Very well said Billy.
Here’s my long story about the NSX. Perhaps this can shed some light on the car and it’s capabilites. I bought my ‘91 nine years ago because I thought it was one of the coolest and best looking cars on the planet. That’s my personal opinion, but I think a lot of people also share that point of view. I wasn’t aware of how great of a driver’s car it was.
It wasn’t until I took it to the track several years later that I realized how amazing it was. Now after 30-40 track days in the NSX, the car is still faster than I am (Billy Johnson is 5 seconds faster than me in my own car at Buttonwillow). However, I’m fast enough in it to be personally VERY satisfied with the NSX’s performance. It’s not the fastest car and I’m not the fastest driver by any means but the car is very rewarding. For example, I spent last weekend at Laguna Seca with Trackmasters. I ran in the advanced group and spent the weekend passing GT3’s, 911 Turbo, Nissan GTR, M3’s, Z06’s, 997’s and an F360. I only got passed once and it was by a GT2 on Hoosiers. I know it’s not racing and I know it may sounds corny, but passing today’s modern sports cars in an HPDE advanced group is still very satisfying… especially with a full stock interior, A/C, Stereo, bone stock motor and quiet stock exhaust at Seca. I ran a 1:42.87, which was very satisfying.
I was with a buddy of mine at Laguna Seca. He has a striped out 997. His goal is total weight reduction and building a track-dedicated car. No interior, no sound deadening, no A/C, no stereo, no wipers, lightweight flywheel, aftermarket LSD, GT3RS wing, GT3 seats, PSS 10’s etc. We were both running R comps and the NSX was still turning quicker lap times. I’m pretty certain his car is quicker, but that day with both of us driving, the NSX was still putting down quicker lap times… and it looks fairly stock. I like the stock looking sleeper aspect of my car and I love it when people at the track ask what I’ve done with the motor and my answer is “bone stock motor except for I/H/E and it has 104k miles on it”. By the way, my wife still drives the car on the weekend to run errands. This speaks volumes about the NSX.
Here’s what I’ve done to my car to make it a fantastic track car:
• Comptech non-compliance toe links and rear beam.
• Comptech header, no cats, Taitec GT Lightweight exhaust.
• Cantrell cold air intake and K&N filter.
• Brembo Gran Turismo BBK on front only. Stock rear calipers. Stainless brake lines with high temp fluid. PFC01 brake pads recommended by Billy Johnson (these are incredible and can handle more abuse than any pad I’ve used including Carbotech XP10’s).
• Penske double adjustable suspension setup by Erik Messley.
• Vented Type R hood.
• STMPO aluminum rear bumper beam.
• Dali sway bars.
• Smaller diameter and lighter Sparco steering wheel with quick release NRG hub.
• Japanese short gears and lightweight flywheel. Stock clutch.
• Nitto NT01 R compound tires: 235 front, 275 rear (these are great tires).
• Autowave baffled oil pan with Accusump.
I’ve also had quite a bit of professional instruction from Billy Johnson. I would have to say this was my single most effective investment. For quicker lap times and safer driving I would suggest proffesional coaching as a first priority. Billy has helped me drive dramatically quicker and most importantly safer. If you ever have the opportunity for Billy or a true pro to drive your car, I would suggest doing so (if you trust them). This will open your eyes to what the car is capable of and what your benchmark is. If Billy doesn’t live by you, try to find a great professional instructor. Please keep in mind that more than half of the instructors I’ve worked with are subpar and some are downright bad. Find a good one.
I’ve been wondering what my next track car will be: GT3RS, GTR, Z06, Exige S? I think my answer might simply be to put a turbo on the NSX and model it after the FX500. I don’t think I’ll ever sell my NSX.
Anyhow, I’ll stop ranting about myself since this thread is about you Turbo2go… I hope this helps.
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