Not really a build thread (at least not yet), more of another maintenance thread for the NSX. Picked up the ride earlier this year w/ 37,000 miles. I came from a 2007 STI
It didnt take long to notice that the car featured a vibrating and other rattling sounds when idle and getting out of 1st gear. Some other features included a surprise inability to (rarely) get out of a gear.
I wanted to enjoy the car before really knowing its internals. I went and took some pics. As you can see, besides the wheels, its STOCK (and an aftermarket Kenwood stereo I'm looking to replace w/ OEM).
Having read all the PPI and inspection threads, and who the experts in my area were, I paid a visit to Ben at Daisy Auto take a looky. It was a wake up call that Ben had made clear to me. I thought, and had planned I would be doing some upgrades (this would have been my Japanese turbo #8), but instead I was made aware that I had a cracked coolant tank (you can see the green leak below, and also notice the stealth license plate from SoS as it only took a day to get a warning from the police that I needed front plates; as well as the new OEM lip (from SoS) as the 1st pic didnt have one; and notice the Honda badge (SoS)
), and just about everything else was OEM on the 20yr+ old car, and at least a handful of other broke parts.
This could become a long story, and to save the reader, heres the list:
-Replace timing belt, water bump (with new lower cover), tensioner, cam seals, crank seal, cam end plugs, rocker to head Orings, new alternator belt, repack a/c tensioner (required CAM removal)
-Install new thermostat, TW sensor, front radiator hoses, and all remaining rear hoses, and Honda Coolant
- Valve adjustment (twice), install new rear bank coils, spark plugs, PVC valve (Lost Motion Assemblies NOISY).
- Replaced OEM clutch with Science of Speed 350 Clutch, kit with damper delete, rear main seal, reseal transmission, and new Honda MTF flud (motor was pulled out and transmission as assembly). (I must say, the clutch no longer weighs 200lbs, nor does is squeak, rattle, vibrate the car, and GRABs well, at least compared to an OEM clutch w/ 40,000miles).
-Replaced clutch master and slave cylinder; bled system
-Replaced leaking brake master sylinder and bleed system out with dot 4 hd fluid
-R&R intake manifold, reseal w/ factory, gaskets, R&R injectors, install new top orings, new factory fuel filter
-Replaced Oil Pan and Oil pan gasket (did I mention my oil pan had a nice leak?)
I cant just list all that w/o at least one shop pic:
Its a start. Theres still a couple maintenance needs to take care of, but the safety ones are resolved (belts, coolant tank, oil leak, and of course the clutch). Immediate future upgrades include an exhaust system (once all maintenance needs are met). Some time next year will be looking into a turbo kit, until then will see the options are.
I cannot say how fortunate I was to have worked this with Ben. I dont think I would have gotten similar results elsewhere.
Goal is mixture of show and go. Dont think this will be tracked, but could be wrong. NSX has the looks built-in already, power could use some help.
To do list: (you're more than welcome to make suggestions/recommendations!).
Cosmetics (to the eyes/ears) TAITEC JGTC Center Exit Exhaust System. I will be getting w/in the next year, will update here w/ pics. I've learned that it will look just awful w/o the Taitec Diffuser... which of course just doubles the price. Then you realize this has to be custom fit/painted, which I'm sure will add several hundreds. All fine however, it fixes the rear end mostly (minus old tail lights), and gives the NSX some sound besides its sewing machine.
- Bright Light Tech's rear LED lights kit. Will have soon as maintenance needs are met. UDPATE: Vendor might be going out soon so this has become the priority. After some exchanged emails, this aint cheap: 2002+ rear taillights + mods + install..
- Rear Engine Hatch (researching whats available); UPDATE; seems like overseas shopping is only way to go besides OEM/NSX-R replica
- Rear Engine Cover (researching whats available, going for FRP). Theres older pics on this on the net, but nothing I've found that you can actually buy
- Roof intake/scoop; been seeing whats around, I saw these on just about all the NSX's while in Japan. I thought it looked weird I dont see those often here, actually thought the scoop was stock before i returned. Not cheap either (hmm trend?)
- Coolant tank (I've had no luck w/ a specific vendor here, and SoS only sells OEM, looking forward to SCW Performance Coolant Tank; UPDATE SCW now has group buy on this... but dont think I'll make it on time
- Honda Steering wheel; will be getting the non-detachable kit to lose some weight and and get a sports steering wheel set up. Price is a bit high for the kit, oh well, pay to play.
Power
- Leaning towards a Turbo kit - not 100% sure on which path; have been in contacts w/ some turbo builders. Will go with the kit that can work w/ my exhaust setup; ~single turbo GT35R+. Nothing serious, however at least ~400hp @ wheels with little to no effort (low boost setup + 93Octane). Goal is reliability, this is after all, my daily driver. Not sure why I hear lot of smack talk about turbos here... I've driven so many and have not had a single issue w/ a turbo, never been through a turbo failure whatsoever /shrugs. It's this or ITBs, though I'm having difficulty justifying such tiny hp's for all that $$,$$$.
