1991 NSX what to expect from the clutch

[mike drake]

Took delivery of my 1991 NSX this week, purchased from Honda Chiswick London, the only Honda dealership in the London area specialising in the NSX.The people at Honda were fantastic and they have told me that my car is the finest example of a 1991 Nsx they have ever seen,the car comes with a 1 year waranty which for 380 pounds they have extended to 2years. I have been told that the clutch was replaced about a year ago but driving home from the dealership I found that pulling away from stop you have to get the revs up quite high to achieve a smooth start, is this normal? Also changing down from say 3rd to 2nd as you ease off the clutch I'm consious of a slight judder a a very slight metalic sound from under the front end of the car.

Should the clutch be really smooth ?? Of course I can take the car back to Honda but I really wanted to get a handle on what to expect.

Last thing. With a passenger up front the steering feels so much heavier is this normal ??

Thanks Mike Drake London England

 

[nsxtasy]

Took delivery of my 1991 NSX this week

Congratulations!

I found that pulling away from stop you have to get the revs up quite high to achieve a smooth start

When accelerating from a stop, you will find that the clutch engagement will be smoother if you blip the throttle slightly with the clutch in, then let the clutch out while the revs are falling.

changing down from say 3rd to 2nd as you ease off the clutch I'm consious of a slight judder a a very slight metalic sound from under the front end of the car.

Should the clutch be really smooth ??

In general, if you match the revs precisely, the clutch should be smooth. However, it is generally more difficult to match revs when downshifting than when upshifting.

With a passenger up front the steering feels so much heavier is this normal ??

The '91-94 NSX with five-speed transmission does not have power steering. At most speeds, the manual steering feels very precise and does not require a lot of effort. At parking lot speeds (under 10 mph), it may feel somewhat heavy, and this may be worse with the extra weight of a passenger.

 

[mike drake]

Congratulations!

When accelerating from a stop, you will find that the clutch engagement will be smoother if you blip the throttle slightly with the clutch in, then let the clutch out while the revs are falling.

Thanks, will give it a try.

In general, if you match the revs precisely, the clutch should be smooth. However, it is generally more difficult to match revs when downshifting than when upshifting.

I've been driving a Porsche for years and I never had this problem shifting from 3rd to 2nd.

The '91-94 NSX with five-speed transmission does not have power steering. At most speeds, the manual steering feels very precise and does not require a lot of effort. At parking lot speeds (under 10 mph), it may feel somewhat heavy, and this may be worse with the extra weight of a passenger.[/QU

I'm trying to avoid my first parking experiance, I can't imagine how I'm going to get into a tight spot without looking like a complete idiot.
Mike

 

[enesexdreamer]

I'm trying to avoid my first parking experiance, I can't imagine how I'm going to get into a tight spot without looking like a complete idiot.

time t0 w0rk 0ut th0se biceps and triceps :tongue:

 

[nsxtasy]

I have been told that the clutch was replaced about a year ago

Is it possible that the clutch was replaced with an aftermarket performance clutch, instead of a stock clutch?

 

[Greg Z]

You say you're revs must be quite high? We need to know what quite high is! The NSX clutch should be just as smooth as any other car you drive. You also should not feel any shudder or hear any metal noises. I would think it is defective or installed improperly.

 

[NSXGMS]

Took delivery of my 1991 NSX this week, purchased from Honda Chiswick London, the only Honda dealership in the London area specialising in the NSX.The people at Honda were fantastic and they have told me that my car is the finest example of a 1991 Nsx they have ever seen,the car comes with a 1 year waranty which for 380 pounds they have extended to 2years. I have been told that the clutch was replaced about a year ago but driving home from the dealership I found that pulling away from stop you have to get the revs up quite high to achieve a smooth start, is this normal? Also changing down from say 3rd to 2nd as you ease off the clutch I'm consious of a slight judder a a very slight metalic sound from under the front end of the car.

Should the clutch be really smooth ?? Of course I can take the car back to Honda but I really wanted to get a handle on what to expect.

Last thing. With a passenger up front the steering feels so much heavier is this normal ??

Thanks Mike Drake London England

Congratulations on the purchase. I've heard Jenson Button drives his Long Beach Blue Pearl around town occasionally...:biggrin:

OEM clutch shudder isn't uncommon. I've heard many owners report it after an OEM replacement. I have it in my brand new OEM Civic clutch.

Ken's suggestion about letting the clutch out as the revs fall is a good one.

As far as a metallic/clunk sound when letting the clutch out on a downshift that is certainly abnormal. I would have your mechanic ride with you so they can hear it and have it checked out. Are the records available from the replacement? How does the dealer know it was replaced?