, and two rearview cameras located in the eyes of the motorized Optimus Prime robot in the trunk.
All the work on the project was performed at the BKS Custom shop, owned by Bernard Sandy who was responsible the exterior fabrication, paint, clear and polish work. The airbrush work on both the interior and exterior were performed by Dominique Nguyen, who’s company Dominique Designs shares shop space with BKS.
The car rests on Cusco full coilover system, Type R rear control arms, and Vibrant sway bar and Ti bars. Braking was enhanced with an AEM 13-inch big Brake System, and the ride sits on 19-inch Racing Hart 3-piece CR rims shod with nitto Neo Gen tires. All suspension system components are custom chromed, and braking/suspension system was installed by Simon Rowe of Rowe Tech.
The B18B LS V-Tec conversion motor was bored and stroked to 2.0 liters by Alain Neverette of HTP engineering. It features custom seals, cam gears, rods and pistons, and a polished Vortech Engineering supercharger that was customized to accommodate the Acurabot’s automatic transmission. Custom mapping of the engine software chip was performed by Paul Needring of Nee-Tronics.
The Acurabot will be touring throughout the US in 2005, including numerous stops at Vision Entertainment’ Hot Import Nights enthusiast shows.
Acurabot Modifications
ENGINE:
- Acura Integra LS V-Tech Conversion Motor B18B stroked to 2.0 liters, bored and polished.
- Skunk 2 Cams
- Vortech Engineering Supercharger (Polished) S/C, V-5 SQ G–Trim CCW
- Vortech Engineering Aftercooler (Polished)
- Vortech Engineering Maps Bleed
- Vortech Engineering SuperCharger Drive Pulley
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Management Unit, 8:1 w/spring
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Pressure Regulator
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Pump
- Vortech Engineering Fuel Injectors, 310 CC/MIN
- Vortech Engineering Blow Off Valve (Polished)
- Vortech Engineering Water to Air Cooler
- AEM Fuel Rail
- AEM Fuel Pressure Regulator
- AEM Fuel Filter
- AEM Cam Gears
- Nology Spark Plug Wires (Hotwires)
- Nology Separators (Hotwires)
- Nology ProFire Ignition Module PFM-3A 3 Channel Module
- Nology ProFire Ignition Coil
- Nology PowerCore Ignition Amplifier
- Nology Distributor Cap
- Nology Ground Straps
- Zex Nitrous Management Unit
- Zex Nitrous Supply Bottle 10 lbs.
- Zex Remote Bottle Valve Opener
- Zex Bottle Pressure Gauge
- Zex Nitrous Purge Kit
- JE Pistons
- JE Rods
- JE Seals
- Fluidyne Radiator
- Fluidyne TFAL Fans
- Mugen Oil filler cap
- Vibrant Stainless Steel 4-1 Headers
- 5 Zigen Fire Ball Cat Back Exhaust System
- Optima Yellow Top Battery
- OBX Valve Cover (polished)
- HTP Engineering and Rowe Tech install
BRAKING, WHEELS, AND SUSPENSION:
- AEM, 13 inch Big Brake System Rotors
- AEM Big Brake Calipers
- Racing Hart Multi Piece 19 inch CR Rims
- Nitto Tires Neo Gen’s 19R/215R/35R
- Acura Type R Rear Control Arms
- Vibrant Upper front Sway Bar
- Vibrant Lower Ti Bars front and back
- Cusco Full Coil-Over System (Height and dampening adjustable)
- All Suspension is Chromed and polished Ferrari style Brushed Aluminum Skid Plate underneath the vehicle.
