Does anyone build anything original anymore?

RYU

RYU

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Over the recent years I've seen so many copies, especially in exhaust systems. Makes me sad... I don't know why. It just does.

Maybe it's the lack of creativity, ingenuity, or desire in truly making something better. Maybe it's the new recent trend of owners. Maybe it's the inflation of the Yen. Maybe the true engineers have left the NSX platform behind whether it be owners or vendors.

Whatever it is... as a NSX romantic.. it depressing.

Oh well! Time to drive my NSX this wknd to get over it.
 
Ryu did you get depressed after you saw the new pride lightweight exhaust that looks like the GTLW and the SOS enduralite exhaust? ;)

R&D costs money and for the small market like the no longer in production nsx, it probably doesn't make sense financially to spend time and money on new products. Making knockoffs is the easier route.
 
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LOL (no comment)

Hi Ric! There are still so many awesome parts to build for the NSX. I can name a few potentials...

* Proper long tube headers (maybe equal length, maybe stepped) with updated HF cats to an exhaust system to build real power
* A true big bore Throttle Body
* Phenolic Gaskets which A.S. Motorsports is developing now
* Updated Injectors (Thanks L_Rao!)
* K20/24 Igniter Coils conversion
* Rotrex Supercharger Kit
* Better radiators and oil coolers
* .....

Yet, unfortunately due to real market conditions people would rather "settle" for what's available. The NSX chassis and engine has so much left in it!
 
My thoughts as well. I notice the only time a new product is introduced these days, are from current NSX owners who are doing out of pure passion. Just like your fancy custom exhaust. That's passion mang. Too bad you never made them for others to buy. Maybe because you knew it wasn't worth it to do. :wink:
 
I have one of a kind alum hood, a one off alum rear valance, Recaro Sporster CS seats, dont usually find them in a NSX, and a inexpensive flow master exhaust with Corsa tips, I think it sounds better than most of the high dollar stuff out there. Maybe you need to come up with some custom ideas or parts? Just saying.
 
I agree with Regan. Imagination is seriously missing and everyone is just stealing ideas and copying parts from one another. It devalues the part, so an imaginative vendor is not likely to make it again. But then a lot of buyers are responsible. If item A costs $80 by an original vendor and they can get a copy for $50, many buy the copy.
 
RYU said:
Over the recent years I've seen so many copies, especially in exhaust systems. Makes me sad... I don't know why. It just does.

Maybe it's the lack of creativity, ingenuity, or desire in truly making something better. Maybe it's the new recent trend of owners. Maybe it's the inflation of the Yen. Maybe the true engineers have left the NSX platform behind whether it be owners or vendors.

Whatever it is... as a NSX romantic.. it depressing.

Oh well! Time to drive my NSX this wknd to get over it.
Click to expand...

I'm not as smart as most here :P And I'd like to pay the car off first before upgrading. Until then.. research. I have the desire, in reality however time is not there. Get an idea thread going!
 
Here is what I am up to so far:

-I have developed a ram air scoop intake system that actually builds positive map pressure at speed
-Two iterations of full aluminum exhausts that weigh 7.6lbs and 9lbs
-Prototype Intake manifold that is almost in my hands that I can dyno test; there will be two versions one with stock TB and one that will accept 90MM for serious power.
-AEM series 2 box that costs less with a custom jumper harness that will work for earlier NSXs
-I'm going to be starting the first AEM Infinity powered DBW NSX in the world with full flex fuel (CTSC) ; will be running any day and will allow big TBs to work on DBW NSXs that want to make serious power without converting to a throttle cable.
-Already have an AEM series 2 box running full flex fuel with the beta firmware
-Custom turbocharger setup that will make serious power and provide low dynamic compression ratios for people with lower octane restrictions, but will also allow the end user to make lots of power if need be.
-Camshaft design is coming after I get all of these other things taken care of.

I have many more ideas that I will implement once the slow season starts for me, but patience is a virtue :)

Regards
 
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The aftermarket for the NSX has never been better, IMHO. There is a more wide range and depth of products then ever before. If a particular product does well, of course vendors will want to exploit the demand for it and offer something similar. If the similar product comes cheaper or with better features, or comes from a reputable vendor (read: doesn't steal/isn't batsh*t crazy), then competition has worked and the customer is the better for it.

That said, I look at Jeff's NSX or the J series swap or what fd3nsx or coz (just to name a few) has done and think the bulk of innovation comes from enthusiastic owners. Rarely does anyone track their nsx anymore much less race so innovation isn't likely to come from that sector.

Regan, we're all adults here and have thick skin. Can you be more specific?
 
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yeah custom development and just plain old RnD are a dying art to say the least but there are still those out there who like to go against the flow and enjoy thinking/ designing outside the box, I enjoy seeing and hearing of new things because it gets boring if everyone goes down the same route every time but that being said its hard to pass on things that have been tried and tested especially if you are not looking for risk or heartache
 
davidf said:
I would love to see a Rotrex kit for the NSX.
Click to expand...

someone in SD is on it:wink:. However, no Est. date and likely won't be CARBed. Another labor of love case.

