NSX-T Chassis reinforcement options?

[2slow2speed]

Hi Folks,

Just wondering what other types of chassis
reinforcement options would be available for
a NSX-T.

I've noticed that my NSX-T flexes quite a
bit when I take it to the track and have been
researching options to make the chassis
stiffer.

I've read about a "front strut" brace for
the Type R, but I don't know if that would
actually help in reinforcing the chassis..

The other option that I have considered is
the Seat Belt Harness bar..

None of the strut brace kits for the NSX-Ts
engine compartment would seem to make that
much of a difference considering that the
stock one seems to be adequate.

What other options have people considered?

 

[Jimbo]

I would think that one way to do this would be find some way to bolt the roof panel in place.

-Jim

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1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html

 

[ncdogdoc]

I do not mean to flame, but are you tracking with the panel in place? I track my -T almost monthly, and have the Koni/Eibach setup set as stiff as they go on the track and I do not honestly notice chassis flex. Take the panel out, and "Holy Hulu Dance, Batman". I think the only way to make the -T stiffer is more cross bracing from the shock towers to the center tub of the body, much like the present triangular brace in the engine compartment. I do not disagree with Jim's point, but think that again an "X" type brace across the panel, or a full, and I mean full roll cage would be about the only thing to improve chassis flex. Think about the part that changed (the removable roof panel) and that is where structural improvements would have to take place.

On another note. My -T has 75k miles on it. The stock shocks were beginning to allow slack in the suspension at about 70k, which created the feeling of wallow, or slow to respond to steering or other dynamic changes in direction (camber or incline of the track). When I lowered the car and changed the shocks, that "laxity" or slack disappeared. JMHO.

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Gary Yates
1995 Red/Tan

 

[2slow2speed]

Originally posted by ncdogdoc:
I do not mean to flame, but are you tracking with the panel in place? I track my -T almost monthly, and have the Koni/Eibach setup set as stiff as they go on the track and I do not honestly notice chassis flex. Take the panel out, and "Holy Hulu Dance, Batman". I think the only way to make the -T stiffer is more cross bracing from the shock towers to the center tub of the body, much like the present triangular brace in the engine compartment. I do not disagree with Jim's point, but think that again an "X" type brace across the panel, or a full, and I mean full roll cage would be about the only thing to improve chassis flex. Think about the part that changed (the removable roof panel) and that is where structural improvements would have to take place.

On another note. My -T has 75k miles on it. The stock shocks were beginning to allow slack in the suspension at about 70k, which created the feeling of wallow, or slow to respond to steering or other dynamic changes in direction (camber or incline of the track). When I lowered the car and changed the shocks, that "laxity" or slack disappeared. JMHO.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your feedback. I run my 97 NSX-T with the top on, ever since I bought the
car I've felt that the chassis flexes a bit.

In the entire time that I have owned the car
I've run the car with the top off only once,
and never done it again, it flexes too much.

As far as the suspension goes, I am running
with Dali Street/Race sway bars set to the
stiffest setting. I'm also running with some
TEIN RAs that I can adjust, even at their
stiffest settings I feel that the car flexes.

For the time being a Full Roll cage is not
an option for me since I still like to drive
the car every once in a while for leasure,
I'll probably be adding a Seat Harness as
soon as I can figure out what type of seats
I can get installed in the car.

Once again, thanks for your feedback.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Hi Ken,

I drove a 97 NSX-T with Tein RA, and can't really feel the chassis flex. I drove it rally style as the car has extreme oversteer. This was confirmed with another qualified driver that drive the car after me. My guess is that spring rate in the Tein. Get different spring rate for the Tein.

Same thing with Tom Chiarella 96 NSX-T, with Comptech pro suspension. Feels very solid, and I actually turn in very fast laps. Great suspension BTW.

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<A HREF="http://www.tracknutz.com" TARGET=_blank>www.tracknutz.com
</A>
Join us Nov 24!

[This message has been edited by Andrie Hartanto (edited 27 September 2002).]

 

[2slow2speed]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Hi Ken,

I drove a 97 NSX-T with Tein RA, and can't really feel the chassis flex. I drove it rally style as the car has extreme oversteer. This was confirmed with another qualified driver that drive the car after me. My guess is that spring rate in the Tein. Get different spring rate for the Tein.

Same thing with Tom Chiarella 96 NSX-T, with Comptech pro suspension. Feels very solid, and I actually turn in very fast laps. Great suspension BTW.

Hi Andrie,

Thanks for the feedback, I think that the
spring factor is definetely there, I've not
been able to lower my car too much since it
needs to clear my driveway (it's almost at
stock height).

So the springs might not be as pre-compressed
compared to other people running with TEIN-RAs
with the stock helper springs but have the car
sitting lower.

I'll see if I can lower my car a bit more
while I wait for some stiffer helper springs..
BTW: Thanks to all who replied...

 

[RotaryBandit]

heres a trick I've seen FC's (second gen RX-7's) and Hachi Rokus (cult favorite of older RWD corollas) use.

I used to have a site where some guy actually showed the installation (not hard) but I can't find that page now.

It's a special foam, regular foam won't do. If you use regular foam it will soak up water and rust your car from inside out (well it will in the non aluminum frame cases).

here is a thread about it on corollas http://forums.12hundred.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6122

They usually put it in the empty cavities in the frame. Like the part under the door sills, sometimes is the pillars.
The door sill area is the most common.

Althouhg I'm not sure people would do this to a $$$ NSX

 

[tmeekins]

I'm wondering if your sway bar is too stiff. You're taking away enough roll from the suspension that the body is flexing. I also have Tein-RAs on a 97-T. I'm using the softest setting on my rear Dali sway bars, and for awhile I've been thinking of going back to stock bars in the rear. I really don't feel any flex in the car.



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Tim Meekins
1997 Yellow NSX-T
http://tmeekins.com