It didnt take long to notice that the car featured a vibrating and other rattling sounds when idle and getting out of 1st gear. Some other features included a surprise inability to (rarely) get out of a gear.
I wanted to enjoy the car before really knowing its internals. I went and took some pics. As you can see, besides the wheels, its STOCK (and an aftermarket Kenwood stereo I'm looking to replace w/ OEM).
Having read all the PPI and inspection threads, and who the experts in my area were, I paid a visit to Ben at Daisy Auto take a looky. It was a wake up call that Ben had made clear to me. I thought, and had planned I would be doing some upgrades (this would have been my Japanese turbo #8), but instead I was made aware that I had a cracked coolant tank (you can see the green leak below, and also notice the stealth license plate from SoS as it only took a day to get a warning from the police that I needed front plates; as well as the new OEM lip (from SoS) as the 1st pic didnt have one; and notice the Honda badge (SoS)
), and just about everything else was OEM on the 20yr+ old car, and at least a handful of other broke parts.
This could become a long story, and to save the reader, heres the list:
-Replace timing belt, water bump (with new lower cover), tensioner, cam seals, crank seal, cam end plugs, rocker to head Orings, new alternator belt, repack a/c tensioner (required CAM removal)
-Install new thermostat, TW sensor, front radiator hoses, and all remaining rear hoses, and Honda Coolant
- Valve adjustment (twice), install new rear bank coils, spark plugs, PVC valve (Lost Motion Assemblies NOISY).
- Replaced OEM clutch with Science of Speed 350 Clutch, kit with damper delete, rear main seal, reseal transmission, and new Honda MTF flud (motor was pulled out and transmission as assembly). (I must say, the clutch no longer weighs 200lbs, nor does is squeak, rattle, vibrate the car, and GRABs well, at least compared to an OEM clutch w/ 40,000miles).
-Replaced clutch master and slave cylinder; bled system
-Replaced leaking brake master sylinder and bleed system out with dot 4 hd fluid
-R&R intake manifold, reseal w/ factory, gaskets, R&R injectors, install new top orings, new factory fuel filter
-Replaced Oil Pan and Oil pan gasket (did I mention my oil pan had a nice leak?)
I cant just list all that w/o at least one shop pic:
Its a start. Theres still a couple maintenance needs to take care of, but the safety ones are resolved (belts, coolant tank, oil leak, and of course the clutch). Immediate future upgrades include an exhaust system (once all maintenance needs are met). Some time next year will be looking into a turbo kit, until then will see the options are.
I cannot say how fortunate I was to have worked this with Ben. I dont think I would have gotten similar results elsewhere.
Goal is mixture of show and go. Dont think this will be tracked, but could be wrong. NSX has the looks built-in already, power could use some help.
To do list: (you're more than welcome to make suggestions/recommendations!).
Cosmetics (to the eyes/ears) TAITEC JGTC Center Exit Exhaust System. I will be getting w/in the next year, will update here w/ pics. I've learned that it will look just awful w/o the Taitec Diffuser... which of course just doubles the price. Then you realize this has to be custom fit/painted, which I'm sure will add several hundreds. All fine however, it fixes the rear end mostly (minus old tail lights), and gives the NSX some sound besides its sewing machine.
- Bright Light Tech's rear LED lights kit. Will have soon as maintenance needs are met. UDPATE: Vendor might be going out soon so this has become the priority. After some exchanged emails, this aint cheap: 2002+ rear taillights + mods + install..
- Rear Engine Hatch (researching whats available); UPDATE; seems like overseas shopping is only way to go besides OEM/NSX-R replica
- Rear Engine Cover (researching whats available, going for FRP). Theres older pics on this on the net, but nothing I've found that you can actually buy
- Roof intake/scoop; been seeing whats around, I saw these on just about all the NSX's while in Japan. I thought it looked weird I dont see those often here, actually thought the scoop was stock before i returned. Not cheap either (hmm trend?)
- Coolant tank (I've had no luck w/ a specific vendor here, and SoS only sells OEM, looking forward to SCW Performance Coolant Tank; UPDATE SCW now has group buy on this... but dont think I'll make it on time
- Honda Steering wheel; will be getting the non-detachable kit to lose some weight and and get a sports steering wheel set up. Price is a bit high for the kit, oh well, pay to play.
Power
- Leaning towards a Turbo kit - not 100% sure on which path; have been in contacts w/ some turbo builders. Will go with the kit that can work w/ my exhaust setup; ~single turbo GT35R+. Nothing serious, however at least ~400hp @ wheels with little to no effort (low boost setup + 93Octane). Goal is reliability, this is after all, my daily driver. Not sure why I hear lot of smack talk about turbos here... I've driven so many and have not had a single issue w/ a turbo, never been through a turbo failure whatsoever /shrugs. It's this or ITBs, though I'm having difficulty justifying such tiny hp's for all that $$,$$$.
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, #2 took <20 minutes. The last image shows the before/after. My confidence in driving at night definitely went up. These are WhiteNSXs 4300k lights.
I'm curious how the car rides like now after an year?
.