A few vendors came and went over the years, some are loved and some are :mad::mad:. We are a small fickle bunch wanting something different than the next guy but some are not willing to pay the cost for high quality custom parts. Jeff has mad skills and resources that most of us don't have and the NSX is the wrong car to "master" your fab skills or you'll end up with low quality parts that nobody want. Since our car has been much more affordable recently, many are either not willing or have no clue how expensive to manufacture custom parts for a niche market.
 
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Ric said:
Ryu did you get depressed after you saw the new prospeed lightweight exhaust that looks like the GTLW and the SOS enduralite exhaust? ;)
Click to expand...
My exact reaction when i saw the ad, my reaction was OMG a knock-off from a product that itself is a replica, we're already at the third level down:eek:
 
Well, as far as exhaust systems goes, there are only a few ways to skin the cat (pun intended), especially in the tight confines of the NSX. So similarities here are to be expected.
 
tof said:
Well, as far as exhaust systems goes, there are only a few ways to skin the cat (pun intended), especially in the tight confines of the NSX. So similarities here are to be expected.
Click to expand...

I think there are still so many possibilities just look at what Ryu did with the dual mode exhaust he has and what Mac attack did with his.
 
wow, really excited to see some creativity and "thinking outside of the box" on this thread. I hope it keeps going. Trust me. I'll be a customer and a few SoCal guys are like me as well. We want the best engineered parts possible for the car we love but don't really want to be forced to do it ourselves like I recently did building my own pneumatic suspension lift kit. It works great but what a time consuming process.

The thing with the GTLW copy is that it's really nothing special. It's a standard 2-2.25" diameter perforated X-pipe inside a packed muffler. It's loud because it's small. The X-pipe makes it sounds decently good via the mixing of pulses but sacrificing some flow. It'll drone but it's light again because it's small. I commend the latest vendor for hinting that a Ti version will be made (I think the weight watcher guys will love this) but you'd think if they're going through the trouble of copying it.. they'd engineer a better one. I don't know.. perhaps i'm asking too much.

There are so many NSXs now that are getting old. The cats are going out so they'll need to be replaced eventually. I was hoping someone would make a full system from stepped Headers to integrated Cats to Muffler with possibly bypasses for the dual mode guys like me. Hytech almost started developing something but they pulled out. The constraint with the NSX Exhaust system is that vendors always confine themselves to a certain length header because it had to meet up to the stock cat locations. Then the stock cat locations limits the muffler design. I made ~30hp on my exhaust setup on a slightly tweaked stock CTSC fueling. It might be more now with the F-Con. I would think most owners would be happy with that kind of gain.
 
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After looking through my August issue of Super Street, I saw NSX owner Pete Callaghan from Clyde Ohio with a Rotrex setup. Would this be a custom build, is Pete a member here?:confused:
 
RYU said:
There are so many NSXs now that are getting old. The cats are going out so they'll need to be replaced eventually. I was hoping someone would make a full system from stepped Headers to integrated Cats to Muffler with possibly bypasses for the dual mode guys like me. Hytech almost started developing something but they pulled out. The constraint with the NSX Exhaust system is that vendors always confine themselves to a certain length header because it had to meet up to the stock cat locations. Then the stock cat locations limits the muffler design. I made ~30hp on my exhaust setup on a slightly tweaked stock CTSC fueling. It might be more now with the F-Con. I would think most owners would be happy with that kind of gain.
Click to expand...

That is true. A full exhaust rework from heads to outlet will work as a unit better than the old mix and match, but to get perfect gains throughout may not come so easily with just proper pipe routing and a good muffler. Even the Ferrari 458 has electronic controlled valves in the exhaust to aid in noise/power band production. Would be so easy to do with a proper standalone and activate it based on engine speed, throttle, and load :) All you need is a servo controlled exhaust valve and you have the ability to control your backpressure when the engine likes it best. I have already done that and it works well :) even on a 3 inch exhaust naturally aspirated. I have toyed with the thought of making the full package, but there needs to be significant interest from people who want to get rid of expensive pieces already purchased for their beloved Xs.
 
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Ric said:
Ryu did you get depressed after you saw the new prospeed lightweight exhaust that looks like the GTLW and the SOS enduralite exhaust? ;)

R&D costs money and for the small market like the no longer in production nsx, it probably doesn't make sense financially to spend time and money on new products. Making knockoffs is the easier route.
Click to expand...


Did Prospeed come out with a new exhaust? The Prospeed I have that replaced my GTLW didn't look anything like the GTLW which has a single muffler canister vs two muffler canisters on the Prospeed. Any link to the new exhaust? The one I have weights 22lbs. How much lighter is the new one?
 
I've been wondering in general why I never see carbon mufflers on cars. A few years ago I was seeing them everywhere on bikes, until so many of those started going to the under-engine type. Now, I know that carbon is more prone to cracking than any of the standard metals used for car exhaust, but most people really don't drive so many miles with this type of car. Could save a lot of weight, I think. Especially if you were to make the muffler bodies with a carbon/kevlar weave, that could reduce the chances of cracks a bit.
 

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