Magnum Opus...My Quest for Driving Perfection (1993 Coupe Build).

Time for the big reveal:

2724 POUNDS WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS

As measured where I usually keep the fuel level: 2660. Goal achieved, but I've still got a few more things up my sleeve...
 
Love the car. Especially the diamond cut GC07s. I recall someone doing that a couple decades ago with TE37s. Those were always my favorite aftermarket wheels. So much so that I saved the pics. 6706462-6b89-02000180-.jpg


Yours have me re-thinking.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your build thread and love the direction you’ve taken with your NA1 thus far. Embodies the definition of OEM+ 👍🏼

Now I don’t have any excuses as to why I shouldn’t slap my KWs on this weekend. Looking forward to seeing what’s next
 
A Few More Details From the Build...



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I'm not sure how much the rear strut tower brace helps, but since Honda engineered it on the original NA1, I decided it couldn't hurt to beef it up a little. Besides, it looks cool and the workmanship on the Carbing piece is superb.


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I had the guys over at Science of Speed send me their NSX-R Engine cover. Easy to install, nicely built, and lighter than the factory piece.


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I replaced the NA1 rear taillight assembly with the 2002 version and a JDM Honda badge. I find the slight contrast of the orange rear lens to be more visually interesting, but your mileage may vary. While I was in there, I removed the trunk mat and then the antenna motor. It also gave me the chance to detail everything in sight, which is incredibly therapeutic for me. I'm sick that way.
 
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It's the little things that make it fun :)
 
Now I want that strut bar! Looks great. Wonder if they make it for an NA2 coupe?
 
The Kid said:
Now I want that strut bar! Looks great. Wonder if they make it for an NA2 coupe?
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It should fit the same on your Zanardi, but you already have a beefed up strut bar. The NSX-R/Type-S strut bar is twice as heavy as the "regular" bar for the coupes. I love the Carbing bar though- I always thought it looked slick.
 
And now for, perhaps, THE most transformative mod so far...

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When I first contracted the NSX disease back in the 90s, I would often hear references to "short gears." At the time, it didn't really compute for me...I kinda thought to myself, "why would I want to drive around with higher revs all the time?" Of course, this was a total misconception.

For those of you who fell asleep during my opening monologue when I started this thread, my goal with this build was to keep an absolute, razor sharp focus on making the NSX...um, NSXier. That means enhancing the things that I like about the car without hurting it. So far, I think I've done that, at least for my tastes. However, if there has been one mod that has really shocked me with its excellence, it has to be installing short gears with shorter final drive.

My buddies at SOS were kind enough to sell me their one remaining set of short gears (after waiting a year for them to be supplied), and of course I had them install them. No-one I trust more than SOS. When I went to pick up the car from Chris, he had just finished the test drive and was smiling. "THAT'S the way the car should have been from the beginning," he told me.

All I can say is that I agree. The car just seems so much more responsive now. It doesn't feel like I'm driving around in a higher gear all the time, it just feels like I'm able to USE the gears more to my advantage. Very lively. It really has transformed the experience for me, and it's about time, given this is my 7th NSX. In fairness, I should note that the car now weighs about 2650 pounds with a light fuel load. The short gears are just all over that reduced mass.

Maybe one of you guys, much smarter than me, can explain why Honda didn't do this from the start? I'm not complaining, just honesty wondering why, when this was at their disposal, they didn't give it to us? I presume it has something to do with fuel mileage?

Anyway, I'm fully in love this car...I bought it with 3000 miles and this morning, while howling through the canyon, I noted that I'm nearing 11,000. Every mile has been priceless to me. I've never enjoyed ruining the value of a car more.


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DeHaldaswerth said:
And now for, perhaps, THE most transformative mod so far...

Maybe one of you guys, much smarter than me, can explain why Honda didn't do this from the start? I'm not complaining, just honesty wondering why, when this was at their disposal, they didn't give it to us? I presume it has something to do with fuel mileage?

Anyway, I'm fully in love this car...I bought it with 3000 miles and this morning, while howling through the canyon, I noted that I'm nearing 11,000. Every mile has been priceless to me. I've never enjoyed ruining the value of a car more.
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Your feedback on the short gears is typical. It's a small change in gear ratios, but it makes a big difference in the feel of the car.
JDM 5-speeds always had these gear, starting in 1990! But the US cars (and some in Europe) got the "long gears." In talking to many folks involved in the design and release of the car over the years, I've gleaned the following, which all played a role in the gear selection for the US cars:
  • The roads in Japan are narrow and twisting with lots of curves.
  • The Japanese didn't fully understand American roads, which they believed at the time were these long, straight desolate routes like the road Forrest Gump runs on in the movie. They thought the car needed longer gears to manage these huge, empty roads that simply didn't exist in Japan.
  • Honda had fleet MPG targets in the US that did not exist in Japan. Longer gears keep revs lower, which uses less gas.
  • Honda was marketing the NSX to Acura luxury customers in the US as a sophisticated GT saloon that you would use to cruise from your estate to the country club, not a high-revving track car for tearing up a road course. Long gears meant a more sophisticated ride.
 
