Changes for 1997
· Three new colors: Kaiser Silver, Monte Carlo Blue, Spa Yellow
· Coupes can be special ordered with either a black top or a body color top; -Ts still have body colored roofs
· New wheel color on all wheels: Blades Silver (a bright machined/brushed looking finish)
· Larger front and rear brake rotor diameters and rotor thickness. The bracket and the rotors are the major change
· Front caliper pistons went from 40mm and 34mm to 40mm and 36mm.
· Larger engine displacement (bore increased from 90mm to 93mm) from 3.0L to 3.2L on manual transmission cars. Model number for new engine is C32B.
· Horse power increase from 270 hp to 290 hp and torque increase from 210 lbs-ft to 224 lbs-ft (manual tranny)
· Different exhaust manifolds, now stainless steel and free breathing
· Different cylinder linings, fiber reinforced (FRM)
· Larger intake valves
· Different head gaskets
· Larger connecting rod bearings
· Numerous emission control system changes
· Six speed manual transmission - 6th gear is engaged by a solenoid. The gearshift activates a switch to change gears.
· Double synchros on 3rd through 6th gears
· Lockout of reverse gear above 12mph
· Dual-disc clutch changed to a single disc clutch
· Dual mass flywheel
· Larger diameter spare tire to clear new brakes
· Stronger, thinner aluminum body panels
· Heat absorbing glass instead of bronze glass
· Immobilizer anti-theft system with coded key using an electronic transponder. No more all-metal keys.
· Ignition switch light went away to make room for the immobilizer antenna.
· Improved NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness)
· The final gear ratio does not change, so 6th gear in the 1997 NSX results in 6.9% higher vehicle speed than 5th gear in the 1996 model.
· New aluminum alloy in selected body areas to reduce weight and increase rigidity
· Larger spare tire size (from 15 in to 16 in diameter)
· Refined electronic power steering control
· Revised shape of the front spoiler
· Refined ABS braking system
· Improved Traction Control System (TCS) with new control logic