After five track days in the purple princess I am at the point with my track skills where I want to push the car harder. This carries additional risk and I have realized that I am not comfortable with subjecting my NSX to that risk. "Shit happens" at the track, and I've realized I need a cheap, dedicated track car (leaning S2000) for shit to happen to. If I write off my one and only purple NSX I will be devastated.
I was planning a mega-track build inspired by 1K2GO, but now my NSX has a different destiny: de-ratchetization.
If you don't know what "ratchet" means suffice it to say I have seen all sorts of NSXs... some in pristine condition, some in really ratchet condition, and some in between. Look it up on UrbanDictionary if you want.
Old cars have flaws. Things wear out and they break. Old cars may pass through several owners who each have their own standard for the quality of the work and the quality of the parts that they put on their cars. If you have an old Accord or something, its flaws might even be charming. You might forgive them as they are small living reminders of how well the rest of the car has stood the test of time.
However, the NSX is an exotic, a collectible, and is going up in value. It is truly a timeless car. We often forgive flaws in such cars by distinguishing "concours cars" from "survivor cars" from "driver cars".
Let me be the first to say FUCK-THAT-SHIT.
My car will be a regularly driven, great condition, no-amusing-charming-flaws car. I will systematically hunt down and eliminate every flaw that annoys me and make no distinction between flaws that were built in by Honda at the factory (oil pressure sensor), flaws that came from age and use (bushing creak/squeak), and flaws introduced by owners previous (dings/dents/scratches/paint stuff) or even me (busted home-brew double DIN center console).
I will now list all the flaws I intend to address, and my plan for addressing them.
OEM stereo sounds like shit and weighs a ton - car is currently at Simplicity in Sound in Milpitas, CA to take care of this.
I bought and installed someone's DIY double-din center console and it's cracked and the paint doesn't match - ditto
B-pillar covers missing, previous owner cut them for a harness bar - install new ones
Lots of little paint and body flaws - strip it & dip it
Glass engine hatch rubber seal is loose and flops around in the wind - ???? the part is discontinued so not sure what to do about this.
OEM 16/17 wheels are scuffed up and it's hard to find good tires for them - upgrade to a set of 17/18 that can run Michelin PSS
Previous-owner-installed HID kit flickers and sometimes the left headlight doesn't turn on the first time - brand new HID kit
Engine compression tests at 190-200psi, leak down between 10 and 20% and consumes some oil - more testing needed to determine the source of the oil consumption but either way it's an engine rebuild (head/block)
Oil pressure readings are essentially random - ScienceOfSpeed oil pressure sensor upgrade kit
Rear suspension bushings creak under braking - ???? not really sure I need noncompliance but it's cheaper than getting a new OEM rear beam with fresh bushings in it...
Seats are in 6/10 condition - leatherseats.com
OEM 02+ rear valence fitment is an 8/10, I think this particular piece got warped by heat or something in storage/shipping - get a new one
CT Gen1 exhaust has never hung perfectly level, one tip always 1/4" to 3/4" higher than the other - I want a titanium exhaust, I'm inspired by Honcho's story of importing the Fujitsubo, I want this one:
http://www.route-ks.com/parts/dk/dkr_muffler/index.html http://www.suzuka-gt.net/NSX/muffler/dk_ver_r/index.html
whistling/squeaking/whining noise between 3k and 4k RPM at part throttle, appeared after Uni Filter was installed - ???? maybe go back to OEM air filter or a different brand of a/m one to see if that helps?
Everyone who cares has things that piss them off about their car. This is my list. Onwards!