Honcho said:
Your feedback on the short gears is typical. It's a small change in gear ratios, but it makes a big difference in the feel of the car.
JDM 5-speeds always had these gear, starting in 1990! But the US cars (and some in Europe) got the "long gears." In talking to many folks involved in the design and release of the car over the years, I've gleaned the following, which all played a role in the gear selection for the US cars:
  • The roads in Japan are narrow and twisting with lots of curves.
  • The Japanese didn't fully understand American roads, which they believed at the time were these long, straight desolate routes like the road Forrest Gump runs on in the movie. They thought the car needed longer gears to manage these huge, empty roads that simply didn't exist in Japan.
  • Honda had fleet MPG targets in the US that did not exist in Japan. Longer gears keep revs lower, which uses less gas.
  • Honda was marketing the NSX to Acura luxury customers in the US as a sophisticated GT saloon that you would use to cruise from your estate to the country club, not a high-revving track car for tearing up a road course. Long gears meant a more sophisticated ride.
Click to expand...
Honcho, really interesting observations. Your explanation rings true, and yes, the short gears probably wouldn't make sense slogging through West Texas! And even though I'm super pleased with the NA1 5 speed/short gear combo, I don't remember disliking the six speed in my Zanardi... I thought it was pretty awesome. I guess Honda was just trying to do what they thought was right at the time and to balance out the various demands of American customers.
 
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Having the ability to hit 60 mph in 2nd gear also was on the JDM engineers minds since we are so obsessed with 0-60 metrics..
 
docjohn said:
Having the ability to hit 60 mph in 2nd gear also was on the JDM engineers minds since we are so obsessed with 0-60 metrics..
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Oh yes, that also makes too much sense! If ever there was an object lesson in herd mentality, it has to be the 0-60 obsession, which I, too, am guilty of. Funny how now that we have sooooo many 2 second cars out there (including the Type S) that I don't pay as much attention to it as I used to.

I know I'm veering off topic, but a few days ago, I decided to launch my Type S for the first time. It punched so hard that it gave me vertigo. Not feeling like I need to go do that again any time soon. Maybe I'm just getting old...
 
You are not,I have over 5k miles on mine have never used LC..the horror....

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DeHaldaswerth said:
Oh yes, that also makes too much sense! If ever there was an object lesson in herd mentality, it has to be the 0-60 obsession, which I, too, am guilty of. Funny how now that we have sooooo many 2 second cars out there (including the Type S) that I don't pay as much attention to it as I used to.

I know I'm veering off topic, but a few days ago, I decided to launch my Type S for the first time. It punched so hard that it gave me vertigo. Not feeling like I need to go do that again any time soon. Maybe I'm just getting old...
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Launch Control!! :)

I used to launch my GT-R on a daily basis LOL.

Back on topic- what's weird is the JDM 2nd also hits 60. With the stock FD, 1st redlines at 48 and 2nd hits the limiter at 75 mph. In the US cars, 2nd will take you all the way to 85 mph! But, based on the gearing, the 0-60 time for the JDM car should be a couple of tenths faster. I think the 1/4 mile might be a little better in the US cars though because you're still in 3rd, where on the JDM cars there would be a shift to 4th that could lose a couple tenths...
 
All I know is the short gears and the 4.55 comptech R&P were a hindrance at tracks with longer straights like WGI and Pocono because of low HP and wind resistance shifting into 5th. running out of rpm in 4th was like having a speed limiter..
 
Photo without caption...


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Custom fabricated carbon rotors from Midland Brakes, a manufacturer in the UK. Made specifically for my NSX. They've done a couple of sets for other JDM cars like the Skyline. Not cheap.
 
Super excited about your build. Really like your top three car list. We have very similar cars and taste.

I am building up my nsx in similar style to your car. I have it down to 2650lbs with full fuel right now. I have been searching around for carbon ceramic brakes but nobody was making it. My goal is to get it to around 2500lbs with air con. Do you mind sharing how much the brakes costs, and who to contact to get a set through pm?


Have you decided which direction to go with in terms of motor? I’m thinking of getting sos to build a 3.5 itb but I’m not sure if that would upset the balance or just stick with the stock motor with headers and exhaust and maybe add itb? I have other cars with high hp so I’m conflicted here. This is my first nsx so wondering where you would direct me in terms of motor build.
 
Nsxjonno said:
Super excited about your build. Really like your top three car list. We have very similar cars and taste.

I am building up my nsx in similar style to your car. I have it down to 2650lbs with full fuel right now. I have been searching around for carbon ceramic brakes but nobody was making it. My goal is to get it to around 2500lbs with air con. Do you mind sharing how much the brakes costs, and who to contact to get a set through pm?


Have you decided which direction to go with in terms of motor? I’m thinking of getting sos to build a 3.5 itb but I’m not sure if that would upset the balance or just stick with the stock motor with headers and exhaust and maybe add itb? I have other cars with high hp so I’m conflicted here. This is my first nsx so wondering where you would direct me in terms of motor build.
Click to expand...
Keep it stock or close to stock. Modifying the NSX engine is a quick path to $30,000+ and headaches. Ask @MotorMouth93. If you must do something, stick to the top end. The short block on these cars has some kind of Honda magic in it that is ruined when you take it apart LOL. At 2,500 lbs this car has plenty of power. ITB is doable with engine management, but comes with a lot of headaches. It's mostly a race car mod IMHO.
 
Nsxjonno said:
Super excited about your build. Really like your top three car list. We have very similar cars and taste.

I am building up my nsx in similar style to your car. I have it down to 2650lbs with full fuel right now. I have been searching around for carbon ceramic brakes but nobody was making it. My goal is to get it to around 2500lbs with air con. Do you mind sharing how much the brakes costs, and who to contact to get a set through pm?


Have you decided which direction to go with in terms of motor? I’m thinking of getting sos to build a 3.5 itb but I’m not sure if that would upset the balance or just stick with the stock motor with headers and exhaust and maybe add itb? I have other cars with high hp so I’m conflicted here. This is my first nsx so wondering where you would direct me in terms of motor build.
Click to expand...
PM sent.

I'm in Honcho's camp when it comes to engine mods. I am just so thoroughly happy with the factory engine that I have decided to leave it alone. This is not easy for me... it seems I can never leave well enough alone. So far, however, taking the weight out of the car and adding the short gears perfectly scratches the itch for me.
 

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