First of all great seeing a bunch of new and old faces (screenames?) back on nsxprime!
What's changed with the NSX in a year? Let's see...
* Sold CTSC & Meth setup
* Sold BBK
* Installed S2K AP1/CR Quick Ratio EPS (thanks @
nsxmugen!)
* Installed prototype ITBs
* Learned a thing or two about engine tuning via the HKS V-Pro
Many have asked why I sold the CTSC setup. Here are my reasons and you don't have to agree.
* After nearly 10 yrs of having a sorted setup I was beginning to get bored and needed a "project" again.
#firstworldproblems
* The extra belt tension on the crank bearings never really sat well with me
* Driving a Forced Inducted car in my new area was just too much. My RPMs tended to be low. I missed the songs of VTEC
* I wanted to figure out what exactly were the annoyances of previous ITB setups and find solutions to them
* Building an NA motor is hard. So why not... HA! It's so gangster IF done right.
* I wanted a forever mod (famous last words)
What's planned...
* ITBs custom everything but using aftermarket Jenvey throttles for now. Want AT Power if I could ever afford a set
I've currently gotten the ITBs to run satisfactorily on my stock 3.0L. Albeit, it's a bit tired of a stock engine I think but it still held 210-220 psi on a compression test. I'm working with Adnan from @
A.S. Motorsports on a brand new ITB design. Manifolds are CNC'd (not cast) and incorporate the primary injector location where we wanted. I'll be working on a secondary injector placement and he'll be working on a DBW setup for it once we get my prototype setup nailed - we're close. Currently still working with him on testing throttle linkages and specifically the progressivity and pedal feel. I want it to feel stock+. We're on our 5th version of this but the "feel" is almost just right IMO. I'm 3D printing that pulley as I type this. I'm also weighing the option of running the IACV or not. I get +2 to 5 in/hg of added vacuum w/o it for some reason so i've got some troubleshooting to do there. Runs fine w/ or w/o it but it's nice to have that added cold idle performance. I'll figure that out soon. Will likely need to rewire the V-Pro so I have control over the IACV. Right now.. it still runs off the factory ECU which adds to the inconsistencies.
I have to find a 0-5V barometer sensor. What are you guys using?
Here's how it's running now. Hopefully this video will somewhat make up for the lack of photos!
https://youtu.be/9Y6-7gqMXxk
I've had one dyno session but that was primarily to get my base map sorted. At the time it felt like a gargantuan task to build a base map from scratch, but having done it, it was such a gratifying experience. I don't think I could ever explain properly the feeling of accomplishment just getting the car to idle. The learning curve got much easier from there. Using ITBs it's best to use Alpha N as the primary load table... as easy as that may sound on the surface, I found it challenging to hone in on an acceptable configuration just to be able to drive it to the dyno. There were so many "moving parts". I'm happy to share what I learned for anyone interested in getting ITBs setup for this car. Once we nail down the throttle linkages I've got another dyno session planned. This time i'll be tuning for power. On that note, I'm using the HKS Knock Amp to listen for knock via earphones. I was shocked to find out not much has really changed with modern ECUs in this regard? The knock sensor/transducers basically produce a signal which the amplifier converts to audio. It sounds like Cicadas on a summer day with the occasional small rocks being shaken in a tin can loudy, which apparently resembles knock. There's varying degrees of interpretation and it's more confusing than i'm making it out to be. I can see where experience really comes into play here to get the most out of a motor SAFELY. They dyno will help. Anyway, I have to configure the HKS Knock Amp better to fine tune it but not knowing exactly what knock sounds like in the C30A I've got my timing pretty conservative I reckon. I believe my tuner friend configured this knock amp with baseline settings so it's somewhat usable. I'll need the torque curve on the dyno to validate this further. Street tuning is pretty much done for me just a few adjustments here and there.
I had lofty dreams of installing a DBW and secondary injectors from the get-go. DBW would allow much better tuning of throttle progressivity theoretically and I would save a bunch of time R&D'ing these pulleys. The ITB hardware can have provisions for it, but my V-Pro needs 2 separate add-on modules that I can no longer source/buy. So if I wanted to add either of these features I'd have to swap ECU's entirely it seems, OR add some kind of "7th injector" configuration that isn't managed per cylinder per say. I wonder how effective this will be... Seems like a band aid solution honestly though this is how I add more fuel in my TRD Supercharged Tacoma and it's been fine for a decade. Big bummer if I had to get rid of the HKS because I've come to really appreciate this platform despite it being old school. There's a lot of drivability aids built into the ECU for it being so old. I also purchased a set of adjustable height velocity stacks, but the problem I'm encountering is a physical fitment limitation. I can either use 80+mm or <45mm stacks. Nothing in between because of contact with the rear strut bar. The right choice is to custom fab a new RSTB but talk about sliding down a slippery slope. I also need to prioritize a CF airbox for this. As orgasmic as it sounds.. it's just borderline too loud at WOT. I'm also noticing in-town IATs of 115-130+F. That's just a waste of power IMO. I'm hoping a CF airbox will solve the IAT and volume problem.
General Updates:
* I still like the S2K QR rack. You do lose a little bit of micro feel but the QR is very welcomed in the tight canyons I frequent. I'm not selling my OEM manual rack in case I want to go back
* I might try RDX primary injectors in the ITB setup. I'm currently using ID1000's and they're surprisingly good but on the stock motor I'm only using 2-15%'ish duty cycle
* 3.5L engine build getting sorted now. @HQ Engineering will build that for me but we're still in discussions about possible cams, CR, and other things. It's going to take some time for this project because we want to do it right
* Suspension wise... Swapped back to NSX-R spring rates. My roads where I live now aren't as shitty as Downtown LA so I figure try something a bit stiffer. So far so good.
I'm planning for a track day in November with my current setup. I'd say there's a 50/50 chance of that coming to fruition
EDIT: I'd like to get my hands on a set of AT Power ITBs. Anyone have experience with those? I love the slim billet butterfly profile.