it wasnt the aus govt decision to release the detuned versions
it was hondas decision as they did not want to deal with warentee issues with the type rs if they are selling a car that is built to...
the aus delivered type r is detuned to 200hp cause of the CR and 98 ron fuel in oz
its still a type r but one built for honda australia
same deal with the euro spec ep3 civic type r which is also...
getting the recaros from the wreckers isnt that hard
but spending over 2.5k for a pair of used recaros.... hmmmm
i've seen the newer dc5 ones go for about 3-4
its a magnetic piece that attaches to one of the pipes in the engine bay
not sure what it does exactly but its jus a clip on thing you can remove in like 2 seconds
i tink it is possible to remove the air feed thing wihtout taking off the bumper, saw it on team integra site
jus have to remove the wheel and the plastic bit (fender?) flap thing and work from...