Jonathan Ortiz - 2005 Acura RSX Type-S
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Carlos Rivera (@iamcjflicks)
Jonathan Ortiz’s 2005 Acura RSX Type-S doesn’t rely on shock value to make its point. It operates on a quieter frequency — one that rewards patience, context, and an appreciation for execution over excess. When this RSX crossed the PASMAG Editorial Desk, it didn’t take long for it to become a unanimous favorite, both among the team and the audience. Every decision feels deliberate, cohesive, and rooted in an era that many enthusiasts still use as a benchmark today.
Based out of Lawrence, Massachusetts, Ortiz’s RSX draws heavily from early-to-mid-2000s Honda culture, but it never feels trapped there. The guiding philosophy is unmistakably DC5: J’s Racing, Mugen, Spoon, and DC5R components appear throughout the build. Rather than serving as a checklist of period parts, they form a shared language — one that defines the car’s identity. What separates this RSX from countless retro-inspired builds is how modern refinement has been layered in without disrupting that original tone.
Under the hood, the K-series is built to deliver a serious 532 wheel horsepower and 334 lb-ft of torque. A BorgWarner S366XL turbo sits on a PeakBoost twin-gate manifold, supplying boost with authority while maintaining composure. Titanium is everywhere — charge piping, hardware, brackets — but never deployed for shock value. Instead, it’s used with restraint, complementing the engine bay’s gallery-like presentation. Magnus Motorsports manages intake airflow, a fully upgraded fuel system supports the power demands, and Hondata K-Pro V4 keeps everything under precise control.
Details matter here. A Wilwood brake booster delete, tucked radiator, and mil-spec wiring clean the bay without stripping away its personality. Spoon and Mugen accents appear sparingly, including a signed Spoon coil cover that quietly elevates the space. The result is an engine bay that feels curated rather than crowded — purposeful without being sterile.
That same balance carries through the rest of the car. A Burns Stainless exhaust handles exit duties with a refined tone, while a Competition Clutch twin-disc ensures the power actually reaches the pavement. Blue Volk Racing CE28Ns wrapped in Falken RT660s fill the arches, backed by J’s Racing Hyper Six calipers and StopTech rotors — an era-correct braking setup that still delivers modern capability. The suspension follows suit, pairing BC Racing coilovers with Mugen bracing, Function 7 arms, and Progress components to maintain control without sacrificing the RSX’s original character.
Visually, restraint becomes the build’s strongest asset. Porsche paint-to-sample Fashion Grey gives the RSX a muted presence, allowing the Mugen aero, J’s Racing hood and fenders, and First Molding diffuser to coexist without competing for attention. JDM Honda details — DC5R taillights, emblems, mirrors — complete the exterior without pushing it into parody. Every piece feels earned.
Inside, the theme continues. A DC5R interior conversion sets the foundation, anchored by a Mugen MRZ bucket seat and Cusco cage modified for left-hand drive. Titanium door bars add a subtle motorsport edge, while the Aim MXG digital dash introduces modern data without disrupting the cabin’s period-correct feel. Mugen appears again through the steering wheel, pedals, mats, and small details, offset by red accents and titanium hardware that reinforce the car’s visual consistency.
Even the audio system reflects Ortiz’s philosophy. Sony ES components are integrated cleanly, supporting daily usability without detracting from the car’s motorsport lean. Nothing feels added for the sake of filling space — every component serves a purpose.
Ortiz’s RSX Type-S doesn’t chase trends or nostalgia blindly. Instead, it refines a defining moment in Honda history, updates it thoughtfully, and executes it with discipline. That balance is exactly why it resonated so strongly with our entire team. For many of us, this isn’t just a great RSX — it’s the reference point. The measuring stick.
Originally featured in PASMAG Issue #184
Click here to order PASMAG #184 - DOUBLE ISSUE: East Meets West + Audience Choice Awards.
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
2005 Acura RSX Type-S
OWNER:
Jonathan Ortiz
LOCATION:
Lawrence, MA
HORSEPOWER:
532 whp
TORQUE:
334 lb-ft
CLUB:
Team Emotion
SOCIAL:
IG: @mugenizer
ENGINE:
PeakBoost twin-gate turbo manifold + TiAL 44mm wastegates and blow-off valve + BorgWarner S366XL T3 turbo + Custom titanium charge pipes + Magnus Motorsports intake manifold + HR 70mm throttle body + All In Fab backdoor intercooler and radiator tuck kit with dual fans + K-Tuned fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator with gauge, and race shifter cables + RC 1200cc injectors + DW300 fuel pump + Rywire Wilwood brake booster delete + WireWorx mil-spec engine harness + Hondata K-Pro V4 + Boundary oil pump upgrades + ARP engine hardware throughout + J’s Racing valve cover with catch-can bungs + Spoon signed coil cover + Mugen coil cover and oil cap + HKS radiator cap + XRP PTFE plumbing + Chasing J’s titanium dipstick + Carbon-fiber engine bay dress-up components + Custom LED engine bay lighting
EXHAUST:
Burns Stainless custom exhaust
DRIVETRAIN:
Competition Clutch twin-disc clutch + Omni Power clutch cylinder with stainless line
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Volk Racing CE28N wheels + Falken RT660 tires + J’s Racing Hyper Six calipers from Honda S2000 + J’s Racing street pads + StopTech rotors + Stainless steel brake lines + ARP extended wheel studs + J’s Racing titanium lug nuts
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
BC Racing track coilovers + Function 7 control arms + Progress sway bars + Ingalls adjustable end links + Progress subframe brace + Mugen front tower bar + Mugen rear mid bar + J’s Racing C-pillar bar + J’s Racing rear strut brace
EXTERIOR:
Porsche PTS Fashion Grey paint + Mugen front bumper, canards, side skirts, rear lip, and wing + First Molding custom carbon diffuser + M&M Honda canards + J’s Racing hood and fenders + JDM Honda emblems and clear side markers + DC5R Kouki taillights + Ganador super mirrors with LHD glass + DC5R rear hatch + Custom retrofit headlights with dual projectors
INTERIOR:
Mugen MRZ bucket seat with Buddy Club rails + DC5R rear seat and interior conversion + Cusco 6-point cage modified for left-hand drive + Custom titanium door and B-pillar bars + Mugen steering wheel, pedals, mats, ECU stay, and trunk mat + ASM steering wheel hub and rear-view mirror + Willans Renegade 6-point harnesses + Aim MXG 7-inch digital dash + AEM gauges
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Sony XAV-9500ES head unit + Sony ES speakers and subwoofers + Sony ES amplifiers
SPONSORS:
Art of Attack + Sony + Falken
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Carlos Rivera — @iamcjflicks
GALLERY