EXTERIOR BODY:
- Completely Molded One Piece Body all panels are Moulded and wide-bodied JT Auto Style NSX Widebody Kit
- Andy’s Auto Sport California Thunder Blitz Front Bumper
- JT Auto Style Evo 5 Rear Bumper
- JT Auto Style Evo 5 Side Skirts
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Front Splitters (Custom)
- Motoriced Carbon Fiber Blade Wing (Motorized)
- APR Carbon Fiber F1 Side Mirrors
- PIAA Fog Lights
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Windshield Wiper Base Cowl (Custom)
- Lamborghini Style Butterfly Doors Custom Hinge NOT Bolt On (Custom)
- 2005 Acura TSX Headlight Conversion
(Custom)
- 2005 Acura TL Taillight Conversion (Custom)
- Suicide custom Gas Cap (Custom)
- Shaved Door Mouldings (Custom)
- Shaved Emblems
- Shaved Antenna
- Shaved Door Handles
- Shaved Rear Wiper
- Shaved Roof Gutters
- One Piece double sided custom carbon Fibre Hood with three TV screens and two speakers moulded underneath
- BKS Custom Paint Job (Custom)
- BKS Custom Cut and Polish Finish (Custom)
- Dominique Designs Airbrushing (Custom)
IN CAR ENTERTAINMENT:
- Blaupunkt, In-Dash Monitor, DVD Receiver, (Chicago IVDM-7002)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Dash (10)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the exterior rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Interior rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the Door Skins (4)
- Blaupunkt, 5.8 inch display in the Hood install (1)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch display in the Hood install (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays in Trunk Hatch (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the chest of
Robot (2)
- Blaupunkt, 6.5 inch displays installed in the trunk next to tail lights Exterior (2)
- Blaupunkt, Velocity 12 inch Subwoofers in Rear Seat Enclosure (4)
- Blaupunkt, Velocity 12 inch Subwoofers in Roof Mounted Enclosure (1)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2100 Amplifiers on Amplifier Rack in Rear Seat Enclosure (3)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2200 Amplifiers on Amplifier Rack in Robot Chest Enclosure (2)
- Blaupunkt, PVA-2100 Amplifiers in Trunk Install (2)
- Blaupunkt, 1 set of 5 1/2 inch Components in the Interior
rear quarter glass (2)
- Blaupunkt, 2 sets of 6 1/2 inch Components in each Door Skin (4)
- Blaupunkt, 1 set of 6 1/2 inch Components under Hood (2)
- Blaupunkt, Set of 2 rear view cameras located in the eyes of the transformer head in the Trunk install.
- Blaupunkt, Stand alone DVD Players (3)
- Blaupunkt,
Signal Booster Amplifiers (7)
- Blaupunkt, Signal Controllers (7)
- Blaupunkt, Navigation System (1)
- Blaupunkt Sirius Satalite Radio System (1)
- Stinger, Batteries located underneath trunk enclosure.(2)
- Sony Playstation 2 located in the Dash Board.
- Xterminator, Sound Proof Detening throughout entire car.
- Code Alarm
- Stinger, RCA’s (Hyper Series)
- Stinger, Power Wiring SWKHO Kit
- Stinger, 35 Farad Hybrid Capacitor SHD35
- Stinger, Digital Distribution Block SHD4MAX
- Stinger, All Speaker Wiring
- Robotic Trunk install in the Trunk
comprising of the following: 5 Linear Actuators, 4 worm gears, 18 Sensors.
- Smoke machine installed underneath trunk install.
- Elusion Lighting (LED lighting throughout vehicle
- 1 100 Amp Power Supply installed in the vehicle
- 3 80 Amp Power Supplies installed in the vehicle
INTERIOR:
- Corbeau Racing Seats
- Corbeau 3inch 5 Point Harnesses
- Auto Meter 5 inch Monster Tachometer gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Boost/Vac gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Fuel Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Nitrous Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Oil Pressure gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Pyrometer Kit gauge (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Volt Meter gauge (Carbon Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Amp Meter (Cobalt Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Amp Temp (Cobalt
Series)
- Auto Meter 2-1/16 Stereo Volt Meter (Cobalt Series)
- Ignited Performance Toggle Switches with LED’s (4 in Total)
- Ignited Performance Custom Switch Dins (2 in Total)
- Ignited Performance Push Button Starter
- Ignited Performance Nitrous Purge Button
- Ignited Performance Kill Switch
- Momo Jet Steering Wheel
- Momo Sphere Shifter knob
- Momo Hand Brake Handle
- Momo Racing Pedals
- Momo Carpet Mats
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Dash (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Center Console (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Door Skins (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Quarter Glass Pieces (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Seat Stereo Enclosure (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Rear Seat Nitrous Bottle Enclosure (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Fiberglass Roof Piece Sub Enclosure
- Phantom Car Audio Amplifier Rack (Custom)
- Phantom Car Audio Plexi-Glass Work (Custom)
- 1A Auto Jet Black Replacement Carpet (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber A Pillars (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Roof Liner (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Trunk Jams (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Side Mirror Covers (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Sun Visors (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Rear View Mirror (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Seat Belt Bolt Covers (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Step Boards (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Dash Trim (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Shifter Trim (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Rear Third Brake Light Cover (Custom)
- Precious Fibres Canada Carbon Fiber Arm Rest (Custom)
- BKS Custom Paint Job (Custom)
- Dominique Designs Airbrushing (Custom)