OK, so my car isn't evil after all . . .

[dquarasr2]

You may recall a thread I posted last month about why my NSX was so unsettled entering corners. I had complained that the rear of the car never felt planted. I had received some good advice on altering my driving style to compensate, along with some speculation on whether the shocks or tire pressures were off.

Well, I instructed at an autocross school last weekend, at which I learned how to get comfortable with the car sideways, at manageable speeds. I turned off the TCS and had the at car all kinds of angles, and found it to be entirely forgiveable. Then I concentrated on how to avoid getting the car sideways in the first place.

Today I drove with Chin at Moroso and, as many suggested here, managed the weight transfer to the rear as I turned in. I tried that today. The car was planted all friggin' day long. I even had understeer exiting some of the corners. It was like night and day.

I did try reducing the pressure in the tires all the way around, such that the car was squirrelly while the tires were cold, and they came in perfectly (I reduced pressures to 29/30 which resulted in around 35/36 or 37 while hot). I concentrated on getting braking done a little earlier so that I could plant the rear of the car, and this worked out wonderfully.

So, aside from reducing pressures around 4-5 PSI (which is not insignificant, I know), all I really did is adjust the nut that holds the wheel. And I am immeasurably happier with the car. I can post a bunch of these now: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

A month ago I was starting to think about how much $$ I could ask for the car. Now I'm not even thinking such thoughts. . . .

Thanks to all that gave advice last month. This NSX truly is a whole lot more forgiving to drive fast than I had given it credit for. I feel silly in that for as long as I've been doing this I was too pig-headed to think it was me . . . .

So I learned yet again how much about this I don't really know. Regardless, today I laid down some reasonably fast times and had a REALLY good time!

 

[docjohn]

Great news,thanks for taking the time to give us the follow up!The go pedal really is your best friend in the nsx

 

[BioBanker]

That is great news.

In my experience, the chassis of the NSX has what I think is the perfect amount of rear flexibility relative to front stiffness.

Once you get the weight on the rears, there's nothing stopping you. Just keep it there. But make sure you dont enter a corner too hot!

 

[Scin]

You still need new shocks, trust me

 

[JDMnsxR]

good to hear...

 

[dquarasr2]

You still need new shocks, trust me

Of that I'm sure, but there's less urgency now. If any of you are like me, you know that I was somewhat obsessing over this. I was glad Chin Motorsports had an opening this past weekend for me to try many of your Prime suggestions, sooner rather than later.

 

[titaniumdave]

Yes, the TCS button is evil, not the car!

You have found the single most important 'track upgrade' you can add to your car, instruction and seat time!:biggrin: Keep up the fun!

 

[NSXLuvr]

You sound like me after my first wknd at the track. That was almost 4 years ago. I bought the NSX and my wife bought me a wknd track event as a congratulations gift. 2 episodes of "snap oversteer" in one wknd and I felt I had made the wrong decision. Here were some of my thoughts:

1. Maybe I should have bought that z06 afterall.
2. That stability control is a great idea. Why doesn't the NSX have it.
3. Mid engine design is great in theory only.:tongue:
4. I need more Horsepower.:biggrin: :biggrin:

Once you learn true car control and really start developing your skills, you realize what a great car the NSX really is. In a car like a miata or a 350Z - you can master 90% of the car's control in a couple of wknds. The learning curve on the NSX is much, much longer and much more rewarding. IMHO.

Enjoy.

 

[Alan C.]

Depending on tires I wouldn't right off a 4-5 lb. change in pressure as insignificant. Glad to hear you came to grips:wink: with the car.

 

[titaniumdave]

Depending on tires I wouldn't right off a 4-5 lb. change in pressure as insignificant. Glad to hear you came to grips:wink: with the car.

2 lb. can be huge in any tires, especially if you are getting into the higher ranges...

 

[dquarasr2]

Depending on tires I wouldn't right off a 4-5 lb. change in pressure as insignificant. Glad to hear you came to grips:wink: with the car.

Here's what I had originally written. Sorry to sorta use a double negative, but I recognized that 4-5 PSI is significant. Maybe I worded it poorly:

So, aside from reducing pressures around 4-5 PSI (which is not insignificant, I know), all I really did is adjust the nut that holds the wheel. And I am immeasurably happier with the car. I can post a bunch of these now: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

NSXLuvr, I've been doing this a fairly long time, which is why I was so pig-headed to start with. I underestimated the learning curve and also underestimated the mid-engine configuration's effect on technique and handling. I also have been driving the Miata too long, and setting expectations on other cars commensurably. The Miata is just so stupidly easy to recover from getting out of shape that anything else, no matter how good, feels like it takes so long to settle down. I had so much more fun the last two weekends in the NSX, and while I still have a healthy respect for The Walls, I am much less intimidated by the Acura now, and have more confidence in getting much closer to the limits.

Again, thanks for everyone's comments here. I find Prime to be absolutely awesome, really enhances the ownership experience. And as I tell everyone, you all realize your purpose in life is to make ME happy. :biggrin:

 

[NSXLuvr]

I did the exact opposite. I drove my NSX for 3+ years and decided to get a specmiata last month.:smile: